A SCOTTISH online whisky auctioneer has stepped into the wine world.

Perthshire-based Whisky Auctioneer has launched a dedicated auction site offering wine lovers and investors an accessible way to trade fine, old, rare and collectable wines from around the world. Iain McClune, founder and managing director of Whisky Auctioneer, made the move after his whisky auctions saw a big increase in consignments of wine, port and other spirits in the last four years.

"It became clear that there was a demand for an easy to use online auction platform within the fine wine community," Mr McClune said.

"With our established reputation as specialist auctioneers and our in-depth knowledge of the drinks industry it was a natural move to launch a dedicated website to meet this demand".

Stuart Campbell, the owner and director of wine merchant Fyne Wines, has been brought in to head the new operation. He said: "We’re all really excited by this new venture. Wine Auctioneer heralds a movement away from the traditional bricks-and-mortar auction house towards a platform that meets the needs of a modern global audience of buyers and sellers. We are the fine wine auction for the 21st century."