WHEN John Begg established his distillery in 1845, he could hardly have found a more beautiful or auspicious setting. The crystal streams of the Lochnagar mountain above gave him clear, sweet water. The fall of the Dee valley below provided his golden barley grain. Importantly, too, the ROYAL PALACE of BALMORAL lay but a step away down the road.
At John Begg's invitation Queen VICTORIA visited her local distillery bringing Prince Albert and her two princely sons. The Queen and Prince Albert tasted the Fine malt whisky which found a very royal approval.

Tiny though the distillery is, you and your family will find it well worth a visit. Its intimate size allows you to follow clearly the age-old process whereby highland water and malted barley are transformed into one of the world's most sought after spirits a tour of discovery that is as educational as it is enjoyable.
Through the fragrant mash house to the vast fermentation vessles and on into the impressive still house, where the elegant copper stills gleam brightly - then finally, into the brass spirit safe where you can see the new, young spirit, still in its raw state, flowing from the stills throughout we will guide and inform you.
Finally, join us in the old malt kiln next to hundreds of oaken casks in which the spirit lies maturing, to taste the fruits of our labours in a glass of ROYAL LOCHNAGAR SINGLE Highland MALT SCOTCH WHISKY.
It is a day that you will remember, with special exhibitions, a fine, new Visitors' centre, a special exhibition of Queen Victoria's visit, an illicit still hidden away in a cave and the opportunity to relax in our coffee shop or browse in the gift shop, all set in the natural outstanding beauty of ROYAL DEESIDE.

OPENING TIMES:-

Easter to October, Monday to Saturday, 10am - 5pm. Sunday 11am - 4pm.

November - Easter, Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm.

NOTE:- At various time of the year and at weekends the Distillery is not in production though visitors are still welcome and tours are provided.
Coach parties by appointment only.
Children under 8 years are welcome but are not encouraged to take the tour.
Charged admission.

How to get there:-

The Distillery is situated on the south side of the River Dee, just off the B976 road between Crathie and Ballater, both of which are located on the A93 road approximately 50 miles west of Aberdeen.

Royal Lochnagar Distillery, Crathie, Deeside, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Tel:- 44 (0) 13397 42273.

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