GlenWyvis Distillery: The Community-Owned Dingwall Distillery
Updated: 6 hours ago
GlenWyvis in Dingwall is thought to be the first fully community-owned whisky distillery in the world. Thousands of people bought shares to bring it to life. On 5 October 2026 it was placed into administration, and distilling has stopped.
In this guide
Summarise this guide with AI
GlenWyvis at a glance
Distillery fact | Verified detail |
|---|---|
Producer / distillery | GlenWyvis |
Location | Highland, Scotland |
Ownership | Community funded business; administration reported in October 2026 |
History / origin | Community-funded Highland distillery; current operating status is time sensitive |
Whisky characteristics | Community-funded Highland distillery; current operating status is time sensitive |
Visiting | Consult current official visitor information; not every distillery is open to tours. |
Join the GlenWyvis whisky community poll
Which whiskies have you tried? What should Whisky Clan review next? Open the highlighted poll below, answer four quick questions and share your preferences with the community.
TAKE THE GLENWYVIS COMMUNITY POLL · 4 QUICK QUESTIONS
Answer four quick questions to see real reader percentages. No account or email is required.
Quick facts
Location: Dingwall, Highlands
Founded: 2015 by John McKenzie, a farmer, green energy advocate and commercial helicopter pilot
Opened: 30 November 2017, St Andrew's Day
Ownership: a Community Benefit Society
Status: placed into administration on 5 October 2026, with Interpath appointed as joint administrators
A distillery funded by the community
GlenWyvis was founded in 2015. A crowdfunding campaign in 2016 raised around 2.6 million pounds from more than two thousand people in seventy-seven days, with more than half of them from the local area. After a second share offer the company had over three thousand shareholders. Our October news post puts the membership at around 4,000.
The name carries on the traditions of two earlier distilleries in the area, Ben Wyvis in Dingwall and Glenskiach in Evanton. Dingwall had been without a distillery since 1926. The distillery is powered by renewable energy including hydro, wind, solar and wood chip biomass heating.
Production and awards
Whisky and gin production began in 2018 under master distiller Duncan Tait. After one year more than five hundred casks were resting on site. By September 2023 the range was four gins, one new make style spirit and two 4 year old single malts. Its gins won awards in 2019 and 2020, including Best Newcomer at the 2019 Scottish Gin Awards and a gold medal at the 2020 World Gin Awards.
Administration, October 2026
Alistair McAlinden and Geoff Jacobs of Interpath were appointed joint administrators on 5 October 2026 after a fundraising process failed to secure the capital needed. Distilling of whisky and gin has ceased and the three staff were made redundant. The administrators are securing the distillery's whisky stocks and equipment ahead of a planned sale of assets, and have said they will contact private cask owners. Read our full news post for the details.
Community ownership and administration
Business Insider reported on 30 November 2017 that GlenWyvis Distillery officially opened in Dingwall as a 100 per cent community-owned distillery, run entirely on renewable energy. It was funded by two crowdfunding campaigns under founder and managing director John McKenzie and had more than 3,150 financial backers.
Opening: officially opened in November 2017, bringing whisky distilling back to Dingwall
Administration: ProBrewer reported on 12 October 2026 that GlenWyvis Distillery Limited entered administration on 5 October 2026 and had stopped production
Status: the outcome for the distillery and its brands was not confirmed in the sources read
Sources and gaps
Sources: Wikipedia, GlenWyvis distillery; Whisky Clan news post of 8 October 2026, which cites Accountancy Today, The National and Whisky Monkeys
The official site glenwyvis.com timed out on 20 October 2026
Gaps to confirm: what happens next to the distillery and casks, stills, capacity, ABVs
Slug planned: glenwyvis-distillery
Further source read on 21 October 2026: Business Insider (30 November 2017) and ProBrewer (12 October 2026) reports on GlenWyvis.
What makes GlenWyvis distinctive?
Community-funded Highland distillery; current operating status is time sensitive
GlenWyvis whisky bottles and expression comparison
Bottle / expression | Age | ABV | Documented producer expression |
|---|---|---|---|
GlenWyvis Single Malt Batch 01/19 | Check label | Check label | Documented expression; batch and availability vary |
GlenWyvis Highland Legacy The Drover | Check label | Check label | Documented expression; batch and availability vary |
GlenWyvis Highland Legacy Baineach The Weaveress | Check label | Check label | Documented expression; batch and availability vary |
Producer and release sources document these expressions. Historical bottles may be out of production or unavailable. Bottled sourced or blended whiskey is not always entirely distilled at this site.
Named expressions include historic or limited releases and do not guarantee current availability, strength or specifications. Check the producer's labels.
Explore related distillery guides
Frequently asked questions about GlenWyvis
Where is GlenWyvis located?
Highland, Scotland.
Who owns or operates GlenWyvis?
Community funded business; administration reported in October 2026.
What is distinctive about GlenWyvis?
Community-funded Highland distillery; current operating status is time sensitive
What whisky is associated with GlenWyvis?
GlenWyvis Inaugural Release (historic). Current availability must be checked.
Can you tour GlenWyvis?
Please check the producer's current visitor information; not all locations welcome visitors.
Sources and editorial checks
Existing history and sources are retained above. Ownership, operating status, bottlings and tours may change.
Status clarification: administration was reported in October 2026; do not assume normal operation without an updated company statement.
Help us improve this distillery guide
Know something we should add or correct about GlenWyvis Distillery? Share verified facts, bottle releases, awards or useful sources using the form below. Newsletter subscription is optional.
If the embedded form does not display, Open the contribution form in a new tab.
Whisky producer and release source: https://glenwyvis.com/shop/
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. |
Comments