When we think of Scotland, we think of its majestic natural beauty, its eternal myths and legends, poets, artists and authors but most importantly, we think of its whisky. Often celebrated as the ‘water of life’, whisky has become a staple of our national identity. Tourists travel far and wide to come to Scotland and visit our distilleries and, of course, enjoy a wee dram.
But while living in Scotland, it’s easy to forget that we have such incredible whisky producers on our doorstep. Why not celebrate one of Scotland’s greatest and oldest traditions with a visit to one of these five incredible whisky distilleries? Some Sunday Post online content is funded by outside parties. The revenue from this helps to sustain our independent news gathering.
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Unmissable distilleries to visit in Scotland The story behind Badachro Distillery is like something out of a fairy tale. Owners Gordon and Vanessa Quinn met at the Badachro Inn, married 12 weeks later, travelled the world, then returned to their spiritual home to set up the distillery. But if that early whirlwind romance seems ripped straight from the pages of Hans Christian Andersen, the distillery’s fortunes have since taken it to the top of the bestseller list.
The distillery exports its popular gin, vodka and whisky to ten countries around the world, including Canada and Taiwan, as well as nurturing an ever-growing fanbase on home soil. The team at Badachro Distillery is still very firmly rooted in Scotland, though, and they’re proud of their heritage. Wherever possible, the team sources their materials here – whether that’s botanicals, outsourced marketing and admin support, or packaging.
Five gins – Badachro, Coastal, 57o Storm Strength, Raspberry and Orangey Orains – provide a taste of the land and the coast around Wester Ross. Dancing Puffin Vodka represents the playful side of the village, and its cheeky puffin mascot has become a firm favourite with vodka fans around the world. Now joining the hugely successful Dancing Puffin vodka is the brand new SURFING PUFFIN GOLDEN RUM, which is already available on their website.
And the distillery’s whisky showcases the heritage of the Highlands, and the whisky distillers that have called it home for centuries. The signature Tuscan Oak expression in the Bad na h-Achlaise series is a medium peated single malt that’s become popular the world over. Caol Ila, translated in Gaelic to the ‘Sound of Islay,’ is located on the scenic northeastern shores of the Isle of Islay, and offers magnificent views across to the spectacular Paps of Jura.
Established in 1846, Caol Ila boasts a storied history that reflects the rich heritage of Islay whisky. Caol Ila’s award-winning whiskies are celebrated for their distinctive character, balancing the island’s famous peaty malt with subtle fruity and floral notes. This unique profile results from the distillery’s traditional methods, including the use of locally sourced malted barley from Port Ellen and water from the nearby Loch nam Ban.
Also appearing in the top 10% of attractions worldwide in the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards, Caol Ila’s distillery tours and whisky experiences explore the distillery’s history, production techniques, and offer tastings of its exceptional single malts. The distillery also features a retail store offering exclusive whiskies, branded merchandise, and accessories, as well as a bar with a variety of cocktails, whiskies, and delicious platters. Cardhu Distillery set in the heart of Speyside, holds a distinguished place in the world of Scotch whisky.
Celebrating its 200th anniversary this year, Cardhu’s unique history was shaped by two generations of women, Helen and Elizabeth Cumming, who played pivotal roles in its success—a rare narrative in the male-dominated whisky industry of the 19th century. Cardhu’s single malts are renowned for their smooth, sweet, and mellow character. As one of the four corners of Scotland’s distilleries that contribute to the iconic Johnnie Walker blends, Cardhu plays a crucial role in adding depth and complexity to its whiskies.
The distillery offers a range of must-do tours and whisky experiences for guests of all levels and it was recently placed in the top 10% of attractions worldwide by the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards. The visitor experiences provide insight into Cardhu’s rich history, the whisky-making process, and samples of its exceptional single malts. Cardhu is also part of the world-famous Malt Whisky Trail, a must-visit for any Speyside distillery tourist.
Cardhu’s unique experiences are complemented by a bar where guests can enjoy light bites and delicious cocktails, and a retail store offering a range of Cardhu whiskies, including rare and exclusive bottles, and merchandise, with the option to hand fill and engrave select bottles. Located in the picturesque landscape of Royal Deeside, just a mile from the famous Balmoral castle in the Scottish highlands, Royal Lochnagar Distillery boasts a regal heritage, having been awarded the name by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, following a visit in 1848. Royal Lochnagar employs traditional distilling techniques to craft its delicate highland single malt.
Fed by the pure waters of the Scarnock Springs, its whiskies are renowned for their smooth and refined character. Royal Lochnagar’s iconic pagoda-shaped roof is a striking sight, inviting visitors to explore the distillery’s rich history and production process through a range of tours and whisky tastings. Renowned for its warm Highland hospitality, the distillery was recently awarded a five-star rating by Visit Scotland for its exceptional visitor experience.
Guests can also enjoy delicious food and a variety of cocktails at the Bothy Bar, as well as explore the retail shop for exclusive bottlings and branded merchandise. The Singleton of Glen Ord Distillery, along the famous North Coast 500 route near Inverness, is one of three iconic distilleries that form The Singleton brand, alongside Dufftown and Glendullan. Celebrated for their smooth, rich flavours, The Singleton whiskies achieve a perfect balance of fruity and malty notes.
This distinctive profile is crafted using locally sourced barley, extended fermentation times, and a ‘slow craft’ distillation process. An essential addition to any highland itinerary, visitors can immerse themselves in a variety of whisky experiences, with something for every whisky lover. These experiences have recently seen the distillery achieve the title of Scotland’s Leading Distillery Tour 2024 at the prestigious World Travel Awards.
The distillery offers much more than just whisky. Its state-of-the-art bar and deli serves delectable bites and imaginative cocktails. The retail area showcases rare and exclusive Singleton malts, with the unique opportunity for guests to bottle their own select whiskies.
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