New Loch Lomond distillery awarded five-star rating months after opening

A new distillery on the banks of Loch Lomond, officially opened by John Swinney earlier this year, has been awarded a five-star visitor attraction rating.

Luss Distillery was officially opened by the First Minister on February 2, who met with people involved in the development.

The multi-million-pound development, by Loch Lomond Group, has been described as ‘one of the most significant recent investments in Scotland’s whisky tourism sector’.

The site includes a working gin distillery, whisky and gin exhibition spaces, a tasting room, retail area and a café overlooking the village of Luss and Loch Lomond.

It also serves as a visitor hub for a number of brands, including Loch Lomond Whiskies, Glen Scotia, Littlemill and Ben Lomond Gin, which is produced on site.

The attraction is expected to draw up to one million visitors in 2026 and has created a number of jobs locally, including distillery staff, café workers and seasonal tour guides.

The Loch Lomond Distillery has been based at Alexandria, in West Dunbartonshire, since 1814, but the limited company which owns it is registered in London.

The development was assessed by the Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions (ASVA) through an anonymous visit that evaluated everything from booking and arrival to staff interaction, accessibility, and overall experience.

Tony MacLean, brand home manager at Luss Distillery, said: “We’ve worked hard to put visitors at the centre of everything we do and it’s rewarding to see this recognised in our five-star grading.

“People are increasingly selective about how they spend their time and money, so we’re incredibly grateful that so many have already chosen to visit us.

“The new destination has been designed as an immersive discovery experience for whisky and gin connoisseurs, as well as those newly curious about Scotch whisky and premium spirits – there really is something for everyone.

“Helping to build the visitor experience from the ground up and seeing the team deliver a five-star experience so soon after opening, means a great deal.”

ASVA chief executive Michael Golding described the award as a “significant achievement” so soon after opening.

“With their ambition to deliver a new high-quality distillery and experience in beautiful Luss, it is fantastic to see it come to life and achieve a remarkable five stars in their very first grading visit”, he said.

“ASVA’s scheme is informed by international visitor research, so we know exactly what quality experiences are for visitors today, Luss Distillery has absolutely delivered on this right from day one.

“Benchmarking amongst the very best attractions in Scotland is a significant achievement that the team can be very proud of, and through the Quality Scheme, we look forward to supporting their continual improvement in the years to come.”