Reviving Tradition with a Sustainable Heart
Set against the striking backdrop of Ben Wyvis in the Scottish Highlands, GlenWyvis Distillery stands as a symbol of community spirit and heritage reborn. Founded in 2015, it proudly became the world’s first distillery entirely owned by the community, bringing together over 3,000 investors with a shared passion.
Sustainability drives everything we do — our distillery is powered by renewable energy sources including wind, hydro, solar, and biomass. Blending time-honoured craft with forward-thinking innovation, we produce outstanding whisky while safeguarding the beauty of the Highlands for generations to come.
The GlenWyvis Timeline
Discover the key moments that shaped our journey from vision to reality.
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 Campbeltown.
2015
GlenWyvis Distillery in Dingwall is established. The idea was inspired by the area’s rich whisky history, and the team embarked 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.
2019
With over 500 casks now resting onsite at GlenWyvis, a bottling of New Make Spirit is released to give a flavour of things to come.
Our Team
Meet the passionate people behind our craft and community spirit.
Volunteer Directors
Meet the passionate people behind our craft and community spirit.
He sees GlenWyvis Distillery producing an acclaimed product, and being a role model for other businesses that understand the importance of looking after their people, communities and planet within the setting of a profitable and sustainable business.
Committee Members and Volunteers
Meet the passionate people behind our craft and community spirit.
Join Our Community & Get 10% Off Your 1st Order Online
Nestled beneath the sprawling mass of Ben Wyvis mountain in the Scottish Highlands, GlenWyvis Distillery was established in 2015. The idea was to unite the community of Dingwall through the creation of a distillery owned by local people.
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