Royal Brackla Distillery in Cawdor, near Nairn, has been making hand sanitiser to support the global efforts in reducing the spread of coronavirus, alongside four other Bacardi-owned distilleries in Scotland (Aberfeldy, Craigellachie, Aultmore and Macduff) plus its Glasgow-based Dewar’s whisky operations centre. In total, the company has produced more than 8,500 litres of hand sanitiser in Scotland over the past month, which has been donated to frontline workers including the Scottish Ambulance Association, Scottish Fire and Rescue, local care homes and hospitals.
The latest donation was made to Stagecoach bus drivers across the Highlands this week.
David Beaton, Managing Director for Stagecoach Highlands said: “It is fantastic to receive this support from Bacardi. Since March we have been supplying hand sanitiser to our staff as part of our response to COVID-19. However, our depots in the rural Highlands have been challenged with supply. The support from Bacardi will help us continue to keep our staff protected while they are out on the road operating the essential services to keep our communities connected.”
Royal Brackla Distillery is just one of 14 Bacardi production sites worldwide which have produced over 1.5 million litres of sanitiser in recent weeks for donation to local communities.
Niall Mitchell, UK Operations Director for Bacardi, said: “As a family-owned company, it’s in the Bacardi DNA to do all we can to help our local communities in times of need. We’re incredibly humbled by the tireless efforts of frontline workers across Scotland and are proud to be doing our bit to help, not just globally but right here on the doorstep of our whisky distilleries. By donating hand sanitiser to the people who need it most, from bus drivers to care workers, our goal is to make a real difference in the fight against COVID-19.”
Stagecoach buses continue to operate in the area to a reduced timetable providing connections for key workers and essential trips in line with travel advice from the government.
