By HOLLY LENNON

WHISKY stills have been lowered into the River Clyde for the first time in more than a century.

Two copper stills, each weighing around two tonnes, were placed in the river on Wednesday.

It is the latest step in a £10.5 million project which will see the Pump House between the Riverside Museum and Hydro Arena transformed into a bespoke whisky distillery and visitor centre.

The project is set to be completed in Autumn with the first spirit expected to flow before the end of the year.

Up to 25 jobs will be created as part of the Clydeside Distillery, owned by Morrison Glasgow Distillers Ltd, when it becomes fully operational, with several hundred employed during the construction and fit out phases.

It is hoped that the new visitor experience will attract around 65,000 people per year to the whisky experience, retail unit and cafe.

Andrew Morrison, Commercial Director, Morrison Glasgow Distillers Ltd, said:“Glasgow was once home to numerous whisky distilleries and we think The Clydeside Distillery will put Glasgow right back on the Scotch whisky map. Few people know the historical significance of the Pump House building which was actually built by my great great grandfather in 1877 to control the entry bridge into the Queens Dock. It’s fantastic to know we will be bringing it back to life again, with a little help from Scotland’s liquid gold.”