reading time: 3 minutes
Scotland is home to many haunted distilleries where the spirits are not only found in bottles. Here are some…
Jura Distillery
Craighouse, Isle of Jura, Argyll, Scotland, PA60 7XS
It is said that this Scottish distillery is haunted by two ghosts: an angry old woman and a kind school teacher.
The old woman’s anger, sparked when a local man banned the distilling of whiskey on the island, is said to have led to the founding of the original Jura Distillery in 1810.
Now a bottle is buried on the site of the original distillery to soothe her spirit. The second ghost is kind-hearted schoolteacher Elizabeth Quinn, who seems particularly interested in the well-being of children.
Tomatin Distillery
Inverness, Scotland, IV13 7YT
It is believed that the last wolf in Scotland haunts the grounds of the Tomatin Distillery. This ghost wolf is said to hunt its prey before turning into a blue, smoky cloud.
The distillery commemorated this eerie tale by releasing a special bottling called Cu Bogan, which translates to ‘ghost dog’ in Gaelic.
Bowmore Distillery
School Street, Bowmore, Isle of Islay, Scotland, PA43 7JS
This Islay distillery is known for its whiskey-stealing headless horseman, Lachlan Bàn.
After meeting the horseman, the islanders vowed never to offer an opened bottle of whiskey to guests, for fear of inviting the ghost thief into their home.
In addition, a story circulates about the devil being chased from a nearby round church by distillery workers who caught him trying to steal whiskey barrels.
The Glenrothes Distillery
Rothes, Aberlour, Scotland, AB38 7AA
It is said that a ghost named Byeway haunts this distillery.
The story begins with Major James Grant, the founder of the neighboring Glen Grant Distillery, who brought Byeway from Zimbabwe to Scotland.
Byeway’s ghost reportedly began haunting the distillery after the construction of a new still house disrupted the leylines running through his grave.
Byeway’s mind was finally put to rest by hammering iron rods into the disrupted ley line, redirecting the energy flow back to its normal route.
Now every tasting at the distillery begins with an honorary “toast to the spirit”.
These stories add an intriguing layer to the rich history of Scotch whisky, blending the past with the present in a uniquely captivating way. The next time you enjoy a dram of whisky, think about the spooky stories that come with it.
And as you visit Scotland’s haunted distilleries, it’s worth noting some of the superstitions surrounding Scotch whiskey and drinking it:
Scotch whiskey superstitions
- Whiskey is often referred to as ‘Uisge Beatha’ (pronounced ‘ooski bay’) in Scotland, which translates to ‘the water of life’. It is considered bad luck if you disrespect the drink and drink too much.
- The Angel’s Share is the name given to the amount of whiskey that evaporates during the aging process. The Scots say that this is the part taken by the angels, and it is considered good luck.
- In Scotland, it is considered bad luck to pour a drink while moving your hand back. Always pour your whiskey while moving your hand forward.
- On New Year’s Day, the first person to enter a house after midnight (the “first foot”) must bring a gift of whiskey to bring good luck to the house for the coming year.
- It is considered bad luck if you offer a dram (a small drink of whisky) as this is a sign of hospitality and friendship in Scotland.
Have you experienced something spooky at a haunted whiskey distillery in Scotland? Tell us about it in the comments below!
