Top Five Most Haunted Distilleries in Britain
This Halloween, we’re delving into the mysterious stories behind some of Britain’s most haunted distilleries. From headless horsemen to witchcraft, discover the spooky tales behind some of the most famous whisky producers in the country…
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Black Friars distillery, Plymouth
The producer of the famous Plymouth Gin, Black Friars is the oldest working gin distillery in England - so of course comes with its fair share of ghost stories! The building itself was built in the early 1300s, and was even a prison at one point before becoming a distillery. Various paranormal investigators have visited Black Friars to unearth the mysteries behind the ghosts; including the ghost of a man called Charles who haunts the still room, a young girl who wanders the corridors, and a monk who frequents the most ancient parts of the building. Being the supposed site of several murders and hangings over the centuries, it’s no wonder so many visitors report unusual sightings, and feelings of a ghostly presence…
Bowmore distillery, Isle of Islay
Several ghostly stories surround this island’s oldest distillery, including the Devil himself being chased by distillery workers onto a boat loaded with whisky casks, whereby he was shipped to the mainland. Bowmore released The Devil’s Casks edition in 2013, inspired by this famous tale. Perhaps the distillery’s most famous resident is a headless horseman, who has been spotted riding round the area, leaving residents’ bottles of whisky with a dram or two missing (although how he drinks with no head is a mystery in itself)!
Glenrothes distillery, Speyside
Glenrothes is supposedly haunted by the ghost of Biawa ‘Byeway’ Makalanga, a butler who worked with a family in the village. The spooky graveyard opposite the distillery may have something to do with the spooky occurrences, as a strange black fungus is said to cover the gravestones and cause all sorts of mischief. The first sightings of Byeway began in 1980, when a newly installed still mysteriously couldn’t be made to work. The distillery still does a traditional ‘toast to the ghost’ before each tasting to prevent further trouble - although in actual fact he much preferred gin to whisky!
Jura distillery, Isle of Jura
Jura’s Prophecy malt was inspired by the spooky legend of witchcraft surrounding the distillery’s founding family, the Campbells. When the landowners unfairly raised taxes on the locals, the family is said to have been cursed by a witch as revenge. The curse? That the family would fall, and the last member would go blind, and be forced to leave the village in a cart pulled by a white horse. Spookily enough, that exact fate befell the last of the Campbell family in 1938… coincidence?
Poyntzfield distillery, The Black Isle
Established in 1813, the distillery at Poyntzfield was shut down ten years later, but the site is apparently still haunted by members of the old families who lived there. The house itself is now let out as a holiday cottage, and plenty of stories have emerged over the years from guests who have been spooked in the night. Gardeners and maids have been said to bless the house every night to keep the ghostly wanderings to a minimum, and avoid disturbing the guests!
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