Richard Forsyth Announced as Recipient of the Dr Jim Swan Award at 2026 Scottish Whisky Awards

That the Parliament congratulates Richard Forsyth OBE, chairman of Forsyths, on being announced as the recipient of the prestigious Dr Jim Swan Award at the 2026 Scottish Whisky Awards, in recognition of his contribution to the industry and his influence on distilling across the globe; appreciates that the award will be presented at the eighth annual Scottish Whisky Awards, taking place in Glasgow on 26 November 2026; recognises Richard’s nearly six decades of experience, having begun his career as an apprentice coppersmith in 1968; commends his leadership of Forsyths, the four-generation, family-owned business based in Rothes, which has become internationally renowned for its handcrafted copper stills and distillery installations; acknowledges the company’s role in supporting distilleries across Scotland and further afield, including the renowned Kavalan distillery in Taiwan; notes Richard’s appointment as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2020 for services to the industry, alongside his induction into the Whisky Magazine Hall of Fame and other prestigious honours; recognises his commitment to preserving traditional craftsmanship, supporting the next generation and contributing to the community of Speyside, and wishes Richard and the team at Forsyths continued success as they celebrate this well-deserved recognition of their contribution to Scotland’s whisky industry.