Provost Gillian Renwick welcomed Katsutoshi Takeda - the Consul General of Japan in Edinburgh - to East Dunbartonshire recently.
Mr Takeda was in Kirkintilloch to learn more about the remarkable true story of Rita Taketsuru - born Jessie Cowan - who is known as the ‘Mother of Japanese Whisky’.
Rita met and fell in love with Masataka Taketsuru while he was in Scotland to learn the secrets of Scotch whisky. Together they moved from Kirkintilloch to Japan and onwards into the history books - forging the Nikka Whisky empire.
Mr Takeda - accompanied by Deputy Head of Mission, Minori Ishii - visited Kirkintilloch Town Hall and the Auld Kirk Museum (operated by East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture Trust on behalf of the Council), where they viewed fascinating artefacts and displays dedicated to the Mother and Father of Japanese Whisky.
They were then welcomed to the Council's Chambers - where they enjoyed refreshments and viewed the official East Dunbartonshire crest.
You can find out more about the Mother and Father of Japanese Whisky by:
- Checking out a special StoryMap
- Viewing a new video on YouTube
- Visiting Kirkintilloch Town Hall – which has a permanent display in the Heritage Centre
- Visiting the Auld Kirk Museum in Kirkintilloch
