Independent · Consumer-first · Scottish
Perth and KinrossTraditional Scottish fruit-wine producer with cider range

Cairn o' Mohr

Location
East Inchmichael, Errol, Perthshire
Founded
1987
Apples
Estate-grown and Perthshire-sourced
Flagship
Carse of Gowrie Cider (medium-dry)

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.

Our verdict

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.

Best for:Visitors to the Carse of Gowrie / PerthshireFans of properly-traditional dry-ish ciderAnyone interested in Scottish fruit wines as a wider category

The Cairn o' Mohr range

Carse of Gowrie Cider

Medium-dry5.5% ABV
Made with: Perthshire apples

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
Honest take

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.

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