Balblair Distillery

Balblair Distillery is one of the older distilleries in the Highlands, legally established by local man, John Ross, in 1790. The distillery featured Ken Loach’s 2012 award-winning comedy film “The Angels’ Share”. Since 2019 Balblair has been producing a new range, and each is a unique variation of the distillery’s Highland spirit.

Dalmore Distillery

Dalmore Distillery, built in 1839, sits on the shore of the Cromarty Firth. Mackenzies bought it in 1867, bringing the Mackenzie emblem and motto with them. This means that you can now recognise Dalmore by the twelve pointed Royal Stag’s head. The Mackenzie motto seems made for a whisky, because it is Luceo non Uro, meaning I Shine not Burn!

Glen Ord Distillery

Glen Ord Distillery first legally produced whisky in 1838. It is one of only a few in Scotland that still malts its own barley. The whisky produced here is also very rare, as it all goes to south-east Asia. This distillery is the only place you will be able to buy this excellent whisky. The distillery also has a choice of a full tour of the facility or a shorter visit to film and exhibition. Both options include a tasting.

Tomatin Distillery

Tomatin Distillery (a Highland Distillery dating from 1897) was the site of much earlier illicit stills. The name means “the hill of the Juniper bushes”. Moonshiners like using Juniper when they are making illicit spirit because the bushes give off no smoke when burned.

Dalwhinnie Distillery

Dalwhinnie Distillery (a Highland malt) is the highest distillery with a visitors centre in Scotland. The village grew in 1700’s around aninn, and the distillery followed in 1898 with the coming of the railway. The distillery has introduced the genius approach of whisky tastings paired with different chocolates!

Glenlivet Distillery

Glenlivet Distillery, a Speyside distillery built in 1824, runs a close second in global whisky sales. Number one in the USA, Pernod Ricard own it now. The taste that we describe as “a light-tasting spirit” is due to the tall, narrow necks of the stills.

The Macallan Distillery

The Macallan is third in the global single malt whisky sales table. This Speyside distillery, found near Craigellachie, was built in 1824. The new distillery and Macallan Visitor Experience opened in 2018 at a cost of £140 million, well spent as they took top place in Scotland’s Best Building Award as a result.

Glen Grant Distillery

Campari now own the Glen Grant Distillery in the town of Rothes and because of this Glen Grant has become the biggest selling single malt in Italy. This Speyside distillery was founded by the moonshiners the Grant brothers who decided to go legitimate in 1840. There are lovely woodland gardens here.

Glen Moray Distillery

Glen Moray Distillery in the city of Elgin was founded in 1897. This Speyside distillery is known for innovation. Bold developments such as the release of two expressions of Glen Moray matured in Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc Casks respectively. Depending on time Glen Moray offer either a tour or tastings.

Ben Nevis Distillery

The Ben Nevis Distillery (near Fort William) stands below the UK’s tallest Mountain; Ben Nevis. They call their whisky the dew of Ben Nevis as the water is from the mountain. John MacDonald began this West Coast distillery in 1825. He gave his name to the well-known blended scotch “Long John” because he stood 6 foot 4 inches tall.

The Island of Islay

The island of Islay (pronounced eye-la) is often called the Queen of the Hebrides. There are nine working distilleries on the island and all of them offer guided tours. The annual Islay Whisky Festival generally occurs in late May, and there is a wide range of music and activities. Islay also has fantastic scenery, wildlife and a rich history. This includes the last unbroken 1200 year-old ringed Celtic cross in the country, and also the ruins of the hall house of the Lords of the Isles.

The Orkney Islands

The Orkney Islands have two whisky distilleries both located in (or near) the largest town in Orkney, which is Kirkwall. Both Scapa Distillery and Highland Park Distillery would be categorised as Highland malts and both offer very good tours. While on Orkney there are a myriad of topics to enthral – from archaeology to craft made wonders, and exceptional food & drink to wildlife and walks.

The NorthEast 250

Grampian or the NorthEast250 are two ways to describe the area that lies east of Inverness and north of Aberdeen. The fertile fields surrounding us as we travel are perfect for growing the barley for the local whisky. It is an area with pretty towns, stunning coastlines and ancient castles but also blessed with several great distilleries. These include Glen Garioch, Strathisla, GlenDronach, Royal Lochnagar and Glenglassaugh.

The Outer Hebrides

The Western Isles (or Outer Hebrides) have two distilleries (the Abhainn Dearg on the Isle of Lewis, and further south the Isle of Harris Distillery). These are located on the same landmass although it doesn’t sound like that. You could also visit Dun Carloway Broch, Callanish Stone Circles (Brave and Outlander) or a walk on some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.  

Isle of Skye and West Highlands

The Isle of Skye has two distilleries – Torabhaig and Talisker, and the nearby Isle of Raasay offers a third. Additionally, if you had the time to spare it would be easy to add an extra day or two. That would allow you add in the fairly new Ardnamurchan Distillery on the most westerly point of the British mainland and the Ben Nevis distillery in Fort William.