Producers of Scotch whisky want a say in where an independent Scotland will have its embassies and overseas missions.
David Frost, Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) chief executive, said that the white paper on independence envisaged a network of 70 to 90 overseas missions but that the industry exported to about 200 markets.
Mr Frost, a former diplomat, added: “The government needs to understand that they will need to work with us to pick the best places for where we need embassies [in the event of independence].”
The Scottish government indicated that it was happy to work with the nation’s whisky producers to pinpoint the best places to locate Scotland’s foreign embassies.
A spokesman said: “Independence provides a unique opportunity to boost Scotland’s international profile and