Did you know
Vintages, not ages.
Balblair releases its whiskies as vintages, named for the year they were distilled.
Easter Ross
Balblair Distillery
A distillery at Edderton on the Dornoch Firth, making whisky since 1790 and released as vintages, with tours of its stone buildings and banded red-brick chimney.
Welcome
At Edderton, on the south shore of the Dornoch Firth, stands one of the oldest working distilleries in Scotland.
Visited and photographed by Simon Hird
John Ross founded Balblair in 1790, and apart from a pause in the Second World War it has been making whisky ever since. In 1894 it was rebuilt a little way off to be nearer the new railway station, but it still draws its water from the same burn as the first distillery.
The buildings are of warm, pink-grey stone, with a tall red-brick chimney banded in black, and a copper still stands outside the reception behind a row of barrels spelling out the name. Balblair released its whisky as vintages, named for the year it was distilled, until 2019, when it moved to age statements.
The tours follow the whole process from start to finish and end with a tasting; book ahead. The distillery opens Monday to Saturday, with the firth below.
Before you go
Open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm.
Tours and tastings are best booked ahead through the distillery's own site.
- Where
- Edderton, near Tain, on the Dornoch Firth.
- Hours
- Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm.
- Since
- 1790.
Opening hours
- Monday
- 10am–4.30pm
- Tuesday
- 10am–4.30pm
- Wednesday
- 10am–4.30pm
- Thursday
- 10am–4.30pm
- Friday
- 10am–4.30pm
- Saturday
- Closed
- Sunday
- Closed
Been here? Tell others what you know, and the best go on this page with your name.
Add your reviewDid you know
Did you know
Moved for the railway.
In 1894 the distillery was rebuilt to be closer to Edderton station.
Hidden Scotland
From our guide to Easter Ross
John Ross founded Balblair at Edderton in 1790, which makes it one of the oldest working distilleries in Scotland. In 1894 it was rebuilt a short way off to be near the new railway, and it still draws water from its original burn. The buildings are of warm pink-grey stone under a tall banded chimney, with the Dornoch Firth spread out in front. Film fans may know it from Ken Loach's The Angels' Share, which set its whisky auction here. Tours follow the whole process and end with a tasting. Book ahead.
Read moreHidden Scotland
From our guide to Ross and Cromarty
At Edderton, on the south shore of the Dornoch Firth, Balblair has been making whisky since John Ross founded it in 1790. It moved a short way in 1894 to be nearer the new railway, but it still draws its water from the same burn. The buildings are of warm pink-grey stone, with a tall red-brick chimney banded in black and a copper still standing outside. Tours follow the whole process and end with a tasting, so book ahead. Afterwards, call at the Clach Biorach, a tall Pictish standing stone in a field just along the road.
Read moreWhat is on
What is new across Easter Ross, day by day.
New places, news and stories, as we find them.
What is on in Easter RossWhere it is
At Edderton, off the A836 west of Tain, near the Dornoch Firth.
Close byTain.
Clach BiorachA Pictish symbol stone in the field nearby.Under a mile 2 min by road
Struie Hill ViewpointThe lay-by on the B9176 over Struie Hill known as the Million Dollar View, looking down over the Dornoch Firth and the Kyle of Sutherland.2 miles 5 min by road
Carnegie Links at Skibo CastleThe 18-hole championship links of the private Carnegie Club at Skibo Castle, on the Dornoch Firth.3 miles as the crow flies
Glenmorangie DistilleryTall stills by the firth at Tain.4 miles 7 min by road
Greens Restaurant5 miles 9 min by road
Tain MuseumSt Duthac and the pilgrims in Tain.6 miles 9 min by road
The Daily
Arrives at 5am every day.
A free morning email to see what’s on this week, catch up on what’s happening in Scotland and find somewhere new to go.
Stay nearby
Places to stay near the distillery, and when each is next free.
Hidden Scotland, the magazine
Scotland, in print.
We want to show you the best that Scotland has to offer. The makers and the creatives, the enduring experiences, the evocative tales, the concealed corners. The roads less travelled that take you to places that matter. The adventures that gather you up and sweep you away. The blend of the wild and the artistic that makes Scotland what it is. We’d love for you to join us.
Read on
The collections it is in and more in Easter Ross.
Find out more
For further reading, before you go. The details on this page were checked on .
- BalblairThe whisky and the tours.balblair.comOfficial↗
- Visiting BalblairIts history and a visit.traveldistilled.comTravel Distilled↗
- GlenmorangieThe distillery near Tain.undiscoveredscotland.co.ukUndiscovered Scotland↗
- Clach BiorachThe Pictish stone at Edderton.her.highland.gov.ukHighland Historic Environment Record↗