The spirit of dreams
Welcome to GlenWyvis. Our sustainable, community-owned distillery makes the finest Highland single malt whisky and GoodWill craft gin.
-
-
Built on history. Powered by nature
GlenWyvis is a pioneer of sustainable distilling; wind, hydro, solar and biomass energy power our operations.
-
Owned by all
Uniting the community of Dingwall through the creation of a distillery owned, in-part, by local people.
-
Crafted to unite. Made to share.
Our perfectly blended gin has been created to appeal to individuals and communities alike. Savour it, live in the now, and share the moments that matter.
Our unique story
Nestled beneath the sprawling mass of Ben Wyvis mountain in the Scottish Highlands, GlenWyvis Distillery was established in 2015. But the story doesn’t start there.
The roots of distilling in the Dingwall area go back to 1690 and through trials and tribulations, to adventures and risk, GlenWyvis was born. Find out more about our story …
Read the full story
Plans for Glenskiach Distillery
Join our community
By investing in the distillery, you become an equal owner of it. It becomes your distillery. And we’re democratic. No matter how many shares you buy, you have an equal vote and an equal say in the distillery’s future.
Find out more.Timeline
-
1690
Across the Cromarty Firth from Dingwall, the famous Ferintosh Privilege is granted to local landowner Duncan Forbes. He is allowed to distil whisky on his land duty-free.
-
1784
The Ferintosh Privilege is revoked, ending almost 100 years of mass whisky production on the Black Isle. Robert Burns laments ‘Thee, Ferintosh! O sadly lost! Scotland lament frae coast to coast!’
-
1879
Dingwall ironmonger, agricultural merchant and town Baillie D.G. Ross builds Ben Wyvis Distillery. It takes 90 men nine months to blast away the Dingwall hillside to make way for the site.
-
1896
Glenskiach Distillery opens in Evanton, a few miles north of Dingwall. The distillery was designed by famous distillery architect of the Victorian age, Charles Doig.
-
1926
As a result of global economic depression, both Ben Wyvis and Glenskiach distilleries close. Glenskiach is soon demolished, however Ben Wyvis remains standing until the 1990s.
-
1965
Invergordon Distillery starts distilling Ben Wyvis single malt whisky within its grain distillery complex. Most of the single malt goes into blended whiskies.
-
1973
A crash in the US economy impacts the Scottish whisky industry and Invergordon ceases production of Ben Wyvis. The stills are later repurposed by Glengyle Distillery in Campbelltown.
-
2015
GlenWyvis Distillery in Dingwall is established. Founder John Mckenzie was inspired by the area’s rich whisky history, and embarks upon raising local support for the project.
-
2016
GlenWyvis launches its first share offer, which raises £2.6 million in 77 days. 2,200 people invest in the project, breaking records and making national headlines. Construction of the distillery begins.
-
2017
GlenWyvis opens its second share offer, and 1,000 more people invest in the project. The distillery build is finished in November, and Duncan Tait joins the team as Distillery Manager.
-
2018
GlenWyvis Distillery starts both whisky and gin production. GlenWyvis Whisky is laid down in casks, and GoodWill Gin enters the market.
