Work to remove old equipment from the former Paisley Chivas Brothers site got underway this week as Scottish Leather Group (SLG) prepares to start moving into its new home.
Cranes have been spotted hauling large whisky vats away from what was the North Hall, as a huge transformation period for the area begins.
The vast majority of the iconic 24-acre site has been taken over by Renfrewshire Council, which has earmarked it as the location for a new Paisley Grammar School.
SLG, meanwhile, has bought the remainder of the land from Pernod Ricard including the North Hall, with bosses planning to turn the building into a new car seat upholstery facility.
The construction activity on the site this week is the first real sign of a new era beginning, with many more changes expected to emerge over the course of the year.
Stewart Hume, who used to work for Chivas and is now employed by SLG, said he is gutted to see the whisky giant depart from Renfrew Road but is excited to see what the future brings.
"It's very sad to see the last bits of equipment used for whisky production by Chivas in Paisley being removed," said Mr Hume, who runs a Facebook group sharing memories of the former bottling plant.
"It is gutting to see Chivas leave the site but I'm excited to see what the new school campus will look like and I hope the council decides to keep the iconic main building at the front on Renfrew Road."
It is understood Chivas has been taking away the vats so they can be used in the future at other sites.
The main bottling plant is based in Dumbarton.
Renfrewshire Council revealed last month it is considering knocking down the main office building which fronts onto Renfrew Road, but officers are seeking specialist advice from an architect as to whether it should be retained as part of future development of the site.
More than 1,000 residents called for the 1960s building - which is not listed - to be saved from demolition in a survey ran by the Paisley Community Trust.
Chivas Brothers was approached for comment.
