Annandale Distillery in Southern Scotland lists on Airbnb
- An independent Scottish distillery in Dumfries and Galloway has listed on Airbnb for a limited time this summer, inviting guests to become a distiller for a day
- During the immersive two night stay, for the very first time, guests will be able to shadow Annandale’s expert distillery team and sleep in cottages next to the distillery site
- The stay is available only on Airbnb as part of a wider campaign to champion tourism in the Scottish Lowlands and support local businesses
To celebrate Scottish Whisky Month, Annandale Distillery, an independent whisky distillery in the south of Scotland, is opening its doors, for the first time, to whisky fans and offering an opportunity to go behind the scenes and become a distiller for a day. The stay is available only on Airbnb as part of a new campaign to encourage people to visit the Scottish Lowlands.
The two night stay, which is being made available to members of the public for a limited time this summer, offers guests the chance to sleep in cottages next to the distillery site, get ‘hands on’ and learn the fundamentals of whisky distilling.
Guests will get to participate in each stage of the process from meeting the malt delivery, to milling and mashing the barley, fermentation, firing up the stills and filling the casks. They’ll also be taken for a whisky tasting and evening meal at The Globe Inn, Dumfries. The Globe Inn is an historic pub dating back to 1610 and once frequented by Robert Burns, with two chefs with Michelin Star experience at the helm. Each guest will check out from their stay with a bottle of Annandale’s Single Malt Scotch Whisky and armed with their newfound knowledge about the work and dedication that goes into making it.
-
Senior Distillery Supervisor and Stillman Darren Irving inspecting and monitoring the temperature of the stills -
Stencilling of the casks before filling -
Production Manager Mark Trainor looks into the mash tun
While the focus is often on the Highlands when it comes to Scottish whisky, true aficionados know that Southern Scotland should not be overlooked in the pursuit of a good dram. Annandale Distillery was first established in 1836 and ‘reborn’ in 2014. It has been lovingly restored by new owners David Thomson and Teresa Church and now produces some of Scotland’s finest Single Malt Whisky and Blends.
The stay at Annandale showcases one the region’s finest exports, and David and Teresa anticipate it to be a real draw to the area for whisky fans.
One of the principal reasons why we decided to restore Annandale Distillery was our burning desire to re-introduce Scotch Whisky production to Southern Scotland, based on the conviction that this region of Scotland has everything required, but most especially the climate and the abundance of water, to produce first class Single Malts. This stay on Airbnb gives us the chance to involve guests behind the scenes and show them that the Scotch Whisky produced at Annandale is more than a product, it’s a labour of love! Enticing visitors to our part of Scotland is not only good for us but also for other local businesses.
David Thomson & Teresa Church, owners of Annandale Distillery
This stay is part of a wider campaign from Airbnb to champion tourism in the Scottish Lowlands and support local businesses in the area, spotlighting some of what the region has to offer. The campaign comes amidst unprecedented demand for staycations in the British Isles as the lifting of restrictions is anticipated, and aims to encourage holidaymakers to consider the wealth of stays and experiences available in Scotland beyond the more widely-publicised Highlands and major cities.
Scotland is full of unforgettable experiences and it is fantastic to see Annandale Distillery feature as part of this new Airbnb campaign to encourage people to visit the Scottish lowlands. We know that many visitors are looking for something special, an authentic experience that they won’t get elsewhere and this experience at Annandale Distillery offers to do just that.
Businesses right across the Scottish lowlands look set to benefit from the increased awareness of the region as part of this campaign. Encouraging visitors to stay longer, visit all year round and explore more of what our country has to offer will be crucial as we focus on the recovery of the industry from the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tourism is a force for good – creating economic and social value in every corner of Scotland and enhancing the wellbeing of everyone who experiences it.
VisitScotland Regional Leadership Director Paula Ward
A boost in demand for the Lowlands region would present economic opportunity for potential Hosts in the area and their local communities; travel on Airbnb in the Lowlands boosts local economies by nearly £70 million each year, supporting over 3,300 jobs¹ and during last summer, Hosts on Airbnb in the UK earned more than £225 million, with the average Host earning nearly £1,000.2
Many tourists pass through the Lowlands on their way to the Highlands and other areas of Scotland, without realising all the incredible experiences they’re missing out on. The stay at Annandale Distillery is truly a unique experience for whisky lovers, and an opportunity to visit somewhere they might not have considered before.
Amanda Cupples, General Manager for Northern Europe at Airbnb
Booking details:
To view the distillery listing on Airbnb, visit airbnb.com/annandaledistillery
Annandale Distillery is located in Annan, Dumfries and Galloway. The stay will be available to book for £480 for two people on the following dates:
- 8-10 June 2021
- 22-24 June 2021
- 4-6 August 2021
- 17-19 August 2021
This unique opportunity is not a contest and given the high level of interest anticipated, Annandale will be adding bookable dates from 10AM BST on 17 May 2021, to give as many people as possible the opportunity to book. Interested guests should note that booking rules are in strict adherence with local COVID-19 guidelines and those who request to book must be 18+, currently live in the UK and have positive Airbnb reviews.
Notes to editors
1 Based on a 2020 study by BiGGAR Economics, commissioned by Airbnb.
2 Total and median UK Host earnings for June 1 2020 – August 31 2020, converted from USD on 23 February 2021
About Airbnb
Airbnb was born in 2007 when two Hosts welcomed three guests to their San Francisco home, and has since grown to 4 million Hosts who have welcomed over 800 million guest arrivals in almost every country across the globe. Every day, Hosts offer one-of-a-kind stays and unique Experiences that make it possible for guests to experience the world in a more authentic, connected way.
About Annandale Distillery
Annandale Distillery was established in 1836 by George Donald, making it one of the earliest ‘legal’ whisky distilleries in Scotland and was later bought by Johnnie Walker in 1893, closing down in 1924. In 2007 the distillery was rescued by David Thomson & Teresa Church, and this once-derelict distillery sprang back into life on November 3rd, 2014. Winner of Best Single Cask Single Malt 10yrs and Under for the past two years, and proud to have been awarded a 5 Star Visitor Attraction by Visit Scotland, Annandale’s 50,000 annual visitors are always guaranteed an experience to remember.