PLACES TO VISIT
Increasingly since the 1980s, Scotch and tourism have gone hand in hand. Visitors often take in a distillery as part of their exploration of Scotland’s magnificent scenery and heritage; or it may be that looking at the scenery and learning about its heritage is a way of filling time between distillery visits. Either way, no Scottish holiday is complete without at least one distillery tour.
The Strathspey Railway, opened in 1863, is now a footpath for hikers linking some of Scotland’s best-known malt distilleries through gloriously unspoilt countryside.
About half of Scotland’s one hundred or so malt-whisky distilleries now welcome the public. Some have fully fledged visitor centres with cafés, gift shops and tours of different durations and prices; others offer only basic tours by arrangement. Some are open year-round; others only during peak holiday times. So, when planning your visit, always be sure to check the website and/or ring ahead.
Auchentoshan Distillery, by Dalmuir, Clydebank, Glasgow G81 4SJ.
Telephone: 01389 878561. Website: www.auchentoshan.com
Bladnoch Distillery, Wigtown DG8 9AB.
Telephone: 01988 402605. Website: www.bladnoch.co.uk
Glengoyne Distillery, Dumgoyne, near Killearn, Glasgow G63 9LB.
Telephone: 01360 550254. Website: www.glengoyne.com
Glenkinchie Distillery, Pencaitland, Tranent, East Lothian EH34 5ET.
Telephone: 01875 342012.
Website: www.discovering-distilleries.com
Aberfeldy Distillery, Aberfeldy, Perthshire PH15 2EB.
Telephone: 01887 822010. Website: www.dewars.com
Blair Athol Distillery, Perth Road, Pitlochry, Perthshire PH16 5LY.
Telephone: 01796 482003.
Website: www.discovering-distilleries.com
Dalwhinnie Distillery, Dalwhinnie, Inverness-shire PH19 1AA.
Telephone: 01540 672219.
Website: www.discovering-distilleries.com
Deanston Distillery, near Doune, Perthshire FK16 6AG.
Telephone: 01786 843010. Website: www.deanstonmalt.com
Edradour Distillery, Pitlochry, Perthshire PH16 5JP.
Telephone: 01796 472095. Website: www.edradour.com
Glenturret Distillery, The Hosh, Crieff, Perthshire PH7 4HA.
Telephone: 01764 656565. Website: www.thefamousgrouse.com
Tullibardine Distillery, Stirling Street, Blackford, Perthshire PH4 1QG.
Telephone: 01764 661800. Website: www.tullibardine.com
Glenturret at Crieff, Perthshire, claims to be Scotland’s oldest distillery and, as well as offering tours ranging from standard to very de luxe, it has both a whisky school and a cookery school.
Fettercairn Distillery, Fettercairn, Laurencekirk, Kincardineshire AB30 1YE.
Telephone: 01561 340205. Website: www.whyteandmackay.com
GlenDronach Distillery, Forgue by Huntly, Aberdeenshire AB54 6DB.
Telephone: 01466 730202.
Website: www.glendronachdistillery.com
Glen Garioch Distillery, Distillery Road, Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire AB51 0ES.
Telephone: 01651 873450. Website: www.glengarioch.com
Glenglassaugh Distillery, Portsoy, Aberdeenshire AB45 2SQ.
Telephone: 01313 355131. Website: www.glenglassaugh.com
Royal Lochnagar Distillery, Balmoral, Crathie, Ballater, Aberdeenshire AB35 5TB.
Telephone: 01339 742700.
Website: www.discovering-distilleries.com
Balblair Distillery, Edderton, Tain, Ross-shire IV19 1LB.
Telephone: 01862 821273.
Clynelish Distillery, Brora, Sutherland KW9 6LR.
Telephone: 01408 623000.
Website: www.discovering-distilleries.com
Dalmore Distillery, Alness, Ross-shire IV17 0UT.
Telephone: 01349 882362. Website: www.thedalmore.com
Glen Ord Distillery, Muir of Ord, Ross-shire IV6 7UJ.
Telephone: 01463 872004.
Website: www.discovering-distilleries.com
Glenmorangie Distillery, Tain, Ross-shire IV19 1PZ.
Telephone: 01862 892477. Website: www.glenmorangie.com
Old Pulteney Distillery, Huddart Street, Wick, Caithness KW1 5BA.
Telephone: 01955 602371. Website: www.oldpulteney.com
Tomatin Distillery, Tomatin, Inverness-shire IV13 7YT.
Telephone: 01463 248144. Website: www.tomatin.com
Ben Nevis Distillery, Lochy Bridge, Fort William PH33 6TJ.
Telephone: 01397 700200. Website: www.bennevisdistillery.com
Oban Distillery, Stafford Street, Oban, Argyll PA34 5NH.
Telephone: 01631 572004.
Website: www.discovering-distilleries.com
Abhainn Dearg Distillery, Carnish, Isle of Lewis HS2 9EX.
Telephone: 01851 672429. Website: www.abhainndearg.co.uk
Highland Park Distillery, Holm Road, Kirkwall, Orkney KW15 1SU.
Telephone: 01856 874619. Website: www.highlandpark.co.uk
Isle of Arran Distillery, Lochranza, Isle of Arran KA27 8HJ.
Telephone: 01770 830264. Website: www.arranwhisky.com
Jura Distillery, Craighouse, Isle of Jura PA60 7XT.
Telephone: 01496 820385. Website: www.jurawhisky.com
Talisker Distillery, Carbost, Isle of Skye IV47 8SR.
Telephone: 01478 614308.
Website: www.discovering-distilleries.com
Tobermory Distillery, Ledaig, Tobermory, Isle of Mull PA75 6NR.
Telephone: 01688 302647. Website: www.tobermorymalt.com
Aberlour Distillery, High Street, Aberlour, Banffshire AB38 9PJ.
Telephone: 01340 881249. Website: www.maltwhiskydistilleries.com
Benromach Distillery Co. Ltd, Invererne Road, Forres, Moray IV36 3EB.
Telephone: 01309 675968. Website: www.benromach.com
Cardhu Distillery, Knockando, Aberlour, Banffshire AB38 7RY.
Telephone: 01479 874635.
Website: www.discovering-distilleries.com
Cragganmore Distillery, Ballindalloch, Banffshire AB37 9AB.
Telephone: 01479 874715.
Website: www.discovering-distilleries.com
Glen Grant Distillery, Elgin Road, Rothes, Aberlour, Banffshire AB38 7BS.
Telephone: 01340 832118. Website: www.glengrant.com
Glen Moray Distillery, Bruceland Road, Elgin, Moray IV30 1YE.
Telephone: 01343 550900. Website: www.glenmoray.com
Glenfarclas Distillery, Ballindalloch, Banffshire AB37 9BD.
Telephone: 01807 500345. Website: www.glenfarclas.co.uk
Glenfiddich Distillery, Dufftown, Banffshire AB55 4DH.
Telephone: 01340 820373. Website: www.glenfiddich.com
The Glenlivet Distillery, Ballindalloch, Banffshire AB37 9DB.
Telephone: 01340 821720. Website: www.theglenlivet.com
The Macallan Distilleries Ltd, Easter Elchies, Craigellachie, Banffshire AB38 9RX.
Telephone: 01340 872280. Website: www.themacallan.com
Strathisla Distillery, Seafield Avenue, Keith AB55 5BS.
Telephone: 01542 783044.
Website: www.maltwhiskydistilleries.com
Dallas Dhu at Forres, Moray, was built in 1899 just as the whisky boom was coming to its near-catastrophic end. It had rather a chequered career, with recurring water-supply problems, and in 1983 was chosen by the Distillers Company for closure as part of the great production shake-out. However, it was rescued by Historic Scotland before it could be dismantled and is now a fascinating museum, offering a unique view of a classic Victorian distillery.
Ardbeg Distillery, Port Ellen, Isle of Islay PA42 7EA.
Telephone: 01496 302244. Website: www.ardbeg.com
Bowmore Distillery, School Street, Bowmore, Isle of Islay PA43 7JS.
Telephone: 01496 810441. Website: www.bowmore.com
Bruichladdich Distillery, Bruichladdich, Isle of Islay PA49 7UN.
Telephone: 01496 850190. Website: www.bruichladdich.com
Bunnahabhain Distillery, Port Askaig, Isle of Islay PA46 7RP.
Telephone: 01496 840646. Website: www.bunnahabhain.com
Caol Ila Distillery, Port Askaig, Isle of Islay PA46 7RL.
Telephone: 01496 302769.
Website: www.discovering-distilleries.com
Kilchoman Distillery, Rockside Farm, Bruichladdich, Isle of Islay PA49 7UT.
Telephone: 01496 850011. Website: www.kilchomandistillery.com
Lagavulin Distillery, Port Ellen, Isle of Islay PA42 7DZ.
Telephone: 01496 302749.
Website: www.discovering-distilleries.com
Laphroaig Distillery, Port Ellen, Isle of Islay PA42 7DU.
Telephone: 01496 302418. Website: www.laphroaig.com
Springbank Distillery, Well Close, Campbeltown, Argyll PA28 6ET.
Telephone: 01586 551710.
Website: www.springbankwhisky.com
