Scotland is the home of Scotch Whisky and the country is the leading producer of single malt in the world. Over 150 distilleries are currently operating in locations ranging from the mighty Highlands and rugged coastal sites to urban settings and remote Hebridean islands. The distilleries are traditionally split in to six major whisky producing regions – Speyside, Highlands, Lowlands, Campbeltown, Islay and the Islands – although these are less relevant these days in regards of flavour profile.
Whisky is not just the national drink of Scotland or an industry that takes place there, but forms a major part of the country’s history, heritage and fabric. Whisky is engrained in the culture and contributes hugely to its cashflow, not just due to sales but tourism and associated industries also. There is much to explore and flavours to taste, so what are you waiting for?
Speyside
The most densely populated whisky producing region in the world with 50+ distilleries. This large concentration of distilleries operates within a relatively small area, based around the towns of Dufftown, Elgin, Keith, Rothes and the surrounding bens and glens. It includes some of Scotch whisky’s most famous names but also several hidden gems.
Highlands
The largest geographical region, the Highlands are home to some of the remotest Scotch whisky distilleries and a diversity of styles. They are spread far and wide and include those close to the ‘Highland Line’ in the south, exposed coastal locations in the far north and the highest distillery in Scotland in the middle of the Cairngorms National Park.
Lowlands
A current hotbed of the craft distilling movement running from The Kingdom of Fife to The Borders, and encompassing the cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh. Once a major area of production but fell on hard times in the 1980s and early 1990s. Traditionally light and fresh in style, the region is now producing some of Scotland’s most innovative whiskies.
Campbeltown
A whisky powerhouse during late Victorian era that fell on hard times, but is now roaring back to life. Campbeltown is found on the Kintyre peninsula on the west Highland coast and was once home to 30+ distilleries but this dropped to just two by the 1960s. Now it is clawing its way back thanks to new craft and artisinal distillers setting up in the area.
Islay
The spiritual home of peaty and smoky Scotch whisky, Islay is known as ‘The Queen of the Hebrides’. This small island is home to 10 distilleries with more in the pipeline. Whisky and whisky tourism dominates the island’s economy with fans of peated whisky flocking from all over the world. Along with Speyside, Islay is a heartbeat of the whisky industry.
The Islands
Scottish islands can be some of the bleakest and most difficult places to make whisky. Despite this there are distilleries on several islands from the Shetlands and Orkneys in the far north, down through the Outer and Inner Hebrides off Scotland’s west coast and down to Arran in the Firth of Clyde. Home to some of the quirkiest Scotch whiskies around.
Scotch Whisky
Whisky Reviews
Scotland – The Home of Malt
The historical origins of whisky can be much argued, but the spiritual home of the much loved spirit cannot. Scotland is the leading world producer of malt whisky with over 150 distilleries currently in operation and several more currently under construction. It is an exciting time for the Scotch whisky industry.
In addition to this, there are many other distilleries that have been mothballed, decommissioned, closed or demolished within the last 30 to 40 years. These fell victim when Scotch whisky sales slumped in the 1980s and early 1990s. Stocks from these closed distilleries are dwindling as the years pass, but if you add their whisky to the millions of litres produced in Scotland every year then you end up with a lot of whisky!
First mentions
The first record of whisky as we know it was from 1494. It was then that The Exchequer Rolls documented a request to Friar John Cor from King James IV for “eight bolls of aqua vitae”. Aqua vitae is Latin for ‘water of life’, with the Scots Gaelic version being ‘uisce beatha’ – this was later Anglicised to become ‘whisky’. A boll is roughly 145 litres, so this request was not an insignificant amount – around 1,160 litres to be exact.
The country is split in to six whisky producing regions – Speyside, Highlands, Lowlands, Campbeltown, the islands and Islay. Each region has its own general style, although there are exceptions in all cases. This is especially true since the explosion of craft and artisan distilling across the country, who are innovating like never before and muddying the boundaries between regions and styles.
Scotland’s heartbeat
Speyside is the one of the smaller regions in geographical terms but has the highest concentration of operating distilleries, with just over 50. These distilleries are crammed so closely together for historical reasons – back in the day before modern transport you needed water and barley to be available consistently and in plentiful supply. Speyside had both with the River Spey and all its tributaries flowing down from the Cairngorm National Park and its mountains, and the some of the UK’s best barley growing fields in Aberdeenshire.
In contrast, Campbeltown is the region with the least number of distilleries – this is just three but with a couple of others in the planning stage. The majority of the islands are home to one or two distilleries with the major exception being Islay, which has ten distilleries. Again, a couple more are at the planning and building stage.
Many distilleries use traditional processes and techniques that have been in use for over two centuries, albeit using a significant amount of technology for efficiency, consistency, speed and to minimise environmental impact. In Scotland, whisky is more than just a drink or an industry. It is a national icon and forms part of the history and fabric of this proud nation.
Did you know?
Nearly 250 million litres of whisky is produced in Scotland every year, which equates to 125 litres for every person living in Scotland. Just over 40,000 people in Scotland depended on the production of Scotch Whisky, which is 3% of all jobs in the country.
Good places to start
Whisky Festivals of Scotland
Most of Scotland’s whisky regions host a festival each year, held over a number of days celebrating the region’s culture and spirit. Each festival will be packed with events held by distilleries and local organisations that defines the region’s whisky calendar.
- Spirit of Speyside – April / May
- Fèis Íle Islay – May
- Campbeltown Malts Festival – May
- Highland Whisky Festival – September