Nestled in the Cairngorms National Park, The Cairn is the first new distillery to be built in this region since the Park was founded.  This £25 million project by whisky specialists Gordon & MacPhail is designed as a modern home for the ancient craft of whisky making, with its eye-catching building respecting and reflecting its natural habitat and awe-inspiring backdrop. 

Choosing from a selection of immersive experiences, visitors can discover the significance of the unique location, environment, sense of community and experience the distillery’s inspiring approach to Scotch whisky. The experience begins with a look to the past in 1895 when the founders of Gordon & MacPhail first opened a grocery shop in Elgin, and journeys through the evolution of The Cairn, and its plan to release its first single malts in the mid-2030s. 

A trip around the spirit production process is followed by an absorbing foray through the art of maturation. Explorers complete their voyage on the top floor hosting lounge to taste a selection of CRN57 blended malts (the distillery sits on 57 degrees of latitude), designed to emulate the style and character of the whiskies that are set to be released from The Cairn in years to come.

Audio soundscapes, video displays and large-scale projections provide a secondary layer of storytelling narrative, further animating and enhancing the visitor experience throughout the different levels and phases of the distillery tour. To create this alluring brand experience, Sysco Productions were delighted to team up with the exceptional designers Studio MB as well as Morrison Construction to successfully integrate this unique experience.

Tom Spooner, Project Manager at Sysco Productions comments: “We were thrilled to support The Cairn Distillery and their project team with their ambition for this impressive visitor experience. It was a huge privilege to deliver the AV elements that act as a fundamental feature of the storytelling process, as well as form a crucial part of this remarkable whisky attraction that will entice visitors for years to come.”

The Cairn Distillery opened to the public on 18th October 2022 and is open to visitors seven days a week.