Lochranza Distillery was originally called Arran, and was recently renamed upon the opening of Lagg Distillery. Located in the eponymous port at the north end of the island, Lochranza opened in 1994 and produces a wide range of whisky from many different cask types. It produces peated whisky under its own Machrie Moor branding, but this is a lighter peating than that which is produced at its sister distillery, Lagg.
Lagg began production in 2019, and sits at the opposite end of the island from Lochranza, down on the south coast with views out to Ailsa Craig. Lagg whisky is heavily peated, in contrast to the generally lighter style of Lochranza whisky. Both distilleries have very well stocked shops with Exclusives available. The Arran Malts and Music Festival in June each year usually sees the release of one or two particularly special releases. Although the Isle of Arran is quite a long way south, the whisky produced comes under the Highland region banner, although some also use an unofficial Islands tag.
