Bacardi has bought a rural piece of land in Scotland a few miles from the birthplace of legendary Liverpool Football Club manager Bill Shankly.

The Bermuda-headquartered global drinks company has snapped up 106 acres of countryside that will be used as a second maturation, blending and storage facility for Dewar's Scotch whiskies.

As part of a more than $250 million investment in Scotch whisky production over the next ten years - a move that was announced earlier this year, Bacardi has agreed to buy the tract of land in South Lanarkshire from Scottish Coal.

The land is adjacent to the M74 motorway between the communities of Douglas and Lesmahagow, and 25 miles outside Glasgow.

To the west of the rural location which is to become Bacardi's eighth facility in Scotland, is the small village of Glenbuck, whose most famous son is the late football manager Mr. Shankly.

Multi-billion dollar Bacardi, which has its headquarters on Pitts Bay Road, acquired John Dewar & Sons, together with the world famous Dewar brand, in 1998.

The new investment in the Scotch whisky production is a direct response to increasing demand for premium brand whisky in Asia and other emerging markets.

Once open it is envisaged the new facility will create more than 50 full-time jobs locally and add other benefits to the local economy. Planning approval has been given for the work to start building the new facility, which will include a bonded warehouse, and bulk and blend centre capable of housing more than one million casks.

Construction is expected to begin in 2008 and take 10 years to complete, although the first phase of the development is expected to be operational by January 2009.

The company is also redeveloping an existing site in Parkhead, Glasgow, where there will be a new maturation warehouse and blend centre as well as new bottling lines and packing equipment.

"Buying this piece of land in Scotland - known worldwide for its premium whisky - is the cornerstone of one of the most significant investments ever in the Scotch industry," said Jon Grey, vice president of global operations for Bacardi.

"Bacardi has always invested heavily behind our brands and their heritage."

The news has been welcomed as an economic and jobs boost for the people of the rural location.

Graham Scott, a local politician, said: "We are delighted that Bacardi has found the perfect location for its new facility here in South Lanarkshire. This is a very significant development on behalf of an internationally renowned company which will bring economic benefits to our rural economy."