Bottler Douglas Laing & Co has plans to construct a Scotch whisky distillery in Glasgow on the banks of the River Clyde with an investment of £10.7m.

The development at Pacific Quay would feature a visitor centre, bar, bistro, bottling complex, laboratory, and new corporate head office.

The distillery is expected to become operational by the end of next year, and the first single malt product produced by the distillery will be launched in 2021.

This investment is expected to enable the firm to focus on developing its export trade. It currently sells products to more than 50 countries worldwide and has plans to expand into China.

"The distillery is expected to become operational by the end of next year."

This development will be supported by  £855,000 grant from the Scottish Government through the Food Processing Marketing and Co-operation (FPMC) scheme.

The grant will assist in meeting the capital costs for distillery equipment.

Water will be piped to the distillery from Loch Katrine and 300t of barley will be brought in from Scottish farms to create the whiskies such as The King of Scots.

The whisky segment's annual contribution to the UK economy is more than £5bn.

Image: Executives of the Douglas Laing & Co. Photo: Courtesy of Douglas Laing & Co.