Speyside Cooperage

About this place

Working cooperage near Craigellachie where visitors can watch whisky barrels being made.

One of only a handful of working cooperages left in the country, this Craigellachie visitor centre lets families watch skilled coopers hand-crafting and repairing oak casks using techniques that have barely changed in generations - no nails or glue, just precisely shaped staves and iron hoops. A viewing gallery overlooks the workshop floor, and an exhibition explains how the casks go on to shape the flavour of Speyside whisky as it matures. It's a genuinely hands-on, industrial atmosphere rather than a polished tourist experience, which is part of its appeal. There's an admission charge for the tour, a shop and cafe on site, and it's fully accessible.

Make a day of it — within 5km