Scotch Whisky distilleries and visitor centres contribute in excess of £30m to the economy each year, according to a report commissioned by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA).

Edinburgh-based 4-consulting produced Scotch Whisky and Tourism which found that 86.1 per cent of visitors to distilleries last year were from outside Scotland.

The research has also shown that a "distillery effect" leads to the creation of tourism and cultural clusters in production areas, while export growth is opening up new visitor markets.

SWA director of government and consumer affairs Campbell Evans said: "Our survey shows the scale of the economic impact of Scotch Whisky and how exports can help drive up tourism."

Image: Colin Kinnear