Latest news with #DouglasLaing&Co
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Scotch whisky backed by Game of Thrones star targets US
Long-term friends Rory McCann, the Scottish actor who plays Sandor "The Hound" Clegane in Game of Thrones, and veteran financier Stuart Montgomerie have joined the brothers as co-investors in the project. The inaugural Slanj Whisky was produced in collaboration with Douglas Laing & Co, the Glasgow-based Scotch whisky bottler and blender. The whisky, a blend of Highland and Speyside malts matured in bourbon casks, is currently available on the Master of Malt e-commerce site, where it is retailing for around £47 per bottle, and in Slanj's new store in St Enoch Square by virtue of a premises licence. Brian Halley told The Herald: 'We are looking to get into The Whisky Shop here and high-end bars [and] get it readily available in the UK. But the east coast of America is a real target market for us. We have got friends out there, so we are already speaking to them about putting us in touch with distributors. They also say you really need to play the 'tartan card' – tartan and whisky go hand in hand. With the name Slanj [associated with] Burns suppers, Highland games' gatherings and generally pubs all around the world, it is recognised as the saying when you are taking a drink. 'It really is the perfect name for a whisky.' While Slanj had a brief flirtation with the whisky market several years ago, when it handed out miniature bottles of a single malt created in partnership with the BenRiach Distillery for promotions in the shop, Mr Halley declared the new venture is 'serious'. He said: 'Because we didn't have the licence back then we were a wee bit limited in what we could do with it. We had produced some Slanj whisky in the past, but this is a completely different venture, the 70cl and with our new business partners involved. 'We are doing it properly this time.' Read more: Asked if he had any concerns about launching the whisky when conditions are so fragile in global export markets, Mr Halley said: 'It has been a long-term ambition. [Slanj] is 30 years old but by no means is this supposed to be a kilt shop making a whisky. This is a serious whisky venture and [with the diaspora] of Scots all round the world, there will be a nod to the tartan, but it is really completely separate. 'The whisky industry is resilient. There's a bit going on just now with the tariffs, which is not helping. But we are on the same level playing field with the rest of the whisky producers.' Mr Halley said the immediate priority for the whisky business was to build recognition of the brand and increase its availability around the UK and beyond. It may launch limited edition bottlings and special released in the future. It has already taken several years to get to this point with the venture. Mr Halley said: 'I trademarked it [brand name] back in 2005. It has taken a while. We just wanted to do it properly. 'I don't know if you know the Slanj history. We have had fires and floods, the pandemic and moved premises quite a lot. The timing was really good. 'One of my old pals, Stuart Montgomerie, who is a retired bond trader, started investing in various Scottish companies. I had the idea of getting in touch with him. He brings a real financial brain to the set up. Coincidentally, he was also good friends with Rory McCann. Rory and I go back a long way – we were pals after school but as his career took off I have made him various cracking outfits for premieres and things like that over the years. He has done incredibly well as well. It was just really good timing. 'Also my brother Craig, who has been in Slanj with me for 25 years, [is involved] as well. It is the four of us behind the venture.' Mr Halley noted the potential of harnessing Mr McCann's vocal talents in future marketing activity. 'He likes a dram himself, so he was the perfect person to come in with us. Obviously has got a great voice, a good deep Scottish voice. So, in terms of marketing, we are hoping he to get him to record some voiceovers and things like that.' The Slanj blend created in partnership with Douglas Laing includes six single malts from across the Highland and Speyside regions. Asked how the whisky-buying public have responded to the new Scotch, Mr Halley said: 'It has been really positive. People are loving the design of the bottle with the very subtle tartan, which is obviously our core background. 'It does not have a really smoky, peaty taste to it, it is Speyside [in style], very much designed to appeal to the wider market. We are having people drink it and saying how moreish it is.' He added: 'We did not want a smoky, peaty whisky you would have at the end of the night. This is something that you can sip away at. It is really middle of the road with a fruity taste to it; [it is] more sweet.' Mr Halley prefers to drink the whisky neat but said it can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, including in cocktails. 'I think it will appeal to a really wide market,' he said.
The Herald Scotland
04-08-2025
- The Herald Scotland
Whisky boss who abused wife over birthday gift avoids jail
Leggat was the former managing director of Cara's family's company Douglas Laing & Co based in the Glasgow's Hillington. Leggat made current managing director Cara's life hell as their now 12-year marriage broke down. Read More: He repeatedly slapped his estranged partner and later pushed her into a kitchen cabinet which caused her an injury. Leggat wished his wife dead notably after he was unhappy about a water bottle he received as a birthday present. He also attempted to stop Cara from seeing her dad - company chairman Fred Laing and mum Catherine Laing, both 74. Cara finally reported matters to the police having initially been scared that a conviction would affect Leggat's job prospects. Unemployed Leggat was found guilty in June of engaging in a course of behaviour which was abusive to his partner or ex-partner. Sheriff Allan McKay told him at sentencing: "On some level these are an incredibly sad set of circumstances. "This offer of a community payback order is a direct alternative to custody. "If you breach it and don't see it through, you will find yourself going to prison." A four-month non-harassment order was also granted prohibiting Leggat's contact with Cara. The Glasgow Sheriff Court trial heard that Leggat and Cara were married in 2013 and worked together at the firm. Cara stated to the court that between September and November 2022 was "the worst time of my life" and took a panic attack. She recalled that in October 2022 she had made a re-heated sausage casserole dinner for the pair. Leggat told her to serve a "better looking meal" which he said was suitable for a child and called her names. The next incident took place in January 2023 as a result of Leggat's birthday plans. She said: "He was most aggrieved and disappointed at a lack of effort to mark his birthday in terms of a meal out. "He also didn't rate his presents which included a sports water bottle that I bought him." The water bottle - said to have been made famous on TikTok - was deemed "childish and ridiculous" by Leggat. Leggat then told Cara: "I hope you die in your sleep." The witness added that Leggat apologised to her for the remark and claimed it was "a bit of banter." The pair were given hospitality tickets to Hampden Park in February 2023 for an Old Firm League Cup Final clash. Cara stated that when they walked home after the match and she was pushed into a bush by Leggat She said: "I ended up in a bush or my back against a bush as a result of the force as a result of the slap to my face." When asked how she felt about the incident, Cara replied that it was "upsetting." Leggat "discouraged" Cara to see her parents which also included a curfew which made her "twitch" when it was close. Prosecutor Siobhan Currie said in her closing submissions: "Ultimately, there was a pattern of behaviour to isolate her." Leggat was lastly violent towards her in November 2024 at the family home in the city's Pollokshields. Leggat slapped her on the forehead and pushed her into a kitchen cabinet which resulted in a thigh injury. Cara told the court that she called her mother and father after the incident and Fred attended their home. The court heard that Fred confronted Leggat and "grabbed him by the scruff of the neck." Fred then got his daughter to contact the police which led to Leggat's arrest later that night. Miss Currie asked Cara why she did not contact the police on an earlier occasion. She replied: "I knew he wanted to stay in the Scottish whisky industry. "From my knowledge he would find it hard to get into the USA and Singapore which are key places in the industry. "I didn't want the man not to get an international job." Leggat, now of Bearsden, East Dunbartonshire, told the court in his evidence that he left the company in 2023 with Cara taking over his role. Duncan McPhie, defending, told the sentencing: "My client admits, accepts and regrets the behaviour. "He is remorseful and regretful and he is sorry. "In all the circumstances, he tenders his apologies to the court. "It is probably too late to apologise to his victim, but he has asked me to apologise the behaviour he was convicted of."
The National
04-08-2025
- The National
Ex-whisky firm boss found guilty of domestic abuse
Christopher Leggat, 44, verbally and violently abused Cara Leggat, 42, between September 2022 and November 2024. Leggat was the former managing director of Cara's family's company Douglas Laing & Co based in the Glasgow's Hillington. Leggat made current managing director Cara's life hell as their now 12-year marriage broke down. READ MORE: Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes to stand down from Holyrood next year He repeatedly slapped his estranged partner and later pushed her into a kitchen cabinet which caused her an injury. Leggat wished his wife dead notably after he was unhappy about a water bottle he received as a birthday present. He also attempted to stop Cara from seeing her dad - company chairman Fred Laing and mum Catherine Laing, both 74. Brave Cara finally reported matters to the police having initially been scared that a conviction would affect Leggat's job prospects. Unemployed Leggat was found guilty in June of engaging in a course of behaviour which was abusive to his partner or ex-partner. Sheriff Allan McKay told him at today's sentencing: "On some level these are an incredibly sad set of circumstances. "This offer of a community payback order is a direct alternative to custody. "If you breach it and don't see it through, you will find yourself going to prison." A four-month non-harassment order was also granted prohibiting Leggat's contact with Cara. The Glasgow Sheriff Court trial heard that Leggat and Cara were married in 2013 and worked together at the firm. Cara stated to the court that between September and November 2022 was "the worst time of my life" and took a panic attack. She recalled that in October 2022 she had made a re-heated sausage casserole dinner for the pair. Leggat told her to serve a "better looking meal" which he said was suitable for a child and called her names. The next incident took place in January 2023 as a result of Leggat's birthday plans. She said: "He was most aggrieved and disappointed at a lack of effort to mark his birthday in terms of a meal out. "He also didn't rate his presents which included a sports water bottle that I bought him." The water bottle - said to have been made famous on TikTok - was deemed "childish and ridiculous" by Leggat. Leggat then told Cara: "I hope you die in your sleep." The witness added that Leggat apologised to her for the remark and claimed it was "a bit of banter." The pair were given hospitality tickets to Hampden Park in February 2023 for an Old Firm League Cup Final clash. Cara stated that when they walked home after the match and she was pushed into a bush by Leggat She said: "I ended up in a bush or my back against a bush as a result of the force as a result of the slap to my face." When asked how she felt about the incident, Cara replied that it was "upsetting." Leggat "discouraged" Cara to see her parents which also included a curfew which made her "twitch" when it was close. Prosecutor Siobhan Currie said in her closing submissions: "Ultimately, there was a pattern of behaviour to isolate her." Leggat was lastly violent towards her in November 2024 at the family home in the city's Pollokshields. Leggat slapped her on the forehead and pushed her into a kitchen cabinet which resulted in a thigh injury. Cara told the court that she called her mother and father after the incident and Fred attended their home. The court heard that Fred confronted Leggat and "grabbed him by the scruff of the neck." Fred then got his daughter to contact the police which led to Leggat's arrest later that night. Miss Currie asked Cara why she did not contact the police on an earlier occasion. She replied: "I knew he wanted to stay in the Scottish whisky industry. "From my knowledge he would find it hard to get into the USA and Singapore which are key places in the industry. "I didn't want the man not to get an international job." Leggat, now of Bearsden, East Dunbartonshire, told the court in his evidence that he left the company in 2023 with Cara taking over his role. READ MORE: Kate Forbes to quit Holyrood in 2026 – read her resignation statements in full Duncan McPhie, defending, told the sentencing: "My client admits, accepts and regrets the behaviour. "He is remorseful and regretful and he is sorry. "In all the circumstances, he tenders his apologies to the court. "It is probably too late to apologise to his victim, but he has asked me to apologise the behaviour he was convicted of."
Glasgow Times
25-06-2025
- Glasgow Times
Ex-director of whisky firm found guilty of domestic abuse
Christopher Leggat, 44, verbally and violently abused the woman between September 2022 and November 2024. Leggat was the former managing director of her family's company Douglas Laing & Co based in the Glasgow's Hillington. Leggat made her life hell as their now 12-year marriage broke down. He repeatedly slapped his estranged partner and later pushed her into a kitchen cabinet which caused her an injury. Leggat wished his wife dead notably after he was unhappy about a water bottle he received as a birthday present. He also attempted to stop the woman from seeing her dad. READ MORE: Former Catholic priest admits repeated abuse of boy more than 40 years ago READ MORE: Serious organised crime unit cop sentenced for sexually assaulting colleagues on duty The brave finally reported matters to the police having initially been scared that a conviction would affect Leggat's job prospects. Unemployed Leggat now faces a custodial sentence after he was found guilty of engaging in a course of behaviour which was abusive to his partner or ex-partner. Sheriff Allan McKay said: "I was presented with a stark difference in recall between you and your wife. "Simply put, I had a decision to make about who I believed and that was straight forward for me. "I will simply say that I found (the woman) to be a compelling witness and believed what she told me. "I don't accept your version of events - much of what you said was self serving and I am not prepared to give it any weight." The Glasgow Sheriff Court trial heard that Leggat and the woman were married in 2013 and worked together at the firm. Glasgow Sheriff Court (Image: Newsquest) She stated to the court that between September and November 2022 was "the worst time of my life" and she took a panic attack. She recalled that in October 2022 she had made a re-heated sausage casserole dinner for the pair. Leggat told her to serve a "better looking meal" which he said was suitable for a child and called her names. The next incident took place in January 2023 as a result of Leggat's birthday plans. She said: "He was most aggrieved and disappointed at a lack of effort to mark his birthday in terms of a meal out. "He also didn't rate his presents which included a sports water bottle that I bought him." The water bottle - said to have been made famous on TikTok - was deemed "childish and ridiculous" by Leggat. Leggat is then told the woman: "I hope you die in your sleep." The witness added that Leggat apologised to her for the remark and claimed it was "a bit of banter." The pair were given hospitality tickets to Hampden Park in February 2023 for an Old Firm League Cup Final clash. She stated that when they walked home after the match and she was pushed into a bush by Leggat. She said: "I ended up in a bush or my back against a bush as a result of the force as a result of the slap to my face." When asked how she felt about the incident, she replied that it was "upsetting." Leggat "discouraged" the woman to see her parents which also included a curfew which made her "twitch" when it was close. Prosecutor Siobhan Currie said in her closing submissions: "Ultimately, there was a pattern of behaviour to isolate her." Leggat was lastly violent towards her in November 2024 at the family home in the city's Pollokshields. Leggat slapped her on the forehead and pushed her into a kitchen cabinet which resulted in a thigh injury. She told the court that she called her mother and father after the incident and her father attended their home. The court heard that he confronted Leggat and "grabbed him by the scruff of the neck." He then got his daughter to contact the police which led to Leggat's arrest later that night. Miss Currie asked Cara why she did not contact the police on an earlier occasion. She replied: "I knew he wanted to stay in the Scottish whisky industry. "From my knowledge he would find it hard to get into the USA and Singapore which are key places in the industry. "I didn't want the man not to get an international job." Leggat, now of Bearsden, East Dunbartonshire, told the court in his evidence that he left the company in 2023 with the woman taking over his role. He stated that he did not complain about his birthday plans and refuted allegations that he told her that he wanted her to die. Leggat also denied slapping the woman after the Old Firm game but accepted that he may have caught her on the chin or chest while expressing himself in conversation. He said: "She did not fall into a bush - we were walking beside a bush." Leggat claimed that the woman "prodded" him 10 times before her father arrived at their home in November 2024. He stated that he did not grab his wife and push her against the kitchen cabinet. Sentence was deferred pending background reports until August and Leggat was granted bail meantime.
The Herald Scotland
25-06-2025
- The Herald Scotland
Ex-director of whisky firm found guilty of domestic abuse
Leggat was the former managing director of Cara's family's company Douglas Laing & Co based in the Glasgow's Hillington. Leggat made current managing director Cara's life hell as their now 12-year marriage broke down. He repeatedly slapped his estranged partner and later pushed her into a kitchen cabinet which caused her an injury. Leggat wished his wife dead notably after he was unhappy about a water bottle he received as a birthday present. He also attempted to stop Cara from seeing her dad - company chairman Fred Laing and mum Catherine Laing, both 74. READ MORE: Brave Cara finally reported matters to the police having initially been scared that a conviction would affect Leggat's job prospects. Unemployed Leggat now faces a custodial sentence after he was found guilty of engaging in a course of behaviour which was abusive to his partner or ex-partner. Sheriff Allan McKay said: "I was presented with a stark difference in recall between you and your wife. "Simply put, I had a decision to make about who I believed and that was straight forward for me. "I will simply say that I found Miss Laing to be a compelling witness and believed what she told me. "I don't accept your version of events - much of what you said was self serving and I am not prepared to give it any weight." The Glasgow Sheriff Court trial heard that Leggat and Cara were married in 2013 and worked together at the firm. Glasgow Sheriff Court (Image: Newsquest) Cara stated to the court that between September and November 2022 was "the worst time of my life" and took a panic attack. She recalled that in October 2022 she had made a re-heated sausage casserole dinner for the pair. Leggat told her to serve a "better looking meal" which he said was suitable for a child and called her names. The next incident took place in January 2023 as a result of Leggat's birthday plans. She said: "He was most aggrieved and disappointed at a lack of effort to mark his birthday in terms of a meal out. "He also didn't rate his presents which included a sports water bottle that I bought him." The water bottle - said to have been made famous on TikTok - was deemed "childish and ridiculous" by Leggat. Leggat is then told Cara: "I hope you die in your sleep." The witness added that Leggat apologised to her for the remark and claimed it was "a bit of banter." The pair were given hospitality tickets to Hampden Park in February 2023 for an Old Firm League Cup Final clash. Cara stated that when they walked home after the match and she was pushed into a bush by Leggat. She said: "I ended up in a bush or my back against a bush as a result of the force as a result of the slap to my face." When asked how she felt about the incident, Cara replied that it was "upsetting." Leggat "discouraged" Cara to see her parents which also included a curfew which made her "twitch" when it was close. Prosecutor Siobhan Currie said in her closing submissions: "Ultimately, there was a pattern of behaviour to isolate her." Leggat was lastly violent towards her in November 2024 at the family home in the city's Pollokshields. Leggat slapped her on the forehead and pushed her into a kitchen cabinet which resulted in a thigh injury. Cara told the court that she called her mother and father after the incident and Fred attended their home. The court heard that Fred confronted Leggat and "grabbed him by the scruff of the neck." Fred then got his daughter to contact the police which led to Leggat's arrest later that night. Miss Currie asked Cara why she did not contact the police on an earlier occasion. She replied: "I knew he wanted to stay in the Scottish whisky industry. "From my knowledge he would find it hard to get into the USA and Singapore which are key places in the industry. "I didn't want the man not to get an international job." Leggat, now of Bearsden, East Dunbartonshire, told the court in his evidence that he left the company in 2023 with Cara taking over his role. He stated that he did not complain about his birthday plans and refuted allegations that he told Cara that he wanted her to die. Leggat also denied slapping Cara after the Old Firm game but accepted that he may have caught her on the chin or chest while expressing himself in conversation. He said: "She did not fall into a bush - we were walking beside a bush." Leggat claimed that Cara "prodded" him 10 times before her father arrived at their home in November 2024. He stated that he did not grab his wife and push her against the kitchen cabinet. Sentence was deferred pending background reports until August and Leggat was granted bail meantime.
