Rum Guide to Scotland

Rum in The Land of Scotch

Scotland is perched on the northwestern fringes of Europe with a long coastline and around 790 islands. The temperate maritime climate has cool summers, mild winters, and year-round rainfall. The Gulf Stream, a warm ocean current originating in the Caribbean Sea, flows across the Atlantic Ocean and significantly warms Scotland’s coast. This creates beautiful white sandy beaches and palm trees are dotted along the west coast. The influence creates a milder climate for its latitude, but it’s not warm enough to support the growth of sugarcane. There’s also an island called Rum on Scotland’s west coast (see below).

Scots have been trading, distilling, bottling, blending, and drinking rum for centuries. From distilling molasses in the 1680s Glasgow Sugar houses; believe it or not, rum was in the early 1800s more popular than whisky and widely enjoyed. During the industrial revolution taxes, supply, and the rise of whisky in the 1800’s, rum became a forgotten spirit – much like in the US.

Scotland supplied and still supplies many famous Caribbean distilleries with their distilling equipment. The heritage of engineering, distilling, ageing, and blending has now been rediscovered by a new generation who lead the UK rum scene with flavourful artisan rum. Our tour starts in the north and travels south. Scottish rum distilleries are well spread out and many are in remote locations, so it might not be practical to visit many in one day.

North Scotland

The highlands and islands are a vast region of the wild with ancient geology dominated by some of the oldest rocks on earth. The rugged beauty and the largest land area of peat bog in Europe were shaped by the ice age. Mountains, sea cliffs, waterfalls, and deep lochs create a sense of awe and wonder. Orkney, a group of islands off the north coast, has archaeological sites, stunning scenery, and a rum distillery.

J.Gow Rum Distillery

J. Gow Rum was founded in 2016 by Collin Van Schayk and takes its name from the infamous Orkney pirate John Gow. His short, violent career began in Amsterdam in the Netherlands and ended in Orkney. He was imprisoned, tried, and hung. Not once, but twice, (after the rope snapped the first time) at London’s execution dock on the 11th of June 1725. While the name conjures up images of pirates, it also creates imagery of the brutal seas and rugged coastlines surrounding Orkney.

The rum is produced on Lamb Holm a tiny island (0.15 square miles) – home to the Italian Chapel and connected to mainland Orkney by the Churchill barriers. The distillery sits metres away from the sea. It’s one of the smallest rum-producing islands in the world.

Molasses is imported and fermented for 5–14 days, in a temperature-controlled 2000 litre fermenter and 2000 litre still. Fermenting to around 8% ABV which is then distilled in a stripping run to around 30% ABV. This stripped molasses wash (or low wine) is returned to the still for a final spirit run. They produce a range of rum styles, using various fermentation techniques with different percentages of backset/dunder. Mainly focusing on heavier, more full-bodied rums.

Casks are laid down yearly and currently, there’s a mixture of chestnut, virgin oak, ex-bourbon, ex-red wine, ex-port, ex-whisky and ex-sherry casks. The latest release is Scotland’s oldest in the modern era, a 6-year-old single cask aged in 2nd fill chestnut. The first 8-year-old is due for release in 2025. Visitors are welcome to tour, and tasting at the on-site location.

Find out more on J.Gow Rum Distillery

North Point Distillery

The distillery is located in Forss, on the former US Navy base that overlooks the Pentland Firth on the rugged Caithness’ north coast. North Point Distillery was founded in early 2020 by Struan Mackie and Alex MacDonald.

In the 1700s, merchant ships made their voyage to the Caribbean through this channel. Between the northern tip of mainland Scotland and the Orkney Islands lies a channel of the North Sea known for its dangerous, unrelenting, and unpredictable tidal currents, metres-high swells, and treacherous whirlpools.

North Point Pilot Rum pays homage to this legend and the histories of these Pilots.  They make whisky, gin and rum.  The rum is made from molasses and fermented at 28 °C with Kveik yeast, a Norwegian farmhouse yeast famed for its fruity, vibrant character. After 7 days of fermentation, it’s triple distilled in Sandy Stroma: a fully bespoke, first-of-its-kind, electrically fired, 500L Still. They age this rum in ex-Scotch Whisky casks to create the signature Pilot Rum. The North Point Spiced Rum uses 21 spices to create the recipe. They have a rum cask program and welcome visitors for a distillery tour.

Find out more on North Point Distillery

Dark Matter Distillers

Scotland’s pioneering rum distillery in the modern era was established in 2015. Located in the heart of Aberdeenshire in the stunning Royal Deeside. They carved a niche with a new spiced rum. Their flagship product, Dark Matter Spiced Rum, is a bold and flavourful spirit infused with a recipe that includes freshly peeled Oriental ginger, Thai green peppercorns, Indonesian long pepper, and South American allspice berries.

Recently a White Rum Prototype was launched this year. it was fermented and distilled in 2016 from a single estate sugar cane juice from Barbados, pressed using their ancient steam mill, the rum embodies all the original flavour properties of the cane. The rum was rested in stainless steel for 6 years and it’s a small batch availability.

Find out more on Dark Matter Distillers

West Coast

This rugged coastline has dramatic landscapes of mountains, sea lochs, and wild islands. Weather comes in from the Atlantic Ocean. Islay, a Hebridean island is known for its peaty whisky, wildlife, peat bogs, sandy beaches, and now a rum distillery.

The Islay Rum Distillery

When the name Islay is mentioned, whisky is the first thing that comes to mind, and rightfully so, as it is home to 9 (and counting) Scotch whisky distilleries. This rich distilling history inspired The Islay Rum Company’s ground-breaking decision to establish the island’s first-ever rum distillery.

In 2020 the company embarked on a project to convert a derelict lemonade factory in Port Ellen into a modern distillery boasting a stunning copper pot and twin retort still, enabling them to replicate the production of traditional Caribbean rum. Using Bon Sucro-certified molasses all their rums are hand-crafted and have a distinctive Scottish twist. 

These award-winning rums include Islay Rum Geal, a pure white rum with a Scottish twist, and Islay Rum Peat Spiced, which has a distinct smoky taste reflecting its Islay roots and recently won a gold medal at The World Rum Awards.  Islay Rum Barrel Aged is their latest release, a single rum matured in ex-Islay whisky casks giving it a smoky flavour, notes of vanilla, and a coastal salinity.

The distillery is not yet officially open to the public; however, visitors will always get a friendly and hospitable Islay welcome, just call before you go! Islay Rum Cocktails can also be enjoyed at the exclusive Machrie Hotel, Islay.  

Find out more on The Islay Rum Distillery

The Glasgow Distillery Co

The original Glasgow Distillery Company was founded in 1770, but it closed in 1902. Founded in 2014 by Liam Hughes and Mike Hayward, the current distillery produces whisky, gin, and rum.

Their rum brand Banditti Club Rum first launched in 2018 and is named after a company of bold rogues who would meet in Glasgow’s local public houses; sharing music, food, and laughter late into the night. Made without any additional colouring, flavouring, and no added sugar, Banditti Club Glasgow Spiced Rum is an all-natural heavily spiced rum that captures the energy, passion, and vitality of the original Banditti Club.

Distilled from fresh sugar cane juice on the island of Madeira, Banditti Club is aged at The Glasgow Distillery in fresh white oak casks for over a year before spicing with fresh, natural ingredients.

At the start of September, they released three new limited edition un-spiced Banditti Club Rums; Barrel Aged Golden Rum, Pedro Ximenez Sherry Cask Finish, and Madeira Wine Cask Finish. This is a working distillery and not open to the public however you’ll find their rum range at The Rum Shack in Glasgow.

Find out more on The Glasgow Distillery Co

Island Slice Rum

IslandSlice Rum Distillery is in Dumbarton affectionately named Rumbarton by founder Sylvester Herman. Dumbarton Rock (above) is a volcanic plug formed 340 million years ago. Sylvester served in the American military and British Army, but his career direction changed after his late father’s passing in 2015. Inspired to honour his legacy, Sylvester started IslandSlice in 2016, a tribute to the centuries-old art of rum-making. Distilled from molasses, they craft rum from scratch using a 1000L double retort pot still, designed by Sylvester himself.

They embrace long fermentation, the use of muck and dunder, and other secret processes passed down through generations. Producing a white rum at 80% ABV, reminiscent of the distillates produced by his ancestors on St. Lucia’s plantations.

The range includes IslandSlice Spiced Rum Inspired by time in Afghanistan, the Masala Chai Rum combines the warmth of chai spices. IslandSlice Scotch Bonnet Infusion adds fresh Scotch bonnet peppers to white rum. IslandSlice Dark Rum is aged in ex-Scotch whisky casks with no additives. Looking to the future IslandSlice will launch a rum cask ownership program and relocate to bigger premises.

Find out more on Island Slice Rum

Sugar House Rum

Since its launch in the summer of 2017, Sugar House Rum has been at the forefront of the Scottish rum scene, pioneering the craft with dedication and collaboration with other Scottish Rum brands. This spirit of collaboration is one of the main driving factors behind the resurgence of authentic rum in Scotland, which we all take immense pride in.

Sugar House Rum is meticulously crafted from fermenting sugarcane molasses, the naturally soft water of Scotland, and a selected yeast strain, which is then distilled in a copper pot still with a rectifying column to capture the richest flavours. They enjoy experimenting with both old and new techniques to push the boundaries of flavour creation with fermentation and distillation. The range includes an award-winning white rum, a rich spiced rum infused with natural spices, a unique tropical Scotch Bonnet spiced rum, and limited-edition cask aged rums.

Looking ahead, they hope to restart rum production in 2025, after a brief hiatus and produce even more unique rums to release in the future. You can find the current rum range online at The Whisky Exchange. They are committed to continuing our journey of crafting exceptional Scottish rum.

Central Belt

The most populated region and famed for distilling grain spirit and millions of casks ageing whisky. This low-lying landscape with waterways and agricultural land is the beating heart of Scotland’s distilling nation and home to some emerging rum producers.

Blackness Bay Distillery

On the shores of the Firth of Forth, near Linlithgow, the distillery is the oldest building in the historic castle village of Blackness made famous by the renowned Outlander series. Founded in 2023 by couple Sheena and Colm O’Rourke they present an artisan distillery experience.

The range includes Blackness Bay Rum, and Blackness Bay Jacobite Spiced Rum created using a traditional dunder method with spices including cassia, orange, lemon, and cardamom. Flower of Scotland Pink Rum has Thistle flowers, heather buds, and dried rose petals – many of the rose petals are picked straight from the distillery’s garden giving this fragrant, mellow rum a unique local flavour.

Blackness Whisky & Rum Distillery has an adjoining pub/restaurant The Lobster Pot and welcomes visitors to their unique tour with old artifacts and history of local distilling.

Matugga Distillers

Founded by husband-and-wife team Paul (Head Distiller) and Jacine Rutasikwa, Matugga Distillers was founded in 2018 in Livingston near the capital Edinburgh. Producing artisanal rums from scratch at the family-owned distillery.

The brand draws upon a rich ‘Rum Triad’ – rooted in Jamaica’s rum-making traditions, culture, and flavours of East Africa, and blended with Scotland’s proud distilling heritage. As a result, they produce some of the most unique rum expressions available anywhere in the world.

Their mission is to produce a maverick range of artisan rums for those looking for greater authenticity, increased quality, and genuine depth of flavour. They produce the full spectrum of rum styles using African sugarcane molasses and copper pot distillation – from high-quality unaged white rums to smooth, cask-aged rums, as well as aromatic spiced and tantalising flavoured rums. Building our success around two signature brands, Matugga and Liv,

They also offer contract distilling, private rum cask ownership, and warmly welcome visitors where you can enjoy a tour and tasting.

Find out more on Matugga Distillers

NB Distillery

Located on the East Coast of Scotland, North Berwick, a stone’s throw from the infamous Tantallon Castle and world-famous Bass Rock, NB Distillery was established in 2013. Now under new ownership and once again producing rum with a strong emphasis on transparency and rum heritage at their core. Jamie MacDonald, aka @rumroyalty, the Head Distiller and owner is committed to creating high-quality rums with an emphasis on an exceptional ageing program. The rums produced are currently under the current brand design which will soon be relaunched under new brand development and design.

Find out more on NB Distillery

SeaWolf Rum

The first white rum to be distilled on Scottish soil was launched on 1st December 2016. Made with a combination of champagne and rum yeasts. The fermentation of the cane molasses is done at low temperatures for four weeks. This unaged white rum was created by Mike Aikman and Jason Scott the duo behind world-renowned Edinburgh bars Bramble, The Last Word, Lucky Liquor Co., and Ruma. They created SeaWolf Rum to create the best rum for making Daiquiri cocktails.

Taking its name from the Native American term for killer whales, SeaWolf gives a subtle nod to Britain’s naval links with rum importation and the pods of sea wolves that can be found dotted around the Scottish coastline today. Rum is big in the cocktail world, however, when they started looking around for a British brand, they realised that very few brands were distilled here and so SeaWolf was born. The rum is contract distilled so it doesn’t offer a visitor experience but can be found at specialty drink stores and the bars above in Edinburgh.

Find out more on SeaWolf Rum

South Scotland

Dumfries and Galloway in southwest Scotland has the Solway Firth, Southern Uplands, and Galloway Forest. This is where Scotland and England geologically came together. Historically, home to smugglers, distillers, farming, and fishing. And, now a renowned rum distillery!

Ninefold Rum Distillery

Five miles from Lockerbie, in Dumfries & Galloway, lies Dormont Estate. Owned and farmed by the Carruthers family for nearly half a millennium, the heart of the estate is now home to Ninefold Rum Distillery. Built in 2018 in a converted dairy by youngest son, Kit, Ninefold launched in the summer of 2019 and has been building a quiet, but enviable, reputation within the industry.

Kit’s founding ethos was to make rums entirely from first principles and be open, honest, and authentic about how everything is made. To that end, Kit makes his rum from scratch using North African sugar cane molasses, fermented and double pot-distilled in a custom Scottish copper pot still to his recipe.

Pure Single Rum, an unaged ‘white’ rum, was the first product out of the door. A versatile, full-bodied fruity rum that’s become a bartender’s favourite, Pure Single Rum established the distillery’s credentials for quality and tasty rum. Since 2019, the distillery’s core line-up has expanded to include an overproof unaged rum, a core aged expression matured in fresh American oak, and two spiced rums.

Care and compassion are also fundamental pillars on which Ninefold Distillery’s business is built. They endorse and contribute to charities and causes that support, train, and elevate underrepresented groups within the drinks industry. The distillery’s motto is “Our Rums, Your Way”. Visit by appointment only.

Find out more on Ninefold Rum Distillery

Other notable rum brands in Scotland: Wester Rum and Edinburgh Rum, Holyrood Distillery in Edinburgh presents Elizabeth Yard Rum Union, BrewDog in Aberdeenshire has Duo Rum, Titan Spirits makes a spiced rum, El Cabezon Rum bottles Caribbean rum, Illicit Spirits in Glasgow produces rum, Jacobite Spirits Rum Distillery is developing their distillery in Glasgow, Golden Branch Rum, Lost Loch Spirits in Aberdeenshire produces Cutaway rum, Isle of Barra Distillery makes Island Dark Rum, Uhuru rum, Biggar Rum, Wallhouse Rum, and Necropolis rum.

There are historical brands like OVD, Lang’s, Banana Rum Watson’s Rum, Trawler Rum, and you can find Skippers Rum served with milk in Border towns like Hawick. Scotland has several independent bottlers of rum like Cadenhead’s, MacNair’s Exploration Rum by GlenAllachie Distillery, Dram Mor, Watt Whisky, Thomson Bros, Rum Sponge, and many others.

Not all producers have visitor experiences but you’ll find their rum in local bars and restaurants.

Where to Enjoy Rum in Scotland

Enjoy rum cocktails in Edinburgh, the capital, or a tropical bar in Glasgow, or you’ll be sure to find some good rum in one of the many whisky bars!

Glasgow: Tiki Bar & Kitsch Inn, The Rum Shack, Turtle Bay Glasgow, Kelvingrove Café, The Spiritualist Glasgow.

Edinburgh: Ruma, Bramble Bar & Lounge, Panda & Sons, The Devil’s Advocate, Dragonfly, Nauticus, The Blue Blazer, The Voodoo Rooms, and The Cumberland Bar has a private rum school bookable on Sip Antics.

Inverness: The Malt Room         

Aberdeen: The Wig       

Dundee: Abandon Ship, The King of Islington     

Scotland’s rum scene is vibrant and driven by young craft distillers leading the way in the UK rum revival. If you also like sailing, golf, and whisky, then you are in for a real treat on your next rum adventure! A Scottish road trip awaits, to discover the pioneering rum producers in the land of Scotch.

For more general travel advice on Scottish Tourism 

For travel planning use our Scotland Rum Map 

Thanks to the brands for contributing to this article, and permission to use their images. Other image credits to Canva Pro, and user contributions.