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The tall stills at Bruichladdich, in black and white.
Isle of Islay

Bruichladdich Distillery

A Victorian distillery on the shore of Loch Indaal making Bruichladdich, Port Charlotte, Octomore and The Botanist gin, with tours from £15.

Welcome

Bruichladdich is a Victorian distillery on the shore of Loch Indaal, in the village of the same name on Islay.

It makes three single malts: the unpeated Bruichladdich, the heavily peated Port Charlotte and the super-heavily peated Octomore. The barley comes in many kinds, including organic and bere, and some of it is grown on Islay. The Botanist gin is distilled here too.

The 90-minute guided tour is the one open to all ages, costs from £15 a person and includes a tasting in the Laddie Shop. For over-18s there is a warehouse tasting of three cask-strength whiskies and a Botanist cocktail class. Booking ahead is advised. The shop sells the malts, the gin and things made by Islay people, and the Loch Indaal Way starts at the distillery and runs to Port Charlotte, with places to picnic along it.

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Arrives at 5am every day.

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The Daily for 30 October, from Scotland with love. Aerial view of a teal-coloured lochan cupped in a forested hollow, a scree slope rising on one side and autumn-tinged pines ringing the shore.
A little further outCaol Ila DistilleryThe distillery on the Sound of Islay near Port Askaig, the Islay Home of Johnnie Walker, with tours from £21 and views to Jura.23 min by roadSee itCaol Ila Distillery
Before you go

Only the guided distillery tour is open to all ages; the other experiences are for over-18s.

Tastings are reserved for over-18s, and drivers are given samples.

Where
Bruichladdich Distillery, Bruichladdich, Isle of Islay PA49 7UN, on the banks of Loch Indaal.
Open
March to October, seven days a week, 9.45am to 5.30pm. November to February, Tuesday to Sunday, 9.45am to 5pm.
Price
Guided distillery tour (90 minutes) from £15 a person; Botanist cocktail class (90 minutes) from £35; warehouse tasting (90 minutes) from £40; the Bruichladdich Experience (150 minutes) from £55.
Booking
Booking ahead is advised, particularly for bigger groups, as places are limited. The distillery tries to accommodate visitors who turn up on the day but cannot guarantee a place. Book on the tours page, at tours@bruichladdich.com or on 01496 850190.
Dogs
Dogs are welcome in the visitor centre. They are not allowed on the distillery tours or warehouse tastings.
Getting there
By air, Islay Airport has flights from Glasgow and is a 30-minute drive from the distillery. By ferry, CalMac sails from Kennacraig to Port Askaig while Port Ellen is closed for upgrades (from 2 June 2026, expected to reopen in 2029).
Food
There is no café or restaurant on site. The Loch Indaal Way starts at the distillery and runs to Port Charlotte, with places to picnic or stop for refreshment with a view.

Opening hours

Monday
9.45am–5pm
Tuesday
9.45am–5pm
Wednesday
9.45am–5pm
Thursday
9.45am–5pm
Friday
9.45am–5pm
Saturday
9.45am–5pm
Sunday
9.45am–5pm

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Where it is

Bruichladdich Distillery, Bruichladdich, Isle of Islay PA49 7UN, on the shore of Loch Indaal.

Close byOn the west shore of Loch Indaal.
  1. Port Charlotte HotelPort Charlotte HotelA small hotel by the beach in Port Charlotte, with sea-view rooms, seafood platters and live music in summer.2 miles 4 min by road
  2. The drive up to An Gleann, a white cottage behind its gate and hedges.An Gleann TabletA cottage confectioner near Port Charlotte making tablet by hand, some of it with Islay and Jura malts.6 miles 11 min by road
  3. The Kilchoman kiln with its pagoda roof beside the farm road.Kilchoman DistilleryIslay's family-run farm distillery at Rockside Farm, making whisky from barley grown in its own fields.7 miles 15 min by road
  4. The dark green hide at Loch Gruinart, set low in the grass.Loch GruinartThe RSPB reserve at the head of Loch Gruinart, where tens of thousands of Greenland geese spend the winter.7 miles 12 min by road
  5. Bowmore DistilleryBowmore DistilleryThe distillery on the shore of Loch Indaal in Bowmore, Islay's oldest, with tours, tastings and a whisky bar.9 miles 13 min by road
  6. BowmoreBowmoreIslay's main town, a planned village of 1768 whose Main Street climbs from the pier to the Round Church.9 miles 13 min by road
Directions
The Harbour Inn and its neighbours by the harbour in Bowmore, the loch beyond.RestaurantsHarbour Inn3.0 miles as the crow flies
The long white building of the Celtic House on the corner, its windows along two streets.ShoppingThe Celtic House3.0 miles as the crow flies
Peatzeria's whitewashed building on Shore Street, Bowmore, with its belfry and pointed windows.RestaurantsPeatzeria3.0 miles as the crow flies
The whitewashed front of the Bowmore Hotel on Jamieson Street, its name across the gable.RestaurantsBowmore Hotel3.1 miles as the crow flies
Surf rolling onto the beach under a wide sky.AttractionsMachir Bay6.3 miles
Waves break over dark rocks and sand under a grey skyAttractionsSaligo Bay7.4 miles
The whitewashed front of An Tigh Seinnse in Portnahaven, its windows and door picked out in red.RestaurantsAn Tigh Seinnse9.2 miles
The white cottages of Portnahaven round the head of the inlet, a small sandy beach below.AttractionsPortnahaven9.3 miles
The lighthouse on Orsay small on the skyline, dark rocks and still water in front.AttractionsRhinns of Islay Lighthouse9.3 miles

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