Mispronounced Scotch Whisky Names: 17 Whiskies often misread, Gaelic meaning and pronunciation explained

Scotch whisky is celebrated worldwide but many don’t know that this ‘water of life’ originates from ancient Scottish distilleries that have their names rooted in Gaelic.

By Thomas Mackay

Published 17th Feb 2023, 12:41 GMT

Updated 27th Jul 2023, 10:21 GMT

Mispronunciation in Scotland is nothing new, Scottish place names often challenge tourists as our heritage of Gaelic, Norse and Pictish (amid other languages) leads to some unique titles.

However, for uisge beatha (Scottish Gaelic for whisky or “water of life”) it may come as a surprise to some how unfamiliar many are with their pronunciations as it is one of Scotland’s biggest exports.

The Scotch Whisky Association said that “there are 53 bottles of Scotch Whisky exported every second to markets all over the world”. As Scotch Whisky distillery names are linked to Gaelic (which you’re familiar with as some English words are derived from Gaelic) it complicates things for English speakers as a Celtic language.

From the Scottish Highlands to the Lowlands, here are 17 of Scotland’s most famous distilleries, their meaning in Gaelic and how to pronounce their names today.

Lagavulin Distillery is located at Laguvulin Bay on the island of Islay and was founded in 1816. Its name is an anglicisation of the Gaelic lag a’mhuilin which means ‘hollow by the mill’. To pronounce its name say “lagga-voolin”.

1. Lagavulin (Islay)

Lagavulin Distillery is located at Laguvulin Bay on the island of Islay and was founded in 1816. Its name is an anglicisation of the Gaelic lag a’mhuilin which means ‘hollow by the mill’. To pronounce its name say “lagga-voolin”. Photo: larsomat via Flickr

AnCnoc Distillery is situated in Knock, Banffshire, and was founded in 1894. Originally known as Knocdu (“knock-doo”) this is translated from the Gaelic ‘Cnoc Dubh’ which means ‘black hill’. It later became AnCnoc which simply means ‘the hill’.

2. AnCnoc/Knockdu (Knock)

AnCnoc Distillery is situated in Knock, Banffshire, and was founded in 1894. Originally known as Knocdu (“knock-doo”) this is translated from the Gaelic ‘Cnoc Dubh’ which means ‘black hill’. It later became AnCnoc which simply means ‘the hill’. Photo: Submitted

Laphroaig distillery (founded in 1815) is located on the south coast of the Isle of Islay. The Gaelic behind its name means ‘the beautiful hollow by the broad bay’ although it has also been associated with the Norse “breid-vik” which means broad bay. You pronounce its name like “la-froyg”.

3. Laphroaig (Islay)

Laphroaig distillery (founded in 1815) is located on the south coast of the Isle of Islay. The Gaelic behind its name means ‘the beautiful hollow by the broad bay’ although it has also been associated with the Norse “breid-vik” which means broad bay. You pronounce its name like “la-froyg”. Photo: sashafatcat on Flickr

Tomintoul Distillery can be found at the Glenlivet estate, it is named after the highest village in the Highlands (Tomintoul) and was founded in 1964. The Gaelic translation of its name means ‘The Hill of the Barn' (Tom an t-Sabhail) and you pronounce it like “tom-in-towel”.

4. Tomintoul (Speyside)

Tomintoul Distillery can be found at the Glenlivet estate, it is named after the highest village in the Highlands (Tomintoul) and was founded in 1964. The Gaelic translation of its name means ‘The Hill of the Barn' (Tom an t-Sabhail) and you pronounce it like “tom-in-towel”. Photo: Submitted