Explore Local Whisky & Beer Makers
Staying at Gille Ghagaich puts you within easy reach of some of Arran’s most characterful breweries and distilleries. From island whiskies to craft beer brewed by the shore, there is plenty here to delight anyone who enjoys a well-made dram or a crafted pint.
Arran Brewery, Brodick
Arran Brewery sits just outside Brodick, around 25 minutes’ drive from Gille Ghagaich. This independent brewery produces a range of beers that you will often see on tap and in bottles across the island, from lighter ales to rich, darker brews.
The brewery offers tours where you can see the brewing process up close, learn how the team uses Arran’s soft water, and discover what goes into each style of beer. Tastings usually follow, giving you the chance to find a favourite to take back to the cottage. You will also find a shop on site, handy if you want to stock up for the week rather than carry bottles back from the village.
For current tour times, booking information and details of their beer range, it is best to check directly with Arran Brewery before you visit.
Isle of Arran Distillers – Lochranza Distillery
At the northern tip of the island, Lochranza Distillery is the original home of Isle of Arran single malt. The drive from Gille Ghagaich takes you along some beautiful coastline and is a lovely day out in its own right.
The distillery offers guided tours that take you through the mashing, fermentation and distillation process, finishing with a tasting in the visitor centre. The setting is particularly striking, with the distillery backed by hills where red deer are often seen grazing, and golden eagles are sometimes spotted overhead.
As well as tours, there is a shop with the core range, limited editions and distillery exclusives, along with glassware and gifts. You can also enjoy a light meal or coffee before heading back to the west coast. For up-to-date tour options, tasting experiences and opening hours, visit the official Lochranza Distillery website.
Lagg Distillery, South Arran
Lagg Distillery, on the south of the island, is the newer sister to Lochranza and focuses on heavily peated single malt. Architecturally, it is quite different – low, modern buildings that seem to sit into the landscape, with wide views over to Kintyre.
Here you can learn about peat, smoke and how they influence flavour, while still seeing the full whisky-making process from grain to cask. The visitor experience is designed with views in mind, so allow time simply to sit with a coffee, lunch or a dram and enjoy the panorama.
Lagg also offers a variety of tours and tasting options, some of which include warehouse visits and more in-depth explorations of specific cask types. To plan your visit and see what is currently available, take a look at the official Lagg Distillery site.
Making a Day of It from Gille Ghagaich
From the cottage, you can easily combine a brewery or distillery visit with a walk, a stop at one of Arran’s cafés, or a coastal drive. Brodick and Lochranza work well together if you prefer a full day out, while Lagg can be paired with a loop around the south of the island.
Wherever you choose to visit, do check opening times and tour availability in advance, as these can vary with the season. And if you are sampling the island’s beers and whiskies, it is worth nominating a non-drinking driver or using local transport so you can relax and enjoy Arran’s flavours fully before returning to the peace of Gille Ghagaich.
