To celebrate Scottish Whisky Month, Annandale Distillery, an independent whisky distillery in the south of Scotland, is opening its doors to whisky fans and offering an opportunity to go behind the scenes and become a distiller for a day.
The two night stay is available on Airbnb for a limited time this summer as part of a new campaign to encourage people to visit the Scottish Lowlands. It offers guests the chance to sleep in cottages next to the distillery site and get ‘hands-on’ learning the fundamentals of whisky distilling.
Guests will get to participate in each stage of the process from meeting the malt delivery, to milling and mashing the barley, fermentation, firing up the stills and filling the casks. They’ll also be taken for a whisky tasting and evening meal at The Globe Inn, Dumfries. Each guest will check out from their stay with a bottle of Annandale’s Single Malt Scotch Whisky and armed with their newfound knowledge about the work and dedication that goes into making it.
While the focus is often on the Highlands when it comes to Scottish whisky, aficionados know southern Scotland should not be overlooked in the pursuit of a good dram. Annandale Distillery was first established in 1836 and ‘reborn’ in 2014. It has been restored by new owners David Thomson and Teresa Church and now produces Single Malt Whisky and Blends.
The stay at Annandale showcases one the region’s finest exports, and David and Teresa anticipate it to be a real draw to the area for whisky fans.
David Thomson & Teresa Church, owners of Annandale Distillery, said: “One of the principal reasons why we decided to restore Annandale Distillery was our burning desire to re-introduce Scotch Whisky production to Southern Scotland, based on the conviction that this region of Scotland has everything required, but most especially the climate and the abundance of water, to produce first class Single Malts.
“This stay on Airbnb gives us the chance to involve guests behind the scenes and show them that the Scotch Whisky produced at Annandale is more than a product, it’s a labour of love! Enticing visitors to our part of Scotland is not only good for us but also for other local businesses.”
This stay is part of a wider campaign from Airbnb to champion tourism in the Scottish Lowlands and support local businesses in the area, spotlighting some of what the region has to offer.
VisitScotland Regional Leadership Director Paula Ward said: “Scotland is full of unforgettable experiences and it is fantastic to see Annandale Distillery feature as part of this new Airbnb campaign to encourage people to visit the Scottish lowlands. We know that many visitors are looking for something special, an authentic experience that they won’t get elsewhere and this experience at Annandale Distillery offers to do just that.
“Businesses right across the Scottish lowlands look set to benefit from the increased awareness of the region as part of this campaign. Encouraging visitors to stay longer, visit all year round and explore more of what our country has to offer will be crucial as we focus on the recovery of the industry from the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Tourism is a force for good – creating economic and social value in every corner of Scotland and enhancing the wellbeing of everyone who experiences it.”
