The Borders Distillery
Pair The Borders Distillery with a round
Our sister site TripSCOT covers the visit side — opening hours, getting there, family-friendly notes. We cover the whisky.
The first legal whisky distillery in the Scottish Borders since 1837, built into a restored Victorian electricity works in Hawick. Produces both malt and grain whisky, sources Borders-grown barley, and has a real focus on regional identity — the distillery is easily the most significant whisky opening in the south of Scotland in modern history.
The Borders Distillery in Hawick is the first Borders distillery to operate since 1837 — a significant historic return to a region that was once a whisky heartland. Opened 2018, its own single malt is still maturing and has not yet been released; the Workshop Series blends and the well-regarded Kerr's gin carry the shop in the meantime. The distillery building itself is a beautifully restored Victorian electricity works. A worthy stop on any Border towns tour.
Visiting The Borders Distillery
Contact distillery
Commercial Road, Hawick, Scottish Borders
TD9 7AQ
- Shop
- Café/Restaurant
- Parking
Core range
Workshop Series (blended Scotch)
40% ABV · Varies by release
The Borders' own single malt is still maturing — nothing has been released yet. The Workshop Series (WS:01 onwards) are 40% blends and single blends built around the distillery's make while the malt comes of age.
Food pairings
| Whisky | Food | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Workshop Series | Borders lamb with herbs | The clean, unpeated spirit suits the gentle flavours of Borders lamb. |
Getting there
Car or bus. Hawick town centre, Scottish Borders. Direct bus from Edinburgh (2 hrs).
Where to eat nearby
- The Distillery restaurantRestaurant
On-site restaurant in the Victorian mill building.
- Hawick town centreArea
Traditional Borders wool town — cafés and local restaurants.
Where to stay near The Borders Distillery
The Borders Distillery is in Hawick town centre — a working mill town 50 miles from Edinburgh and 80 miles from Glasgow. Hawick has a couple of decent hotels; Melrose (20 miles) has a beautiful abbey and better accommodation. The Borders Abbeys Way walking route connects several historic sites within range.
Hawick hotel near the distillery.
Good range in Melrose, 20 min north.
Hotels, B&Bs, and self-catering within easy reach of The Borders Distillery.
Booking links are affiliate links — we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Location
Commercial Road, Hawick, Scottish Borders, TD9 7AQ
View on map →Frequently asked questions
+Why was there no distillery in the Borders for so long?
The Borders whisky industry collapsed in the 19th century under economic pressure, changing tastes, and licensing issues. The Borders Distillery is the first legal production since 1837.
+Where is The Borders Distillery distillery?
The Borders Distillery is in the Lowlands. Postcode TD9.
+When was The Borders Distillery distillery founded?
The Borders Distillery was founded in 2018, making it roughly 8 years old.
Compare with similar distilleries
The Borders revival story is similar to Annandale in the south-west. Both are historically significant returns to regions without whisky for generations.
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