WHISKY TRIP SOURS

A pensioner has won a lengthy legal battle after an accident at a Stirlingshire Whisky Distillery. Margaret Buttle who is 82 and from Somerset was touring the Trossachs on a coach tour when she and her party paid a visit to the Glengoyne Distillery near Killearn.

Mrs Buttle was being shown round the distillery learning about the age old Scottish craft of whisky production when she caught her foot on a piece of wood sticking out from some stairs and fell suffering a fracture of her ankle.

Recovery from the injury has been protracted for Mrs Buttle who has required physiotherapy and still suffers pain and swelling. After the accident she was unable to bear weight on her ankle and as a result she needed extensive support from her daughters when she was eventually able to leave hospital and travel back to her home in Somerset.

After a lengthy legal case Mrs Buttle won £12,000 in compensation from the owners of Glengoyne Distillery.

Mrs Buttle said ‘The accident has really dented my confidence and I felt like I was losing my independence. Simple things that you take for granted like playing with my grandchildren suddenly became impossible. I’m so grateful to all the people who helped me back on my feet.”

Anne Marie Harbison from Thompsons Solicitors who fought the case for Mrs Buttle said  “Whisky production is at the forefront of Scotland’s tourism industry and attracts global visitors.  All tourist attractions have a legal obligation to make their premises safe for visitors and on this occasion the distillery failed Mrs Buttle. Instead of being able to enjoy her retirement whilst maintaining independence Mrs Buttle has been having a miserable and painful time since her accident.’

Daily Record Article : OAP accident costs distillery £12,000

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Mrs Buttle was only able to pursue her case due to the trade union Unite’s legal assistance scheme. Thompsons Solicitors act on behalf of Unite members and were able to successfully negotiate the award for Mrs Buttle as her daughter is a Unite member.

For further information contact Peter Henderson on 07887 687 318