Here we take a look at a range of new distilleries which are set to open this year in Scotland, including a range of eye-catching new builds, and sustainable projects.
Set to be the twelfth distillery on Islay, planning permission for Laggan Bay was submitted in 2022.
The distillery and brewery site covers some two hectares, just opposite Islay’s airport in the centre of Islay, and is situated less than a mile from Islay’s longest beach, the Big Strand in Laggan Bay, from which the distillery takes its name.
As part of the project, The Islay Boys have announced a partnership with family-owned Ian Macleod Distillers Ltd to help bring the new distillery to fruition.
The distillery is under construction and due for completion in 2025, when the first spirit will flow from its handmade copper pot stills.
Although full details are still under wraps, Ian Macleod Distillers has ambitious plans for the new distillery. The company’s portfolio includes premium spirits brands Glengoyne, Tamdhu, Edinburgh Gin, and the re-opened Rosebank.
This sustainable distillery revealed plans for its distillery and visitor centre in early 2022.
The design for the Ardgowan distillery uses low environmental impact composite cladding, timber and steel materials to create a light-filled modern Nordic long hall.
The building is designed to provide an ergonomic energy efficient distillery and to maximise the visitor experience and will incorporate a glass-walled ‘sky platform’ with views of the Clyde.
Planning was secured in 2019 and ground was broken in 2023 with the stills arriving in late 2024 along with a new manager. It is thought that the distillery will open this year.
Scottish distillers Eden Mill are in the latter stages of constructing their gin and whisky distillery on the banks of the Eden Estuary in Guardbridge, St. Andrews.
Based on The University of St Andrews' Eden Campus, the distillery is being built with sustainability at its core.
All electricity will be sourced from renewable sources including the University's own solar array farm and Co2 from the fermentation will be captured and re-used by the University.
Eden Mill's new distillery will be operational with production starting in March, and will open to the public by the summer.
Loch Lomond Group has secured planning permission and started construction on a new distillery and visitor centre in Luss, Dumbartonshire, with completion anticipated for summer 2025.
The 5,362 sq.m site on the banks of Loch Lomond in the popular village of Luss has been granted permission by Argyll and Bute Council and Luss Estates, to repurpose the old Luss smokehouse and surrounding land on Church Road into a new distillery and visitor centre with access paths to create a mixed-use development.
Once completed, these plans will create a stunning new brand home for its multi-award-winning Loch Lomond Whisky brands as well as a unique distillery for the Ben Lomond Gin brand
Famous whisky destination, Islay, is set to get another distillery, as planning permission was granted to Elixir Distillers and ground broken for Portintruan Distillery in 2020.
Born from a love of Islay and its whiskies, co-founders of Elixir Distillers Sukhinder and Rajbir Singh plan to combine elements of tradition and modernity in both design and production for their new distillery.
The design of the distillery features an exterior that ties in with the traditional look of the other south coast distilleries on Islay, alongside some modern touches that reflect the landscape of the site on which it will be built.
Inside there will be floor maltings and plans also detail an on-site, a visitor’s centre and a multi-purpose educational facility.
Work is well underway on the distillery site, but stalled in late 2024 as ISG construction firm went into administration. Distilling anticipated in 2025, led by distillery manager Georgie Crawford.
This outer Hebrides distillery started distilling in 2024. Owned by father and son team, Angus E and Angus A MacMillan, the duo have also recently released a whisky, rum and gin under the MacMillan spirits brand.
Benbecula Distillery pays homage to the island’s rich maritime heritage. These include a storytelling corner, a seafood bar and a Lighthouse offering 360 degree views over Benbecula looking as far as Skye, Harris and the Monach Isles.
The start of production sees the revival of a 130-year-old recipe, after businessman Angus A MacMillan researched the writings of eminent 19th century distilling historian Alfred Barnard.
Mr MacMillan then enlisted the services of renowned master distiller Brendan McCarron as his whisky expert to create the spirit.
Benbecula Distillery has the ambition to be producing 500,000 bottles of whisky per year and it is estimated that this will create an initial 10-12 local jobs.
Aberdeen is set to welcome a new distillery after planning approval has been given for the Bon Accord Distillery.
This new venture will rise on the historic site of the original Bon Accord Drinks factory on the iconic Greyhope Road, paying homage to the city’s rich heritage while paving the way for a dynamic future in whisky production.
The facility will not only produce high-quality single malt Scotch whisky but also act as a visitor attraction, drawing whisky lovers from across the globe to Aberdeen’s waterfront.
While this new distillery won’t open this year, but plans have been approved and construction will start in 2025.
The plans for the distillery come from the owners of the Isle of Raasay Distillery, R&B Distillers, who want to add a second single malt whisky brand to their portfolio by building The Machrihanish Distillery to create Campbeltown’s first farm-to-bottle single malt.
Glasgow-based independent whisky bottler and blender Brave New Spirits submitted a final planning application to Argyll & Bute council, for Witchburn - a new single malt whisky distillery at the former RAF Machrihanish airbase in Campbeltown in 2023.
Whisky fans keen to see the smallest whisky region expand have been waiting for updates on this new distillery since then. One to keep an eye on
