The history of Scotch whisky is to be put under the spotlight at an exhibition at the Scottish Parliament in November.

The Scotch Whisky: From Grain to Glass exhibition is part of a number of events planned by the Scotch Whisky Association to celebrate its centenary year. It will open in the Parliament’s Main Hall on November 29.

Announcing the exhibition, Scottish Parliament Presiding Officer Tricia Marwick MSP said: "The importance of the Scotch Whisky industry, particularly to rural Scotland, has long been recognised and the Scottish Parliament is delighted to be hosting this exhibition, in partnership with the Scotch Whisky Association, to mark the centenary.

"The exhibition will bring together the tools of the trade, the artwork, and maps of Scotland’s distilleries to show how Scotch Whisky became a national icon. Whisky is of course a key component of our cultural and business export success and I am certain that this illustrative exhibition will attract many visitors to Holyrood."

The exhibition will open on November 29 and run until January 25.

It is part of a programme of temporary exhibitions in the Parliament’s Main Hall that explore wider themes of Scottish interest and achievement.

Currently on show until March 23 in the Main Hall is Design and Democracy, a showcase of graduate work from all four of Scotland’s art and design colleges.

Headline exhibitions for 2012 include a display of two historic letters associated with William Wallace brought together in Scotland for the first time.

The exhibition, created in partnership with the National Records of Scotland, will run from Friday 10 to Friday August 31 2012 in Holyrood’s Main Hall.