The beautiful Isle of Skye is adored for many things, including its fairy pools and white coral beaches, historic castles and incredible wildlife. It also happens to be famed for its superb distilleries which reside amongst jaw-dropping landscapes. Harnessing the natural elements needed to produce the finest whiskies in Scotland, these artisanal distilleries bottle the essence of the island’s mountain springs, peat and cool climate for the perfect recipe for success.
Whether you like yours smoky and spiced, rich and peaty, or light and floral, the Isle of Skye’s collection of whiskies offers something for every palate. Embodying a true spirit of the island, we’ve collated a list of the best whisky distilleries to visit on Skye, as well as some added bonuses. And, if you can’t decide who’s going to drive, you can team up with local experts including Skye Distillery Tours for a guided distillery tour.
Talisker Distillery
One of the most famous whisky producers in the UK and the oldest distillery on Skye, Talisker Distillery is a must-visit for its liquid sunshine. Lying on the shores of Loch Harport in the village of Carbost, it boasts wonderful views over the Cuillin mountains and awaits with a popular visitor centre. Inside, handsome open spaces with a large ceiling dome painted with seascapes and a circular wood burning stove surrounded by blanket-draped seating set the scene. Permeated with cool, rustic-meets-contemporary styling, its bar and lounge reflect the spirit of the island, a soulfulness that is intrinsically intertwined with the whisky itself.
Perfecting its craft for nearly two hundred years, the distillery produces a sweet, full-bodied single malt that, according to the distillery, is “inherently shaped by the sea and landscape” of Skye. To learn about the distillery’s history, glimpse behind the scenes and taste its signature malt for yourself, head over for one of its tours. With a number of choices, you can opt for a thirty minute immersive ‘Made by the Sea’ tasting experience, one hour Talisker Distillery tour, or hour and a half Talisker cask draw and tasting experience. If you’re feeling like stretching your legs, you can also enjoy a wonderful walk at nearby Talisker Bay, one of our favourite walks in Skye.
Torabhaig Distillery
The second ever licensed single malt scotch whisky distillery in the history of Skye, Torabhaig is a relative newcomer to the island. Set within a two hundred year old fully restored farmstead (built from the stone of an ancient castle), Torabhaig first opened its doors in 2017 after an extensive restoration project. Fed by two nearby burns and taking inspiration from the landscapes that surround it, this fresh-faced distillery has already made a tangible mark on the island and creates whisky that’s a true expression of Skye.
If you would like to see the distillery for yourself and sample its flavourful creations, head over to take part in a guided tour and visit its shop. Depending on your tastes, you can book onto a regular distillery tour for a forty-five minute introduction, learning about the building’s history and the work and environment of the distillery today; or, for something a little sweeter, you can sign up for the hour long whisky and chocolate pairing tour, which promises the chance to sample delicious handmade chocolates alongside their perfect whisky partners.
Praban Na Linne
Found on the Sleat Peninsula between Torabhaig Distillery and the island’s famous Gaelic college (Sabhal Mòr Ostaig) is Praban Na Linne. A Gaelic whisky company on the Isle of Skye, Praban Na Linne was originally founded in 1976 and has developed a small and carefully curated range of whiskies that reflect the language, culture and heritage of Scottish Gaelic. Having gained international attention and recognition amongst whisky connoisseurs, its unique beverages are founded on the premise that, simply, “whisky tastes better in Gaelic”.
To visit Praban Na Linne (which means a “small smugglers’ enterprise on the Sound of Sleat”), you can visit its base at Eilean Iarmain overlooking the island of Ornsay and reserve a place on a guided tasting session. With something for everyone, it produces three whiskies including a twenty-one, twelve, and eight year old malt whisky, as well as limited special editions. For added choice, it also produces small batch, copper-distilled Gaelic gin. Distilled in copper pots originally used to make illicit whisky, these gins are full of character and taste. Savour time sampling each artisan batch and bundle up your favourite bottles to take back to your Boutique abode.
Raasay Distillery
Raasay Distillery isn’t located on the Isle of Skye itself, but at just a short twenty-five minute ferry ride away, it’s pretty close. The first legal distillery to open on the small Hebridean island of Raasay (only reachable via Skye), this secluded distillery opened in 2017 and is one of the most remote in the UK. Naturally, for wilderness seekers and whisky fans alike, it’s a magnetic destination that promises all kinds of intrigue. Not to mention, spectacular views as well.
Using water from a Celtic well deep beneath the distillery, the distillery’s aim is to create the highest quality Hebridean single malt Scotch whisky and create an unrivalled whisky destination in Scotland. Already turning heads, its signature tipple, Isle of Raasay Whisky, balances light, peaty hints with dark fruit undertones for a flavour inspired by the rich landscapes of the Hebrides. The distillery also makes a zesty dry gin too, using juniper berries harvested from the island. Look forward to a distillery tour with a local expert, before stopping off for a meal in the loch-view restaurant with views over the stunning Cuillins.
Isle of Skye Distillers
If you are looking to continue your distillery discovery on the Isle of Skye, one of the top places to visit is the Isle of Skye Distillers in Portree. The home of the famous Misty Isle gin, this gin distillery is located within the grounds of a family estate and features a well-stocked shop and gin school for you to visit. Providing an especially captivating experience, the three-hour gin making lessons are led by the team’s inhouse experts and teach you all about how different ingredients interact with each other so that you can make your very own gin to take away with you.
Feeling inspired to sample delicious island tipples? Take a look at our luxury cottages in Skye.
