Cardhu distillery's new visitor centre celebrates female led history
The revamp is part of a wider £185m scotch whisky tourism investment from Diageo
Last updated 17th Jun 2021
A new visitor attraction at a Speyside distillery is championing its female led past.
The work at Cardhu is part of a £185 million investment from Diageo, which also sees various other Scotch Whisky experiences across the country being enhanced.
New features include a story room, a tasting kitchen and a changed distillery tour to allow for more interactive elements.
Cardhu's visitor centre focuses on the distillery’s founder Helen Cumming and how, in the early days of illicit distilling in Speyside over 200 years ago, she would raise a flag to warn her neighbours of approaching authorities.
It also explains how Helen’s daughter-in-law Elizabeth took on running the distillery as it grew into a successful business throughout the 19th century until it became the first distillery to be acquired by John Walker & Sons in 1893.
Hopes to inspire more women into whisky industry
Cardhu's female leadership continues today, as five women helped with the transformation project.
Managing Director of Scotland Brand Homes for Diageo said it is a "very proud moment" for the company.
She said: "The story of Helen and Elizabeth Cumming is one of the most inspirational in Scotch whisky, particularly for all the women working in the industry today.
"The new visitor experience is a vivid and immersive celebration of their legacy, and we hope it will inspire new generations of women to join us in the industry as well as engaging consumers in the magic of Scotch whisky."
Cardhu Distillery Brand Home Manager, Laura Sharp said: "Speyside is the heartland of Scotch whisky and our new visitor experience brings an exciting new dimension to the tourism landscape.
"We look forward to welcoming visitors and to engaging them in the story of our distillery, of Johnnie Walker, the incredible whiskies we make and the people who make them.
"It plays a very big part in the local area. To be able to welcome people back will not only be great for us to see them, but will also be a benefit to the wider community."