Clackmannanshire, in the heart of Scotland, has played host to spirit distilling since at least the 1720s. The ready supply of local barley and the clear soft waters coming down from the Ochil hills were chief reasons for this continuing trade over the intervening four hundred years. The commercial pioneers rooted in Clackmannanshire had a passion for the craft and many new ideas were brought forward or tested in the area. This passion for quality and craftsmanship continues on at Clackmannanshire's newest distillery, located in Clackmannan.
Heart of Scotland Distillery is a small, family-run distillery that prides itself on the quality, provenance and consistency of its product. They distil gin and vodka in small batches, doing everything from distillation and bottling through to labelling and finishing on site.
Even now, the local water plays a central role in the character of the final product. This, interwoven with locally foraged botanicals and a touch of Blackthorn salt sourced from the rugged Ayrshire coast, adds both balance and depth to the final spirit.
Heart of Scotland is not a volume distillery. Each batch is produced with care and attention, guided by traditional distilling principles and a modern understanding of flavour. They are committed to taking the time to get things right.
This approach meant that their first year, back in 2024, was deliberately quiet, focusing on refining recipes, improving consistency, and building a distillery that they are rightly proud of. That approach has already been recognised through early industry awards and by customers who value authenticity over hype.
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Bill |
Their first still - called Bill - (pictured left) was a 100-litre unit built using a combination of copper and stainless steel. It was chosen to give control, consistency and clarity in every batch. Until recently, all of the spirit produced in the distillery was passed through Bill to be distilled. The newest change to the distillery has been to set Bill aside for now, and to bring a new 350 litre still into use - named Bruce - built to the same rigorous standards. Working at this small scale means that they have control at every stage of the process. They are able to taste, adjust and respond batch by batch rather than relying on automation or volume. It’s a slower, more hands-on approach - and one that they believe shows in the final glass. |
Bruce |
Gin School
The team are now taking bookings for small groups (min. 2 people, 18+) to attend their Gin School - giving you the chance, with expert help, to make your own craft gin flavour and take home a personalised 50cl bottle of your finished gin recipe.
Distillery tours
Go behind the scenes at this family-run, award-winning distillery in Clackmannan, then enjoy a guided tasting of our small-batch gin and vodka.
Fridays to Sundays (pre-book) • 13:00 - 19:00 • 60 to 75 mins • 18+ only. Challenge 25 applies.
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