FOR the first time in over 180 years whisky is about to flow in the Scottish Borders.

A total of 19 jobs are being created with the opening of the region's first distillery since 1837 in Hawick.

The Borders Distillery will open for business on May 1 at premises on Commercial Road.

Co-owner John Fordyce said his firm was pleased to be finally opening the doors to the new facility.

He told us: "We are very proud of what we have done and we are delighted that we were able to establish a distillery in an old industrial building using part of Scotland's industrial heritage in one of Scotland's most famous industrial towns.

"Five years after founding the company we are opening up to the public and we are absolutely thrilled."

Plans for the £10 million project were approved nearly two years ago on a former industrial site.

As well as a whisky distillery, The Borders Distillery also features a gin-making facility, a visitor centre and a retail outlet.

The Borders Distillery will use locally-sourced grain as well as water drawn from the nearby Teviot.

An official opening ceremony is being held on Tuesday, May 1.