Scotland’s oldest working distillery celebrated a milestone anniversary with a bizarre world record attempt.
Glenturret bosses marked 240 years in business by cramming as many people as possible into their Crieff visitor centre and getting them to simultaneously “raise a dram”.
It was the first time the record has been attempted anywhere in the world. The result was recorded with a huge selfie on social media afterwards.
More than 150 people took part in the event, with many joining in at the last minute.
The Crieff distillery and visitor attraction originally hoped to lure at least 240 people to the centre at 5pm on Thursday night and get them to raise a warming measure of the distillery’s famous single malt.
As part of the anniversary celebrations, the centre opens its doors for free, offering tours of the distillery and the chance to sample food and refreshments by award-winning caterers Wilde Thyme.
Whisky has been produced at the distillery in the traditional way since its launched in 1775.
Today, the Famous Grouse Experience at Glenturret Distillery is the most visited of its kind in Scotland, welcoming an average of 100,000 visitors each year.
General manager Stuart Cassells said last night’s festivities added another chapter to the distillery’s long history.
“We have been producing exceptional whisky on this site, at what is now Glenturret Distillery, for over two centuries and we are unique in that we are now Scotland’s only remaining producer of hand-mashed whisky.
“We are very proud of our heritage and that we are able to keep these artisan processes alive in the 21st Century, 240 years after the first whisky was distilled right here in Crieff.”
He said: “Our ‘raise a dram’ world record attempt is, we think, a fitting way to mark our 240 years.”
Members of the public were urged to sign up in advance of yesterday’s record-breaking bid.
The event was backed by Miss Scotland Mhairi Ferguson, of Stirling, who is a contender for the Miss World title in China later this year.
The 22-year-old joined the crowd after filming a promotional video.