Isle of Raasay Distillery
In this region you'll find some of Scotland's oldest distilleries and some of Scotland's newest, all of which pack a real punch with their range of unique flavours, notes and tones.
Explore Highland distilleries and sample the region's distinctive malts and blends. You'll find some of whisky's most famous names here - and some of its most fiercely individual spirits.
- Glenturret at Crieff
- Balblair at Tain
- Isle of Raasay Distillery
- Torabhaig Distillery on Skye
- Ncn'ean Distillery by Lochaline
Macallan Distillery and Visitor Centre
WHERE IS THE HIGHLAND WHISKY REGION?
The distilleries of the Highland whisky region are spread far and wide and, in terms of geography, this whisky region takes the crown as Scotland's largest. Stretching from Orkney in the north to the Isle of Arran in the south, the region takes in the northern isles and most of the Inner and Outer Hebrides, Argyll, Stirlingshire, Arran, parts of Perthshire and Aberdeenshire too.
You can find out more about this vast region and how to get here and get about by visiting our Map of Scotland.
Glenlivet Distillery
HIGHLAND WHISKY CHARACTERISTICS
The Scotch produced in the untamed wilds of the Highlands is varied and unique from distillery to distillery thanks to the ever-changing landscape of coastline, moor and mountain and variable weather conditions. While some are peated, heavily sherried or have a salty tang from the sea, others are fresh, light and grassy.
It is helpful to categorise Highland single malts into four sub-regions. In the north (including Orkney), you'll find full bodied, heathery whiskies with a spicy character; lighter and fruity whiskies are found to the south, and similar drams with a touch more body are found to the east (The Secret Malts of Aberdeenshire | PDF 3.9MB). The whiskies from the western reaches offer full body with a peaty punch and sea air. Those from the islands tend to be sweet and smoky, with maritime influences, reflecting the heathery and salty peat that's used to dry the barley.