Hidden Scotland
Sign in
The stone buildings and pagoda-roofed kiln of Glencadam Distillery, Brechin.
Angus

Glencadam Distillery

A distillery in Brechin since 1825, which opened a visitor centre with tours, tastings, a cafe and a whisky bar for its two hundredth year.

Visit website
Welcome

On the edge of Brechin, a cluster of old stone buildings topped by a pagoda-roofed kiln has been making whisky since 1825, one of the oldest distilleries in the Highlands still at work.

For most of its two centuries Glencadam kept its doors closed to visitors; in November 2025, to mark its two hundredth year, it opened a visitor centre.

Tours lead through the production site, from the mash tun to the stills, and into an old dunnage warehouse where the casks lie on earth floors in the half-dark, before a tasting of three of the distillery's single malts. The centre has a whisky lounge, a cafe open to everyone and a shop.

It opens every day, and tours are best booked ahead. The steam trains of the Caledonian Railway leave from the station just along the road.

Close byCaledonian RailwayA heritage railway from Brechin to the Bridge of Dun.2 min by roadSee itThe green and cream station building of the Caledonian Railway at Brechin.
Before you go

The visitor centre, cafe and whisky bar open every day; tours are booked ahead.

Where
Park Road, Brechin DD9 7PA.
Founded
1825.
Where it is

On the edge of Brechin, by the Caledonian Railway's station.

Close byBrechin.
  1. Church nave with wooden pews facing a stained glass window and organ pipesBrechin CathedralA cathedral with a round tower of about 1100.Under a mile4 min by road
  2. The River South Esk running clear over rocks between wooded banks.River South Esk1 mile4 min by road
  3. Green sign reading "Garden Centre Coffee Shop" above a shop entrance with £1 pounder displaysBrechin Castle CentreA garden centre, coffee shop and seventy-acre country park at Haughmuir on the edge of Brechin, open every day.2 miles6 min by road
  4. Bridge of DunBridge of DunA three-arched stone bridge of 1787 over the River South Esk near Montrose Basin, rebuilt after Storm Babet damaged it in 2023.5 miles12 min by road
  5. Sandstone mansion with columned entrance, chimneys and flag against a cloudy skyHouse of DunWilliam Adam's house of the 1730s by Montrose Basin.5 miles11 min by road
Directions
The green and cream station building of the Caledonian Railway at Brechin.AttractionsCaledonian Railway0.5 miles
Sinclair's Larder's purple shopfront and planted terrace on Edzell High Street.RestaurantsSinclair’s Larder5.6 miles
The Aberlemno serpent stone, a leaning slab carved with a serpent and symbols.AttractionsAberlemno Pictish Stones6.5 miles
Edzell Castle's red ruin and its walled garden seen from the air.AttractionsEdzell Castle6.8 miles
Rusted boat rests beneath the brick arches of a river viaductAttractionsMontrose Basin6.8 miles
The North Esk tumbling through its wooded gorge among autumn leaves.WalksEdzell Blue Door Walk6.9 miles
Walker in yellow coat balances on frosty rocks beside a riverAttractionsRiver North Esk7.2 miles
RAF Tornado ZD744 stored in a hangar with squadron crests on the wallAttractionsMontrose Air Station Museum8.3 miles
Tables and shelves of books in Ink & Quill, Montrose.ShoppingInk & Quill Bookshop8.5 miles
Stay nearby

Places to stay near the distillery, and when each is next free.

Timber cabin with metal roof and decking surrounded by woodland treesNorth Lodge and River Cabin
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Banchory
  • 16 miles from Glencadam
Free 11–13 NovA stone farmhouse covered in climbing ivy stands behind a gravel drive, seen through overhanging pine branches.Cuttieshillock
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Strachan
  • 16 miles from Glencadam
Free 16–18 OctA stone cottage with dormer windows sits behind a low blue gate, a rose-covered archway framing the front door.Gamekeeper’s Cottage
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Strachan
  • 16 miles from Glencadam
Free 2–4 NovA stone steading with a slated pyramid roof and a chimney stands behind a green nameplate sign, a chair visible through the window.No 2 Steading Cottage at Glendye
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Strachan
  • 16 miles from Glencadam
Free 18–20 OctPlaces to stayEvery stay in AngusAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
Hidden Scotland, the magazine

Scotland, in print.

Every photograph commissioned, every word written by somebody who went. Printed twice a year, made in Scotland.

Get Issue 13Read it here
Find out more

For further reading, before you go.