There was a “great opportunity” for Scotland’s six whisky regions to receive the same level of recognition as the champagne vineyards in Burgundy in France, which was recognised over the weekend and will now receive special protection.
In order to be granted world heritage status, the production sites must be deemed to be ‘culturally significant’.
Scotland’s six whisky regions are: Speyside, Islay, Campbeltown, Highlands, Islands and Lowlands.
The whisky industry – supported by the Scottish government – should seize the opportunity to learn from the steps taken by champagne, and the producers in the region, Scotland’s food secretary Richard Lochhead said.
‘Golden opportunity’
“This is excellent news for champagne, and rightfully deserved – and I now hope this could open up a golden opportunity for Scotland’s many whisky-producing regions,” he said.
“The Scotch whisky industry is iconic and world-famous, steeped in tradition and craft. It’s now time for the industry and public sector to investigate the champagne region’s success and see what we can learn from it, for the benefit of Scotland.”
UNESCO World Heritage sites
(UNESCO) seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity.
Scotch whisky is just as iconic, if not more so, than champagne, Lochhead claimed.
“This is Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink – there is no better time than now to push forward and work towards our whisky-producing regions receiving the same level of recognition from UNESCO as Champagne and Burgundy in France,” he added.