DISTILLERIES and breweries will be exempt from laws targeting alcohol displays in shops, the Scottish Government said today.
The move comes after industry fears that visitor attractions may suffer a knock-on effect of legislation aimed at reducing alcohol abuse.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: "We are not anti-alcohol but Scotland has got its relationship with t
he bottle out of kilter. It's not the drink, it's how we're drinking – we need to get things back in balance.
"Our regulations to prevent alcohol being displayed in more than one area of a shop were designed to prevent alcohol being displayed all over the store to encourage impulse buying.
"Clearly, alcohol sold at attractions to promote and increase understanding of the skill that goes into producing fine premium drinks such as malt whiskies doesn't fall into this category."
He made the announcement during a visit to the Scottish Liqueur Centre, where he spoke of the Government's "pride" in the industry.
Campbell Evans, of the Scotch Whisky Association, welcomed the decision.
"We have worked closely with the Government to agree a pragmatic and workable solution so that visitor centres can continue to showcase Scotch whisky and a wide range of other local products," he said.
"The revised regulations are a recognition that it is possible to tackle alcohol misuse, whilst avoiding unintended negative consequences for a key Scottish industry."
The legislation, due to come into force on September 1, amends an area of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 which deals with display areas.
