Lochranza Distillery

Isle of Arran Distillers is based at Lochranza Distillery in the north of the Isle of Arran. It is known for producing a fresh, fruity island single malt that reflects the clean water sources and coastal environment of the island.

There’s something magical about the alchemy of whisky making, and there’s no better way to appreciate it than by visiting a distillery. As one of the few independent distilleries in Scotland - and one that proudly follows traditional practice - Lochranza Distillery promises a fascinating experience.

About Lochranza Distillery

Founded in 1995, Lochranza Distillery was the first legal whisky distillery on the Isle of Arran in over 150 years. It produces a lightly peated and unpeated style of whisky, known for its balance, clarity, and fruit-driven character.

The distillery has played a key role in reviving Arran’s whisky heritage and now operates alongside its sister distillery, Lagg.

Lochranza Distillery Tours & Experiences

The Distillery Tour £20

Join your Tour Guide for a walk-through of our Distillery, and learn about the processes involved in producing our award-winning Arran Single Malt, finishing with a sample dram of Arran 10 Year Old single malt and the chance to try our Arran Gold Cream Liqueur!

Children and young persons age 8-17 are free of charge, but must have a booked space as all participants count towards capacity. Infants and children under the age of 8 are not permitted on Distillery Tours, including in prams/carriers etc.

Time: 10:45am & 1:45pm daily

Duration: 1hr 15mins

The Arran Malt Experience £40

Hosted by one of our knowledgeable tasting guides, this experience begins with a guided tour of our distillery, following the processes involved in producing our wonderful Arran Single Malt.

Then, retire to our tasting room to enjoy a comprehensive introduction to the Arran Single Malt whiskies that have become the heart of our award-winning range. The perfect Arran Whisky experience for both newcomers to our distillery, and enthusiastic Arran Malt fans alike!

Duration: 1hr 30mins

The Lochranza Select Tasting £45

Join your whisky guide in our Dramming Room for a whisky tasting that delves deeper into the range of Arran Single Malts distilled and matured here at Lochranza, allowing you to sample some of our cask strength and limited-edition whiskies, distillery exclusives or maybe even a surprise from the warehouse or the archives! Please note the selection of whiskies will vary depending on availability.

Duration: 1hr 30mins

Journey Through The Ages Tasting £80

Our Journey Through The Ages Experience takes a deep dive into the 30 year story of Arran Whisky, as well as the history of whisky-making on Arran and beyond. Your journey begins in our still house, and onwards into Warehouse 1, where you will enjoy a dram straight from the cask. From there, you will head to our cosy tasting room to sample some iconic whiskies from the archives, and hear more tales of Arran past and present.

This experience assumes a level of existing knowledge of whisky distilling processes in general, and our distillery in particular, and so is the perfect choice for the consummate Arran Whisky fan looking to delve that little bit further!

Duration: 2hrs 30mins

Plan Your Visit to Lochranza Distillery

Address:

Isle of Arran Distillers Ltd, Lochranza, Isle of Arran KA27 8HJ
+44 (0) 1770830264
bookings@arranwhisky.com

Tour:

This distillery is included as part of our Ayrshire and Kintyre Tour.

Directions:

Catch the ferry to the Isle of Arran from Ardrossan. The Lochranza Distillery is in the north of the island.
Regular buses operate to fit in with the ferry times. There are three main bus routes covering North Arran, South Arran and the String. Information on buses can be found on the Stagecoach website.

Opening Times:

Visitor Centre 7 days 10am-4.30pm
CASKS Cafe Tues-Sun, 10am-4pm (closed on Mondays) with lunch served 12pm-3pm.
Whisky & Gift Shop 7 days 10am-4.30pm

Facilities:

Visitor centre and shop
Casks Café
Tasting rooms
Parking available

Podcast

We interviewed Andy Bell, Head of Sales for Europe and the Nordics for the Isle of Arran Distillers, in our December 2021 podcast.

Andy tells us about the Lochranza Distillery’s unique history, and the impact its founder had on the wider whisky industry. He compares the processes at Lagg and Lochranza, and tells us about their Project North and South, which brought the two spirits together.

Frequently Asked Questions

What experiences are available at Isle of Arran Distillery?

Isle of Arran Distillery (Lochranza) offers a range of guided whisky experiences including The Distillery Tour, The Arran Malt Experience, The Lochranza Select Tasting, and the Journey Through the Ages Experience. Visitors can explore one of Scotland’s original modern island distilleries, learn about traditional Arran whisky production, and enjoy guided tastings of Arran Single Malt alongside limited editions and cask-strength expressions.

How long does an Isle of Arran Distillery tour take?

Most Isle of Arran Distillery experiences last between 1 hour 15 minutes and 2.5 hours depending on the tour selected. The standard Distillery Tour lasts around 1 hour 15 minutes, while premium experiences such as Journey Through the Ages last up to approximately 2 hours 30 minutes.

Is whisky tasting included at Isle of Arran Distillery?

Yes, whisky tasting is included in all Isle of Arran Distillery experiences. Guests typically enjoy guided tastings of Arran Single Malt, with premium tours offering additional cask-strength drams, limited editions, and samples drawn directly from the warehouse or still house.

Do I need to book Isle of Arran Distillery tours in advance?

Advance booking is strongly recommended for Isle of Arran Distillery tours and tastings, as experiences operate on scheduled times and availability can be limited, particularly during peak travel seasons on the island.

What are the opening hours of Isle of Arran Distillery Visitor Centre?

Isle of Arran Distillery Visitor Centre (Lochranza) is generally open daily from 10am to 4:30pm, with tours and tastings operating at scheduled times throughout the day. The Casks Café typically runs alongside visitor centre hours with last food orders earlier in the afternoon.

Is Isle of Arran Distillery family friendly?

Isle of Arran Distillery is family friendly in visitor areas such as the café, shop and exhibition spaces. However, whisky tours and tastings are intended for adult visitors, with alcohol service restricted to those aged 18 and over. Children may be allowed on certain tours with prior booking conditions depending on the experience.

Is Isle of Arran Distillery accessible?

Isle of Arran Distillery offers accessibility in key visitor areas, including the shop, café and visitor centre. However, some production areas such as the still house include stairs, which may limit access for some visitors.

Is parking available at Isle of Arran Distillery?

Yes, parking is available on-site at Lochranza Distillery, including visitor parking for cars. The distillery is located in the village of Lochranza in the north of the Isle of Arran.

Does Isle of Arran Distillery have a café or shop?

Yes, Isle of Arran Distillery has the Casks Café serving food, coffee, whisky flights and drams, along with a visitor shop offering Arran Single Malt whiskies, gifts and limited editions.

Where is Isle of Arran Distillery located?

Isle of Arran Distillery is located in Lochranza in the north of the Isle of Arran, Scotland (KA27 8HJ), surrounded by mountains, coastline and wildlife, and accessible via ferry from Ardrossan to Brodick and onward travel to Lochranza.

Drone footage and aerial view of the Arran Distillery with thanks to Charlie Gilmour - check out his full website and services at Charlie Gilmour Photography