Musician to release songs of Scotch

MUSICIAN Richard Hawley is to release a series of songs "inspired by the time-honoured art of whisky making" after announcing a collaboration with the makers of Glenfiddich.

Sheffield-born Hawley, who was a member of the city band Pulp, has found success as a singer-songwriter, and recently won the 2010 MOJO Best Album award for Trueloves Gutter.

His new project has seen him travel to Dufftown, in the Scottish Highlands, where he spent time in the distillery set up by William Grant in 1886 and where Glenfiddich is still made.

Hawley said the recordings made as a result of the agreement were likely to be released later this year and added: "The time spent in Scotland, learning about Glenfiddich's pioneering approach to whisky making and talking to people who have worked there for years and years, has given me some wonderful ideas for some new songs."