The summer is fast approaching and it's almost time to get your hiking boots and midge nets on and book your trip up to the Highlands! Scotland is a world leader in distilling and you'd be silly not to take advantage of the incredible distilleries we have on our doorstep up here. To help you plan your trip, here's a wee hitlist of the best distilleries near Glenshiel!
1. Fairytale Distillery – Ardelve
Miles from Glenshiel: 8
If you’re looking for something out of the ordinary, The Fairytale Distillery is the one for you! This magical wee place sits on the shores of Loch Alsh with views on to the stunning Eilean Donan Castle and the Isle of Skye.
Founded by German couple Thomas and Manuela, The Fairytale Distillery has created a range of very interesting gins using their wee Austrian still - aptly named ‘Tinkerbell’ - which cater to a wide variety of tastes. Their Highland gin uses water from the spring fed burn Alt Mor na Dornie and is bottled in some beautiful and unique black stone bottles.
If the delicious gin and the surreal architecture somehow weren’t enough to tempt you, the Fairytale Distillery also has a pizza shop and bakery on site (also in wee storybook houses). The distillery is set to open this month with an upgraded visitor experience, so there's never been a better time to visit!
2. Torabhaig Distillery
Miles from Glenshiel: 34
Torabhaig was the second distillery to be built on Skye and they take their heritage and provenance very seriously. Inspired by Skye and Torabhaig itself, their whisky has its own distinctive style which they call ‘well-tempered peat’.
Torabhaig Distillery is located in Teangue on the south of Skye, only a 20 minute drive from the Skye Bridge and less than a 10 minute drive from Armadale where the ferry arrives from Mallaig, so it’s super accessible. In addition to the distillery tour, Torabhaig also houses a shop and a café, making it a very worthy stop on any trip to Skye!
3. Isle of Raasay Distillery
Miles from Glenshiel: 44
Only a 25 minute ferry journey from Skye, the Isle of Raasay is an incredible location for this impressive distillery where the team is busy creating their outstanding whisky and gin (and putting it in some of the prettiest bottles we’ve ever seen). The distillery not only has its own bar and restaurant, but also a beautiful hotel to allow you to safely try a wee dram without worrying about how you’re getting home. The Isle of Raasay Distillery is a must visit if you’re in the area and make sure to book into the Whisky, Gin & Chocolate Tasting while you’re there, we hear the chocolates are delicious!
4. Isle of Skye Distillers
Miles from Glenshiel: 50
Founded by brothers Alistair and Thomas, Isle of Skye Distillers is home to the multi-award-winning Misty Isle Gin. Provenance is key to Alistair and Thomas and they carefully designed their gin to reflect ‘the spirit of Skye’, adding one secret ingredient which can only be found at altitude on the island.
The Isle of Skye Distillers offer a three-hour gin school in Portree, at the end of which you leave with a 70cl bottle of gin of your very own creation! This is a fantastic experience for any visiting gin-lover and makes for a wonderful day out. Make sure to book in advance as the school is very popular!