Abhainn Dearg Distillery: The Most Westerly Distillery in Scotland
Updated: 7 days ago
Abhainn Dearg, or Red River, sits at Uig on the west coast of the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. It is the most westerly distillery in Scotland, and it was built in a former salmon hatchery.
In this guide
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Abhainn Dearg at a glance
Distillery fact | Verified detail |
|---|---|
Location / region | Islands, Scotland |
Owner / producer | Mark Tayburn |
History | Lewis whisky production began in 2008. |
Style | Single malt Scotch whisky |
Bottles documented | Abhainn Dearg 10 Year Old |
Before visiting | Check current public access, tour availability and opening hours directly with the producer. |
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Key facts
Location: Uig, Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides
Region: Islands
Owner: Mark Tayburn, who owned it when production began in September 2008
Production started: September 2008
First release: Spirit of Lewis, 2011
Water: Loch Raonasgail via the Abhainn Dearg
Official website: abhainndearg.co.uk
History
Production began in September 2008 under the ownership of Mark Tayburn. The still house is a new building, set beside the former salmon hatchery, and some of the old fish pens are still in use.
The name is Scottish Gaelic for Red River. It comes from a skirmish in the dark ages in which local people are said to have beaten Viking raiders.
The first whisky was released in 2011 under the name Spirit of Lewis.
The stills
The still house uses tilted still heads in an unusual design, modelled on former illicit stills in the area. Water comes from nearby Loch Raonasgail by way of the Abhainn Dearg.
Range
Releases listed on Wikipedia include:
Spirit of Lewis, a 40% ABV spirit aged for a few months in sherry oak
Spirit of Lewis Cask Strength, three months in a sherry hogshead, bottled at 56%
Single Malt Special Edition, bourbon casks, 3 years old, 46%, 2,011 bottles
3 Year Old Cask Strength miniature, 58%
10 Year Old Single Malt, ex-bourbon casks, 46%
From the official site
Abhainn Dearg means Red River. The official site says the independent craft distillery is in Carnish, Uig, on the Isle of Lewis, and was founded in 2008 by Mark Tayburn. It describes itself as the first legal whisky distillery in the Outer Hebrides in almost 200 years, bringing legal whisky making back for the first time since 1829.
2010: the first spirit left the island as two small casks of new make, followed by a limited bottling called The Spirit of Lewis
2011: first single malt released, a limited three year old
Today: a range that includes a 10 year old, special releases and cask strength bottlings
Barley is grown at Goathill Farm, Melbost, and the distillery says every stage from grain to bottle happens in the Outer Hebrides
Visiting
The official site gives opening as Monday to Friday, closed for lunch from 1pm to 2pm, with afternoons from 2pm to 4pm. A Warehouse Cask Strength Tasting Experience is listed from April 2026 at 85 pounds per person, minimum two people, booked in advance. The site also lists catch and release trout fishing on Loch Scaslavat and a free basic bothy, Stail Umha, with no facilities. Always contact the distillery before travelling.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Abhainn Dearg?
On the west coast of the Isle of Lewis, at Uig in the Outer Hebrides.
Why is it called Abhainn Dearg?
It is Gaelic for Red River, named after a battle between locals and Viking raiders.
Who owns it?
Mark Tayburn owned it when production began. Check the official site for current ownership.
Sources and gaps
Wikipedia: Abhainn Dearg distillery (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abhainn_Dearg_distillery)
Official website: abhainndearg.co.uk (listed by Wikipedia, not opened in this research)
Abhainn Dearg official site (abhainndeargdistillery.co.uk), story, opening hours and tasting pages, read 20 October 2026
Gaps: the official site states the founder and independence, which resolves the owner question as an independent craft distillery founded by Mark Tayburn, but no company name is given. Stills, capacity and ABVs are not on the pages read. Prices and hours are as seen on 20 October 2026. Set the slug by hand.
What makes Abhainn Dearg distinctive?
Young Spirit of Lewis is not legal Scotch whisky until minimum maturation is met
Abhainn Dearg bottle and expression comparison
These are producer- or archive-documented expressions; historical editions are not current stock guarantees.
Bottle or expression | Age or release | ABV | Verified context |
|---|---|---|---|
Abhainn Dearg X 10 Year Old Single Malt | 10 years | 46% | Hand-filled Fine Oak Hebridean whisky |
Bottle ranges, casks and strengths change. The table lists documented releases, not guaranteed current stock; check the producer's labels and latest information.
More whisky distilleries to explore
Frequently asked questions about Abhainn Dearg
Where is Abhainn Dearg based?
Islands, Scotland. See the location section for the detailed site address.
Who owns Abhainn Dearg?
Mark Tayburn.
What matters in Abhainn Dearg's history?
Lewis whisky production began in 2008.
Which whiskies are associated with Abhainn Dearg?
Abhainn Dearg 10 Year Old. Current availability varies.
Can you visit Abhainn Dearg?
Check the producer's latest booking and visitor information; some working distilleries are not open for public tours.
Sources and editorial checks
Original research, references and historical qualifications have been retained in this article. Visitor details and expression availability are date-sensitive.
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About the author
 | Filip Janczak Storyteller, drinker and explorer of all things whisky. Read more about the person behind Whisky Clan and explore additional reviews and distillery guides. |
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