WELCOME TO LOCH LOMOND
WELCOME TO LOCH LOMOND
Glengoyne Distillery lies in a tranquil wooded glen on the western edge of the Campsie
Fells close to Loch Lomond. The Distillery takes its name from the place, "Glen Guin" or
Glen of the Wild Geese, and sits at the foot of a small waterfall tumbling from the volcanic
plug of Dumgoyne Hill.
What distinguishes Glengoyne is that the distillery uses only specially selected unpeated malted barley i.e barley which is malted using air from a natural fire and not a peat fire. This ensures that the other elements of Glengoyne Malt Whisky are allowed to express themselves more fully - the water, ripened barley, the oak and sherry of the cask, and some say the air of the place.
The Highland Line, which notionally divided Highland from Lowland Scotland runs through the distillery grounds. Glengoyne is the southernmost Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky which results in a fresher lighter taste due to the milder natural climate in the area.
The area is steeped in history and has been involved in the Whisky industry for hundreds of years. At one time there were as many as 18 illicit stills in the glen, however some distilleries grew and became licensed so that by the 19th Century the farm at the foot of the Glen became the only remaining Whisky maker.
GAVIN LANG 1861-1900 |
WILLIAM G. LANG 1864-1896 |
ALEXANDER LANG 1861-1918 |
||
Over 130 years ago, at the then thriving port of Glasgow, Hugh Lang set up his business importing rum and exporting Scotch whisky. Hugh's sons, Gavin, Alexander and William, joined the family business and they acquired Glengoyne Distillery in 1876. Lang Brothers Limited is now one of the few private and independent Scotch Whisky Distillers still surviving and currently exports Glengoyne to over 30 countries around the globe.
Lang Brothers Limited is part of The Edrington Group who are involved in some of the world's leading Scotch Whisky Brands including The Famous Grouse, Cutty Sark and Langs Supreme. The group is involved in all aspects of the Scotch Whisky Industry from distilling and coopering through to blending, bottling, sales and marketing. Proudly independent, 100% voting control of the Group rests with The Robertson Trust, a charitable trust supporting many causes, predominantly in Scotland.
Lang Brothers Limited originally owned a Bonded Warehouse at 16 Oswald Street in Glasgow. The building itself began life as the Argyle Free Church. When moving into the premises, Lang Brothers at first occupied the basement only, while the congregation worshipped above, giving rise to the following comment in a local paper "The spirits below were the spirits of Wine and the spirits above were the spirits Divine". The whole building was taken over in 1893 and completely converted from the "spiritual" to the "spirituous".
It was Customs Officer Tedder, Excise Man at Glengoyne Distillery between 1889 and 1893 who created the standard for Scotch Whisky which has helped to make Scotch one of the world's greatest drinks. He decreed that the spirit which leaves the still must be in barrels for at least 3 years and a day before it can be called whisky. He was knighted in 1909 for his assistance in the Royal Commission of Enquiry into Whisky. He also contributed to work in establishing the Old Age Pension System.
His son, Arthur William Tedder, was born in 1890 in the customs House next to the distillery and went on to become one of the country's finest leaders as Marshal of the Royal Air Force.
Outlaw to some, hero to others Rob Roy McGregor would often come down from his clan lands on Loch Lomond to this area of Stirling to raid the cattle herds of his enemy, The Duke of Montrose. Indeed only feet away from the distillery lies the stump of an Oak Tree which, legend has it, was one of the hiding places used by Rob Roy when trapped by pursuers at the foot of Glengoyne.
GUESTBOOK