Scotland has over 130 whisky distilleries

Scotland is well known for many different things, but little gets as much attention in Scottish culture as its incredible selection of world renowned malt whiskies!

We make a massive amount of whisky here in Scotland, with over one hundred and thirty active distilleries across our small country, totalling a massive twenty million casks of maturing whisky – nearly four for every person living here. It’s no wonder we’re so well known for it!

This makes for a great roadtrip, visiting many of the whisky distilleries throughout Scotland in the most spectacular landscapes. Why not set out to discover the whisky’s in Scotland for yourself and find your new favourite, everyone has their own favourite whisky in Scotland. Before embarking on your whisky tour of Scotland, it is important to know some more information about where you will be going. Within Scotland, there are five whisky-producing regions: Campbeltown, Highland, Islay, Lowland and Speyside.

Whisky producing regions to discover

The region in which the whisky is made may not seem like an important distinction to make, but it can actually affect the flavour of a given whisky massively, as there are many factors that can have a bearing on the flavour. This can be anything from the water source that has been used, to the amount of peat in the local area – these affect the taste of whisky hugely. This guide will give you a little bit of information about each region, and a summary of the most notable distilleries in each one. We know that you will be spoiled for choice, and it can seem a little daunting to have this many options, but this guide will help to give you an idea of which distilleries are unmissable, and which ones you might want to see the most.

Highland Distilleries

This is a very important region to begin on, as it is the biggest geographical whisky area in Scotland! This area stretches from the north of Glasgow all the way up to Thurso in the very north of the country and offers an impressive forty-seven distilleries. It is difficult to place Highland whisky into a category, due to the size of the region and its consequent diversity. Whisky style and flavours in the Highlands range from full-bodied single malts such as Glenmorangie and Dalmore, to lighter and fruitier ones such as Glendronach, or intense peaty flavours which can be found in the Western Highlands.

Highland Park This is the most northern whisky distillery in Scotland, placed on the islands of Orkney. It also offers some of the most well-known tours and tastings in the country, including the Magnus Eunson tour which allows the visitor the chance to taste seven different types of whisky, and the specialist tour which allows the tourist to work a real day in the distillery and truly see how the whiskies are made. This distillery has been making whisky since 1789 and has won the award ‘Best Spirit in the World’ three times! This is truly a must-see.

Old Pulteney This northern distillery is still using traditional methods of distillation nearly two-hundred years after its initial opening, and has even survived a twenty-five year prohibition beginning in 1922! Known as the Maritime Malt, this whisky embodies the history of Scotland; the whisky matures soundly in the hand-selected oak casks, slowly but surely maturing to the flavour we all know and love. This distillery offers two tours a day and a complimentary dram so that you can experience the taste in the best possible environment. You can also fill a bottle yourself and purchase it in the distillery, making the experience even more special.

Lowland Distilleries

This is one of the most accessible regions in Scotland, and includes major cities Glasgow and Edinburgh as well as Fife, Arran and the Scottish Borders. Lowland whisky can be characterised by its sweet and gentle flavours which are due to the barley that is grown in this area. There are fewer historical distilleries in this area but there are many that opened more recently that are certainly still worth a visit. This is one of the easiest regions to drive around, so you can take advantage of how easy it is to see multiple distilleries in a short space of time.

Glenkinchie The proximity to Edinburgh makes this distillery one of the easiest to get to, so why not drop in for a day and try out one of their many tour selections? This is one of Scotland’s most historic distilleries, and the products are bound tightly with their pasts. The surrounding scenery of this distillery is another factor that makes it truly unmissable, as it is located within East Lothian’s beautiful farmland; it really couldn’t get better!

Islay Distilleries

Islay is only twenty-five miles long, but has eight distilleries despite its size. The most distinguishing feature of Islay’s single malts is the peat, which is very different to mainland peat due to the richness of it. The malts that are produced by this peat are very powerful in taste and smell, thus making them highly distinguishable from any other whiskies.

Lagavulin There are such a wide variety of tours and tastings at this well-known distillery, that there will certainly be something for everyone. Options here include warehouse demonstrations, whisky tastings paired with tasty treats, premium tastings and a standard tour. This particular type of whisky is known for its peaty flavour, so if that is the kind of whisky you enjoy then this is certainly for you.

Laphroaig This is the most famous of Islay’s whiskies, and sells the most internationally. This distillery offers a wide range of experiences and activities, from tastings of this world-famous whisky to ‘water to whisky’ experiences lasting nearly five hours. This distillery is on the south coast of Islay, right at the head of Loch Laphroaig, and the taste of the whisky made there is one of the most well-renowned in Scotland. If you are looking to visit the most famous and well-known distillery in the country, then make sure you don’t miss this one.

Speyside Distilleries

Speyside is one of the most beautiful and scenic areas in Scotland, so visiting these distilleries will surely be a treat. This area spans from east of Inverness all the way to the Moray coastline and down towards the Cairngorms National Park. The wonderful whiskies of this region are produced through the amazingly pure water, making them much lighter than the heavier peaty tastes from other regions.

The Glenlivet This award-winning Speyside distillery is in none other than our very own Caringorms! You may have heard of this one as it was a favourite of British author Charles Dickens, and it’s no wonder why – the taste of this whisky is truly amazing. Here, you can choose from three different tours all offering a different experience of the distillery; The Classic Tour, The Inspiration Tour, and the Legacy Tasting Tour.

Glenfiddich Glenfiddich is proud to be the producer of the world’s most awarded single malt scotch whisky, so it is certainly worth adding to your list of top distilleries to visit. What’s more, the tours on offer really do offer anything that the whisky lover could ask for. There are tours that offer a true behind-the-scenes experience, but also some that are for the true whisky enthusiasts who want to have a truly immersive experience.

Campbeltown

This is Scotland’s smallest whisky-producing region, but its single malts are unique and have characteristics not shared with other regions, hence why it warrants being a region in its own right. Campbeltown provided great land for whisky production with its pasture, peat bogs and barley farms, and used to be named the whisky capital of the world! Sadly, the distilleries could not keep up with the demand which ended with the closure of many of the distilleries. Now, however, the remaining distilleries produce whiskies with a smoky flavour which remains very popular.

Springbank One of the most wonderful things about Sprinbank distillery is that it is now, and historically always has been, a family-run and owned establishment. This distillery is on the southern Kintyre peninsula and is the only – yes only – distillery in all of Scotland that carries out the entire whisky production process on its own premises. Aside from the distillery itself, there is also a tasting room in Campeltown where you can go and try the three types of whisky that are produced here.

Ready for a Scottish Whisky Roadtrip?

Touring Scotlands malt whisky distilleries is the perfect option for getaways long and short. Whether you’re planning a quick weekend break or a few days on the road, inspire yourself with one of the many whisky distilleries throughout Scotland in one of our campervans.

As you embark along the roads through Scotland, you’ll encounter a huge variety of sites to see and things to do. Many of the whisky distilleries operate guided tours, so you can get a unique experience of how malt whisky is made.

Want to chat with us about hiring a Campervan? Get in touch today and have a chat with our knowledgeable and friendly team.