There are four distilleries of note on the Isle of Skye, including the world-famous whisky distiller Talisker and the independent Torabhaig distillery. Drink them in with BBC Countryfile Magazine’s guide to Skye distilleries.
Scotland is famous for it whisky distilleries, from Glengoyne near Glasgow and Glenfiddich in Speyside to Oban on Scotland’s west coast.
But it’s the island distilleries that really get travellers excited. Whiskies created on these remote specks of land offer visitors a taste of island life in one beautiful drop. The Isle of Skye is no exception – read on to discover the island’s four distilleries.
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Isle of Skye distilleries
Talisker
Owned by alcoholic drinks giant Diageo, Talisker is the oldest distillery on Skye and produces one of Scotland’s most famous single malt whiskies, renowned for its peaty flavour. It is in Carbost, on the western side of the island, and visitors can choose from a range of tours and tasting experiences. malts.com
Torabhaig
The independent Torabhaig Distillery opened on the Sleat peninsula in January 2017 after a four-year restoration of a 19th-century farmstead. A regular tour with tutored tasting lasts 45 minutes while the warehouse tour takes two hours. The site also has a café with both indoor and courtyard seating. torabhaig.com
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Isle of Raasay Distillery
Worth a visit in its own right, the tiny island of Raasay is a 25-minute ferry trip from Sconser on Skye. Distillery tours cover the production areas – including an explanation of the role of the traditional copper stills – and the bottling warehouse. The site also has a bar and restaurant. raasaydistillery.com
Isle of Skye Distillers
If you don’t like whisky, maybe gin’s more your thing… The Isle of Skye Distillers’ Portree ‘gin school’ gives enthusiasts the chance to create their own. Master distiller Alistair guides students through the process – from selecting botanicals to running a miniature copper pot still and bottling the end product. isleofskyedistillers.com
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