The Scotch Whisky Association says it will appeal against the ruling on minimum alcohol pricing in Scotland.

The Court of Session in Edinburgh, Scotland's top civil court, ruled against the association in October following a legal challenge, saying 'the grounds submitted in the appeal were not well founded'.

They made their final ruling after considering whether the infringement of European trade laws that minimum pricing would bring are justified by the benefits to public health - and if this could be achieved by any other means.

However, the association said that the minimum pricing plan is 'incompatible with EU law'.

It has now applied to appeal the ruling at the UK Supreme Court.

In a statement, Julie Hesketh-Laird, acting Chief Executive of the Scotch Whisky Association, said: "Having carefully considered the ruling from the Court of Session on minimum unit pricing of alcohol, and reflected on our options, we have decided to appeal to the UK Supreme Court.

"This is not a decision we have taken lightly. It comes after wide consultation with our member companies and other parties to the case to see whether there is an alternative way forward. However, given our strong view that minimum pricing is incompatible with EU law and likely to be ineffective, we now hope that our appeal can be heard quickly in the UK Supreme Court.

"Having studied the ruling, we believe the Scottish court has not properly reviewed the legislation's compatibility with EU law as required by the European Court's judgment.

"We remain committed to working closely with thr Scottish Government and everyone else who shares our common goal of tackling alcohol misuse. By working effectively in partnership we hope the long-term trend decline in alcohol-related harms in Scotland will continue."

The move is the latest step in a prolonged legal wrangle over the Scottish Government's proposals, which are aimed at improving public health in Scotland.

MSPs passed legislation at Holyrood in 2012 to bring in minimum pricing, which would initially be set at 50p per unit, but the long-running legal challenge has stalled implementation of the policy.

British Medical Association Scotland chair Peter Bennie said: "The decision from the Scotch Whisky Association to appeal the Court of Session ruling on minimum unit pricing is exceptionally disappointing news which will bring more delay to the implementation of a policy that would save lives.

"Scotland's unhealthy relationship with alcohol is well documented and carries a tragic human toll with hundreds of people dying each year as a result of alcohol-related issues, to say nothing of the wider impact on families and our public services of alcohol misuse.

"The minimum unit pricing policy, which was passed with the overwhelming support of Parliament, is designed to reduce the levels of harm caused to our society by alcohol.

"We believe that this measure should be implemented without further challenge and that the Scotch Whisky Association is wrong to delay the policy with more legal wrangling which will do nothing to tackle the very real concerns that exist around alcohol harm."