Iconic building one of Scotland’s busiest shopping streets up for sale

AN ICONIC building on one of Scotland’s busiest shopping streets has been put up for sale.

The Johnnie Walker building on Princes Street in Edinburgh has hit the market.

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The eight-floor property was formerly House of Fraser but after it went into administration, drinks giant Diaego Scotland acquired it in 2019.

After a lengthy four-year renovation, the visitor whiskey experience opened its doors in September 2021.

The hugely popular venue has since welcomed more than one million visitors from 141 countries.

The boozy attraction uses AI technology to produce a personalised ‘flavour profile’ for whiskey-tasting guests.

So far, it has racked up more than 100,000 guests’ flavour profiles and served nearly 700,000 tailored drinks as part of their tours.

With a gross internal area of 74,895 sq ft and prime position on Scotland’s busiest shopping street , JLL are looking for offers over £31.58 million.

The property is let out to Diaego Scotland until August 2044 and brings in an impressive £1.85m rent every year. JLL has been

Dafydd Pugh Williams, managing director of Diageo’s Scotland brands, said: “Johnnie Walker Princes Street was launched to recruit consumers from around the world to Johnnie Walker and indeed the entire Scotch whisky category.

“We wanted to disrupt consumer perceptions of whisky through offering a pioneering experience which demonstrated the huge breadth of flavours with the category, the incredible history of Johnnie Walker and champion the people and communities which have helped make the brand a global icon.”

Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray said: “It’s a fantastic attraction, making a huge contribution to Edinburgh’s tourism and the local economy – and of course, it’s a huge promotion for Scotch whisky, one of Scotland’s biggest success stories, and a key part of brand Scotland.”

It comes as a stunning estate on the famous NC500 tourist route has gone up for sale.

The grounds sit on one of Scotland’s most desirable stretches of land, and boasts plenty of incredible features.

Ledmore Lodge comes with a traditional-style lodge, with nearly 520 acres of land.

Situated in Sutherland, Ledmore Lodge Estate estate looks directly onto incredible views often only seen from behind the wheel.

The sale provides potential buyers with a rare opportunity to live along the Highland route, which tourists from across the world flock to see.