Glengoyne’s story
Glengoyne is a distillery in the southern Highlands. It is around 15 miles to the north of Glasgow and is located in the village of Dumgoyne, close to the famous Loch Lomond. Glengoyne is one of Scotland’s most traditional distilleries and is owned by Ian Macleod Distillers. It has an annual whisky production capacity of 1.1 million litres. The whisky produced at Glengoyne has been traditionally popular with blending companies and was a major contributor to the famous Cutty Sark range of blends.
Glengoyne lies on The Highland Line’ – this is an imaginary line that divides the Highland whisky producting region from the Lowland region). This line follows the course of the road that runs through the site of Glengoyne. The distillery lies on the north/Highland side of the line, with the warehouses being on the south/Lowland side. Most people class it as a Highland malt, although it was marketed as a Lowland until the 1970s. It depends on your view as to whether the distillation or maturation influences whisky the most. Glengoyne’s current marketing has it as a Highland malt.
Glengoyne’s history
Glengoyne was founded in 1833 by the Edmonstone family with the original name of Burnfoot. A local businessman called John MacLelland took control in 1851 before handing the reigns to his son, Archibald, in 1867. Burnfoot remained in his control until 1876 when a company called Lang Brothers bought the distillery and renamed it as Glenguin. In 1905, the name is changed to current Glengoyne, apparently after Glenguin was spelt incorrectly on a batch of labelling.
Lang Brothers decided to keep the name as they felt that, in hindsight, it was easier to read and pronounce. Robertson & Baxter became the new owners of Glengoyne in 1965, after taking over Lang Brothers, and fully refurbished and expanded the distillery. Robertson & Baxter later changed their name and became the Edrington Group. Edrington decided to sell Glengoyne to Ian Macleod Distillers, an independent family owned spirits company, in 2003. They have taken Glengoyne from strength to strength, establishing it as a multi award-winning single malt brand of repute and growing sales dramatically.
- How to pronounce Glengoyne? glen-goy-n
- Country: Scotland
- Region: Highlands
- Founded: 1833
- Current owners: Ian Macleod Distillers
- Production capacity per year: 1.1 million litres
- Mash tun: 3.8 ton
- Washbacks: 6
- Stills: 3
- Visitor centre: Yes
Glengoyne Distillery
Dumgoyne by Killearn
Glasgow
G63 9LB
tel – +44(0)1360 550 254
www.glengoyne.com
Did you know?
The village of Dumgoyne takes its name from the nearby Dumgoyne Hill, which is one of Scotland’s tallest volcanic plugs. The summit is 427 metres (1402 feet) above sea level. A path next to Glengoyne distillery takes you to the top and you can see Glasgow and Loch Lomond from there.
Glengoyne
