Discover the Lochranza distillery
Discover the distillery
Scotch whisky
From the moment you step onto the ferry, the diversity of Arran’s landscapes is striking: wild moors, floral valleys, and steep granite mountains. Dominated by Goat Fell, which peaks at 824 meters, this small island is often called "Scotland in Miniature" for its rich and varied scenery.
Covering nearly 1,000 km² of land and coastline, this geological gem has become Scotland’s third UNESCO Global Geopark, after the Northwest Highlands and the Shetland Islands. A hiker's paradise, the island is also a true natural sanctuary, home to deer, otters, and more than 250 species of birds recorded in the east coast ornithological reserve.
Arran's history is closely tied to clandestine whisky production, which flourished in the 19th century before being eradicated by British authorities who imposed strict regulations and ended distillation on the island. The founding of Lochranza in 1995 marked the official return of whisky to the island after an interruption of over 150 years.
Lochranza - Specs
Informations
On the deck of the ferry from Ardrossan, on the Ayrshire coast, the silhouette of the northern hills sketches the profile of the Sleeping Warrior, which gave its name to a whisky launched by Lochranza in 2011. The luckiest travelers might spot dolphins, porpoises, or basking sharks offshore before reaching Brodick.
In the background of the distillery, the natural setting offers breathtaking views of the Glen Easan Biorach valley, home to Loch Na Davie at an altitude of 360 meters. It is from this small lake, located about three kilometers above the distillery, that Lochranza draws its soft, low-mineral water, naturally filtered by granitic rocks.
In the still room, listen carefully to the two pairs of pot stills: the sound of their pressurized steam forms the rhythmic base for the track "Vibration," composed on-site in 2023 by French electronic music composer Saycet.
As soon as the first sunbeams appear, you can enjoy your coffee comfortably settled in a lounge chair in the distillery garden. It's the perfect opportunity to scan the sky for the pair of golden eagles, the emblem of Lochranza, who nest near the site.
The island is also known for its artisan cheeses, produced at the former Home Farm dairy, which once supplied the Dukes and Duchesses of Brodick Castle. Cheeses like ginger cheddar, black pepper, herb, whisky, or blue cheese are the perfect pairing for Arran’s peated malts.
Overlooking the calm waters of the bay, the ruins of Lochranza Castle, abandoned for over three centuries, are said to have inspired Hergé when he created the setting for The Black Island, published in 1938. The former royal residence of the Stuart dynasty also gave its name to one of the whiskies launched in 2019. Another essential site on the island, Machrie Moor, lent its name to Lochranza’s former range of peated whiskies. This stone circle (a megalithic monument) dating from the Bronze Age is one of the most famous in Europe.
Created in 2019 on the far south of Arran, Lagg, the sister distillery of Lochranza, is less than an hour's drive away. The journey passes a series of small, pristine bays and coves, home to seals, otters, and numerous species of seabirds.
Take advantage of the trip to revisit the filmography of Ewan McGregor, the distillery's patron since its beginning. The Scottish actor, who owns a cask aged for 26 years in Lochranza's warehouses, auctioned off 150 bottles for charity.
Arran, Single Malt
Arran, Single Malt
