A CLACKS whisky society, founded with the aim of raising money for charity, recently made its first donation to a local good cause.

The Wee County Malt Whisky Society, founded by Gus Rennie and Gordon Guthrie in November 2020, raises money for charity through the area's appreciation for whisky.

Meeting virtually for the time being until restrictions are eased, the group is a place for whisky lovers to go and join in conversation with like-minded individuals who enjoy a wee dram.

The group’s first online tasting event raised £425 for the Ochils Mountain Rescue Team.

Gus said: “We only started on November 5, we started the group and decided from the outset that everything we do is to benefit the local community, charity-wise.

“We got it running, we got enough members and we had our first whisky-tasting online and that’s where the donation came from for OMRT.”

A bottle was donated and raffled off and the money was raised for the society’s first local charity donation.

The society also sponsored a player at Sauchie Juniors Football Club and donated a bottle of whisky which was also raffled and raised £400 for the club.

Gus continued: “I’ve been involved in whisky for a few years and I’ve seen groups all over Scotland and I thought to myself, ‘The Wee County doesn’t have one’.

“So I was chatting with Gordon and we thought let’s just go for it.

“Helping people understand more about whisky, that’s what we’re all about.

“Anything we do is for charitable causes and it’s working out fine.”

Ross MacIntyre, OMRT secretary, says the money donated by the society will be vital in allowing their work to continue.

He said: “Their work is laudable; OMRT were delighted to be the first recipient of the society’s fundraising efforts.

“As a volunteer rescue organisation a significant part of our funding comes from the support of our local community.

“We are very thankful for the donation from the Wee County Malt Whisky Society which will enable us to continue to provide our life saving and enhancing work.”

The group currently has more than 120 members and is free to join.

All money raised from the group's next event will go towards the purchase of a defibrillator for Sauchie.

Search The Wee County Malt Whisky Society on Facebook to request to join the group.