A town in the far north of Scotland will soon be home to the world’s first “whisky-powered” hospital. Cutting-edge energy technology is already allowing waste heat from the Pulteney Distillery in Wick to be piped into homes in the northern town – and from October, Caithness General Hospital is to be connected to the unique, environmentally friendly power supply.

Caithness Heat and Power (CHaP) Project manager Peter Creasey described the £5 million scheme as “ground-breaking”. He said: “Every bit of useful energy from the gasified woodchip can be turned into hot water or electricity, so it’s zero carbon. It is extremely low-cost and is already saving connected householders between £15 to £20 a week. The hospital will soon be able to benefit by reducing its costs and its carbon footprint.”

When it becomes fully operational later this year, the plant will require 30,000 tons of woodchip annually. At present, forests around Caithness could supply its needs for 25 years. Russell also announced that a £3m funding package would be provided to create woodlands to help allay fears that biomass business would be a threat to forestry. The minister estimated that the creation of around 2000 hectares of forest would be needed to supply the industry.

So, the next time you’re caressing a dram of proper single malt, you might be helping to allay global warming – while aiding your own.