A meeting will take place today to ensure oil supplies reach whisky distilleries on a Scottish island.

Tankers have been unable to dock at Bruichladdich on Islay, leaving the distilleries fearing they would run out of fuel, halting production.

A series of failed attempts to land oil has led to distillery managers and officials from the Scotch Whisky Association meeting with executives of Shell and Argyll and Bute Council to reach a solution.

Problems with dredging and changes to the harbour are thought to have made it difficult for large tankers to dock unless the weather is near-perfect.

The most recent incident took place last Wednesday and alternative supplies from road and ferry had to be arranged.

Argyll and Bute Council said last week's failure was due to strong waves.

Tankers dock at Bruichladdich and transfer oil to storage tanks before supplies are taken by road to the distilleries.

Oil is needed to heat the whisky stills and also for other industry on the island.

The meeting is taking place in Glasgow amid concerns the island could run out of fuel unless a ship can dock soon.

A spokesman for the Scotch Whisky Association, said: "The industry is concerned about ensuring a sustainable supply of oil to Islay. There is a need for a long-term solution to be reached for the industry.

"We need to identify exactly why there is a problem and how it can be removed. There is an issue about dredging."

Whisky is an essential industry on Islay, with eight distilleries producing some of the most famous malt whiskies exported around the world.

Laphroaig, Bowmore and Ardbeg are among the brands that depend on the island being serviced regularly by the large tankers bringing oil.