Whisky fans offered first opportunity to sign-up to join the Johnnie Walker journey on new website

It is now anticipated Johnnie Walker Princes Street will open its doors for visitors in summer 2021.

The makers of Johnnie Walker have reaffirmed its £185million investment programme in Scotch whisky and tourism as it opened the online doors to the Johnnie Walker Princes Street global flagship visitor experience.

Construction at the landmark building, formerly House of Fraser, in the heart of Edinburgh restarted in June in compliance with all government COVID guidelines following a three month lockdown pause, but work to build the digital world for future visitors has continued with the new website for the attraction.

While the detailed plans for inside the eight-story attraction, and the stunning views from its signature rooftop bars, remain a tightly guarded secret, the website gives the public the opportunity to join the journey and to be at the front of the queue for pre-sale ticket opportunities and exclusive updates on the project which is brought to Edinburgh by drinks brand Diageo.

Following the lockdown construction delay and the ongoing working restrictions to comply with COVID safety protocols, it is now anticipated Johnnie Walker Princes Street will open its doors for visitors in summer 2021.

Announcing the update on the project yesterday, Barbara Smith, managing director of Johnnie Walker Princes Street, said: “The last few months have been so difficult and disruptive for everyone and we know there is still a long way to go, but we keep walking with confidence and we are looking to the future with positivity.

“Johnnie Walker Princes Street is progressing well following the restart of construction and we are delighted to be launching our website so that our future guests can share in the excitement and anticipation we feel as we build towards opening our doors to visitors next year.”

Ewan Andrew, Diageo’s Global President for Supply Chain & Procurement added: “The investment we are making in Johnnie Walker Princes Street and our whisky distilleries in rural communities throughout Scotland will not only help us to emerge stronger from this crisis, we believe it will make a major contribution to the recovery in Edinburgh and Scotland as a whole.”