THERE was chaos around a distillery in Speyside this morning, so much so that it led to a road closure. All because of a bottle of whisky.
It was the launch of the Macallan’s Genesis Limited Edition and even though the distillery at Craigellachie said that there would be no access before 9.30am, people turned up in their droves, blocking one of the local thoroughfares.
One eager customer tweeted that he got up at 4am to get there in good time, only to be disappointed.
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It does the stereotype that Scots like more than a dram or two no favours.
The new £140 million distillery and visitor centre opened earlier this year and the new whisky, of which just 2500 units were made, was released to mark its opening.
But after an overwhelming amount of whisky collectors showed up – AA traffic reports for the area said around 300 cars were in the area – police were forced to close a section of the B9102 as vehicles were parked on verges and began to block the road.
Well that was fun trying to get to Macallan pic.twitter.com/6dByNs0F07
— Stew McIntyre (@MaltMentalist) August 14, 2018
Moray police tweeted: “A section of the B9102 has been closed at the #Macallan Distillery, Craigellachie at the junction of the A941 in the East to Braehead and Overton Cottage in the West. The public are urged to drive carefully and be patient. Updates to follow.”
A section of the B9102 has been closed at the #Macallan Distillery, Craigellachie at the junction of the A941 in the East to Braehead and Overton Cottage in the West. The public are urged to drive carefully and be patient. Updates to follow. #policescotland #keepingpeoplesafe
— MorayPolice (@MorayPolice) August 14, 2018
Motorists tweeted their anger at the organisational problems, posting photos of the make-shift car park.
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The road re-opened shortly before 10am but whisky fans continued to voice their anger online.
It’s absolute chaos. pic.twitter.com/AxH8BDO1b7
— Spirit and Wood | Alistair (@SpiritAndWood) August 14, 2018
Bar owners in Drumnadrochit near Loch Ness who successfully secured a bottle quipped that it had riot shields at the ready.
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