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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Sean Murphy

8 of the most beautiful Scottish whisky distilleries to visit

With over 130 single malt whisky distilleries in Scotland, there are sites all across Scotland running from Bladnoch in Dumfries and Galloway in the south to Highland Park in Orkney in the north.

Though some of them look more like industrial sites and others aren't designed to be aesthetically pleasing, there are many more that are as pleasing to the eye as their drams are to the taste buds.

Ranging from traditional stone buildings with beautifully manicured gardens to masterpieces of modern design, these incredible distilleries are as beautiful as any grand mansion house or historical castle.

With that in mind, we've pulled together a list of some of the best-looking distillery buildings that not only produce wonderful whisky but also look good doing it.

Blair Athol Distillery, Pitlochry, Highlands

Adding ivy into the mix for any external facings of your building is always a winner, especially when it comes to the changing of the seasons.

Blair Athol has nailed it with the plant helping to frame the distillery name, making it hugely popular with tourists and the Instagram generation.

Strathisla Distillery, Keith, Speyside

The stunning Strathisla Distillery. (Chivas)

The jewel in Chivas' crown, Strahtisla always makes it onto these lists.

One of the oldest continuously operating single malt distilleries in the Highlands, the double pagoda, water wheel and neatly manicured gardens combine to great effect to frame this picturesque stone building, which hides a newly renovated and stylish interior.

Macallan Distillery, Aberlour, Speyside

The new Macallan Distillery (Ian Gavan)

An architectural marvel that's been dubbed the 'Cathedral of Whisky', this modern distillery is as beautiful on the inside out as it is on the outside.

Not entirely loved by traditionalists, we believe it deserves to be on the list due to its incredible design and the fact it truly is unique.

The £140 million state-of-the-art distillery is 'cut into the slope of the landscape' of the hill site on the Easter Elchies Estate (where the original distillery stood) overlooking the river Spey, and is inspired by “ancient Scottish earthworks”.

Dalmunach Distillery, Carron, Speyside

Dalmunach Distillery. (Pernod Ricard)

Built upon the site of the former Imperial Distillery in Carron, the new Dalmunach distillery sports a striking glass frontage with beautiful wooden facades.

Named for the nearby pool in the River Spey, it's just started producing its whisky after being built in 2015.

Edradour Distillery, Pitlochry, Highlands

The small but perfectly formed Edradour Distillery (Getty)

Good things come in small packages and in Edradour, one of Scotland's smallest distilleries that statement is certainly true.

With its white-washed walls, white picket fences and flowing stream, it really is wonderful to look at.

Tormore Distillery, Advie, Speyside

The beautiful Tormore Distillery (Elixir Spirits)

With its topiary, slate green roof, clock tower and whitewash buildings you'd be forgiven for thinking this was a Victorian spa resort and not a distillery.

A welcome sight on any trip up to Speyside, this exciting distillery was recently bought over by Elixir Spirits and could soon be opening up to the public.

Clydeside Distillery, Glasgow, Lowlands

The stunning Clydeside Distillery in Glasgow (Clydeside Distillery)

One of the most visually pleasing of the recently built distilleries is the one that recently opened on the banks of the River Clyde.

With its strikingly renovated clocktower, externally visible stills and extensive visitor centre, Clydeside Distillery is an excellent addition to Scotland's biggest city.

Lindores Abbey Distillery, Newburgh, Lowlands

Lindores Abbey Distillery (Lindores Abbey Distillery)

Built close to the spiritual home of Scotch whisky, where the earliest written reference to Scotch whisky was recorded, this exciting new distillery in Fife is a perfect addition to the area.

Picturesque and modern, it sits proudly as one of the best looking of the new crop of whisky distilleries.

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