Nature provides the ingredients for Aberdeenshire’s “water of life”. Whether it’s the toasted barley from the fertile farmlands, the ice-clear mountain water from burns and springs, the smoky peats and heather honey from heath and moors, or simply the sparkling fresh air – the whisky distilleries are busy bottling the essence of this beautiful place.
Neighbouring Balmoral Castle, and just a few miles from Ballater, Royal Lochnagar Distillery is the perfect place to discover how Scotch Whisky is made. Watch as their team of operators tend to the traditional mashtun, gleaming copper stills and fill casks at the traditional distillery, which retains much of its original charm.
A little further afield, but encircled by some of the finest scenery you could wish to see, there are a several beautiful distilleries to visit. The award-winning Glenlivet Distillery, Glenfiddich, Cardhu and Balvenie can all be visited from Ballater. If gin is your preferred tipple you can find the home of Caorunn nestled deep in the stunning landscapes of the Cairngorms.
The distilleries all differ in their individual charm and fascinating historical links and are here to be discovered!
