Islay Distilleries Water Shortage

Islay Distilleries Water Shortage, Islay distilleries forced to shut down after being hit by water shortage. HALF of the distilleries on Islay have been forced to stop production because of a water shortage.

A prolonged dry spell on the island has caused several burns to dry up.


This means that the lochs the distilleries draw their water from are not being topped up and are soon emptied.

Now five of the 10 distilleries on the island have stopped production.

One of those affected is the Bruichladdich distillery.

Managing director Mark Rynier said: "We have had to stop production for the past 10 days.

"We're a small private distillery so we've been able to keep everybody occupied by getting on with routine repairs and other stuff.

"What we need is two or three days of constant drizzle.

"Heavy rain is no use as it just runs off the top into the sea, which doesn't solve the problem."

Distilleries in the south of the island such as Laphroig and Ardbeg draw their water from high ground and haven't stopped working as they have a more regular water supply.

But some have had to slow production and there are fears they may have to stop if the drought continues.

A Met Office spokesman said: "The Western Isles have experienced their driest, warmest spring for years, resulting in a water shortage for some of Scotland's most isolated communities."

Islay councillor Robin Currie said: "There has been a long dry spell but I don't think anybody is really upset about it.

"They have been too busy enjoying the sunshine."

Source:dailyrecord