Speyside could be made a world heritage site – if those in the whisky industry pay heed to France’s recent success, it has been claimed.
The Champagne region in France, known for its sparking wine, has been granted World Heritage status by UNESCO. The designation is given to place that are of “outstanding universal value to humanity”.
Now calls have been made for Speyside to become Scotland’s seventh location to achieve the prestigious honour, which would boost tourism and ensure the region’s whisky heritage is recognised globally.
Moray MP Angus Robertson said: “The world heritage status for Champagne is highly deserved. It should give us inspiration in Speyside to ensure that the heartland scotch malt whisky region is equally recognised and properly promoted at home and abroad.
“This shows the way that world class food and drink regions can succeed.”
If Speyside did achieve the status, it would join Scotland’s six other sites – the Forth Bridge, St Kilda, New Lanark, the Antonine Wall and Edinburgh’s Old and New towns.
Mr Robertson’s aspirations were echoed by local MSP Richard Lochhead, who said: “This is great news for the Champagne region, but could also open up a golden opportunity for Speyside.
“There is a general consensus that Speyside could capture greater benefit from being home to Scotch whisky and home to so many iconic symbols of what is a globally famous and successful industry steeped in tradition and craft.
“It’s now time for the industry and public sector to investigate the Champagne region’s success and see what we can learn for
the benefit of Speyside and Scotch whisky.”
More than 1,000 world heritage sites currently exist around the world in 161 different countries.
Other top cultural sites include the Grand Canyon, the Egyptian pyramids, the Taj Mahal and the Great Wall of China.