The good weather looks like it’s (almost) here to stay here in Scotland, but while we’ve been soaking up the sunshine here in Edinburgh, what is it like to explore Scotch whisky distilleries in the spring?
Ne’er cast a clout, til May is out!
This is a traditional saying that many interpret to mean: keep your winter clothing until May is over! Despite the sometimes nippy weather in Scotland, you’ll find lots of the distilleries in full bloom and looking stunning in Spring.
We asked the Scotch whisky companies we work with to send us their photos of their distilleries in Spring, and they did not disappoint! Have a look through our collection and get inspired to go out and visit some whisky distilleries in Scotland.
Lowlands
Annandale Distillery – Spring (credit and copyright: Annandale Distillery)
Annandale Distillery, just two hours south of Edinburgh on the Scottish Borders, is looking lively and green in the spring weather! You can visit Annandale for a whisky tour by booking on their website.
The Kinchie Burn (credit and copyright: Glenkinchie Distillery) 
(credit and copyright: Glenkinchie Distillery)
Glenkinchie Distillery was ablaze with beautiful cherry blossom in its grounds, including across the famous Kinchie Burn, which supplies the distillery with water. Glenkinchie can be reached from Edinburgh in around 45 minutes.
Highlands
Glenturret Distillery was looking stunning – despite the grey day, the flowers added a splash of colour to the distillery courtyard. The Glenturret is 90 minutes from Edinburgh, and easy to reach by car or bus tour.
Before 
After
Blair Athol Distillery, situated in the beautiful village of Pitlochry, show off the rate of growth of their famous ivy that covers the outer walls of their stillhouse – these photos were taken less than a month apart! Blair Athol can be reached by train from Edinburgh.
Aberfeldy Distillery, nestled just outside the village of Aberfeldy off the A9 road, is a gorgeous spot for a whisky tour whatever the time of year, but in spring it looks particularly special as the greenery emerges on all sides and across the distillery’s extensive grounds.
As the coldest distillery in Scotland, Dalwhinnie Distillery, which sits on the western edge of the windswept Cairngorms and has an average temperature of just over 6°C, you might not think that spring blossom would last too long here. Nevertheless, they sent us this fantastic photo of spring flowers at the distillery, featuring their famous outdoor wormtubs in the background.
Glencadam Distillery in the Scottish Highlands caught this cracking shot of their beautiful spring cherry blossoms from the door of their bonded warehouse.
Tullibardine Distillery sits in a beautiful spot in the Highlands, and we’re excited to have recently added them to our range of whiskies on our tours, bars and in our onsite whisky shop. You can find them just a couple of hours’ drive from Edinburgh, and if you catch the distillery on a sunny day, you’re in for a real treat with some incredible views.
Speyside
Glen Grant Gardens (credit and copyright: Glen Grant Distillery) 
Glen Grant Gardens (credit and copyright: Glen Grant Distillery) 
Glen Grant Distillery is famous the world over, not just for its super-smooth whisky, but for its stunning garden which can be accessed as part of a whisky tour at the distillery. Originally created by the distillery’s founder James Grant in the 1800s, the garden was restored for visitors during the 20th century.
Islay
The stunning views across the Sound of Islay are incredible whatever the time of year, but the team at Caol Ila Distillery have gone one step further with these incredible photos of the spring blossoms outside and around the distillery.
Visit our other blog post to find more images of distilleries in the snow and in the bright colours of autumn, and if you’ve visited any of these distilleries – whatever the season – let us know!
Other posts you might enjoy:
Exploring Scotland’s whisky distilleries by train🚂
Exploring the Highlands and Islands of Scotland (and their whisky distilleries!)⛰️🏝️