AN INTERNATIONAL whisky maker is to open a new headquarters in Glasgow, with the loss of some jobs.

Edrington, which produces some of Scotland's best known whiskies, including The Famous Grouse and The Macallan, is to close its current sites in Great Western Road, and in West Kinfauns, in Perth, and merge them in to a new HQ in Glasgow.

Gerry O’Donnell, corporate affairs director, admitted there would be 'a small number of redundancies', with 13 so far confirmed in Perth and eight in Glasgow.

He said they hoped to take 'as many staff as possible' to the new site.

READ MORE: Tax cut boosts UK Scotch whisky sales to nearly 85 million bottles in 2015

Consultation with staff is ongoing, he added.

Mr O'Donnell said: "We want to improve our performance across the organisation.

"We currently have a headquarters split over two locations, with directors and business units in Perth and Glasgow. We want to consolidate those."

The site of the new HQ is yet to be confirmed, with Mr O'Donnell saying they had a shortlist of contenders.

The company, which started in Glasgow more than 150 years ago, is expected to relocate early next year.

It employs 850 people across eight sites in Scotland, with more employees based overseas.

READ MORE: Tax cut boosts UK Scotch whisky sales to nearly 85 million bottles in 2015

Around 130 people are expected to be based at the new site, which will include the board, business units. finance, legal, corporate affairs and global operations leadership.

Edrington chief executive Ian Curle said the proposals would "help the company compete more effectively in a challenging international premium spirits marketplace and enable long-term growth."

He said: "Glasgow is where it all started for our founders William Robertson and John Baxter in 1861.

“Bringing together our essential HQ functions in a new central Glasgow location will help us to continue to compete successfully in a tough global market and to capitalise on what we see as positive long-term prospects for the industry.

READ MORE: Tax cut boosts UK Scotch whisky sales to nearly 85 million bottles in 2015

"This development will not only secure our position as one of Scotland’s leading businesses, but also help us to continue investing in our premium brands at home and abroad, which in turn contributes to the on-going success of Scotch whisky, Scottish exports and the Scottish economy.”

A spokesman said the move would not affect staff at any of the other six sites in Scotland.