Distillery Mysteries: Haunted Places in Scotland
Scotland is home to some of the best spirits – and, for once, we aren’t just referring to the golden nectar. Whisky lovers have a different understanding of what a ghost distillery is, with the term used to describe distilleries which have long since disappeared from productive life but whose whiskies still exist in one form or another, like Brora, which had something of a resurrection in 2021. But, according to some, one might actually find a ghost or two in live distilleries operating today.
Forget flights to Salem and leave the Day of the Dead for Mexico, if you’re looking for a bit of spooky fun with a sublime sip to steady the nerves, you might want to consider a super(natural) trip to some of Scotland’s distilleries.
Ghostly workers
Cardhu is a brand rich in history, having just celebrated 200 years of the indomitable female spirit which has inspired every drop of the dram since its inception. But another spirit is also sometimes connected to the liquid: a ghostly mash man.
Hinted at in several anecdotal stories, the most tangible experience of the mash man was mentioned in Whisky Mag. They say the mash man used to work at the distillery, and when a fellow employee encountered the ghostly figure, they weren’t actually that concerned, thinking he was just another distillery worker. It was only after their encounter, when the person described bumping into this man in the control room, they discovered that this figure was indeed a worker at one time… but he shouldn’t have been on shift that day, due to having passed into the great beyond…
Cardhu’s ghost might just be more than a fictional tale… or so the team who work with the distillery every day believe. Jim Wolff, a key figure who works closely with some of Scotland’s finest distilleries, revealed, “the team at Cardhu firmly believe there is a ghost or ghosts in the distillery – they were telling me stories the other day of things that have happened! Tongs flying off the bar, a smell of baking cakes.”
He also mentioned that everyone had a story or two involving the hallowed Davy. Davy is thought to be the ghost of a former distiller who, if you’re (un)lucky, can still be seen dressed in blue overalls, thumbs tucked in his braces, overseeing the process and making sure only the finest liquid is produced.
A founder from beyond
On the Isle of Islay, you might find more than just the regal, rich flavours of Lagavulin, oft dubbed the King of Islay. Many visitors and staff members have reported strange occurrences, such as footsteps, unexplained noises, and cold spots.
Some of the workers today pass it off as the work of Peter Mackie – a man who is so integral to the brand, it’s no surprise he might have lingered around.
Peter Mackie began to blend whisky during the mid-1880s and, along with his uncle, James Logan Mackie, kept the leased distillery of Lagavulin at the heart of their production. The workers at the distillery said, “To be honest, the Peter Mackie stories are a bit of a joke between the team. Any time someone is in the malt mill and hears a noise or something odd happens, Peter Mackie is always to blame.”
A more chilling legend from Islay involves sightings of a young woman who met an untimely end at the hands of her lover. Her ghost is said to appear in the distillery's courtyard, wearing a white dress and carrying a bouquet of flowers. Certainly a more chilling apparition to witness than Peter keeping an eye on production.
Mischievous spectres
Found in the Lowlands, the Glenkinchie distillery has not one, not two, but three ghosts to its credit. Fortunately, two of these are thought to be friendly, with just one ghoul acting a bit, well, ghoulish.
The two ghosts who you might not fear encountering as much are said to be confined to the visitor’s centre. They are Mrs. Redpath and ‘Gentle Tom’ and the worst thing they might do is open a closed door.
However, the third ghost - Mischievous Willie - who roams the distillery is known to be dastardly, trying to frighten or trip tour guides.
Spooky Auld Reekie
The good news? Johnnie Walker Princes Street – always considered a must-do for any whisky lover (or just anyone looking for a top-rated attraction in Edinburgh) – is not thought to be haunted. Even the afterlife knows when something is TOO good to disturb.
The better news? Horror fans can get the best of both worlds. Plan a visit to Princes Street and make time for a spooky side-quest with some of Edinburgh’s other haunted attractions. Check out:
The Edinburgh Vaults – a network of underground passages said to be haunted by the spirits of those who were imprisoned or executed there
The Real Mary King's Close – a series of underground streets that were shut off in the 18th century, rumoured to still be used by the spirits of those who lived and died there
The Greyfriars Kirkyard cemetery – often cited as the most haunted graveyard in the world, you might find yourself wishing you’d stayed a bit longer at the distillery instead…
After that horrifying plunge into some of Scotland's haunted whisky distilleries, perhaps you'd rather play it safe and stay home? If so, you'll need a delectable dram to cosy up with. Discover our guide to the best whisky cocktails, get mixing at home and pray nothing goes bump in the night.
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