September 29 2023

Port of Leith Distillery has raised a glass (along with everything else) to the opening of its new home overlooking the Firth of Forth.

Billed as Scotland's first vertical distillery the high-rise solution stands traditional whisky making on its head to make the most of a compact waterfront site.

Rising through nine floors the towering design by Threesixty Architecture invites visitors to reach for the sky, from traditional copper stills at ground level to the mash tun on upper levels. The gravity-powered solution is designed with production and tourism in mind from the outset, ensuring seamless segregation of workers and visitors.

Ian Stirling, co-founder of Port of Leith Distillery said: “We never set out to build a vertical distillery – the shape and size of the building is a product of the tiny site we were able to secure. We wedged our distillery tower into Edinburgh’s historic harbour to make our building as accessible as possible to people who, like us, love whisky. We’ve spent a lot of time thinking about how to make the Port of Leith tour as special as we possibly can and look forward to welcoming fans across the globe to a whisky experience like no other.”

Making the most of its elevated position the tasting areas, shop, and rooftop restaurant provide panoramic views that serve as an ever-present backdrop to the activity within.

A public opening date has been set for 11 October. 

6 Comments

#1 Posted by Ben on 29 Sep 2023 at 16:53 PM

Hideous, although this will allow it to fit in nicely with its surroundings.

#2 Posted by Bill F on 29 Sep 2023 at 18:31 PM

Looks great. Refreshing to see something a little different on here.

#3 Posted by Amy on 29 Sep 2023 at 19:36 PM

As a Leither it’s been interesting following this one on site and it’s really grown on me. Good addition for the Port.

#4 Posted by town planner on 30 Sep 2023 at 16:13 PM

Like it, and good to see some vertical elevation in Leith docks rather than boxy groundscrapers. Will look great viewed from Fife lit up at night too.

#5 Posted by StSaJa on 2 Oct 2023 at 11:27 AM

Looks great - agree with #2 about seeing something different, and with #3 about it being a positive addition to the area.

#6 Posted by tenderpackagelover on 2 Oct 2023 at 15:14 PM

It is always impressive when a building manages to look dated when it is just complete. Like something which was built as cutting edge, but in 1989 in a former Austro-Hungarian port city.

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