Founded in 1811 by Daniel McFarlane, followed by a second site in 1813 by Brown, Gourlie & Co. Merged with Cowlairs in the 1860s, and absorbed Dundashill in 1902, becoming Scotland’s largest distillery with both grain and malt capabilities. Devastated by major fires in 1903 and 1916, with rebuilds following each incident. Closed during World War II, then underwent extensive modernisation in the 1970s, adding new spirit stores, still houses, and dark grains plant. Hosted Coffey stills from 1845, transitioning from malt to grain whisky production. At peak, the 21-acre site produced ≈ 39 million L/year, powering blends like Johnnie Walker, J&B, Bell’s, Haig, White Horse, Vat 69, and Black & White. Became part of Distillers Co Ltd in 1877, United Distillers in 1986, and Diageo from 1997. Diageo ended operations in 2010, shifted production to Cameronbridge and North British, and demolished the site in 2011.
