Cairn o' Mohr
Cairn o' Mohr (pronounced 'cairn o' more') is primarily Scotland's best-known fruit-wine producer rather than a dedicated cidery — founded in 1987 by Ron Gillies, the family-run Perthshire producer makes oak leaf wine, raspberry wine, strawberry wine, elderflower wine, and more. The cider is a smaller part of the range but worth knowing about: their Carse of Gowrie Cider is made from Perthshire-grown apples and has a properly traditional character.
Cairn o' Mohr is the answer to 'Scotland's other cidermaker' — a small-scale operation primarily known for fruit wines but producing a respectable single cider from Perthshire apples. The Carse of Gowrie Cider is harder to find than Thistly Cross but worth seeking out if you're in Perth and Kinross, particularly at the farm shop or local farmers markets.
The Cairn o' Mohr range
Carse of Gowrie Cider
Cairn o' Mohr's flagship cider, made from apples grown in the Carse of Gowrie — the fertile band of land between Perth and Dundee. Properly apple-forward, drier than most UK supermarket ciders, and closer to a traditional West Country cider in body than to a modern craft style.
Available in: 75cl bottles
Where to buy
Direct from Cairn o' Mohr farm shop at Errol (open most days; check current hours). Selected Scottish farmers markets and farm shops. Less widely distributed than Thistly Cross.
Food pairings
- Roast pork and apple sauce
- Aged Scottish cheddar
- Apple-based desserts (the natural pairing)
- Charcuterie with strong cheeses
Don't visit Cairn o' Mohr expecting a cidery — visit expecting a fruit-wine operation that happens to make a good cider. The farm shop and tasting room at Errol is genuinely worth the trip; the fruit wines are the headline (the oak leaf wine especially is a Scottish specialty you won't find elsewhere). The cider is the by-the-way bonus.
Frequently asked questions
+Is Cairn o' Mohr a cidery?
Primarily no — Cairn o' Mohr is Scotland's best-known fruit-wine producer, founded in 1987. They make oak leaf wine, raspberry wine, strawberry wine, elderflower wine, and similar fruit-based wines. The cider (Carse of Gowrie Cider) is a smaller part of their range but is genuinely good.
+How do you pronounce Cairn o' Mohr?
'Cairn o' more' — Scottish Gaelic for 'the great cairn', referring to a Pictish standing stone near the farm in Perthshire.
+Can you visit Cairn o' Mohr?
Yes — the farm at East Inchmichael, Errol, has a shop and tasting room open most days. Check current opening hours on their website. The shop is genuinely worth the trip if you're in Perth and Kinross — you can taste the full fruit wine range and pick up bottles you won't find in supermarkets.
+Where can I buy Cairn o' Mohr cider in shops?
Distribution is significantly narrower than Thistly Cross. Best bets: directly from the farm shop at Errol, selected Scottish farmers markets (Perth, Dundee, Inverness), and a small number of independent off-licences in central Scotland. Major supermarkets don't generally stock it.
Other Scottish cider producers
Where to stay near Cairn o' Mohr
Hotels, B&Bs, and self-catering within easy reach of Cairn o' Mohr's farm shop.
Booking links are affiliate links — we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Related articles
12 min read
Best Scottish Shortbread: The Brands Worth Buying (and the Ones to Skip)
The Scottish shortbread brands worth buying, from Walkers and Dean's to Shortbread House of Edinburgh and island artisans — classic vs all-butter vs petticoat tails, supermarket vs gift tin.
11 min read
Edinburgh Christmas Market Food and Drink: What to Eat, Drink and Buy
A food-and-drink guide to Edinburgh's Christmas Market: the German stalls, the mulled wine, the Scottish producers worth seeking out, festive food gifts, and how to eat well without overpaying.
8 min read
Cheap Eats Edinburgh: Where Locals Actually Eat on a Budget
An honest, checked guide to the best cheap eats in Edinburgh — canteen curries, chip-shop institutions, pizza slices and lunch deals locals actually use, not tourist traps.