Potstill Bar Owner Hits Out At Scottish Tourist Board

[McKay]

I just read an interesting article in the Sunday Herald. Ken Storrie, proprietor of the Pot Still whisky bar in Hope Street Glasgow, has hit out at the Scottish tourist board for failing to celebrate the commerical potential of Scotland's national drink.

He said he has become frustrated by Scotland's tourism industry, which he believes is overlooking his business.

"If you've got the best malt whisky bar in the world, right on your doorstep, you'd think they'd want to make a big deal about it," he said.

"In the past three years running we have won an award for being the best whisky bar in the world. We have titles, awards, but you get no recognition for that achievement in Glasgow. It makes you think; what's going on?"

Storrie said most of his custom comes from local recommendations rather than a concerted effort from the tourism industry.

I can understand Kens comments as there are thousands of whisky tourists passing through Glasgow annually who are completely unaware of the Potstill bar and other great whisky bars in Scotland. I am certain out of the thousands of tourists that visit distilleries every year a lot of them would be interested in visiting the potstill and as many of them spend a night or two in Glasgow it would not divert them from other tourist attractions but it would further promote Scotlands biggest export.

You can read more on the story at the Sunday Heralds site

McKay

[Alastair]

Thanks for the link McKay. I am sure Potstill has a point, it certainly does its bit for Scotland and the whisky industry how hard would it be for the tourist board to promote potstill a little at Glasgow airport where a lot of whisky visitors to Scotland arrive into the country.

[John]

Hi Alastair

The Whisky Month in May 2009 is part of Homecoming Scotland 2009 and will have events all over Scotland not just Glasgow.

I got this from the Homecoming Scotland site:

Throughout the month of May Homecoming Scotland 2009 invites you to explore and appreciate the expertise of the stillsmen and master blenders whose diligence has created one of Scotland's biggest exports and extensions of our culture. Kicking off the celebrations at the biggest ever Spirit of Speyside event from 1st - 10th May the Scotch Whisky Industry opens its doors to visitors and locals alike.

The month long programme is currently being developed in association with the Whisky Industry and will conclude with Feis lle, Islay's annual Malt and Music Festival.

When i have more info on the month long events i will post it on the forum.

John

[Mark]

I am sure there are a lot of whisky tourists who pass through Glasgow who would love to be pointed in the direction of the Potstill bar. I only found out about it through being online and visiting whisky websites otherwise i wouldnt have known of its existance.

Mark

[Charlie]

The Potstill used to have there own website promoting the bar but it does not appear to be online now. They did not do themself any favours by failing to keep the website up and running to promote themself. I am sure all the big whisky sites wonline would have linked to it if they were asked and this would have generated awareness about there bar. They want the tourist board to promote them, but they could be helping themself a bit also.

Charlie