Rosebank
The most famous resurrection in Scotch whisky. Rosebank was one of the great Lowland distilleries — triple-distilled, delicate, floral — before Diageo closed it in 1993. Ian Macleod Distillers bought the site, painstakingly rebuilt it, and restarted distillation in July 2023, opening to visitors in June 2024. The original Rosebank spirit from pre-closure stocks is now among the most sought-after whiskies in the world (bottles regularly fetch four figures). The new-make spirit is promising — light, citric, recognisably Lowland — but the first core bottlings of the reborn Rosebank are years away. The visitor centre in Falkirk is worth visiting for the history alone.
Rosebank is a legendary lost Lowland distillery — closed by Diageo in 1993, and the subject of near-universal regret among whisky lovers. The triple-distilled Falkirk canal-side whisky was considered the finest Lowland malt ever made: floral, light and complex. Ian Macleod Distillers rebuilt the site, restarting distillation in July 2023 and opening to visitors in June 2024. The pre-closure bottlings are collector's items fetching four figures; the reborn distillery's own whisky is still in its infancy.
Visiting Rosebank
Camelon Road, Falkirk
FK1 5SQ
Tour options
90 min
The process behind the whisky
90 min
18+. Tasting of the World's Best Whisky at Rosebank
90 min
18+. The rekindled spirit of Rosebank
180 min
18+. Exclusive tasting of three rare Rosebank whiskies
Core range
Not yet released (revival)
Bourbon + sherry (planned)
Revived 2023 (originally silent since 1993). New-make running; first revival-era whisky expected 2026. The original Rosebank releases are collector territory.
Character & reputation
The most celebrated resurrection in Scotch. Rosebank was the definitive Lowland malt — triple-distilled, floral and delicate — until Diageo shut it in 1993, and the pre-closure bottles now change hands for four figures. Ian Macleod Distillers rebuilt the canal-side Falkirk site and restarted distillation in July 2023, opening to visitors in June 2024. The early releases have been old stock (a 31 and a 33 Year Old drawn from the last casks filled before closure); the reborn distillery's own whisky is still years from a core bottling. Go for the history and the restored Victorian buildings — just don't expect to taste the new spirit yet. Best for whisky-history pilgrims and Lowland devotees.
Food pairings
| Whisky | Food | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Rosebank (pre-closure) | Lemon posset or elderflower jelly | The triple-distilled floral Lowland character suits delicate floral desserts. |
Getting there
Car, or the train to Falkirk High — a 0.5km walk from the distillery beside the Union Canal.
Falkirk High station is 0.5km away — an easy walk from the platform. (Distance as the crow flies; actual walking route may differ.)
Falkirk High station travel guide on TripSCOTWhere to eat nearby
- Falkirk town centreArea
Good range of restaurants and cafes in Falkirk.
- The Falkirk Wheel visitor centreCafé
10 min walk — canal boat lift and visitor café.
Where to stay near Rosebank
Rosebank was Scotland's most celebrated Lowland distillery before closing in 1993 and has been restored. It's in Falkirk, on the Union Canal — the canal towpath walk from the distillery to the Falkirk Wheel (2 miles) is one of Central Scotland's best short walks. Edinburgh (35 miles) and Glasgow (30 miles) are both within commuting range.
Good range in Falkirk town centre.
Country house hotel near Falkirk.
The map is centred on Rosebank — set your dates on it, or go straight to hotels, B&Bs and self-catering through the providers underneath.
Booking links are affiliate links — we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Location
Camelon Road, Falkirk, FK1 5SQ
View on map →Near Rosebank
Things to do nearby, from our sister site TripSCOT, which covers the day-out side. Distances are in a straight line from Rosebank, not by road.
- FalkirkTownunder 1 km
- Callendar ParkPark1 km
- Muiravonside Country ParkPark9 km
- Bo'ness and Kinneil RailwayMuseum12 km
- LinlithgowTown12 km
- Stirling Smith Art Gallery and MuseumMuseum16 km
Nearest station: Falkirk High (under 1 km)
Frequently asked questions
+Why was Rosebank closed?
Diageo closed it in 1993 during an industry rationalisation. It was immediately recognised as a mistake — Rosebank was considered the finest Lowland malt.
+Is the new Rosebank the same?
Ian Macleod Distillers reopened the original site in 2023 with the same triple-distillation process and access to original knowledge. The new-make is promising but the first aged releases are still years away.
+Where is Rosebank distillery?
Rosebank is in the Lowlands. Postcode FK1.
+When was Rosebank distillery founded?
Rosebank was founded in 1840, making it roughly 186 years old.
+How far is Rosebank Distillery from Glasgow?
About 30 miles — Rosebank sits in Falkirk, between Glasgow (30 miles) and Edinburgh (35 miles), both within commuting range. The nearest station is Falkirk High, a 0.5km walk from the distillery.
+How much do Rosebank Distillery tours cost?
Rosebank Reawakening is £26.25 for 90 minutes. Discover the World's Best Whisky is £52.50, Rosebank Rekindled £99.75, and the three-hour Rosebank Revered — an exclusive tasting of three rare Rosebank whiskies — is £300.
Compare with similar distilleries
Original Rosebank is comparable in rarity and reverence to Port Ellen and Brora. The triple-distilled Lowland style was unique.
Port Ellen
One of the most legendary names in Islay whisky — mothballed in 1983, its 1970s and early-80s bottlings became some of the most collectable Scotch ever. Diageo reopened the rebuilt distillery in 2024 with new stills running alongside a restoration of the original buildings; new-make spirit is now quietly maturing for future releases.
Brora
Closed in 1983 and reopened by Diageo in 2021 after a meticulous restoration, Brora's silent-period 1970s bottlings are among the most collectable (and expensive) Scotch whiskies ever released. New-production spirit won't be commercially available for years — visits are by private appointment only.
Other distilleries owned by Ian Macleod Distillers
Distilleries that share Rosebank's corporate parent — useful context if you're comparing house styles within an owner's stable.
Tamdhu
Quietly one of the best-value 100% sherry-cask Speysides on the market since its 2013 reboot under Ian Macleod. The 15 in particular is widely regarded as superb for the price. Tamdhu opens to visitors only during festival events — there is no regular tour programme.
Glengoyne
Sits on the Highland line just 30 minutes north of Glasgow, making it one of the most accessible working distilleries in Scotland. Famously unpeated and famously slow-distilled — the slowest in Scotland, they'll tell you — with a consistently excellent sherried core range.
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