A NEW single malt whisky distillery in Leith, Edinburgh, will revive one of the most famous brand names in Scotch whisky, John Crabbie & Co.

Crabbie’s parent company, Halewood Wines & Spirits. yesterday announced plans to invest more than £7 million in a new Scotch whisky distillery in Leith, the original home of the Crabbie brand, established in 1801.

Expected to open in early 2019, the distillery will be on Graham Street, very close to John Crabbie’s original premises at Yardheads, Great Junction Street.

Crabbie’s will be the first single malt distillery to open in the city for more than 100 years, bringing significant investment and employment to the area.

For more than two centuries the Crabbie name has been a much loved and enduring Edinburgh drinks brand. Most recently it has been associated with Crabbie’s green ginger wine and for a range of popular ginger beers, but the real history of the Crabbie name lies in whisky.

David Brown, managing director of John Crabbie & Co, said: “We are delighted to announce our plans to invest in the creation of a new distillery in Leith. It’s particularly pleasing that it will bear the name of John Crabbie, surely one of Edinburgh’s most legendary sons.”