Moray Conservative MP Douglas Ross, accompanied by Conservative Council Group Leader and local Councillor, Tim Eagle, visited the Boortmalt Maltings in Buckie today (Friday,) as part of a series of visits in the area.
Speaking after the visit Douglas said “ I was delighted to have the opportunity to see around the Boortmalt Maltings in Buckie and see first hand the process that the grain has to go through to before being turned into malt and supplied to most of the local distilleries and those as far as field as North Aberdeenshire and the Black Isle.
“When you consider that 40% of the Scotch whisky distilleries in Scotland are in Moray it shows the importance of our area for this iconic Scottish product.
“It was also encouraging to learn that the Maltings here are in a strong economic position selling all the malt that they convert from grain. These are the kind of industries that we need here in Moray being a key element of the whisky supply chain and employing local workers.
Conservative Council Leader, Tim Eagle said “I was delighted to join Douglas as we were shown around the Boortmalt Maltings here at Buckie. This Maltings plays a key role in the production of Scotch whisky and it was good to learn more about what happens on the site. We are fortunate to have this kind of business on our doorstep and it is especially pleasing to note that they source their grain locally and also sell the malt in the area as well.”
Gary Lawton the Maltings Manager said “ It was my pleasure to show Douglas and Tim around today and showcase the work we do here at Boortmalt Maltings. I am proud of the fact that we source barley and sell our product locally, the majority of our malt being sold into Speyside.
The business is strong and we are currently looking at plans for expansion which would be good news for the local economy in all sorts of ways.”