Scotland’s whisky distilleries

Discover the secrets behind Scotland’s famous whisky with unique behind-the-scenes tours of some of the country’s fascinating distilleries. Explore Scotland’s whisky regions and the unique distilleries to learn more about the renowned malts.

Highlands

The Highlands is the best-known and biggest geographic Scottish whisky region and is home to many celebrated single malts.

The region is also home to one of Scotland’s oldest licensed distilleries, Ben Nevis Distillery, established in 1825 and below Britain’s highest mountain.

Spend an afternoon at the Dalwhinnie Distillery, one of the six Scottish distilleries that form the Classic Malts Collection. It is also one of Scotland’s highest distilleries at over 1,000 ft.

Speyside

Generally accepted as a sub-section of the Highlands whisky region, more than half of Scotland’s malt whisky distilleries can be found in Speyside. Discover some of them on the region’s Malt Whisky Trail, the only trail of its kind in the world.

On the trail you will also visit the only existing cooperage in the UK, Speyside Cooperage, where you can see the ancient art of creating whisky barrels and even try your hand at making a mini barrel yourself.

Visit Speyside’s smallest distillery, Benromach, to learn more about the world’s first fully certified organic single malt whisky and discover Cardhu Distillery, the only distillery pioneered by a woman.

Islay

Islay whisky is known for its distinctive peaty character and the island is home to an impressive eight single malt whisky distilleries.

Sample the spectacular dram dubbed ‘liquid smoke’ at the Laphroaig Distillery and make sure you collect your annual ‘ground rent’ (a whisky miniature) before you leave.
 
Thanks to the on-site bottling hall at the Bruichladdich (known as ‘the Laddie’) distillery, there is no better way to discover a whisky that is truly Islay, and watch it go from barley to bottle.

Campbeltown

Campbeltown was once home to 30 whisky distilleries but today just three remain - Springbank, Mitchell’s Glengyle and Glen Scotia (not open to the public).

Take a tour of the Springbank Distillery, the oldest independent family owned distillery in Scotland, founded in 1828, and sample their subtly smoked single malts. Pay a visit to the Mitchell’s Glengyle Distillery, the first new distillery opened in Scotland this millennium, and sample their Kilkerran Single Malt.

Lowlands

The Lowlands region is known for its lighter style single malt whiskies that are traditionally known as the 'Lowland Ladies'.

Visit Bladnoch Distillery, Scotland’s most southerly distillery in Galloway, which has been producing its fantastic lowland malt since 1817.