Uile-bheist Distillery, Inverness: The City’s Own Malt Again
Uile-bheist at a glance
| Region | Highland (Inverness) |
| Founded | 2023 |
| Owner | Uile-bheist Ltd |
| Visitor centre | Yes — a “brewstillery” by the River Ness |
| Tours | Range of tours, intro to master-maker — book |
| Opening | Open, booking — check the website |
| Website | uilebheist.com |
Overview
Uile-bheist (Gaelic for “monster,” a nod to Nessie), on the banks of the River Ness in the heart of Inverness, is the first new distillery in the Highland capital in 130 years. A combined brewery and distillery — a “brewstillery” — attached to the Kingsmills Hotel, it runs on its own low-carbon energy centre.
The history
Uile-bheist was opened in 2023 by Jon and Victoria Erasmus, bringing malt distilling back to Inverness for the first time since the 19th century. Its whisky is now maturing, while its brewery and tours are already running.
The water & the land
Uile-bheist uses its own groundwater and draws on the River Ness, with an energy centre that heats both the distillery and the neighbouring hotel.
Uile-bheist has no founding clan — it is an urban distillery in Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, in historic Fraser and Mackintosh (Clan Chattan) country.
Visiting
Uile-bheist runs a range of tours, from introductory to master-maker experiences — book ahead; check the website. It’s right on the River Ness, an easy walk from Inverness centre.
Nearby & more whisky
- South of Inverness: Tomatin
- On the nearby Black Isle: Glen Ord
- The whole picture: Scotch whisky — the full guide
Sources
- Uile-bheist Distillery; The Press & Journal.