Distilleries
Think of Scotland and many people will think of Whisky. Of course we love our racing, but there are other things in life too - so if you have a gap in your racing itinerary, why not explore a bit of Scotland and seek out one of the following sources of true Caledonian spirit!
 Black Bottle Whisky is the official whisky partner of Scottish Racing. Known as "The blend with the heart of Islay," Black Bottle is made using a blend of all seven Islay malts including from the famous Bunnahabhain Distillery which is open to visitors (details below).
Recognised across Scotland as a top quality blended whisky, it is well worth seeking out some Black Bottle to take home with you, although we are reliably informed that it is now becoming more readilly available across the whole of Britain.
At the races, you will find that Black Bottle is served in all of the bars at both Ayr and Musselburgh Racecourses.
| Distilleries |
WebsiteAddress |
Description |
Bunnahabhain
On the Isle of Islay
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Bunnahabhain Distillery
Islay
01496 840646
www.bunnahabhain.co.uk
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Located on the Island of Islay, off the West coast of Scotland, Bunnahabhain is the spiritual home of Black Bottle whisky. A peaty blend, made using the produce from all seven of the main distilleries on Islay, Black Bottle is a particular favourite with Scottish racegoers.
Regular tours are available March - October, Monday - Friday. Tours are by appointment only during the winter. |
Glengoyne
(Convenient for visitors to Hamilton Park / Glasgow area)
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Glengoyne Distillery
Dumgoyne
Near Killearn
Glasgow
G63 9LB
01360 550254
www.glengoyne.com
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Situated 15 miles north of Glasgow on the A81, Glengoyne distillery can be easilly reached from Hamilton Park - but is also not too far from Ayr and Musselburgh (1 hour drive).
Producing a range of Single Highland Malt whiskies, ranging from 10 to 21 years old, Glengoyne distillery offers tours, tastings and even the chance to blend your own whisky.
Tours Mon - Sun |
Glenkinchie
(Convenient for visitors to Musselburgh Racecourse or those travelling north from Kelso) |
Glenkinchie Distillery
Pencaitland
Tranent
East Lothian
01875 342004
www.discovering-distilleries.com
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The home of "The Edinburgh Malt" is located in the rolling farmland of East Lothian and houses an exhibition in the listed red brick buildings.
Open Mon - Fri from December to May and Mon - Sun during the summer, Glenkinchie is just 10-15 minutes drive from Musselburgh Racecourse and can easilly be visited by anyone heading north from Kelso Racecourse (about 50 minutes in the car). |
| Glenturret
- The Famous Grouse Experience
(Convenient for visitors to Perth Racecourse - and just an hour from Edinburgh or Glasgow) |
Glenturret Distillery
The Hosh
Crieff
Perthshire
PH7 4HA
01764 656565
www.thefamousgrouse.co.uk
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The Famous Grouse Experience offers visitors the chance to learn about one of the world's most popular blanded whiskies and enjoy the surroundings of Scotland's oldest distillery at Glenturret.
Located at Crieff, about 30 minutes to the west of Perth racecourse, Glenturret distillery is the most visited distillery in Scotland and The Famous Grouse Experience is one of the few visitor centres with a 5 star rating from VisitScotland. |
| Tullibardine
(Convenient for visitors on the way to Perth Racecourse) |
Tullibardine Distillery
Blackford
Perthshire
PH4 1QG
01764 682252
www.tullibardine.com
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The Tullibardine Distillery, now the base for an exciting new visitor centre, was re-opened in November 2004, having been mothballed for 10 years.
Just off the M90, between Edinburgh and Perth, the site offers a range of shopping opportunities as well as whisky tours seven days a week.
Cafe 1488 (The date taken from the year in which King James IV ordered beer from Tullibardine for his coronation celebrations at Scone Palace) offers hearty sustainance, sourced where possible from local producers. |
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| Whisky Tour Operators / Museums |
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Discover Distilleries
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Diageo Global Supply
Moray House
1 Trinity Road
Elgin
Moray
IV30 1UF
www.discovering-distilleries.com
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Discover Distilleries is the "visitor arm" of the Diageo Group of distilleries, including Talisker (on Skye), Caol Ila and Lagavulin (on Islay), Oban (on the west coast), Glenkinchie (near Edinburgh) and Glen Ord, Cardhu, Cragganmore, Dalwinnie, Royal lochnagar and Blair Athol in the Highlands.
Many of these are some distance from the Scottish racecourses, but are well worth a visit if you are in Scotland for a few days. Visit the website for more details.
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The Scotch Whisky Centre
(Edinburgh)
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The Scotch Whisky Centre
354 Castlehill
The Royal Mile
Edinburgh
EH1 2NE
01764 682252
www.whisky-heritage.co.uk
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If you haven't got the time to go out into the country to visit a distillery, then why not pop into the Scotch Whisky Centre. It's located just below Edinburgh castle on the Royal Mile and is open 7 days a week.
Learn about the making of Scotch Whisky, the Whisky producing regions and the subtle influences which make different malts and blends so special.
There is of course a shop as well as a restaurant, so you can take a bottle or two home with you. |
The Ultimate Whisky Tour
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gowestcoasting.com
Benmhor
Cambletown
Argyle
PA28 6DN
01586 552319
www.gowestcoasting.com
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A comprehensive eight day tour of Scotland's West Coast distilleries including: Springbank, Glengyle, Lagavulin, Ardbeg, Laphroaig, Caol Ila, Bunnahabain, Isle of Jura, Bowmore, Oban, and Tobermory.
The tour takes visitors from Loch lomond, out to the Western Isles, back through Glencoe and past Rannoch Moor. It is a great journey - but it can be difficult to find a Racing Post in some of the more remote areas (it eight days remember). |
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