Whisky in Inverness

The Uile-bheist brewery and distillery sits on the banks of the River Ness just 5 minutes walk from the city centre. This brand new building is the first new distillery to be built in Inverness for 130 years and aims to create artisan whisky and beer from the river water and local barley. A variety of guided tours and tastings are available to book.

The Malt Room is tucked in the alleyway leading to the Victorian Market in Church Street. Enjoy whisky tastings and live music gigs in the first dedicated whisky bar in Inverness which was named Whisky Bar of the Year in the Scottish Bar & Pub Awards 2021.

The Highland Malt Whisky Experience at Macgregors (end of Academy Street) combines whisky tasting, history, story, legend and music of the Scottish Highlands (weekday evenings from April to October).

The Wee Bar 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.

If you want to take something home with you from Inverness, pay a visit to The Whisky Shop in Bridge Street or the Highland Whisky Shop in Castle Street.

Gin

It's not just whisky that's made in Scotland - we have plenty of gin distilleries too including the Great Glen Distillery in Drumnadrochit which claims to be the smallest in Scotland.

Events

The Spirit of Speyside whisky festival is takes place in distilleries around Moray & Speyside in late April / early May.
25 May 2024: Ness Gin Fest at Inverness Ice Rink (1pm - 5pm).

Uile-bheist distillery in Inverness

Whisky festival © VisitScotland / Paul Tomkins

Whisky Distilleries to visit

Here are some of the distilleries you can visit easily by car from Inverness. Guided tours and tastings are available at many distilleries. Please check with individual distilleries before visiting.

• Tomatin distillery - just 15 miles south of Inverness on the A9.
• The Singleton of Glen Ord Distillery - in the village of Muir of Ord (15 miles north of Inverness). 5 star visitor attraction with guided tours and tastings. Named as Scotland's Leading Distillery Tour 2024 at the World Travel Awards.
• Glen Moray Distillery in Elgin (40 miles from Inverness) offers tastings and tours.
• Glenlivet Distillery near Ballindalloch (50 miles from Inverness) offers tastings and tours.
• Strathisla near Keith (58 miles from Inverness) offers tastings and tours.
• Glenfiddich Distillery near Dufftown (55 miles from Inverness). New exhibition, highlights tour and tasting with your own personal guide. Delicious food served in the Whisky Lounge or patio terrace including breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea.
• Aberlour distillery shop (50 miles from Inverness).
• Dalwhinnie Distillery (55 miles south of Inverness on the A9). 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.
• Glen Grant Distillery in the village of Rothes about 10 miles south of Elgin on the Grantown-on-Spey road (47 miles from Inverness).
• Glenmorangie distillery just outside Tain (37 miles north of Inverness). Please book in advance for tasting experiences.
• The Macallan at Craigellachie near Aberlour (52 miles from Inverness). 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.