Two Scotch whisky distilleries will be revived in a £35m venture by Diageo.

The drinks giant intends to reopen Port Ellen on Islay and Brora in Sutherland, which shut 34 years ago.

Since their closure, whiskies produced by the distilleries have become highly prized.

Diageo's David Cutter said: "This is no ordinary Scotch whisky distillery investment. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to bring these iconic distilleries back to life.

"We will take great care to be true to the spirit of the original distilleries in everything we do and to operate them with all the knowledge, skill, craft and love of Scotch that our people and our company has gathered through centuries of whisky-making."

The distilleries will be among Diageo's smallest when they resume production in 2020, capable of producing 800,000 litres of alcohol per year.

Diageo said it intends to attempt to replicate the flavours of the whiskies once produced at the distilleries as closely as possible.

Earlier this year Diageo announced plans to cut more than 100 jobs across its Scottish operations.

The firm said it was prompted by a review of its bottling operations after disposing of its wine business.