Aberdeenshire Council to stop giving whisky as a gift as it’s ‘not a good look’

Local authority bosses will cut down on presents due to "tight financial constraints".

By Kirstie Topp Local Democracy Reporter

January 10 2025, 12:05 pm

Aberdeenshire Council will stop gifting residents whisky and flowers for special birthdays and anniversaries. Image: DC Thomson

Aberdeenshire Council will stop giving out bottles of whisky to elderly residents celebrating milestone anniversaries or birthdays – amid concerns the boozy gift is “not a particularly good look”.

The local authority is axing celebratory gifts which have cost around £3,000 annually over the last five years.

Councillors have traditionally visited constituents on their big day to present them with a bouquet of flowers and bottle of whisky.

These gifts are given to couples marking their 60th, 65th and 70th anniversaries, and individuals celebrating milestone 100th and 105th birthdays.

George and Sheila Grieve celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with the Lord-Lieutenant of Aberdeenshire James Ingleby and councillor Ron McKail back in 2016. Image: Kenny Elrick/DC Thomson

Meanwhile, the council will stop handing out medals during citizenship ceremonies in a bid to save an extra £2,000.

Local authority bosses had drawn up plans to scrap the keepsakes due to “tight financial constraints”.

Aberdeenshire councillor glad to see the end of whisky celebratory gifts

The matter recently went before members of the business services committee for their views.

Councillors were assured that visits would still continue, but special events would only be recognised with a card.

Councillor Gwyneth Petrie said she wasn’t entirely opposed to the change, and was glad alcohol (usually a bottle of single malt whisky) would no longer be given out.

Huntly councillor Gwyneth Petrie. Image: Scott Baxter/DC Thomson

The SNP member explained: “I disagree with giving whisky anyway for various reasons, particularly around some of our health factors and I don’t think it gives a particularly good look.”

Ms Petrie also noted that flowers were expensive but suggested a small gift would be better than nothing.

Strichen resident Betty Chapman was gifted flowers for her 100th birthday in 2022. Image: Kath Flannery/DC Thomson

“Going with just a card is difficult and if we were going to do that, our suggestion would be just to post it rather than have councillors travelling out with it,” she explained.

The councillor urged officers to have a “little bit more thought” around the matter after the budget is set next month.

‘I’d hate to see it going altogether’

Her view was backed by councillor Mark Findlater who fondly reminisced on his own visits to constituents over the years and noted that gifts had been “really well received”.