A Journey Through Scotland's Finest Whisky Distilleries: Your Guide to Highland Perthshire and Beyond
- Craigellie House
- Sep 11
- 7 min read
Updated: Sep 17
Scotland's whisky heritage runs as deep as its Highland lochs, and the region surrounding Craigellie offers some of the most captivating distillery experiences in the country. From Scotland's oldest working distillery to the highest in the land, each location tells a unique story of craftsmanship, tradition, and the landscape that shapes every dram.
The Heart of Highland Perthshire
🥃 Dewar's Aberfeldy Distillery
1-hour 10-minute drive | Tours Mon-Sat 10:00-18:00, Sun 12:00-16:00
Nestled in the heart of Highland Perthshire, Aberfeldy Distillery has been crafting single malt whisky since 1898. The distillery is home to both the renowned Aberfeldy Single Malt which serves as the spiritual heart of Dewar's best-selling Blended Scotch. The location was carefully chosen by the Dewar brothers for its access to the Pitilie Burn, whose soft Highland water remains crucial to the whisky's character today.
The modern visitor experience includes immersive heritage displays, behind-the-scenes tours, and innovative tasting rooms. The new Warehouse Experience offers visitors a chance to understand the maturation process that transforms new-make spirit into the honeyed, heathery single malt Aberfeldy is known for.
Make it a day out: Aberfeldy sits perfectly for exploring Perthshire's "Big Tree Country." Visit the nearby Birks of Aberfeldy, immortalised in Robert Burns' poetry, or take a short drive to the spectacular Falls of Moness. The town itself offers charming shops and cafés, while Castle Menzies, a 16th-century fortress, provides a fascinating glimpse into clan history.
🥃 The Glenturret Distillery, Crieff
1-hour 5-minute drive | Tours daily 11.30-16.30
Proudly holding the title of Scotland's Oldest Working Distillery, The Glenturret has been producing whisky since 1763. Located in the Hosh valley near Crieff, this distillery maintains an intimate, traditional feel while offering thoroughly modern visitor experiences. The small-scale production allows for meticulous attention to detail, with much of the process still done by hand.
The distillery's Two Star Michelin restaurant showcases local Perthshire ingredients with a menu created by Executive Chef Mark Donald. Private tastings and bespoke experiences can be arranged, making it ideal for whisky enthusiasts seeking something beyond the standard tour.
Make it a day out: Crieff is a perfect base for exploring. The Victorian spa town offers excellent shopping along its high street, while the Crieff Hydro provides family entertainment and beautiful grounds. Don't miss Drummond Castle Gardens, often called Scotland's most beautiful formal gardens, just a short drive away.
🥃 Tullibardine Distillery
1-hour 10-minute drive | Tours daily 10:00-16:00
Tullibardine occupies a unique place in Scottish whisky history, housed in a former brewery dating back to 1488. The distillery's location in Blackford benefits from the same water source that once supplied beer to the Scottish royal court. After periods of closure, Tullibardine was revived in the early 2000s, bringing modern techniques to this historic site.
The distillery is known for its innovative approach to cask maturation, experimenting with wine finishes and other creative aging techniques. Tours here offer insight into both traditional Scottish distilling and modern innovation.
Make it a day out: Blackford lies at the foot of the Ochil Hills, perfect for walking enthusiasts. The nearby Gleneagles offers world-class golf and luxury dining, while the historic towns of Dunblane, (with its magnificent medieval cathedral), and Stirling (with its imposing castle and monument to William Wallace) are just a short drive away.
Royal Connections and Highland Heights
🥃 Royal Lochnagar Distillery, Balmoral
1-hour 15-minute drive | Mon-Sat 10:00-16:00 (Jan-Feb), Daily 10:00-17:00 (Mar-Dec)
Few distilleries can claim such prestigious royal connections as Royal Lochnagar. Established in 1845, it gained its royal warrant just three years later when Queen Victoria and Prince Albert visited from nearby Balmoral Castle. This intimate distillery produces one of Scotland's most refined Highland single malts, characterised by its elegance and complexity.
Known for its iconic pagoda roof, the distillery offers visitors the chance to learn about its rich history and production methods through various tours and tastings. Guests can enjoy cocktails and food at the Bothy Bar, with exclusive bottlings available at the retail area.
Make it a day out: The location on Royal Deeside offers spectacular Highland scenery. Balmoral Castle and its grounds are open to the public during certain periods. The Victorian village of Ballater, with its royal connections and excellent local shops, makes for a perfect lunch stop. For the active, hiking opportunities abound in the surrounding Cairngorms National Park.
🥃 Dalwhinnie Distillery
1-hour 30-minute drive | Daily 10:00-17:00 (Mar-Oct), 10:00-16:00 (Nov-Feb)
At 1,164 feet above sea level, Dalwhinnie holds the distinction of being Scotland's highest distillery. The name means "meeting place" in Gaelic, reflecting its position at the crossroads of ancient drovers' routes through the Highlands. This remote location contributes to the whisky's distinctive character – clean, crisp, and infused with Highland honey sweetness.
The distillery's position offers breathtaking panoramic views across the Highlands, making the journey as memorable as the destination. The visitor centre provides shelter from Highland weather while offering insights into how this challenging environment shapes the whisky's unique profile.
Make it a day out: Dalwhinnie sits in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, offering some of Scotland's most dramatic scenery, and makes a good stopping point on the way north. The nearby Loch Ericht provides excellent walking opportunities, while the interesting Highland Folk Museum and Highland Wildlife Park are both a short drive away.
Lowland Gems and Coastal Treasures
🥃 Kingsbarns Distillery, St Andrews
1-hour 20-minute drive | Tours daily from 10am
One of Scotland's newer distilleries, Kingsbarns represents the renaissance of Lowland whisky production. Established in a beautifully restored farm steading just outside St Andrews, the distillery filled its first cask in 2015 and recently released its first 10-year-old single malt. Surrounded by the barley fields that supply its raw materials and bordered by woodland with glimpses of the North Sea, the setting perfectly captures the connection between land and spirit.
The distillery also houses Darnley's Gin Cottage, complete with a botanical garden where many of the gin's botanicals are grown. Visitors can experience both whisky and gin production, with hands-on workshops including whisky blending and gin distillation experiences.
Make it a day out: The proximity to St Andrews makes this an ideal combination with Scotland's most famous university town. Visit the historic university buildings, walk the medieval streets, or play golf on the world's most famous courses. The East Neuk of Fife coastline offers charming fishing villages like Anstruther and Crail, perfect for fresh seafood and coastal walks.
🥃 Lindores Abbey Distillery, Newburgh, Fife
1-hour drive | Daily 10:00-16:00 (Mar-Oct), Wed-Sun (Nov-Feb)
Lindores Abbey holds a unique place in whisky history as the site of the first recorded distillation of Aqua Vitae in Scotland in 1494. The modern distillery, built within sight of the ancient abbey ruins, pays homage to this heritage while creating contemporary single malt whisky. The connection to Scottish whisky's origin story makes every visit feel like a pilgrimage for whisky lovers.
The distillery tour incorporates the historical significance of the site, with regular tours throughout the day exploring both the modern production process and the abbey's role in whisky history.
Make it a day out: Newburgh sits on the south shore of the Firth of Tay, offering excellent walks along the Fife Coastal Path. The nearby Mugdrum Island can be reached at low tide for adventurous visitors. Falkland Palace, with its Renaissance architecture and royal connections, is a short drive away, while Perth's city centre offers excellent shopping and dining.
Highland Perthshire's Hidden Gems
🥃 Blair Athol Distillery, Pitlochry
50-minute drive | Daily 10:00-17:00 (Oct-Mar), 10:00-18:00 (Apr-Sep)
Situated at the gateway to the Highlands in picturesque Pitlochry, Blair Athol Distillery has been producing whisky since 1798. The distillery perfectly embodies the transition from Lowland to Highland Scotland, with its whisky reflecting characteristics of both regions. The on-site bar offers creative cocktails alongside traditional tastings, while the bottle-your-own experience allows visitors to take home a truly unique souvenir.
The distillery's location in Pitlochry makes it easily accessible while maintaining its Highland character. Knowledgeable staff guide visitors through the production process, explaining how the local environment contributes to the whisky's distinctive profile.
Make it a day out: Pitlochry is a tourist destination in its own right, known as the "Theatre in the Hills" for its famous Festival Theatre. The town offers excellent walking opportunities, including the spectacular Soldier's Leap at the Pass of Killiecrankie. Don't miss the Pitlochry Dam and Fish Ladder, where you can watch salmon returning to their spawning grounds, typically from April to late September with peak periods April to July and another run September to October.
🥃 Fettercairn Distillery
50-minute drive | Tue-Sat 10:00-17:00
Fettercairn Distillery, established in 1824, represents the quieter side of Highland whisky production. Located in the foothills of the Cairngorms, this distillery has developed a unique cooling system that sets it apart from its contemporaries. The distinctive external copper cooling rings on the spirit stills increase condensation inside so only the lightest vapours rise for collection, contributing to the whisky's smooth, approachable character.
The distillery tour reveals the innovative thinking behind traditional methods, showing how modern engineering can enhance time-honoured processes without compromising quality.
Make it a day out: The surrounding area offers access to the Cairngorms National Park, with excellent hiking opportunities in the nearby hills. The historic House of Dun, managed by the National Trust for Scotland, provides insight into 18th-century Scottish life, while Montrose Basin Nature Reserve offers excellent birdwatching opportunities.
Beyond Whisky: Gin and Innovation
🥃 Arbikie Distillery
55-minute drive | Daily 10:00-17:30
Arbikie represents the new generation of Scottish distilling, producing not only whisky but also gin and vodka. As a field-to-bottle operation, they grow their own crops and control every step of the production process. This farm-based approach creates spirits with a genuine connection to the land, while their commitment to sustainability points to the future of Scottish distilling.
The visitor experience showcases the diversity of modern Scottish spirits production, from traditional whisky-making to innovative gin botanicals and premium vodka production.
Make it a day out: The Angus countryside surrounding Arbikie offers beautiful walking opportunities and access to Scotland's east coast. The magnificent Lunan Bay, with its sweeping sandy beach and dramatic Red Castle ruins, provides one of Scotland's most spectacular coastal experiences - perfect for a post-distillery stroll or picnic. The nearby Dunnottar Castle, perched dramatically on coastal cliffs, offers another unforgettable castle experience.
🥃
Planning Your Whisky Journey
Whether you're seeking the tradition of Scotland's oldest working distillery, the innovation of field-to-bottle production, or the majesty of Highland heights, the distilleries around Craigellie offer experiences to suit every taste and interest. Each location provides not just exceptional whisky, but a window into Scottish heritage, craftsmanship, and the landscape that shapes our national spirit.
Most distilleries recommend booking tours in advance, particularly during peak season and weekends. You are recommended to arrive at least 15-minutes prior to your tour. Many offer specialized experiences beyond standard tours, from blending workshops to private tastings, perfect for marking special occasions or deepening your whisky knowledge.
The journey between distilleries offers its own rewards, taking you through some of Scotland's most beautiful countryside, historic towns, and cultural landmarks. Whether you're planning a dedicated whisky tour or incorporating distillery visits into a broader Scottish adventure, each destination offers the perfect excuse to explore more of this remarkable corner of Scotland.
Visit craigellie.co.uk to discover more about exploring Highland Perthshire from our comfortable base, or to plan your perfect whisky touring holiday.
