During the last few years, our Company has become substantially involved in the promotion of training for people working in our trade from the distillation process through to the consumer.

A few years ago we commissioned a survey of our trade to identify its training needs and establish that there was a requirement for a separate spirits-training course and examination. In conjunction with the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET), the Professional Certificate in Spirits was created and it was launched in early 2003. This would not have happened without substantial financial support, not only from the Company itself, but also from the major drinks companies, Diageo, Allied Domecq, Chivas Brothers, Brown-Forman and Bacardi.

The new Professional Certificate in Spirits Course is organised by the WSET, which is based in London but also offers these courses in Scotland and in a growing number of countries across the world. Over 1,000 candidates have successfully taken the Professional Certificate in Spirits Course to date, and the number continues to grow apace.

Our Company gives an annual Scholarship for the best candidate to support the development of this course. We remain very involved in the development of this Certificate, holding an annual review together with representatives of the large drinks companies and the WSET.

In addition, a Scholarship is awarded to the student obtaining the highest marks in the spirits section of the WSET’s Diploma examinations.

A growing relationship is developing with the International Centre for Brewing & Distilling (ICBD), part of Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh. One of our Court members is a Director of the ICBD. Each year a Scholarship is awarded to a MSc. student to assist with their studies.  An annual Lecture for the students of the ICBD is organised by our Company.

In 2005 a further Scholarship was introduced for the most successful candidate in the Diploma in Distilling Examinations, run by the Institute of Brewing & Distilling.

The Master Charles Maxwell presents 2008 Scholarship winner Mickael Perron with his Scholarship certificate, watched by Past Master Michael Broadbent M.W.