Airport activation for Glengoyne's sustainability schemes

A project between Ian Macleod Distillers and Glasgow Airport is showcasing Glengoyne's single malt Scotch whiskies to travellers.

Created in collaboration with World Duty Free, the in-store activation is centred on Glengoyne's travel retail-exclusive Spirit of Oak range and highlights its long-standing partnership with the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT).

Based 20 miles north of Glasgow, Glengoyne (named Sustainable Distillery of the Year in the Icons of Whisky 2022 Scotland regional round) was the first distillery to build a wetland facility to manage 100 per cent of its liquid waste.

It uses renewable energy from wind turbines and (from 2022) solar power, and also generates its own renewable energy from spent mash which provides enough electricity to power 354 local homes.

Its Spirit of Oak range includes the Glengoyne Cuartillo and Glengoyne Balbaína, as well as the limited-edition 28 Years Old and Pedro Ximénex Cask Finish expressions. 

The World Duty Free activation explores the distillery's history and whisky-making process and its partnership with the WWT, incorporating QR codes which shoppers can scan to find out more. It was launched to coincide with the COP26 climate change conference in Glasgow in October and will run until the start of January.

Ian Macleod Distillers' global travel retail director, William Ovens, said: "We are delighted to be working with World Duty Free to offer travellers through Glasgow Airport the opportunity to try Glengoyne and understand more about its wonderful association with the WWT. Whilst we respect the past and our time-honoured traditions at Glengoyne, we also care a lot about the future and are proud of the progress we have made on our sustainability journey."

Denise Gilmour, Glasgow Airport's head of retail, said: "We were really proud to welcome visitors to Glasgow Airport, the gateway to Scotland and the city for international guests attending COP26. We were also thrilled to support and help raise awareness of the work being done by Glengoyne Distillery through its biodiversity partnership with the WWT."

The WWT is one of the largest wetland conservation organisations in the world. To mark its 75th anniversary, it is coordinating the WWT Can! campaign, which pledges to create an additional 100,000 hectares of wetlands across the UK and continue to protect wild geese that migrate to Scotland for the winter from Norway and beyond. Glengoyne's charity partnership with the WWT began in 2012.

17 December 2021 - Bethany Whymark