Strathisla Distillery, Speyside
Strathisla Distillery is one of the oldest commercial distilleries in Scotland, and is also one of the most interesting and picturesque. Restoration work was commissioned by the Chivas Brothers, led by Simpson & Brown in partnership with Acanthus colleagues Douglas Forrest Architects and Law Dunbar Nasmith.
The buildings were carefully repaired and restored, the offices relocated and a new visitor area created. The tour at Strathisla is designed to be self-guided and visitors are encouraged to talk to the distillery workers. The dramming room and shop recreate the Victorian appearance of the Chivas Brothers' shop in Aberdeen. Linn House, a nearby former mill owner's dwelling which had become derelict, was restored to provide a traditional style Board Room and Retiring Room for buyers and agents of the whisky industry.
