Travel: A flavour of Scottish history

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The revitalisation of the Annandale Distillery after a 100-year hiatus, and its subsequent transformation into state-of-the-art whisky distillery and a five-star VisitScotland tourist attraction, is Dumfries and Galloway’s most remarkable tourism success story.

First established in 1830 by former excise man George Donald, the site was originally chosen for its abundant supply of fresh, clean water – one of the essential components of whisky, and perfect for powering the mill to grind the grain needed.

The area was also rich in peat for firing the kiln where the barley is dried, while the damp and mild climate proved essential for the maturation of the whisky. One of the first “legal distilleries” in Scotland, the Annandale was bought by Johnnie Walker in 1893 and it is believed that the famous brand used it as a source of peated whisky to use in its blended whiskies.

Production at the distillery ceased shortly after the end of the First World War. The once-plentiful resources that had made the distillery such an attractive proposition had begun to dwindle, and the rise of post-war temperance movements resulted in a dramatic downturn in the global demand for whisky.

With the distillery equipment removed, the building was used for farming, and consequently quite well preserved until it was bought by Professor David Thomson and Teresa Church in 2007, who began an extensive £17.5 million restoration project to convert it into a fully functional distillery again.

Finally re-opening with a purpose-built information centre in 2015, now the Annandale Distillery offers visitors the opportunity to get up close with the whisky making process from mashing to maturation.

The distillery has three tours daily which allow visitors to try the array of whiskies on offer while the science behind the flavours ensures that there’s something for the whole family to appreciate.

Admission is free for under-12s, while those aged 12 to 17 can take part in a tour for only £5. The “Classic” access all areas tour lasts an hour, allowing you to taste four single cask and single malt whiskies.

Annandale also offers a Whisky Tasting Masterclass which showcases up to five whiskies chosen by the distillery’s resident expert and is ideal for any enthusiast looking to deepen their knowledge of the “water of life”.

And for the real enthusiasts there is now the Annandale Distillery 1836 Tour, an immersive two-hour experience that delves into the history and previously restricted areas of the distillery and offers a comprehensive journey through time with plenty of tasting opportunities.

There’s also a welcome chance to grab a bite to eat – or even an award-winning afternoon tea – at the dog-friendly Maltings Coffee Shop. Once the original “maltings floor” of the distillery, the café is fully licensed and offers Scottish craft beers and ciders as well as the full range of Annandale’s whisky bottlings which are only available there and at the historic Globe Inn in Dumfries, which was also acquired and restored by David and Teresa, in 2018.

The distillery’s tours and café have proved exceptionally popular with visitors and locals alike, while its whiskies are now enjoyed all over the world. There are a number of whiskies with one to suit every pocket and palate – including  STORYMAN, the premium blend Scotch whisky created in association with Scottish acting legend James Cosmo.

Annandale also produces two signature single malts, the peated Man o’Sword, which also celebrates Robert the Bruce, and an unpeated Man o’Words, in honour of Scotland’s bard, Robert Burns.