Three jobs are also under threat at the Dalmore Distillery in Alness where 17 people are employed.

Whyte and Mackay, owned by Indian drinks billionaire Vijay Mallya, is shedding 100 jobs at its sites across Scotland.

Cromarty Firth Highland councillor Maxine Smith has now called on council leaders to write in the strongest terms to Prime Minister Gordon Brown urging him to take measures to help the Scottish whisky industry.

Last year Vijay Mallya, who recently bought Ghandi's sandals and glasses for £1.3 million, announced £15 million expansion plans at Invergordon to build up to 20 warehouses for whisky it was laying down to meet future demand.

But only one warehouse has been built and this week Whyte and Mackay chief executive John Beard confirmed these plans had now been put on hold.

The company blames the recession for the cutbacks.

Councillor Smith told the North Star: "It's such a blow to Invergordon.

"I spoke to John Beard this morning (Wednesday) and the only bit of good news I could get from him was that another two workers at Invergordon Distillery had come forward to offer to take voluntary redundancy. He told me that the warehouse expansion plans at Invergordon have also been put on hold.

"He said the recession had taken its toll on the company and that 60 per cent of the company's sales are in the UK, with only 40 per cent attributable to export.

Councillor Maxine Smith outside Invergordon Distillery. She is urging council leaders to write to PM Gordon Brown. Phil Downie 01463 831249

"That is why, with a current 13 per cent duty on whisky, I am now calling on Highland Council to write to Gordon Brown to see if there are any temporary measures which can be put in place to help the Scottish whisky industry, specifically the heavy duty that's on whisky.

"Gordon Brown has helped the car industry – he should now help the Scots whisky industry."

She added: "The recession won't last forever and John Beard did say that when things improve they may start to take people back on and go ahead with the expansion plans at Invergordon, but in the meantime that doesn't help the people who face losing their jobs."

Fellow Highland councillor Martin Rattray said: "It's a terrible blow to the area but having spoken to senior executives within Whyte and Mackay they have given assurances that they are doing all they can to work with those likely to be lose their jobs.

"The distillery is a significant employer within the town and 30 jobs is a significant number of families to be affected for a town of our size."

Just last year, Ross-shire's six distilleries were working flat out to meet unprecedented demand for whisky from new overseas markets in countries like China, India and Russia.

All were on six or seven day production and were investing in new facilities. But with the worldwide economic downturn that bubble appears to have burst.

editor@north-star-news.co.uk

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