SWI seeks to showcase the history of, and educate people about single malt Scotch whisky, as well as promote investment in the commodity. The international business, which is involved in the whisky asset management sector, has a licence to offer financial investment products in the form of bottles and casks of single malt Scotch whisky issued by the Dutch Authority for Financial Markets.

As part of its strategy, it is seeking to deliver a mixed-use development in Falkland. This includes proposals for a corporate headquarters building with restaurants, museum and hotel accommodation, as well as community facilities for the village, at the site of the former St John’s Works. The company said that the project will deliver significant investment, creating employment and tourism opportunities for Falkland, with Fife being traditionally the ‘birthplace’ of Scotch whisky.

The 3.64-hectare St John’s Work’s site was formerly a linoleum factory and then taken over by Smith Anderson, a manufacturer of paper bags before its closure in 2013 and subsequent demolition. It is located to the south of the urban edge of Falkland.

This headquarters building aims to act as a centrepiece for learning about and showcasing single malt Scotch whisky, and to provide a place of hospitality for worldwide investors in the commodity.

The intention is also to relocate the Valentino Zagatti whisky collection, one of the largest in the world, from the Netherlands to a museum within the building. The collection, which was created by Italian, Valentino Zagatti, comprises more than 3,000 bottles from close to 300 whisky brands, most of which are extremely rare.

The Falkland development forms part of a multi-million-pound investment in Fife that also includes a single malt Scotch whisky storage and bottling facility in Glenrothes.

A planning application for four whisky storage warehouses, maintenance and bottling buildings, and offices at Southfield Industrial Estate on Crompton Road in Glenrothes was submitted to Fife Council in March 2022. A further 20 warehouses are now proposed for the 5.4-hectare site.

Proposal of Application Notices (PANs) have been submitted to Fife Council for both the Falkland development and expansion of the Glenrothes facility, heralding the intent to submit a planning application for these following a minimum 12-week consultation period.

An online consultation event, in accordance with Scottish government guidance, will be held for each of the proposals in August, followed by a physical consultation event for each in September, both at local venues.

Keith Rennie, director for Scotch Whisky Investments, said: “We are delighted to be bringing forward ambitious proposals for Falkland and Glenrothes as part of a significant investment programme for Fife.

“Our vision as a company is to showcase and educate people about single malt Scotch whisky, as well as promote investment in the commodity and provide new facilities for Falkland.

“Through this activity, complemented by the expansion of our facilities in Glenrothes, considerable employment and tourism opportunities will be delivered not just for Fife, but for Scotland as a whole.

“We look forward to engaging with the public on these proposals and keeping the community updated as they progress.”  

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