Visiting Distilleries in Scotland

The Glenglassuagh Distillery, right here in Portsoy, was re-opened in 2008 by first minister Alex Salmond, following completion of a major refurbishment project.

Although the distillery does not yet have a visitor centre, plans are in place for opening later in 2011, however there are tours which occur daily at 10.00am. Spaces for these tours are limited so please book through the hotel first.
The Spirit Drink Tour, good tour covering all the production areas, finishing in the board room where you will be treated to a dram of one of the spirit drink products. This tour costs £7.50 per head.

Behind the Scenes Tour Includes all the elements of The Spirit Tour – go behind the scenes with one of our senior managers, where you will gain an insight into how Glenglassaugh was brought back to life and see the parts that are normally off-limits to the general public; including our original malting floor.
Nose some of casks in our traditional warehouses and see some of the most spectacular sights in the whisky industry.
Included in the tour is the opportunity to have a tutored sampling with a choice of two of our Spirit Drinks, as well as our award winning 26 year old and 30 year old Single Malt Scotch Whiskies. The tour costs £30.00 per person.

Strathisla in Keith is the oldest operating distillery in the Highlands, and is one of the most picturesque.
Tours here are frequent and booking is not necessary.
All tours include,
* A welcome dram of Chivas Regal 12 year old on arrival
* An in-depth Whisky tour of Strathisla distillery with an experienced guide
* View traditional warehouse where many of the single malts that make up the premium and super premium blends are stored
* Relax in the comfort of the Dram Room with a sample of Chivas Regal 18 year old
* Personalised label facility available when purchasing a 70cl bottle of Chivas Regal - an ideal holiday gift.

Glenfiddich is one of the most popular malt whiskys in the world, and this is one of the most visited distilliers in Scotland, and is a five star Visit Sotland attraction.
Visits to the distillery are free. Each visit starts with an evocative film about the history of the Distillery, after which we show you the very heart of our operation.

Also available is the Glenfiddich Connoisseur Tour.

This is the ultimate experience for fans of Glenfiddich single malt Scotch whisky. A senior guide will take guests on an in-depth tour of the Distillery, including a visit to the atmospheric Solera warehouse. And, as an exclusive highlight, guests then enjoy a tutored nosing and tasting session of their finest whiskies.
The tour takes approximately 2½ hours and tickets cost £20 each. Please note, you must be over 18 to attend.

It is recommended that you book your Connoisseurs Tour in advance.

The Glendronach Distillery, is a lovely small distillery situated in the middle of the Aberdeenshire countryside.
The GlenDronach Distillery Visitor Centre is now open, with guided tours running regularly throughout the day - 7 days a week.

The GlenDronach Discovery Tour, you will be taken on an inspiring journey, seeing first hand the traditional methods that have been in use for nearly 200 years.
Admission: £3.00

The Connoisseurs' Experience, a rare opportunity to enjoy an in depth distillery tour, followed by a tutored tasting in the company of Frank Massie (formerly the distillery manager and one of the true legends in the industry).
Admission Fee: £20.00 (advanced booking required).

The Glenlivet Distillery was founded in 1824 and it has operated almost continuously since. The distillery remained open throughout the Great Depression and its only closure came during World War II. The Glenlivet distillery has grown in the post-war period to become one of the biggest single malt distilleries in order to keep up with global demand. The Glenlivet brand is the biggest selling malt whisky in the United States and the second biggest selling single malt brand globally.

His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales opened a new expansion to The Glenlivet Distillery on Friday 4 June 2010 during a visit to Speyside, Scotland.

Along with the other special attractions of the distillery visit, which include the magnificent scenery that surrounds it, this fascinating hands-on display of The Glenlivet and its history is not to be missed.
Admission is free.
The guided tour takes in the distillery and the vast bonded warehouse. You can choose a dram of The Glenlivet 12, 18 years old, or Nàdurra. And drop in to the coffee shop for light meals and fine home baking.

Cardhu is a huge selling whisky, with annual sales of more that 3 million bottles making it the 6th best selling single malt in the world.
There is a very special, and quite remote, visitors centre situated on a small hill overlooking Ben Rinnes.

Cardhu Distillery Tour
Guided tour of the whisky making process at Cardhu Distillery and short history rounded off by a dram of Cardhu.
Admission - £4 (voucher £3 off purchase x 1 70cl bottle of whisky)

"Glassic Tour"
Guided tour of the whisky making process at Cardhu Distillery and short history rounded off by a tutored nosing and tasting of 3 of our single malts. Complimentary glass.
Admission - £6 (voucher £3 off purchase x 1 70cl bottle of whisky)

Our Cardhu Distillery Tour lasts approximately 45 minutes and our 'Glassic Tour' 1 hour.

Glen Grant Distillery is at the north end of the village of Rothes, about 10 miles south of Elgin on the A941 Grantown-on-Spey road.

Each year around 10,000 visitors discover the magic of The Glen Grant’s distillery. Connoisseurs and first time imbibers from around the world tour the distillery and often take home bottles and memorabilia of their unique Single Malt experience. Visitors can choose from guided tours and private tastings offered by the friendly distillery staff.

Unique to this distillery are extensive beautiful gardens.
"When James Grant founded his distillery in Speyside, he decided to celebrate the natural beauty of the area by building an elegant Victorian garden. We have recently restored these beautiful gardens to their full original glory. Follow the small path as it winds its way up the garden passing glorious flowerbeds and luscious lawns. The pathway crisscrosses the stream and leads to a little cave where Major Grant kept his own private Glen Grant barrel. "

Glen Moray is a small authentic working distillery without the tourist frills, just bags of atmosphere and real people going about their business – making whisky. Here you have the opportunity to experience the reality of malt whisky distilling. The delight of Glen Moray is that your tour guide could be one of the distillery craftsmen themselves. It could be the stillman or the mashman who welcomes you and shows you round, or even the distillery manager himself – Graham Coull.
Glen Moray Single Malt Whisky has been distilled here since 1897 by a small dedicated team of craftsmen. In over a century of distilling at Glen Moray, much has changed, however the ingredients, processes and skills of those responsible for producing Glen Moray remain constant.

Tours
There are regular daily tours of the distillery, covering the history of Glen Moray and the malt whisky making process. You can meet some of the craftsmen responsible for ensuring that the very high quality of Glen Moray is sustained.

Fifth Chapter Tours
You can also pre-book a more in depth tour of the distillery, followed by an informal tutored tasting of Glen Moray across the last 5 decades with the Distillery Manager, Graham Coull.

GlenFarclas was one of the first distilleries in Scotland to open a dedicated visitor centre in 1973. They still pride themselves on the warmth of the welcome.
Take a tour of the distillery with one of their knowledgeable guides and discover not only the magic of malt whisky production, but the unique history of Family owned Glenfarclas.
After your tour relax with a dram in the splendour of the Ship’s Room and browse in the distillery shop with its large selection of Glenfarclas Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky and Glenfarclas gifts.

Connoisseur's Tour & Tasting
For the connoisseur a more indepth experience is on offer, by prior appointment at 2PM on Fridays in July and August. Enjoy a tour of Family owned Glenfarclas, after which one of the Glenfarclas Brand Ambassadors will introduce you to a selection of four of their favourite expressions of Glenfarclas. £15 per person.