Sixteen of the world's best known whisky brand names have joined together to
form a new company The Whisky Coast which was launched today (Thursday 12th
April). The Whisky Coast aims to raise the profile of the West Coast of Scotland
as an area with a high concentration of distilleries against the backdrop of a
dramatic rugged coastline. The distilleries have united with three tour
companies, eighteen hotels, restaurants, golf courses and attractions and have
secured substantial funding support from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE)
and VisitScotland. The campaign to attract more visitors to The Whisky Coast and
to encourage them to stay longer and spend more includes a thirty page brochure
showing the dram[a] of the area and a website www.whiskycoast.co.uk
<http://www.whiskycoast.co.uk>, which goes live today.  A UK consumer public
relations campaign will also begin today. The Whisky Coast is an incorporated
company limited by guarantee.

The Whisky Coast area stretches from Campbeltown in the south to Skye and to
Fort William. Laphroaig, Talisker, Arran, Jura, Bowmore, and Springbank are some
of the distilleries behind the initiative along with Turnberry resort, Kinloch
Lodge, Loch Fyne Oyster Bar, The Three Chimneys and Machrihanish golf course.

Strategic partnerships have been forged with tour companies making it easier to
visit The Whisky Coast. Rabbie's Trail Burners will offer group tours; Scotsell
has devised a self drive tour; and Perry Golf is launching golf and whisky
breaks. Independent travellers will find a wealth of travel information at
www.whiskycoast.co.uk <http://www.whiskycoast.co.uk>.