Glasgow's new home of whisky

The River Clyde is synonymous with shipbuilding and construction, but more recently with modern science, technology and innovation. Once the industrial hub of the city and gateway to the world, the shipyards and factories on the banks of the Clyde employed thousands of manual workers, building huge liners, importing goods and sending Scottish exports all over the world.

At the Queen's Dock, Crates bringing back spices from Asia and tobacco from America filled the air with a mixture of new and exotic scents. Among these was another unmistakable aroma: Scotch whisky. Right here, on the site of the birth of the whisky industry sits the newly opened Clydeside Distillery.

In its heyday, Glasgow was home to several whisky distilleries and 'whisky barons', businessmen who pioneered new products, built and shaped the landscape of the city. Among them was John Morrison, founder of the Queen's Dock who laid the foundations for Morrison Bowmore Distillers. In 2017, his ancestor Tim Morrison has opened one of the first malt whisky distilleries in Glasgow for over half a century.

Although the Clydeside Distillery is brand new and not currently producing any whisky yet (it takes three years to create a malt whisky) the doors are open to the public for tours to learn more about the history and the distillation process.

Our tour guide, Ronnie, was engaging, witty and definitely knew his whisky! The building is a bright, modern space with views of the Clyde and it retains the old stone of the Queen's dock and striking clock tower. It's a real joy to wander round, read and learn about the history surrounding Scotland's most famous tipple.

Even if you aren't a whisky fan, it's a fascinating and sensory experience. You might even be converted by the end of the tour, where you get an opportunity to sample 'Three Wee Drams' from across Scotland in a beautiful tasting room. And you get to keep your glass as a souvenir.

Ronnie guided us through the six steps of whisky tasting, encouraging us to take notes. There's a cute cafe offering delicious platters of home-grown produce and a gift shop, where you can take home your favourite whisky. You can even purchase bottles with personalised labels to commemorate a special occasion or trip.

Tours cost £15 for an adult and they run every hour on weekdays and every half hour on weekends. You can book online or buy tickets on arrival.

Combining history and tradition with innovation, the distillery brings new life to the banks of the River Clyde. It's a fitting tribute to the industrial, pioneering spirit of the city and an exciting vision for its future.