In this section the hope is to build on a skeleton of brief details of Scottish distilleries from the last fifty years so a comprehensive reference is available detailing the story of each distillery. With such a large body of information errors are difficult to totally avoid especally when details can change due to alterations. I will endevour to check and re-check validity but this on-going task cannot hope to be up-to-the minute accurate. Please advise if you know of inaccuracies. Lets start with the bones:-

Aberfeldy Southern Highland

Owner : John Dewar & Sons Ltd, Bacardi (since 1998)

Established : 1896

Capacity : 2ML

Wash stills 2 : 17,000 L

Spirit stills 2 : 14,000 L

Notes; Stills were increased from two to six in 1972-73 in an extended still room. Floor maltings stopped in 1972.

Aberlour Speyside

Owner : Campbell Distillers Ltd., Pernod-Ricard

Established : 1826

Capacity : 3.5ML

Wash stills 2 : 21,120 L

Spirit stills 2 : 5,455 L (charge)

Notes; The current distillery stands on a different site to the original and dates from 1878. A Charles Doig distillery. About 50% of production goes for single malt.

Abhainn Dearg Isle of Lewis

Owner : Mark Tayburn

Established : September 2008

Capacity : 20 000 litres

Wash still 1 : 2,112 L

Spirit still 1 : 2,057 L

Notes; Worm tubs.

Ailsa Bay Lowland

Owner : William Grant & Sons

Established : 2007

Capacity : 6ML

Wash stills 4 : size not known

Spirit stills 4 : size not known

Notes; There does not seem to be any intention to release the make as a single.

Allt-A-Bhainne Speyside

Owner : Chivas Btothers Ltd., Groupe Pernod Ricard

Established : 1975

Capacity : 4.5ML (?)

Wash stills : 2 size not known, ascending lyne arm

Spirit stills : 2 size not known, tall parallel neck

Notes; Yet to be bottled by the proprietor. Closed late 2002 until May 2005. Highly automated. No warehousing on site.

Ardbeg Islay

Established : 1815

Owner : Glenmorangie/Luis Vuitton Moet Hennessey

Capacity : 0.95ML

Wash stills 1 : 18,279L

Spirit stills 1 : 16,957L

Notes; A low peating version called Kildalton was produced in 1979/81. Silent 1981-89 and 07/96-06/97. During 1990-96 only operated at a third of capacity. Floor maltings ceased 1977. Lyne arms slighlty ascend with the spirit still’s having a purifier. Almost 100% sent for single malt. ppm average 54 (malt) 24-26 (new make)

Ardmore Speyside

Owner : Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Fortune Brands since 26.07.05

Established : 1897

Capacity : 3ML

Wash stills 4 : 15,000 L

Spirit stills 4 : 15,000 L

Notes; Stills were increased from two to four in 1955 then eight in 1974. Saladin box maltings were used on site until late 70s. 40 weeks of the year peated malt (10-15 ppm) is used with unpeated for 12. Stills were heated by steam and open coal fire until April 2001 when direct firing was discontinued.

Arran Island

Owner : Isle of Arran Distillers Ltd

Established : 11.11.91 operations started 29.06.95

Capacity : 0.75 ML

Wash still 1 : 7100 L

Spirit still 1 : 4300 L

Auchentoshan Lowland

Owner : Suntory Ltd

Established : 1817

Capacity : 1.8 ML

Wash still 1 : 17 300 L (charge)

Intermediate still 1 : 8 000 L (charge)

Spirit still 1 : 11 000 L – 12 000 L (charge)

Notes; Triple distillation. Rebuilt 1948. Non peated. New make at 82%.

Auchroisk Speyside

Owner : Justerini & Brooks, UDV, Diageo

Established : 1974

Capacity : 3 ML

Wash stills 4 : 12,700 L (charge)

Spirit stills 4 : 7,900 L (charge)

Notes; The bottled malt was known as ‘Singleton’ until early 2000s. Storage on site stretches to over a quarter of a million casks from other distilleries as well as own.

Aultmore Speyside

Owner : John Dewar & Sons, Bacardi Corporation

Established : 1895

Capacity : 2.2 ML

Wash stills 2 : 15,000 L (charge)

Spirit stills 2 : 15,500 L (charge)

Notes; Stills doubled from two in 1971 during a rebuild.

Balblair North Highland

Owner : Inver House Distillers Ltd., Pacific Spirits

Established : 1790

Capacity : 1.3 ML

Wash still 1 : 19,093 L

Spirit stills 2 : (older currently unused) 11 100 L

Notes; Current buildings date from 1890s. Closed 1911 re-opened 1948. Stills increased from two to three in 1964. Floor maltings were used until the early 1970s. Has the longest dunnage warehouse in Scotland.

Balmenach Speyside

Owner : Inver House Distillers, Pacific Spirits

Established : 1824

Output : 2 ML

Wash stills 3 :  reflux bowls

Spirit stills 3 : reflux bowls

Notes; Two stills added in 1962 to make six. Mothballed 06.93 – 12.97.

Balvenie Speyside

Owner : William Grant & Sons

Established : 1892

Output : 5ML (2005)

Wash stills 4 : reflux bowls – charge – 2 at 12,729 L and 2 at 9,092 L

Spirit stills 5 : reflux bowls 12,729 L

Notes; Stills increased from two to four in 1957, six in 1965 then seven in 1971. About 10% of barley is malted on site.

Banff Eastern Highland

Established : 1863 (closed 31.05.83, now demolished)

Owner : Diageo

Notes; Only one limited contemporary bottling issued.

Ben Nevis (malt) West Highland

Owner : Nikka Whisky Distilling Co.

Established : 1825

Output : 2 ML

Wash stills 2

Spirit stills 2

Notes; Both malt and grain whisky was produced here from 1955-1981. Mothballed for 6 years in late 1970s, 1984 and 1986-89.

Ben Nevis (grain) West Highland

Owner : Nikka Whisky Distilling Company

Established : 1825 (malt only)

Still : Coffey

Notes; Grain was produced from 1955 to 1981.

Benriach Speyside

Owner : P R Brands

Established : 1898

Output : 2ML capacity

Wash stills 2

Spirit stills 2

Notes; A Charles Doig distillery. Mothballed 1900-65 although the floor maltings were still used. Stills doubled from one pair in 1985. Re-opened 19.09.2004 under new ownership after 2 years mothballing. Maltings closed 1999.

The story of Benriach starts with John Duff. In 1876 he, with two partners, established Glenlossie distillery just south of Elgin. Previously he had held the position of manager at Glendronach distillery then briefly took a break from the industry before embarking on the Glenlossie project. After 12 years at Glenlossie he tried his luck distilling in South Africa. Not finding success he then moved on to America. However it took a return to Scotland, at the age of 50, before things started going right again. After some time as manager at Aberdeen’s Bon Accord distillery he, again with partners, opened a new still, Longmorn, similarly a few miles south of Elgin. It did not take to long before success enabled him to first buy out his partners then construct his next, and last, distillery- Benriach in 1897.

To be continued…

Benrinnes Speyside

Owner : Diageo

Established : 1826

Output : 1.6ML

Wash stills 2 : 22,935L

Low wine stills 2 : 6,354L

Spirit stills 2 : 9,292L

Notes; The original distillery was washed away in a flood in 1929. The present site was established in 1835. Modernised in 1955. Stills increased from 3 to 6 in 1966. Floor malting stopped in 1964 when a Saladin box malting was installed which operated until 1984. Partial double partial triple distillation since 1956. Worm tubs.

Benromach Speyside

Owner : Gordon and MacPhail

Established : 1898 (first production 1900)

Output N/K

Wash stills 1 : 7,500L (charge)

Spirit stills 1 : reflux bowl 5,000L (charge)

Notes; Smallest distillery on Speyside. The first distillery to install direct oil firing of stills. Silent 1900-07 as well as other periods. Closed 24/03/83 re-opened 03/08/98. The distillery was totally re-equipped before it’s most recent re-openeing.

Ben Wyvis Northern Highland

Owner : Whyte & Mackay

Established : 09.06.65

Output N/K

Wash stills 1 : 10 KL

Spirit stills 1 : 10 KL (water jacket)

Notes; Was located inside the Invergordon grain distillry. Closed 24.11.76. The stills are now used at Glen Gyle distillery although they have been reshaped.

Bladnoch Lowland

Owner : Raymond Armstrong since 1994

Established : 1814

Output : 0.1ML (1993 output 1.3ML)

Wash stills 1 : reflux bowls 13 500L

Spirit stills 1 : reflux bowl 10 000L

Notes; Mothballed 1938-56. Stills shipped to Sweden for use producing Swedish whisky. Mothballed 11.93-12.2000. Stills doubled from two in 1966.

Blair Athol Southern Highland

Owner : Diageo

Established : 1798 (licensed from 1825)

Output : 1ML

Wash stills 2 : 13 000L (charge)

Spirit stills 2 : 11 500L (charge)

Notes; Stills increased from2 to 4 in 1973. Closed from 1932-49.

Bowmore Islay

Established : 1779

Owner : Morrison Bowmore Distillers Ltd., Suntory (Japan)

Output : 1.7ML

Wash stills 2 : 30,940L

Spirit stills 1 : 14,750L, 1 : 14,637L

Notes; 45% of malt prepared on site. Almost all goes for single malt. The spirit stills have ascending lyne arms. ppm 20-25 (malt) (new make) 8-10.

Braes of Glenlivet/Braeval Speyside

Owner : Chivas Brothers, Pernod-Ricard since Dec. 2000

Established : 1973

Output : 3.8ML

Wash stills 4 : total capacity 44,000L

Spirit stills 4 : reflux bowls total 10,000L

Notes; 1,165 feet above sea level makes it the highest in Scotland. Called ‘Braes of Glenlivet’ until 1995. Stills increased from 2 to 4 in 1975 then 8 in 1978. All stills have ascending lyne arms.

Brora Northern Highland

Owner : Diageo

Established : 1819

Wash still : one reflux bowl

Spirit still : one reflux bowl

Notes; Known as Clynelish until 1969 when a tandem distillery was built adjacent. The two were known as Clynelish A and Clynelish B until the new distillery kept the name Clynelish and the original was renamed Brora. Closed early 1983. Also mothballed 1968-69. Between 1969 and 1983 the malt’s ppm was increased from 7 to 40 to mimic an Islay whisky’s smokiness as the company’s Islay distillery Caol Ila was out of production.

Bruichladdich Islay

Established : 1881

Owner : Bruichladdich Distillers Ltd., Murray McDavid Ltd.

Output : 0.32ML

Wash stills 2 : 17,275L

Spirit stills 2 : 12,274L

Notes; Number of stills doubled in 1975. Shut 1995-2000. Bottling on site since 2001. Casks filled at full spirit strength, (70%). Almost all production goes to single malt. ppm 3-4 (malt) (new make), Port Charlotte 40 (malt) 20-25 (new make), Octomore 80.5 (2002)129 (2003) (malt) 29.6 (2002) 46.4 (2003) (new make)

Bunnahabhain Islay

Established : 1881

Owner : Burn Stewart Distillers

Output : 1ML

Wash stills 2 : 35,386L

Spirit stills 2 : 15,546L

Notes; Number of stills doubled in 1963. Only 5% used for single malt. ppm 1-2 also 38 (malt).

Caledonian Lowland grain

Owner : Diageo

Established : 1855

Output N/K

Stills N/K

Notes; Closed in 1988. Partially demolished in 1997. Some listed buildings including a chimney remain. At one point this was the second largest distillery in the UK.

Cambus Lowlands grain

Owner : Diageo

Established : 1813

Output : N/K

Stills : continous stills

Notes; Also known as Tulibody. In 1877 it was a founder member of DCL. Mothballed 1914-38. Rebuilt 1937. Closed 14.09.93

Cameron Bridge Lowlands grain

Owner : Diageo

Established : 1824

Output : 70ML

Stills : continous

Notes; First distillery to produce grain whisky. Stein’s continuous stills installed 12.05.1830. A founder member of DCL in 1877. Mothballed 1941-47. 25 ML of grain neutral spirit is also produced for gin and vodka . Other neutral spirit based products are also made.

Caol Ila Islay

Established : 1846

Owner Diageo

Output : 3.5ML

Wash stills 3 : 35,345L

Spirit stills 3 : 29,549L

Notes; All stock matured in Fife. Rebuilt 1972-74: stills increased by 2. ppm 30-35 (malt) 12-13 (new make)

Caperdonich Speyside

Owner : Chivas Brothers Ltd. Groupe Pernod Ricard

Established : 1898

Output : N/K

Wash stills 2

Spirit stills 2

Notes; Mothballed since August 2002. Rebuilt in 1965 after being mothballed since 1902. Stills doubled to 4 in 1967. Currently being demolished (2010).

Cardhu Speyside

Owner : Diageo

Established : 1824 (illict production predates this)

Output : 1.9 ML

Wash stills 3

Spirit stills 3

Notes; Stills increased from 4 to 6 in the 1960s. About one third of production is destined for single malt.

Carsebridge Lowland grain

Owner : Diageo

Established : 1799

Output : N/K

Stills : 3 Coffey stills

Notes; Closed 1983. One of the founding members of DCL.

Clynelish Northern Highland

Owner : Diageo

Established : August 1967

Output : 3.5ML

Wash stills 3 : 25 000 L (reflux bowls)

Spirit stills 3 : 26 241 L (reflux bowls)

Notes; From 1967 to 1969 both the new and original Clynelish distilleries (established 1819) shared the name. Come 1969 the original was renamed Brora. The spirit stills are unusually larger than the wash stills.

Coleburn Speyside

Owner : Diageo

Established : 1897

Output : N/K

Wash stills 2

Spirit stills 2

Notes; Closed in 1985

Convalmore Speyside

Owner : Diageo (William Grant own the building)

Established 1893

Output : N/K

Wash stills 2

Spirit stills 2

Notes; Stills were increased from 2 to 4 in 1964-65. Closed in 1985.

Cragganmore Speyside

Owner : Diageo

Established : 1869

Output : 1.2 ML

Wash stills 2 : 17,450 L

Spirit stills 2 : 13,200 L (reflux bowls)

Notes; Stills were increased from 2 to 4 in 1964. Worm tubs. About one third of production is used as single malt.

Craigellachie Speyside

Owner : John Dewar & Sons Ltd., Bacardi

Established : 1891

Output : 2.8ML

Wash stills 2 : total capacity 56 370 L

Spirit stills 2 : total capacity 56 370 L

Notes; Reconstructed in 1965-66 including a doubling of stills from 2 to 4.

Daftmill Lowlands

Owner : Cuthbert family

Established : December 2005

Output 20 KL (2006)

Wash stills 1 : 3 000 L

Spirit stills 1 : 2 000 L

Notes; There is yet to be any bottling released or proposed.

Dailuaine Speyside

Owner : Diageo

Established : 1851

Output : 2.5 ML

Wash stills 3 : 32,000 L charge

Spirit stills 3 : 32,000 L charge

Notes; Was home to the first pagoda roof. Floor maltings were replaced by Saladin box maltings in 1959-60. On site malting stopped in 1983.

Dallas Dhu Speyside

Owner : Historic Scotland

Established : 1898

Output : N/K

Wash stills 1 : 6,377 L

Spirit stills 1 : 5,623 L

Notes; Run as a museum. Closed 1983. Worm tubs.

Dalmore Northern Highland

Owner : Whyte & Mackay

Established : 1839

Output : 3ML

Wash stills 4 : 3 at 13,411 L and 1 at 30 KL

Spirit stills 4 : 3 at 8 865 L & 1 at 19 548 L, reflux bowls and water jackets

Notes; Stills doubled from 4 to 8 in 1966. Saladin box maltings from 1956-81.

Dalwhinnie Central Highland

Owner : Diageo

Established 1897

Output : 1.3ML

Wash stills 1 : 17 KL charge

Spirit stills 1 : 16 KL charge

Notes; Worm tubs. In 1905 became the first Scottish distillery to be owned by an American company. 10% used for single malt.

Deanston Northern Highland

Owner : Burn Stewart distillers, C L Financial Limited

Established : 1965

Output : 3ML

Wash stills 2 : 10 KL reflux bowls

Spirit stills 2 : 8,500 L reflux bowls

Notes; Mothballed 1982 to 1991.

Dufftown Speyside

Owner : Diageo

Established : 1895

output : 3.5ML

Wash stills 3 : 19,775 L

Spirit stills 3 : 24,080 L

Notes; Stills increased from 2 to 4 in 1968, 6 in 1974 then 8 in 1979.

Dumbarton Lowland grain

Owner : Groupe Perno-Ricard

Established : 1938

Output : N/K

Stills : continuous

Notes; Closed 2002. At one time the largest distillery in Scotland. Contained an area for pot still distillation for production of Lomond and Inverleven malts.

Edradour Southern Highland

Owner : Signatory Vintage Scotch Whisky Co. Ltd.

Established : 1825

Output : 90 KL

Wash stills 1 : 4,218 L

Spirit stills 1 : 2,179 L

Notes; Spirit still lyne arm has purifier. Worm tub. 95% of make goes for single malt.

Fettercairn Eastern Highland

Owner : Whyte & Mackay

Established : 1824

output : 1.5ML

Wash stills 2 : 13 KL charge

Spirit stills 2 : 11.5 and 13.5 KL water cooling jacket

Notes; Stills increased from 2 to 4 in 1966.

Garnheath Lowland grain

Owner : Inver House Distillers Ltd.

Established : 1964

output : N/K

Notes; Closed July 1986. Demolished 1988. Own cooperage, blending, bottling and maltings.

Girvan Lowland grain

Owner : William Grant & Sons Ltd

Established : 1963

Output : 75ML

Notes; Was home to Ladyburn malt, now includes Aisla Bay malt facility.

Glen Albyn Northern Highland

Owner : Diageo

Established : 1846

Output : N/K

Wash stills : N/K

Spirit stills :N/K

Notes; Closed in 1983, demolished 1986.

Glenallachie-Glenlivet Speyside

Owner : Campbell distillers, Chivas Brothers Ltd., Groupe Pernod Ricard

Established : 1967

Output : 3ML

Wash stills : 2

Spirit stills : 2

Notes; Stills were increased from 2 to 4 in 1989. Closed 1985-89.

Glenburgie Speyside

Owner : Pernod Ricard

Established 1829 (1810 sometimes quoted)

output : N/K

Wash stills 2: 18KL

Spirit stills 2

Notes; This was the architect Charles Doig’s first distillery. From 1958-1981 ‘Glencraig” was produced in 2 Lomond stills. Not operating 2000 -02/04. Floor maltings stopped 1958.

Glencadam Eastern Highland

Owner : Angus Dundee PLC

Established : 1825

output : N/K

Wash stills 1 : 14KL

Spirit stills 1 : 14KL

Notes; Silent 09/2000 to 05/2003.

Glendronach Speyside

Owner : Groupe Pernod Ricard

Established : 1826

Output : 0.3ML (1993)

Wash stills 2 : reflux bowls with steeply descending lyne arms

Spirit stills 2 : reflux bowls descending lyne arm not as steep as spirit stills’

Notes; Stills were doubled to 4 in 1966/67. Mothballed 1996 to April 2001. Both floor malting (15% of requirement) and traditional coal firing of stills were until recently practised.

Glendullan Speyside

Owner : Diageo

Established : 1897 (original distillery)

Output : 1.7ML

Wash stills 3 : 13.8KL

Spirit stills 3

Notes; In 1972 a new distillery was built next to the original. The first distillery closed in 1985.

Glen Elgin Speyside

Owner : Diageo

Established : 1898, first production 01/05 1900

Output : 1.8ML

Wash stills 3 : 11KL

Spirit stills 3 : 11.7KL

Notes; The last distillery to be built before the Victorian whisky collapse, the next Speyside distillery was built 50 years later. A Doig distillery. The two stills were increased to 6 in 1964. Mothballed from 1992 to September 1995. Wormtubs.

Glenesk Eastern Highland

Owner : Diageo

Established : 1897

Output : N/K

Wash stills 2

Spirit stills 2

Notes; Closed. Formerly known as Hillside. From 1938 until WWII and 1954 to 1964 grain whisky was produced under the name ‘Montrose’. Malting is still carried out on site.

Glenfarclas Speyside

Owner : J. & G. Grant International

Established : 1836

Output : 3ML

Wash stills 3 : reflux bowls 25,000L

Spirit stills 3 : reflux bowls 21,000L

Notes; In the same independent family hands since 1865. Stills increased from 2 to 4 in 1960 then 6 in 1976. Floor maltings shut in 1972. Direct gas flame fired with rummagers. Largest stills in Speyside. Preferrence for sherry cask maturation. 50% of stock is used as single malt.

Glenfiddich Speyside

Owner : William Grant & Sons Ltd.

Established : 1886 first production 25/12/1987

Output : 10ML

Wash stills 10 : 9.1KL descending lyne arm

Spirit stills 19 : 4.55KL reflux bowls

Notes; The first distillery to welcome visitors, 1969. Family owned from establishment. Some of the stills were direct fired by coal until recently, they are all now direct fired by gas. Warehousing for 800 000 casks on site.

Glen Garioch Eastern Highland

Owner : Suntory

Established : 1785 (accepted but not proven date)

Output : 0.35KL (2004 figures)

Wash stills 1 : 25KL open gas fired

Spirit stills 1 : 14KL

Notes; Stills increased from 2 to 4 in 1973 but currently operating only 2. Mothballed 1995 to August 1997. Until stopping on site malting in 1993 half of barley requirement was floor malted at the distillery.

Glenglassaugh Speyside

Owner : Scaent Group

Established : 1875

Output : N/K

Wash stills 1 : 12,729 L reflux bowl

Spirit stills 1 : 17,184 L reflux bowl

Notes; Mothballed 1907 – 1931 and 1936 – 1960. closed Nov. 1986. Re-opened 2009.

Glengoyne Southern Highland

Owner : Ian MacLeod & Co.

Established : 1833

Output : 0.7ML (2004) capacity 1.2ML

Wash stills 1 : reflux bowl 16,520L

Spirit stills 2 : reflux bowls 5,000L

Notes; Stills increased from two to three in 1966-67. Non-peated malt used.

Glen Grant Speyside

Owner : Campari

Established : 1860

Output : 5ML

Wash stills 4 : 22,730L cylindrical bowls and a purifier on the descending lyne arm

Spirit stills 4 : 11,547L cylindrical bowls and a purifier as well as descending lyne arm

Notes; The first of the Rothes distilleries. The stills were increased from 4 to 6 in 1973 then to 10 in 1977.

Glen Gyle Campbeltown

Owner : Mitchell’s Glengyle Ltd

Established : 1872

Output : N /K

Wash stills 1 : 18KL

Spirit stills 1 : 15KL

Notes; Closed in 1925. Production restarted 25/3/04. Stills are from the decommissioned Ben Wyvis distillery. Malt is produced at Springbank distillery.

Glen Keith-Glenlivet Speyside

Owner : Pernod Ricard

Established : 1957

Output : N/K

Wash stills 3

Spirit stills 3

Notes; Mothballed. Stills increased from 3 to 5 in1970, then 6 in 1983. The first use of microprocessors in whisky production was here in 1980. There has been no production since 1999. Triple distillation stopped in 1970. The first gas firing of Scottish stills was introduced here in September 1970.

Glenkinchie Lowland

Owner : Diageo

Established : 1837

Output : 1.6 ML

Wash stills 1 : 30,963L

Spirit stills 1 : 17,200L

Notes; Worm tub.

Glenlivet Speyside

Owner : Pernod Ricard

Established : 1824

Output : 2.8ML (increased from this by 75% in 2010)

Wash stills 4 : 15KL

Spirit stills 4 : 10KL

Notes; Also known as Minmore. This was the first distillery to take out a licence after the Excise Act of 1823. The original buildings were destroyed in 1858. A third of productioon is reserved for single malt bottling.

Glenlochy West Highland

Owner : Diageo

Established : 1898

Output : N/K

Wash stills 1

Spirit stills 1

Notes; Closed in 1983. A number of buildings remain and are listed.

Glenlossie Speyside

Owner : Diageo

Established : 1876

Output : 2.2ML

Wash stills 3 : 16KL (charge)

Spirit stills 3 : 2 at 15KL 1 at 13.2KL (charges) purifiers fitted

Notes; In 1962 the number of stills were increased from 4 to 6.

Glen Mhor Northern Highland

Owner : Diageo

Established : 1892

Wash stills 1

Spirit stills 1

Notes; Closed 1983 demolished 1986. Operated Saladin maltings from 1954. Associated with MacKinlay’s blend.

Glenmorangie Northern Highland

Owner : Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy

Established : 1843

Output : 3.5ML

Wash stills 4 : 11.4KL

Spirit stills 4 : 8.2KL

Notes; The stills are the tallest in Scotland and were originally English gin stills. The stills were increased from 2 to 4 in 1977 then to 8 in 1990. A further increas in 2009. Floor maltings stopped in 1977. This was the first distillery to introduce heating by steam, in 1887. The stills all have reflux bowls.

Glen Moray Speyside

Owner : La Martiniquaise

Established : 1897

Output : 1.85ML

Wash stills 2

Spirit stills 2

Notes; The stills were doubled to 4 in 1958.

Glen Ord Northern Highland

Owner : Diageo

Established : 1838

Output : 3ML

Wash stills 3 : 18,000 L (charge)

Spirit stills 3 : 13,950 L

Notes; In 1966 two stills extended to six, coal firing and floor maltings also abandoned. Saladin maltings from 1961 until 1983. Drum maltings since 1996.

Glenrothes Speyside

Owner : Highland Distillers Limited

Established : 1878

Output : 5.9ML

Wash stills 5 : 22,990 L reflux bowls

Spirit stills 5 : 25,400L reflux bowls

Notes; Stills were increased from 4 to 6 in 1963, 8 in 1980 then 10 in 1989. In 2010 the brand was sold to Berry Brothers and Rudd although the distillery remains the property of Highland Distillers. They received Cutty Sark in the deal.

Glen Scotia Campbeltown

Owner : Loch Lomond Distillery Co., Glen Catrine Bonded Warehouse Ltd.

Established : 1832

Output : 0.1ML

Wash still 1 : 11,800L

Spirit stills 1 : 8,600L

Notes; Upgraded in 1979-82. Silent 1984-89 and 1994-2000. Uses a worm tub

Glen Spey Speyside

Owner : Diageo

Established : 1878

Output : 2ML

Wash stills 2

Spirit stills 2 with purifiers

Notes; Stills were increased from 2 to 4 in 1970.

Glentauchers Speyside

Owner : Pernod Ricard

Established : 1898

Output : 1.9ML

Wash stills 3 : 10KL (charge)

Spirit stills 3 : 10.5KL (charge)

Notes; In 1965/66 the stills were increased from 2 to 6. Closed 1985 – 1989.

Glenturret Southern Highland

Owner : Highland Distillers Group Ltd., Edrington Group Ltd.

Established : 1775

Output : 0.4 ML

Wash still 1 : 12,500 L

Spirit still 1 : reflux bowl 9,00 L

Notes; Closed 1929-1959.

Glenugie Eastern Highlands

Owner : Whitbread & Co. Ltd.

Established : 1831 (first production 1837)

Output : N/K

Wash stills : N/K

Spirit stills : N/K

Notes; No official bottles have been released. Mostly demolished. Closed 1983.

Glenury-Royal Eastern Highland

Owner : Diageo

Established 1825

Output : N/K

Wash stills 2

Spirit stills 2

Notes; Stills were increased from 2 to 4 in 1965-66. Closed in 1985, now demolished.

Highland Park Island

Owner : Highland Distillers Group Ltd., Edrington Group Ltd.

Established : 1798

Output : 2ML (2004)

Wash stills 2 : 14,600 L charge

Spirit stills 2 : 9,000 L charge

Notes; Silent 1918-37 and WWII. 20% of barley used is malted at the distillery.

Imperial Speyside

Owner : Groupe Pernod-Ricard

Established : 1897

Output : 1.6 ML

Wash stills 2 : 36 KL

Spirit stills 2 : 36 KL

Notes; Mothballed 1899-1918, 1926-54, 1985-89 and 1998-present. Designed by Doig. Rebuilt in 1955. Stills doubled from 2 in 1965. Saladin box maltings on site.

Inchgower Speyside

Owner : Diageo

Established : 1871

Output : 2.3ML

Wash stills 2

Spirit stills 2

Notes; The stills were increased from 2 to 4 in 1966.

Invergordon Northern Highland grain

Owner : UB Brands

Established : 1959 production starting in 1961

Output : 40ML

Notes; Initial sole Coffey still increased to 3 in 1963 then neutral spirit Coffey still added in 1978.

Inverleven Lowland

Owner : Pernod Ricard

Established : 1938

Output : N/K

Wash stills 1 : 25KL

Spirit stills 1 : 20KL

Notes; Closed 1991. The distillery was within the Dumbarton grain complex.

Jura Island

Owner : Whyte & Mackay Ltd.

Established : : 1810 (re-established 26.04.1963)

Output N/K

Wash stills 2 : 25KL

Spirit stills 2 : 22KL

Notes; Silent 1914-63 when totally rebuilt. Stills increased from 2 to 4 in 1978.

Kilchoman Islay

Established : 2005

Owner : Kilchoman Distillery Company

Output : approx. 25,000L per week

Wash still 1 : 2,700L (charge)

Spirit still 1 : 1,500L (charge)

Notes; Floor malting meets part of requirements. ppm 20-25 & 50 (malt)

Killyloch Lowland

Owner : Inver House Distillers Ltd.

Established : 1965

output : N/K

Wash stills 1

Spirit stills 1

Notes; End of production 1970. Demolished 1988. These stills were within the Moffat complex where malting blending and bottling took place. Both malt and grain were produced.

Kinclaith Lowland

Owner : Long John

Established : 1957, operations started 1958.

Output : N/K

Wash stills 1

Spirit stills 1

Notes; Closed 1975 dismantled 1976/77. The wash stills had purifiers attached.  

Knockando Speyside

Owner : Diageo

Established : 30.05.1898

Output : 1.9ML

Wash stills 2 : 16KL (charge)

Spirit stills 2 : 16KL (charge) reflux bowls

Notes; A Charles Doig distillery. The stills were doubled from 2 in 1969. Floor malting stopped in 1968.

Knockdhu Speyside

Owner : Inver House Distillers Ltd.

Established : 1894

Output : 1.2ML (capacity)

Wash stills : 1 reflux bowls

Spirit stills : 1 reflux bowls

Notes; This was the first malt distillery to be opened by DCL. Mothballed 03.1983 – 05.02.1989. The bottled malt has been named An Cnoc since 1993. Worm tubs.

Ladyburn Lowland

Owner : William Grant & Sons Ltd.

Established : 1966

Output : N/K

Wash stills 2

Spirit stills 2 reflux bowls

Notes; The stills were within the Girvan grain complex. Decommissioned in 1975.

Lagavulin Islay

Established : 1816

Owner : Diageo

Output : 2.3ML

Wash stills 2 : 12,300L

Spirit stills 2 : 12,900L

Notes; The adjacent Malt Mill distillery’s stills were incorporated into Lagavulin in 1962 when Malt Mill was closed. Floor maltings abandoned 1974. ppm 35-40 (malt) 16-18 (new make)

Laphroaig Islay

Established : 1815

Owner : Beam Global Spirits and Wine, Fortune Brands Inc.

Output : 2ML

Wash stills 3 : 10,910L (charge)

Spirit stills 4 : 1  at 7,270L (charge) 3 at 3,630L (charge)

Notes; Stills were increased from 4 to 6 in 1968-69 then 7 in in1974. 25-30% of malt from own floors. Lyne arms ascend. 10% of production used as single malt.

Linkwood Speyside

Owner : Diageo

Established : 1821

Output : 2.6ML

Wash stills 3 : 45,000L (total) plain

Spirit stills 3 : 51,000L (total) plain

Notes; A new still room of 4 stills was added in 1971 to make a total of 6 stills.

Littlemill Lowland

Owner : Loch Lomond distillery Ltd., Glen Catrine Bonded Warehouse

Established : 1772

Output : 0.8 ML

Wash still 1 : 25,000 L

Spirit still 1 : 18,000 L

Notes; Dumbuck, a heavily peated variety, and Dunglass, a lightly peated example were produced experimentally. Closed in 1995 now demolished.

Loch Ewe Northern/Western Highland

Owner : John & Frances Clotworthy

Established : 2004

Output : N/K

Wash stills : N/K

Spirit stills : N/K

Notes; A privately run still on smallest scale.

Loch Lomond (malt) Western Highland

Owner : Loch Lomond Distillery Company Ltd.

Established : 1965

Output : 2.5 ML

Wash stills 1 rectifying column and 2 regular pot stills

Spirit stills : N/K

Notes; Mothballed 1984 – 87.  8 different malts are produced due to variations in production variables. Grain is also produced.

Loch Lomond (grain) Western Highland

Owner : Loch Lomond Distillery Company Ltd.

Established : 1994

Output : 10 ML

Notes; Malt is also produced

Lochside (malt) Montrose, Eastern Highland

Owner : : Allied Domecq

Established 1957

Output : N/K

Wash stills 2 : 40KL (combined size)

Spirit stills 2 : 40KL (combined size)

Notes; Demolished. For a period grain whisky was also produced. This was the only Scottish distillery to be Spanish owned. The colourful first owner, Joseph Hobbs, converted the distillery from a brewery. Production stopped April 1992. Bottling was conducted on site for a period.

Lochside (grain) Montrose, Eastern Highland

Owner : Allied Domecq

Established : 1957

Output : N/K

Stills : a single Coffey still

Notes; Grain production ceased in 1970. Malt whisky also produced on site. This was the only Scottish distillery to be Spanish owned. The colourful original owner, Joseph Hobbs, converted the distillery from a brewery. Demolished. Bottling was conducted on site for a period.

Lomond Lowland

Owner : Pernod Ricard

Established : 1956

Output : N/K

Wash stills 1 (shared with Inverleven)

Spirit stills 1 Lomond still

Notes; Decommissioned in 1985. Produced within the Dumbarton where grain and Inverleven malt was also produced. The Lomond style still had a rectifying column neck rather than a traditional pot still swan neck. The Lomond still is now used at Bruichladdich distillery to produce gin.

Longmorn Speyside

Owner : Pernod Ricard

Established : 1893, production started December 1894.

Output : 3.5ML

Wash stills 4 : 16,820L (9.5 – 10KL charge)

Spirit stills 4 : 3 at 15KL and 1 at 13,638 litres

Notes; Stills were increased from four to six in 1972 then eight in 1974. Floor maltings until 1970. Stills were directly heated by coal until 1993. Worm tubs. 

Macallan-Glenlivet Speyside

Owner : Highland Distillers Group Ltd., Edrington Group Ltd.

Established : 1824

Output : 5.5ML

Wash stills 5 : heated by open gas fire 12 000L sharply descending lyne arm

Spirit stills 10 : heated by open gas fire 4 000L (Speyside’s smallest spirit stills – on BoS’s £10 note) sharply descending lyne arm

Notes; Stills were increased from 6 to 12 in 1965, to 18 in 1974 then to 21 in 1975. Floor maltings closed in the 1950s. 70% of barley strain is Golden Promise – an older strain abandoned by the rest of the industry for more efficient alcohol yielding alternatives. Stainless steel mashtuns. The largest single roofed warehouse in Europe containing 80,000 butts. 40% of production used for single malt.

Macduff Speyside

Owner : Bacardi

Established : 1962

Output : 2.4M

Wash stills 2 : 40 KL (total)

Spirit stills 3 : 37.5KL

Notes; Stills were increased from 2 to 3 in 1966, 4 in 1968 then 5 in 1990. The brand of single malt bottled is named Glen Deveron. The first use of metal mash tuns, steam coils for still heating and shell and tube condensers.

Mannochmore Speyside

Owner : Diageo

Established : 1971

Output : 2.6ML

Wash stills 3 : 14.4KL (charge)

Spirit stills 3 : 17KL (charge)

Notes; Mothballed 1985-89 and 1995-97. Positioned next to Glenlossie.

Millburn Northern Highland

Owner : Diageo

Established : 1805

Output : N/K

Wash stills : N/K

Spirit stills : N/K

Notes; Closed in 1985. Some buildings still in existance and used as a restaurant.

Miltonduff Speyside

Owner : Pernod Ricard

Established : 1824

Output : 3.5ML

Wash stills 3 : 18KL

Spirit stills 3 : 17.5KL

Notes; A pair of Lomond stills were fitted in 1964, the make was known as Mosstowie, and removed in 1981. 

Mortlach Speyside

Owner : Diageo

Established : 1823

Output : : 2ML

Wash stills 3 : 32.5KL (total) reflux bowls

Spirit stills 3 : 17KL (charge)

Notes; Own floor maltings until 1968. Worm tubs. Some of the spirit is double distilled some triple.

North British Lowland grain

Owner Diageo/Edrington

Established : 1885

Stills : 3 coffey stills

Output : 64ML

Notes; Uses maize (also known as corn).

North of Scotland Lowland grain

Owner : DCL

Established : 1957

Output : 31 822 litres of wash per hour

Stills : 3 grain

Notes; Known as Strathmore until 1964. The distillery produced malt 1958-1960 in Coffey stills then grain after 1960. Built and owned by G. P. Christie’s North of Scotland Distilling Co. Ltd. Closed 1980 bought 1982 by DCL dismantled 1983.

North Port (Also known as Brechin) Easterern highland

Owner : Diageo

Established : 1820

Output : N/K

Wash stills 1

Spirit stills 1

Notes; Modernised in the 1970s. Closed 1983. Demolished 1994

Oban Western Highland

Owner : Diageo

Established : 1793, production started in 1794.

Output : 0.7ML

Wash stills 1 : 18 KL, 11.6KL (charge)

Spirit stills 1 : 8,296L, 7KL (charge)

Notes; Floor maltings until 1968.  Worm tubs.

Pittyvaich Speyside

Owner : Diageo

Established : 1975

Output : : N/K

Wash stills 2 : 30KL (total)

Spirit stills 2 : 30KL (total)

Notes; Equipment was copied from the Dufftown distillery. Closed in 1993, demolished in 2002.

Port Dundas Lowland grain

Owner Diageo

Established : 1811

Output : N/K

Notes; In 1877 the distillery joined with five other grain distilleries to form DCL. It is intended for the distillery to close in 2010.

Port Ellen Islay

Established : 1825

Owner : Diageo

Output : 0.8ML

Wash stills 2 : total 56,000L

Spirit stills 2 : total 50,000L

Notes; First distillery to directly export to the USA. First distillery to use a spirit safe after experiments with the device were carried out on site. The continuous still was developed at the distillery. Silent 1929-66. Stills doubled in number 1966. Drum maltings opened 1973. Closed in May 1983.

Pulteney Northern Highland

Owner : Inverhouse Distillers Limited

Established : 1826

Output : 3ML

Wash stills 1 : 21,707 L

Spirit stills 1 : 17,343 L

Notes; Closed 1930-1959. No floor maltings after 1930. Purifier on Spirit still. Worm tub.

Rosebank Lowland

Owner : British Waterways Board

Established : 1840

Output : 0.32ML

Wash stills 1 : size N/K

Spirit stills 1 : size N/K

Notes; Was one of the founders of Scottish Malt Distillers Ltd. Closed May 1993. Triple distillation. Worm tubs.

Royal Brackla Northern Highland

Owner : John Dewar & Sons Ltd., Bacardi

Established : 1812

Output : 2.6ML

Wash stills : 2 combined capacity 44,000L

Spirit stills : 2 combined capacity 42.000L

Notes; Rebuilt in 1965-66. Stills increased 2 to 4 in 1970.

Royal Lochnagar Eastern Highland

Owner : Diageo

Established : 1845, an earlier distilllery of the same name was situated nearby and established in the 1820s.

Output : 0.43ML

Wash stills 1 : 7,410L

Spirit stills 1 : 5,4450L

Notes; Diageo’s smallest distillery. Worm tubs.

Saint Magdalene (also known as Linlithgow) Lowland

Owner : Diageo

Established : 1753

Wash stills 2

Spirit stills 2

Notes; Closed in 1983. Floor maltings until 1968. Stills steam heated since 1971.

Scapa Island

Owner : Pernod Ricard

Established : 1885

Output : 1.5ML (capacity)

Wash stills 1 : 13,5KL

Spirit stills 2 : 12,563L

Notes; Intermittantly operated from 1997 – 2004. The wash still is a converted Lomond still, it retained the column neck but lost internal plates.

Speyburn Speyside

Owner : Inverhouse since 1992

Established : 1897

Output : 1.2ML

Wash stills 1 : 17,297L

Spirit stills 1 : 13,160L

Notes; The first distillery to employ mechanical maltings, installed 1897 decommissioned 1968 although still intact. Uses worm tubs. Eight best selling malt in US.

Speyside Speyside

Owner : Speyside Distillery Co. Ltd.

Established : 1955. Production commenced 12/12/90

Output : 0.8ML (capacity)

Wash stills 1 : 11,000L

Spirit stills 1 : 7,000L

Notes; The site was acquired in 1956, construction spanned 1962-87.

Springbank Campbeltown

Owner : J. & A. Mitchell & Co. Ltd

Established : 1828

Output : 0.125 ML

Wash stills 1 : 20KL uniquely both steam and direct fire heated. Fitted with rummager

Spirit stills 2 : 12,274 L

Notes; Closed Jan. – Oct. 1980, Jan. 1981 – Sept. 1985, Dec. 1985 – Mar. 1987, July 1987 – Jan. 1989 and May – Sept. 1989. Only distillery in Scotland to produce 100% of own malted barley requirements by hand. 7-8 ppm for Springbank malt. Springbank is partially double and partially triple distilled. Worm tubs. 70% of production goes for single malt. Never chill-filtered or artificially coloured. Bottled on site. Oldest family owned distillery in Scotland. Longrow was initially distilled in 1973. Here double distillation is practiced with 55ppm. Also Hazelburn triple distilled zeroppm since 1997.

Starlaw Lowland grain

Owner : La Martiniquaise

Established : 2011

Output : N/K

Strathclyde Lowland grain

Owner : Pernod Ricard

Established : 1927

Output : 40ML

2 column stills.

Notes; Produces grain spirit and neutral spirit.

Strathisla Speyside

Owner : Chivas Brothers Ltd., Groupe Pernod-Ricard

Established : 1786

Output : 2.5ML

Wash stills 2 : 12,000 L charge

Spirit stills 2 : reflux bowls 8,000 L charge

Notes; Stills were increased from two to four in 1965.

Strathmill Speyside

Owner : Diageo

Established : 10.06 1891

Output : 52KL per week

Wash stills 2 : 11KL (charge) reflux bowls

Spirit stills 2 : 6.7KL (charge) reflux bowls

Notes; Originally named Glenisla-Glenlivet. Stills increased from 2 to 4 in 1968. The spirit still lyne arm is fitted with a purifier.

Talisker Island

Owner : Diageo

Established : 1830

Output : 1.5ML

Wash stills 2 : reflux bowls 14,706 L

Spirit stills 3 : 11,024 L

Notes; A fire destroyed the still house in 1960. Floor malting was abandoned in 1972. PPM : 25-30. Triple distillation was employed 1896 – 1928. Stills were steam heated from 1972. U-sheped bend in the lyne arm. Worm tubs. 10% of production stored on site- destined for single malt..

Tamdhu Speyside

Owner : Highland Distillers

Established : 1897

Output : N/K

Wash stills 3 : 51KL total

Spirit stills 3 : 54KL total

Notes; The stills were increased from 2 to 4 in 1972 then to 6 in 1975. Since 1949 Saladin box maltings have supplied the distillery and others in the group with malt, this was the last example of this particular style of malting in Scotland. The distillery was mothballed in 2010.

Tamnavulin Speyside

Owner : IB Brands

Established : 1966

Output : 4ML

Wash stills 3 : 75KL total

Spirit stills 3 : 69.6KL total

Notes; Mothballed 1995 to 2008.

Teaninich Northern Highland

Owner : Diageo

Established : 1817

Output : 3ML

Wash stills 3 : 17.5KL, reflux bowls

Spirit stills 3 : 16KL, reflux bowls

Notes; Stills were doubled from two in 1962 then increased to ten in 1971 when a new distillery was constructed adjacent to the old. Silent 1985-90. The old distillery was demolished in 1999. The only Scottish example of a hammer mill is in situ here, an unusual filter system is also used when processing the mash. 

Tobermory Island

Owner : Burn Stewart, CL Finance

Established : 1798

Output : 1ML

Wash stills 2 : 36KL reflux bowls

Spirit stills 2 : 16KL reflux bowls

Notes; Mothballed 1837-78, 1928-72, 1975-78, 1982-89 and 1992-94. A peated spirit called Ledaig is bottled alongside the unpeated version. The distillery has also been known as ‘Ledaig’.

Tomatin Northern Highland

Owner : Takara Shuzo and Okura & Co. Ltd.

Established 1897

Output : N/K

Wash stills 6 : 16KL reflux bowls

Spirit stills 6 : 16KL reflux bowls

Notes; In 1956 the stills were doubled from 2, then another 2 added in 1958, increased to ten in 1961, then eleven in 1961, fourteen in 1974 and finally 23 in 1986 later downsized to 12 stills. For a period this was this biggest distillery in Scotland. Floor maltings stopped in 1973.

Tomintoul Speyside

Owner : Angus Dundee

Established : 1964 (production started July 1965)

Output : 2.7ML

Wash stills 2 : reflux bowls 44KL total

Spirit stills 2 : reflux bowls 39KL total

Notes; Stills doubled from 2 in 1974.

Tormore Speyside

Owner : Pernod Ricard, since 26.07.05

Established : 1958, production started January 1959

Output : 3.4ML

Wash stills 4 : 48.6KL, total

Spirit stills 4 : 34.5KL, total

Notes; Stills were doubled to 8 in 1972. The wash still has a purifier fitted.

Tullibardine Southern Highland

Owner : Tullibardine Ltd, since June 2003

Established : 1949

Output : 1.5ML

Wash stills 2 : 21.5KL

Spirit stills 2 : 16.4KL

Notes; The stills were increased from 2 to 4 in1973. Mothballed from January 1995 to December 2003.