Dalwhinnie distillery, Scottish Highlands

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Top Whisky Distilleries in the Scottish Highlands and Speyside

Here's the main distilleries you can visit when staying in Inverness for 2020. Information correct as of August 2020.

Whisky Distilleries to visit

Several distilleries have chosen to remain closed for the rest of 2020 due to Covid restrictions. Some are open but have decided not to offer guided tours this year. Here are some of the ones you can visit easily by car from Inverness.

  • Tomatin distillery - just 15 miles south of Inverness on the A9. Tours available for people in the same household/social bubble (must be pre-booked). Currently open 3 days a week - Friday (12 to 5.30pm), Saturday and Sunday (10am to 5.30pm).
  • Glen Ord Distillery - in the village of Muir of Ord (15 miles north of Inverness). 5 star visitor attraction with guided tours and tastings. Open daily August - October 2020.
  • Glen Moray Distillery in Elgin (40 miles from Inverness) is open for tastings (but not tours). Open daily from Monday to Friday.
  • Glenlivet Distillery near Ballindalloch (50 miles from Inverness) - open for tastings (but not tours). Pre-booking essential. Open Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 12pm and from 2pm to 4pm.
  • Strathisla near Keith (58 miles from Inverness) - open for tastings (but not tours). Pre-booking essential. Friday, Saturday, Sunday from 12pm - 4pm.
  • Glenfiddich Distillery near Dufftown (55 miles from Inverness) - open from Wednesday to Sunday (9.30am to 4pm). Tastings in the Whisky Lounge. Delicious food served on the patio terrace including afternoon teas (pre-booking required)
  • Aberlour distillery shop (50 miles from Inverness) - open for tastings (but not tours). Pre-booking essential. Open Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 12pm and from 2pm to 4pm.
  • Dalwhinnie Distillery (55 miles south of Inverness on the A9) - open daily from 10am - 5pm in August and September 2020. Set in the Cairngorm National Park, this is the highest distillery in Scotland at 1164 feet above sea level. Enjoy tours and tastings with handmade Scottish highland chocolates.
  • Speyside Cooperage at Craigellachie near Aberlour (52 miles from Inverness). Tours available, coffee shop, gift shop. Pre-booking is essential to visit the site. Open daily from Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm.
  • Glen Grant Distillery in the village of Rothes about 10 miles south of Elgin on the Grantown-on-Spey road (47 miles from Inverness). The shop is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 3pm, but tours are not yet running.

Dalwhinnie Distillery Dalwhinnie distillery © VisitScotland / Paul Tomkins

Strathisla Distillery Strathisla distillery

Distilleries re-opening soon:

  • Glenmorangie distillery just outside Tain (37 miles north of Inverness). Due to re-open on 31st August 2020.
  • The Macallan at Craigellachie near Aberlour (52 miles from Inverness). Open at weekends from 26th September 2020 with guided tours, brasserie, bar and boutique. Booking recommended.

If you are touring some of these distilleries and enjoying a wee dram, please have a designated driver in your vehicle so that everyone can stay safe.

Whisky in Inverness

The Malt Room is tucked in the alleyway leading to the Victorian Market in Church Street. It was the first dedicated whisky bar in Inverness. You can visit the downstairs bar any day (open 5pm - 1am) everyday and 12pm-1am Saturday and You can book the upstairs tasting room for private bookings with customers able to book for 4 hour sessions.

The Angel's Share is a Whisky and Gin bar overlooking the river. It is located on Ness Walk right opposite Inverness castle (above Prime restaurant). Cocktails and sharing platters (Highland cheeses, Seafood, Meat, Vegetarian) also available. Open Thursday - Sunday from 5pm til late. Book a table online.

If you want to take something home with you, pay a visit to The Whisky Shop in Bridge Street in the city centre. Open daily.

For 2021

Inverness-based, family-owned 5 Star tour company WOW Scotland will be offering guided tours in their well-appointed 30-seater mini-coaches. Sit back and enjoy their Whisky Tour - this carefully crafted itinerary will enable you to experience the best of Speyside and Highland whiskies in one day with visits to Tomatin, Glenfarclas, Cragganmore and the Speyside Cooperage. Available on selected dates in 2021.

Although the Highland Whisky Festival was cancelled in 2020, we are hoping it will resume in May 2021. This features 8 distilleries around the North Coast 500.

Strathisla Distillery Strathisla distillery

Loch Ness whisky festival Whisky festival © VisitScotland / Paul Tomkins

Check out our Map of attractions to visit in the Inverness area

Covid update: see our Latest News page for other attractions to visit

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Photo credits: Dalwhinnie distillery and Loch Ness whisky festival © VisitScotland / Paul Tomkins

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