Hidden Scotland
Sign in
Kilchoman's white distillery buildings in the fields below the hills.
Isle of Islay

Kilchoman Distillery

Islay's family-run farm distillery at Rockside Farm, making whisky from barley grown in its own fields.

Welcome

Kilchoman is Islay's farm distillery, family-run and independent, set among the fields of Rockside Farm in the west of the island.

Anthony and Kathy Wills founded it in 2005, the first new distillery built on Islay in more than 124 years, and it is the only one on the island to make its whisky entirely on site, from barley grown on the farm through floor malting, peating, distilling and ageing to bottling. Barley is sown in spring, once Islay's 50,000 geese have flown, and cut in early September, and the stills are the smallest on Islay.

Tours and tastings run through the year; book them through the distillery's website. The café serves light lunches, home baking, tea and coffee, and Machir Bay is close by for a walk on the sand afterwards. The distillery is open Sunday to Thursday, 9.30am to 5pm.

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.

The Daily for 13 November, from Scotland with love. A waterfall tumbles over mossy rocks into a woodland pool, autumn leaves scattered on the water.
Not farCaol 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.13 milesSee itCaol Ila Distillery

Before you go

Open Sunday to Thursday, 9.30am to 5pm; closed on Fridays and Saturdays.

Book tours and tastings through the website or on 01496 850011. Drivers are offered their dram to take away.

Getting there
CalMac’s ferry from Kennacraig sails to Port Askaig while Port Ellen is closed for upgrades (from 2 June 2026, expected to reopen in 2029); Port Askaig is about 20.8 miles from Port Ellen. Or fly from Glasgow to Islay Airport.
Hours
Sun to Thu, 9.30am to 5pm.
Café
Lunches and home baking.

Opening hours

Monday
9.30am–5pm
Tuesday
9.30am–5pm
Wednesday
9.30am–5pm
Thursday
9.30am–5pm
Friday
Closed
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
9.30am–5pm

Been here? Tell others what you know, and the best go on this page with your name.

Add your review

Where it is

Rockside Farm, Bruichladdich, Isle of Islay, PA49 7UT.

Close byIn the west of Islay, near Machir Bay.
  1. Surf rolling onto the beach under a wide sky.Machir BayA long Atlantic beach of pale sand below the dunes at Kilchoman on Islay, overlooked by the Otranto war graves.1 mile 6 min by road
  2. Saligo BaySaligo BayA west-coast bay of sand and rocks, known for its light, with the Sleeping Giant rock formation to the north.3 miles 8 min by road
  3. The dark green hide at Loch Gruinart, set low in the grass.Loch GruinartThe RSPB reserve at the head of Loch Gruinart, winter home to as many as 24,000 geese, with a visitor centre, hides and trails.6 miles 14 min by road
  4. Bruichladdich DistilleryBruichladdich DistilleryA Victorian distillery on Loch Indaal making Bruichladdich, Port Charlotte, Octomore and The Botanist gin.6 miles 14 min by road
  5. Port Charlotte HotelPort Charlotte HotelA small hotel by the beach in Port Charlotte, with sea-view rooms, seafood platters and live music in summer.8 miles 17 min by road
  6. Bowmore DistilleryBowmore DistilleryThe distillery on the shore of Loch Indaal in the middle of Bowmore, with tours, tastings and a whisky bar.12 miles 23 min by road
Directions
Ruined stone chapel with gabled walls surrounded by weathered gravestones and a Celtic crossAttractionsKilnave Chapel and Cross8.5 miles
Peatzeria's whitewashed building on Shore Street, Bowmore, with its belfry and pointed windows.RestaurantsPeatzeria12 miles
The Harbour Inn and its neighbours by the harbour in Bowmore, the loch beyond.RestaurantsHarbour Inn12 miles
The long white building of the Celtic House on the corner, its windows along two streets.ShoppingThe Celtic House12 miles
Bowmore, Isle of IslayAttractionsBowmore12 miles
The whitewashed front of the Bowmore Hotel on Jamieson Street, its name across the gable.RestaurantsBowmore Hotel12 miles
The drive up to An Gleann, a white cottage behind its gate and hedges.ShoppingAn Gleann Tablet12 miles
The whitewashed front of An Tigh Seinnse in Portnahaven, its windows and door picked out in red.RestaurantsAn Tigh Seinnse15 miles
The white cottages of Portnahaven round the head of the inlet, a small sandy beach below.AttractionsPortnahaven15 miles

Recommend to a friend

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.

Get Issue 13Read it here

Read on

The collections it is in and more on Islay.

CollectionDistilleries to visit in Scotland
More on Islay

Find out more

For further reading, before you go. The details on this page were checked on .