Speyside whisky area Moray has lowest proportion of daily binge drinkers Scottish Government data reveals
New analysis has revealed that a world-famous whisky region had the country’s fewest daily binge drinkers.
According to Scottish Government statistics, Moray had fewer heavy drinkers on average than any other Scottish council area.
Just six per cent of people in Moray, which makes up nearly all of the Speyside whisky region, reported drinking more than eight units per day, for men, or six units per day for women.
That is compared to the 14.6 per cent average across all Scottish council areas - a figure nearly two-and-a-half times higher.
Across the border in the Highland area, the percentage of daily binge drinkers was more than double the Moray number at 13 per cent.
Meanwhile, in Aberdeenshire, the region’s 15 per cent figure was above the national average.
The Scottish Government figures were collected as part of its latest health survey, covering a four-year stretch between 2019 and 2023.
Also shown in the figures is a dramatic decline in heavy drinking in Moray since 2012, with figures dropping more than anywhere in the country.
Between 2012 and 2015, more than a fifth of people in Moray admitted binge drinking eight or more units of alcohol, for men, or six units of alcohol, for women, on a daily basis.
However, the latest figures show that the number has plummeted by more than two-thirds since 2012.
Moray went from being tied as the fourth-worst area in Scotland for daily binge drinking to being the best.
Eight units is equal to three pints of beer (5% ABV), or three large glasses of wine (12% ABV).
The six unit allowance, for women, is the equivalent of two pints of beer (5% ABV) or two large glasses of wine (12% ABV).
The Moray Alcohol and Drugs Partnership (ADP) works to reduce the amount of harmful drinking in the local area.
A spokesperson welcomed the figures as “good progress”, but stressed that data from surveys was not always reliable.
And, despite the positive news, the spokesperson added that harmful drinking remained “a significant public health concern”.
“We and our partners continue to work together to promote a positive shift in drinking culture and behaviours in Moray,” the spokesperson said.
“Our collaboration with colleagues in health, education, and community organisations supports a compassionate and proactive approach to addressing alcohol-related harm, with a focus on prevention, early intervention, and community-based support.
“By working in this way, we have created greater awareness, supported more families, and ensured that people can access help early and without fear of stigma.
“While the reported figures suggest good progress, we recognise the limitations of self-reported data and acknowledge that harm from alcohol remains a significant public health concern.
“We remain committed to raising awareness of ways to reduce these harms, strengthening support, and working towards healthier outcomes for individuals and communities across Moray.”
