Stirling Distillery: History, Whisky Range and Visitor Guide
Set beneath Stirling Castle in an 1888 former blacksmith’s building, Stirling Distillery is a family run producer with an unusually clear connection to its city. It makes gin and other spirits, is laying down its own single malt whisky and also selects independently bottled Scottish whiskies under the Sons of Scotland label. This Whisky Clan guide explains the difference between those bottles, the story of the distillery and what visitors can see today.
In this guide
Stirling Distillery at a glance
History, founders and the Old Smiddy
How Stirling makes whisky
Sons of Scotland bottles and the future single malt
Awards and visitor experiences
Reader poll, frequently asked questions and sources
Stirling Distillery at a glance
A historic site with a new whisky story
The distillery’s own history begins long before its modern business. It records legal whisky production on the castle rock in 1816 and the closure of that earlier operation in 1852. The Old Smiddy building, now home to the distillery, dates from 1888. Those dates help explain why returning whisky making to Stirling has been such a central part of the modern company’s identity.
June and Cameron McCann began with Stirling Gin. The company records the first small batch on 28 October 2015 using a 2.4 litre still nicknamed Jinty. As demand grew, they moved beyond that early small scale production. In 2019 they opened the Old Smiddy as a working distillery and visitor attraction, retaining the historical stone frontage and fitting out the interior for modern distilling.
The people behind Stirling Distillery
Stirling remains a family run business led by founders June and Cameron McCann. Their approach is closely tied to the local area, from the building beneath the castle to the heritage behind the Sons of Scotland range. The site is also open to visitors for tastings and tours, making the people and story behind the spirits part of the experience.
How Stirling whisky is made
The distillery dates its first mash for its own whisky to 3 October 2023 and the filling of its first maturation cask to 27 November 2023. It describes itself as Scotland’s smallest whisky distillery, producing fewer than 20,000 litres annually, with hand bottling and labelling at the Old Smiddy. Its spirit is maturing while the company prepares its first single malt release.
In Scotland, spirit cannot be sold as Scotch whisky until it has matured in oak casks for at least three years and meets the other Scotch Whisky Regulations. Stirling’s new make and maturing casks tell its own production story, but a bottle labelled Sons of Scotland should not be mistaken for whisky distilled at the Old Smiddy.
Sons of Scotland whisky bottles and range
Sons of Scotland is Stirling Distillery’s independent bottling label. The team selects casks from other Scottish distilleries, bottles them in Stirling and numbers the limited releases. That is different from distilling the whisky on site. Both are part of Stirling’s business, but they should be clearly distinguished when choosing a bottle.
Selected releases reported in October 2026
Inchgower 13 Year Old: a Speyside single malt from one Oloroso sherry hogshead, bottled at 50% ABV. The producer describes a run of 200 numbered bottles.
Auchroisk 9 Year Old: a port cask bottling at 50% ABV, with 235 bottles announced and wider release scheduled for 6 November 2026.
Linkwood 14 Year Old and Glenlossie 15 Year Old: limited single cask releases previously offered under the Sons of Scotland label. Availability varies and some editions have sold out.
Cashly and Arngibbon: earlier eight year old independent bottlings that helped introduce the Sons of Scotland series.
The photograph above shows historical Cashly and Arngibbon bottles, not the newer Inchgower or Auchroisk expressions. Always check the individual bottle label and the latest producer details, because single cask releases and stock levels change.
When will Stirling release its own single malt?
As of 23 October 2026, Stirling Distillery says its first whisky distilled on site is scheduled for 19 June 2027. This is a future release date and may change. Until then, the independently bottled Sons of Scotland whiskies and the distillery’s new make offer different ways to explore its whisky plans.
Awards and recognition
The producer reports that its own new make spirit earned Best Scottish New Make Spirit recognition at the World Whiskies Awards in 2025. That is an award for spirit before whisky maturation, not an award for a released Stirling single malt. The Old Smiddy has also been recognised as a visitor attraction, including a 2023 Stirling Business Awards honour.
Visiting Stirling Distillery
Stirling Distillery is at the Old Smiddy, 9 Lower Castlehill, Stirling FK8 1EN, only a short walk downhill from Stirling Castle. Visitors can browse the shop, arrange a guided gin or whisky tasting, try selected short tastings and see the working distillery. The venue retains the feel of the older stone building while operating as a contemporary spirits visitor centre.
The distillery currently lists opening times of 11am to 5pm Monday to Saturday and noon to 5pm on Sundays. Its website advertises guided gin and whisky experiences from around £32 and walk in mini tastings from £15. Hours, pricing and availability are date sensitive, so confirm them with the distillery before travelling.
Explore more whisky distilleries
Stirling’s central Scotland location makes it a useful starting point for exploring Lowland and Highland whisky country. Whisky Clan also covers established producers such as Deanston and Glengoyne, whose own histories and visitor arrangements are quite different from this new small scale distillery.
Share your Stirling Distillery experience
Have you tried Sons of Scotland or visited the Old Smiddy? Take our four-question Whisky Clan poll to compare your experience with other readers.
Frequently asked questions about Stirling Distillery
Who owns Stirling Distillery?
It is a family run distillery founded by June and Cameron McCann.
Does Stirling Distillery make its own Scotch whisky?
Yes, its own spirit has been distilled and placed into casks since 2023, but its first site-distilled single malt is scheduled for 2027. Current Sons of Scotland whiskies are independently bottled from other Scottish distilleries.
Where is Stirling Distillery?
At the Old Smiddy, 9 Lower Castlehill, Stirling FK8 1EN, beneath Stirling Castle.
Can I visit Stirling Distillery?
Yes. There is a shop and a programme of gin and whisky experiences. Check opening hours and availability before your visit.
What is Sons of Scotland whisky?
A series of numbered independent bottlings selected from Scottish distilleries and bottled in Stirling. It is not yet a range of whisky distilled at the Old Smiddy.
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Sources and image credits
Research checked 23 October 2026. Dates for upcoming releases, opening hours, tour pricing and bottle availability can change.
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