THE most extensive private Scotch whisky collection in the world will remain on public display after a new 10-year loan deal was secured.

More than 1.5 million people have seen the Diageo Claive Vidiz Collection since it went on view at the Scotch Whisky Experience on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh

in 2009. The 3384-bottle collection includes a vast array of iconic brands. It was gathered over

35 years by Vidiz, a Brazilian businessman. One of the rarest bottles in the collection – and the oldest – is a Buchanan’s whisky dating back to 1897.

Christine McCafferty, Diageo’s chief archivist, said: “The collection is uniquely eclectic, with brands from across the whole industry and ranging from extremely rare bottlings to everyday drams from years gone by. It really gives visitors a fascinating insight into our whisky history."

Susan Morrison, chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Experience, said: “After 10 years of seeing the collection every day we still have the privilege of seeing the surprise and delight on the faces of each of our visitors as they enter the collection vault for the first time.”