THUGS have robbed a Scots distillery of more than £100,000 worth of whisky.
Organised thieves ransacked the family run Glenfarclas Distillery in Ballindalloch, Banffshire, in the early hours of yesterday morning.
The Grant family, who own and run the distillery, have told how criminals “knew what they wanted” and targeted the oldest and most valuable of the spirits at the centre.
As well as taking family casks, the robbers also stole a 60-year-old bottle of malt.
Shocking images show a smashed display cabinet at the visitor centre surrounded by shattered glass.
The top shelves where the pricier bottles were displayed lay bare while other cheaper options are shown untouched on the bottom shelves.
Glenfarclas Distillery shared images of the aftermath on their Instagram yesterday (SUN), writing: “The pictures we never thought we would post.
“We are horrified to have to share that our Visitor Centre was broken into at approximately 2.45 this morning.
“The thieves clearly knew what they wanted as they smashed the cabinets and cleared out all the oldest and most valuable Family Casks and a bottle of 60-year-old, leaving destruction behind.
“The total value of the whisky stolen is over £100,000. The team are understandably very shaken up by these events.
“We would ask if you have any information related to this crime or are offered these bottles to please get in touch with us immediately, and please share this post.”
The post has now collected thousands of likes and hundreds of comments from social media users who were shocked by the incident.
One said said: “Really upset and sorry to hear such horrible news. Your visitors centre and your whole distillery is so precious and will always have a special place in our memories.”
Another said: “Really sorry to hear about this. Hoping the perpetrators will be caught soon and the missing bottles recovered. Shall be sipping a Glenfarclas tonight as a small support.”
A third added: “This is harrowing! Sending warm thoughts and hoping justice pulls through!
While another person said: “So sorry to read this, hopefully these people are caught and the bottles are returned safe and sound.”
A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: “Officers were informed of reports of a break-in at a business in Ballindalloch at around 10.15am on Sunday, May 15.
“Several items were taken from the premises.
“Inquiries are ongoing and anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting incident 1328 of May 15.”
