Scotch Whisky distilleries in Scotland

Tours of Scottish distilleries with a qualified guide

Frisky Whisky can organise a custom tour to include distilleries in the area/s of your choice.

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Aberdeenshire and Kincardineshire

Fettercairn Distillery, Fettercairn, Laurencekirk, Kincardineshire AB30 1YB
It is uncertain exactly when Fettercairn Distillery was founded, but it is said to be Scotland’s second-oldest licensed distillery.
It was closed during World War I and reopened in 1939.
The present building, sited at the bottom of the Cairngorms was converted from a former corn mill.

Glenadam distellery, Brechin
Believed to have been established in 1825, the distillery was purchased by Hiram Walker in 1954, but is now operated by Allied Distillers.

Glen Garioch Distillery, Distillery Rd Oldmeldrum Inverurie AB51 0ES
This Aberdeenshire distillery was founded in 1797, in the small village of Old Meldrum.

Glendronach Distillery, Forgue, Huntly, Aberdeenshire AB54 6DB
The Glendronach distillery was founded in 1825 or 1826 by James Allardes. The distillery straddles the Dronach Burn in the valley of Forgue.
It belonged to the Grant family from 1920 until 1960 when it was acquired by Teacher's, now part of Allied.
Glendronach has a floor maltings and coal-fired stills. The name Glendronach is Gaelic for "Valley of the Brambles".

Knockdhu Distillery, Knock, Huntly, Aberdeenshire
Knockdhu Distillery was founded in 1894 by John Morrison brought the Knock Estate from the Duke of Fife in 1892.
The distillery is built in the beautiful local grey granite. Today, the distillery produces its whisky from two originally designed pot stills.

Royal Lochnagar Distillery, Crathie, Ballater, Aberdeenshire AB35 5TB
Situated in Royal Deeside about a mile from the Balmoral Castle, Royal Lochnagar was established in 1845 by John Begg.
There were several distilleries here at one time but this is the only one remaining.

Argyll Distilleries

Oban Distillery, Stafford Street, Oban, Argyll, PA34 5NH
Established in 1794 by the Stevenson family, who were involved in the development of the town of Oban.
Offers aficionados of Uisge Beatha the opportunity to see the skills which go into making Scotland's best known export.

Springbank Distillery, Well Close, Campbeltown PA28 6EX
In the seaside town of Campbeltown, Springbank Distillery was founded in 1828, and is owned by the Mitchell family

Banffshire Distilleries

Aberlour Distillery, Aberlour-on-Spey, Banffshire, AB38 9PJ
Founded on its current site by James Fleming in 1879, now in French ownership.
The distillery is not open to the public. (Visitors are welcomed by appointment during the Speyside Whisky Festival each spring)

Auchroisk Distillery, Mulben, Banffshire AB5 3X3
Built to meet the growing demand for Scotch Whisky worldwide, and J&B Rare in particular.
Production began in 1974. This distillery presently has no visitor facilities.
The single malt from Auchroisk is called The Singleton. Auchroisk is Gaelic for "the ford of the red stream".

Balvenie Distillery , Dufftown, Banffshire
Built next to William Grant's Glenfiddich distillery in 1892.
Floor malting is still carried out at Balvenie, this supplying about 15% of the distillery's malt requirement.

Cardhu Distillery Knockando Aberlour Banffshire AB38 7RY
The only distillery pioneered by a woman, it was licensed in 1824.
The origins of the distillery go back to the days befor legal distilling, when crofters made their own whisky in illicit stills.

Glenallachie Distillery Aberlour-on-Spey, Banffshire AB38 9LR

Glen Keith Distillery, Station Rd, Keith, Banffshire

Glenfarclas Distillery, Ballindalloch, Banffshire, AB37 9BD
Established in 1836 by Robert Hay. It was later purchased by the Grant family and has remained independent and family run.
Glenfarclas - "Valley of the green grassland" lies at the foot of the majestic Benrinnes mountain.

Glenfiddich Distillery, Dufftown, Banffshire AB55 4DH
William Grant and family built the distillery in the valley of the River Fiddich in 1886.
Set close to the impressive and historic Balvenie Castle, it was the first distillery to open a visitor centre, and has over 100,000 visitors a year.

Glen Grant Distillery and Garden, Rothes, Aberlour AB38 7BS
Located in a wooded, sheltered glen on the outskirts of the Speyside village of Rothes.
The distillery was founded in the 1840's by two brothers, James and John Grant.

Glenlivet Distillery, Ballindalloch, Banffshire AB37 9DB
Founded by George Smith, a tenant of the Duke of Gordon, in 1824 at Upper Drummin Farm.
The old distillery was destroyed by fire, and the plant was moved to Minore in 1858.

Knockando Distillery, Knonkando, Aberlour, Banffshire AB38 7RP

Macallan Distilley, Easter Elchies, Craigellachie, AB38 9RX
Macallan Distillery was officially licensed in 1824. The restored fortified house of Easter Elchies lies at the heart of the site.

Speyburn Distillery, Rothes, Near Aberlour AB38 7AG
Speyburn-Glenlivet Distillery was founded in 1897 by John Hopkins & Company for the sum of Ł17,000.

Strathisla Distillery, Keith, Banffshire, AB55 3BS
Strathisla Distillery is the home of Chivas Regal. You can observe the care and attention devoted to the selection of raw materials, see the timber vats and gleaming copper stills and experience first-hand the age-old process involved.

The Tomintoul Distillery, Ballindalloch, Banffshire AB37 9AQ
Founded in 1964-5 by Tomintoul Distillery Ltd. Sold to American Brands Inc. in 1990.

Caithness and Sutherland Distilleries

Clynelish Distillery, Brora, Sutherland, KW9 6LR
Built in 1819 by the Marquis of Stafford, later to become Duke of Sutherland.

Pulteney Distillery Huddart Street, Wick, Caithness KW1 5BD
Pulteney Distillery, founded in 1826 by James Henderson, is the most northerly distillery on the Scottish mainland.
It stands in the suburbs of Wick, about eighteen miles from John O'Groats.

Fort William and Inverness-shire Distilleries

Ben Nevis Distillery, Lochy Bridge, Fort William, PH33 6TI
Ben Nevis Distillery established in 1825, is one of the oldest licensed distilleries in Scotland.
It was founded by Long John MacDonald from Keppoch, whose ancestors had fought at the Battle of Culloden in 1746.

Dalwhinnie Distillery, Dalwhinnie, Inverness-shire, PH19 1AB
Dalwhinnie means Othe meeting place', it was a resting point for Highland drovers on their way to cattle markets at Crieff and Falkirk.
The distillery was opened in 1898.

Tomatin Distillery, Tomatin, Inverness-shire, IV13 7YT
Founded in 1897 by the Tomatin Spey District Distillery Co, this was the first distillery to be acquired by a Japanese company.

Island distilleries

Talisker Distillery, Carbost, Isle Of Skye, IV47 8SR
The only distillery on the island of Skye.Located beneath the impressive Cuillin mountains.
The distillery was founded in 1830 by Hugh and Kenneth MacAskill. It was rebuilt 1880-1887 and further extended in 1900.
The stillhouse was destroyed by fire on 22 November 1960, and it was rebuilt again during 1960-62.

Tobermory Distillery, Tobermory, Isle Of Mull, PA75 6NR
Located in the pleasant town of Tobermory, with its painted houses, on the scenic island of Mull.
The distillery was established by John Sinclair, a local merchant, in 1798.

Highland park Distillery, Holm Rd, Kirkwall, Orkney KW15 1SU
Highland park, the world's most northerly distillery is the only distillery in Orkney still in production.
It is located on a hillside with fine views over Scapa Flow. It stands on the site of an illicit still, and was founded in 1798

Islay Distilleries

Ardbeg Distillery Ardbeg Port Ellen, Isle of Islay PA42 7EB
The distillery was founded in 1815 by the MacDougalls of Ardbeg, it was closed for many years, but re- opened in 1997.
The distillary's visitor Centre opened in May 1998 and had over 3000 visitors in the first nine months.
You can read tales from the past in the distillery's museum.

Bowmore Distillery, School St, Bowmore, Isle Of Islay PA43 7JS
Built around 1770 and licenced in 1779. The distillery uses the traditional method of producing its own floor-malted barley.

Bruichladdich Distillery, Bruichladdich, Isle Of Islay, PA49 7UN

Bunnahabhain Distillery, Port Askaig, Isle Of Islay PA46 7RP
Bunnahabhain is gaelic for 'mouth of the river' . Established in 1883 it is the most northerly of Islay's distilleries.
In a peaceful and picturesque location on the Sound of Islay with views of Jura and Mull.

Caol Ila Distillery, Port Askaig, Isle Of Islay, PA46 7RL
Caol Ila stands in a picturesque setting at the foot of a steep hill, with a small pier, overlooking the Sound of Islay and Paps of Jura.
It was built in 1846 by Hector Henderson.

Isle Of Jura Distillery, Craighouse, Isle Of Jura, PA60 7XT
. On the wild and picturesque island of Jura, the original distillery was built in 1810, but illicit distilling may have gone on as far back as 1502.
The present distillery was built in 1963 and extended in 1971.

Lagavulin Distillery, Port Ellen, Isle Of Islay, PA42 7DZ
Lagavulin was founded by John Johnson 1816. Lagganmhouillin, or Lagavulin, means "mill in the valley".
Near the ruins of Dunyvaig Castle, ancient stronghold of the Lords of the Isles.

Laphroaig Distillery, Port Ellen, Isle Of Islay PA42 7DU
Laprohaig (the beautiful hollow by the broad bay) was founded by Donald and Alex Johnston in 1815.
This distinctive malt whisky produced here is rich, smoky and peaty.

Lothian Distilleries

Glenkinchie Distillery, Pencaitland, Tranent, East Lothian, EH34 5ET c183

Morayshire Distilleries

Balmenach Distillery, Cromdale, Moray DH26 3PF
One of the earliest licenced distilleries, dating back to 1824.

Benromach Distillery, Invererne Road, Forres, Moray IV36 3EB
The distillery is located on the outskirts of Forres 500 yards on the north side of the Forres by-pass (Aberdeen-Inverness A96 road).
Having lain unused for a number of years, the distillery was bought in 1993 and re-opened in 1998 by Gordon & MacPhail.

Dallas Dhu distillery, Forres, Morayshire IV36 2RR
Built in 1898 it was closed in 1983 and is no longer in production. Historic Scotland now run the site and it is well worth a visit.

Glenburgie Distillery, Alves, Forres, Morayshire
Set in a very attractive landscaped location, Glenburgie Distillery, first established in 1810, was replaced towards the end of the 19th century by William Paul, and uses water from local springs. The distillery was closed between 1927 and 1935, but was reopened and is now run by Allied Distillers.

Glenmoray Distillery Elgin IV30 1YE Morayshire
the Glen Moray distillery was developed from a brewery in 1897. The original brewery buildings date from 1815.
Situated on the banks of the river Lossie in Elgin, it was refurbished in 1958 and production capacity was doubled from two to four stills.

Miltonduff-Glenlivet Distillery, Elgin, Morayshire IV30 3TQ
Standing in a pleasant location near the restored Abbey of Pluscarden, not far from Elgin, the distillery was founded in 1824.

Tormore Distillery, Advie, Grantown-on-spey, Morayshire PH26 3LR
Tormore Distillery was founded in 1960 by Long John Distillers Ltd, but is now operated by Allied Distillers.

Perthshire and Stirlingshire Distilleries

Aberfeldy Distillery, Aberfeldy, Perthshire, PH15 2EB
Established in 1896.

Blair Athol Distillery, Pitlochry Perthshire, PH16 5LY
Established in 1798, Blair Athol Distillery is one of the oldest working distilleries in Scotland.
Owned by United Distillers and Vintners, produces Bell's Eight-Year-Old Extra Special, the biggest-selling blended whisky in the UK.

Edradour Distillery, Pitlochry, Perthshire, PH16 5JP
Founded in 1825 by a group of local farmers, it may be Scotland's smallest distillery and is the last original 'farm' distillery in Perthshire.
Edradour, named after a local burn, is hand made today as it was over 150 years ago by just three men.
The equipment used at the distillery has remained unchanged since the day the distillery opened.

Glengoyne Distillery, Dumgoyne, Nr Killearn, Stirlingshire G63 9LB
First licensed in 1833 the distillery is situated in the Campsie Fells close to Loch Lomond.
The Distillery takes its name from the place, "Glen Guin" or Glen of the Wild Geese.
It sits at the foot of a small waterfall tumbling from the volcanic plug of Dumgoyne Hill.

Glenturret Distillery, The Hosh, Crieff, Perthshire PH7 4HA
Glenturret Distillery is the oldest single highland malt distillery in Scotland, and one of the smallest.
It dates back to 1717 when the distillery was in the hands of smugglers who made the whisky in illicit stills.
These outlaws smuggled the whisky to England to avoid paying taxes.
It was closed from 1923 to 1959, but has since been established as one of the most popular malts

Tullibardine Distillery, Blackford, Perthshire PH4 1QG

Ross-shire Distilleries

Balblair Distillery, Edderton, Tain, Ross-shire IV19 1LB
Balblair Distillery is the second oldest working distillery in the industry.
The distillery was founded by John Ross and remained in his family until it was sold by his grandson James in 1894.

Dalmore Distillery, Alness, Ross-shire, IV17 0UT
Located in a scenic position overlooking the Black Isle and Cromarty Firth, the distillery was founded in 1839 by Alexander Matheson.
It was used as a factory to manufacture mines in World War I and was burned down, but rebuilt in 1922.

Glenmorangie Distillery, Tain, Ross-shire IV19 1PZ.
Glenmorangie (Gaelic for glen of tranquility) is said by some to be Scotland's favourite dram.
The Glenmorangie Distillery lies on the A9, half a mile north of Tain, overlooking the shores of the Dornoch Firth.
It was converted from a brewery and licensed in 1843 and has been owned by Macdonald and Muir since 1918.

Glen Ord Distillery, Muir Of Ord, Ross-shire, IV6 7UJ
Glen Ord Distillery was licensed in 1838, distillation having just become legal. Thomas Mackenzie leases a portion of his land ground for a distillery at Croftnallan to Robert Johnstone and D. McLennan - partners of the Ord Distillery Co. - for an annual payment of one shilling.
The last survivor of nine distilleries which once operated around Glen Ord.