Arran is the single malt of the Isle of Arran, made at the Lochranza distillery in the north of the island. One of the first of a new wave of Scottish distilleries when it opened in 1995, Arran has built a strong reputation for its fresh, fruity, unpeated house style and its independent, island spirit.
History of Arran
The Isle of Arran Distillery was founded by former Chivas managing director Harold Currie and began production in 1995, bringing legal distilling back to an island that had once been famous for it — Arran was home to dozens of (often illicit) stills in the 18th and 19th centuries. Built at Lochranza beneath the mountains in the north of the island, it remains proudly independent.
In 2019 the company opened a second distillery, Lagg, in the south of Arran, dedicated to peated whisky — so the island now has two distilleries and a full range of styles.
The whisky
Arran’s signature style is bright, fruity and approachable, typically matured in a mix of bourbon and sherry casks. The range usually includes:
- Arran 10 Year Old — the fresh, citrus-and-vanilla flagship.
- Arran 14 and 18 Year Old — richer and more sherried with age.
- Arran Sherry Cask (“The Bodega”) — a full-bodied, cask-strength sherry bomb.
- Machrie Moor — a peated expression for those wanting island smoke.
Arran also produces the popular Arran Gold cream liqueur. Classified among Scotland’s island malts, it is an excellent introduction to the style — see our guide to the best whisky distilleries to visit and our overview of Scotch whisky regions.
Visiting the Arran Distillery
The Lochranza visitor centre is one of the most scenic in Scotland, set beneath the hills where golden eagles are often seen. It offers guided tours, tastings and a good café and shop; the newer Lagg distillery in the south also welcomes visitors. Tours are best booked ahead in summer.
How to get to Arran
The Isle of Arran is reached by CalMac ferry from Ardrossan on the Ayrshire coast to Brodick (about 55 minutes), with Ardrossan easily reached by train from Glasgow. In summer a second ferry links Claonaig on Kintyre with Lochranza, right by the distillery. It is a very doable car-free trip — see Scotland without a car.
Tips for visiting
- Book the ferry and tours ahead in summer.
- Combine both distilleries — Lochranza (unpeated) in the north and Lagg (peated) in the south.
- Watch for eagles above Lochranza while you visit.
- Make a trip of it — Arran is “Scotland in Miniature” with mountains, castles and beaches.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Arran Distillery?
At Lochranza in the north of the Isle of Arran, off Scotland’s west coast, with a second distillery (Lagg) in the south.
Is Arran whisky peated?
The main Arran range is unpeated and fruity; peated whisky is made under the Machrie Moor label and at the Lagg distillery.
Who owns the Arran Distillery?
It is independently owned by Isle of Arran Distillers, founded by Harold Currie in the 1990s.
Can you visit the Arran Distillery?
Yes — the Lochranza visitor centre offers tours, tastings, a café and shop; the Lagg distillery also welcomes visitors.
