Arran distillery

Lochranza distillery stands on the northern tip of the Isle of Arran in North Ayrshire, beside the village of Lochranza. It is a whisky distillery set against a backdrop of rolling hills and a picturesque harbour. The building itself is modern yet blends with the rugged landscape. A pair of golden eagles once nested nearby, causing a temporary halt to construction in 1994. The distillery was founded by Harold Currie, a former Chivas director and D-Day veteran. It opened in 1995 after private investors and bond sales funded its creation. The distillery is worth the journey for its connection to Scotland’s whisky heritage. It is the only distillery licensed to use Robert Burns’ image and signature on its packaging. Arran Distillers Ltd. also runs a cask purchase scheme, allowing individuals to own and store their own whisky casks on site. The distillery produces both single malt and blended whiskies, including a peated single malt called Machrie Moor. After years of trading at a loss, it turned profitable in 2010 under managing director Euan Mitchell. Visitors find a working distillery with a visitor centre where they can learn about whisky production. The site includes warehouses storing casks, some of which were previously kept off-site. The distillery celebrates its history with special releases, such as the 15th Anniversary bottling in 2010. Nearby, the village of Lochranza offers a quiet harbour and views of the surrounding hills. The distillery’s second site, Lagg, opened in 2019, expanding Arran’s whisky-making presence across the island.