Isle of Arran Distillery & Whisky Guide

Discover Arran’s whisky heritage

The Isle of Arran has long been known for its wild landscapes and coastal beauty — but in recent decades, it has also earned a reputation for producing some of the most distinctive single malt whisky in all of Scotland.

Once home to illicit distilling traditions, the island is now proudly represented by two award-winning distilleries: Lochranza Distillery in the north and Lagg Distillery in the south. Together, they showcase two very different styles of Arran malt whisky, shaped by location, process and character.

Whether you're new to whisky or a seasoned enthusiast, visiting a whisky distillery on Arran offers a deeper connection to the island — one dram at a time.

Your guide to Arran's distillery experiences

We've put together a guide to some of the best whisky experiences on Arran:

• Lochranza Distillery
• Lagg Distillery
• Whisky tastings: what to expect
• Planning your Arran distillery tour
• A taste of the island
• Where to stay

Lochranza Distillery: the home of Arran single malt whisky

Set in a picturesque village at the north of the island, Lochranza Distillery is the spiritual home of modern Arran whisky.

Opened in 1995, it was the first legal distillery on Arran in over 150 years, marking the revival of whisky production on the island. Operated by Isle of Arran Distillers Ltd, the distillery has since built a global reputation for its elegant, fruit-forward Arran single malt whisky.

At a glance

• Location: Lochranza, north of the island.
• Established: 1995.
• Style: Light, fresh, unpeated single malt.
• Experience: Distillery tours, tastings, visitor centre and café.

The distillery experience

A Lochranza Distillery tour offers a fascinating insight into the whisky making process, from milling and mashing through to fermentation, distillation and cask maturation.

Guided by knowledgeable experts, you'll explore:

• The stillhouse and production areas.
• The warehouses where Scotch whisky is matured.
• The story behind the island's revival of legal distilling.

The experience typically concludes in the dramming room for a whisky tasting that delves deeper into the range of Arran single malts distilled and matured here at Lochranza.

Expect a relaxed, informative and thoroughly enjoyable introduction to Arran whisky.

Lagg Distillery: a bold new chapter

At the southern end of the island, Lagg Distillery represents a more recent and distinctive addition to Arran's whisky story.

Opened in 2019 by the same team behind Lochranza, Lagg focuses on a different style — producing heavily-peated single malt whisky that offers a richer, smokier profile.

At a glance

• Location: South of the island, near Kilmory.
• Style: Heavily-peated single malt.
• Experience: Modern visitor centre, tours and tastings.
• Character: Bold, smoky and complex.

A different side of Arran whisky

A Lagg distillery visit offers a contrasting experience to Lochranza — both in flavour and atmosphere.

Here, the focus is on:

• Peated malt whisky production.
• Modern distilling techniques.
• A more intense, robust flavour profile.

The guided tours take you through a deep dive of the processes involved in producing Lagg single malt, with the opportunity to explore how peat influences both aroma and taste.

As with Lochranza, tastings are led by knowledgeable tasting guides, offering a deeper understanding of the distillery's evolving range.

Together, the two distilleries tell a complete story — one of balance, contrast and craftsmanship.

Whisky tastings: what to expect

Whether you're visiting Lochranza or Lagg, whisky tastings are at the heart of the experience.

Typically, a tasting will include:

• A selection of Arran single malt whiskies.
• Guidance on flavour, aroma and character.
• Insight into cask types, maturation and production methods.

Many experiences offer the chance to:

• Join a guided tasting session.
• Enjoy a dram in a dedicated dramming room.
• Take a deeper dive into the range of single malts.

Most tours and tastings require advance booking, and guests must be at least 18 to participate.

Planning your Arran distillery tour

Visiting a distillery on Arran is a highlight of any trip — but a little planning goes a long way.

Good to know

• It's best to book a distillery tour in advance, particularly during peak season.
• Both distilleries offer visitor centres and cafés, making them ideal for a longer stop.
• Allow time to explore the surrounding area — both locations are set within beautiful landscapes.
• If you're travelling between the two, it's a scenic journey across the island.

For many visitors, combining both distilleries into a single trip, over at least two days, offers the most complete Arran whisky experience.

Extending your whisky journey: from Arran to Islay

For some whisky enthusiasts, a visit to Arran is just the beginning.

A little further south, the island of Islay is often considered the spiritual home of peated Scotch whisky — and a natural next step for those looking to deepen their whisky journey.

Known for its bold, smoky styles, Islay is home to several world-famous distilleries, including:

• Laphroaig Distillery — renowned for its intensely peated, medicinal character.
• Lagavulin Distillery — rich, smoky and deeply complex.
• Ardbeg Distillery — powerful, peaty whiskies with a cult following.
• Bowmore Distillery — one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland, offering a more balanced style.

How to get from Arran to Islay

While Arran and Islay sit within the same region of Scotland's west coast, travelling between them requires a little planning — but is entirely achievable as part of a wider trip.

Most visitors travel via the mainland:

• Take the ferry from Arran (Brodick or Lochranza) back to the mainland.
• Drive to Kennacraig on the Kintyre peninsula (approx. 2–3 hours depending on route).
• Catch the ferry to Islay (around 2 hours).

Alternatively, some routes via Claonaig (during the summer months) can shorten the mainland drive.

Why combine Arran and Islay?

Arran and Islay offer two distinctly different whisky experiences:

• Arran — lighter, fruit-forward and balanced, with both unpeated (Lochranza) and peated (Lagg) styles.
• Islay — bold, heavily peated, and deeply atmospheric.

Together, they create a more complete picture of Scotland's whisky landscape — from subtle coastal elegance to powerful, smoky intensity.

For those with the time, combining both islands turns a distillery visit into a true whisky journey.

A taste of the island

Arran's distilleries are part of a wider story — one that includes local produce, coastal landscapes and a strong sense of place.

From the water sources used in production to the coastal air that influences maturation, every dram reflects something of the island itself.

It's this connection between land, people and craft that gives Arran whisky its distinctive character.

Stay at Kinloch Hotel: your base for whisky exploration

Perfectly positioned on the west coast of Arran, Kinloch Hotel offers an ideal base for exploring the island's distilleries.

From here, you can:

• Travel north to Lochranza Distillery.
• Head south to Lagg Distillery.
• Enjoy scenic drives across the island between visits.

After a day of tours and tastings, return to:

• Comfortable accommodation.
• Relaxed surroundings.
• Views across the coastline and sea.
• A well-stocked collection of fabulous whiskies in the bar!

The perfect base for discovering the best of Arran's whisky, landscapes and hospitality.

Start your Arran whisky journey

From the pioneering spirit of Lochranza to the bold character of Lagg, Arran offers a whisky experience that is both varied and memorable.
Take your time, follow the story, and discover the island one dram at a time.