The Cairn
Full Highlands food & drink guide — distilleries, restaurants, where to stay, when to go.
Gordon & MacPhail's second distillery (after Benromach), opened in 2022 on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park just outside Grantown-on-Spey. Designed by Scottish architects Organic to sit in the landscape; built for long-maturation releases in the Gordon & MacPhail style.
The Cairn is Gordon & MacPhail's second distillery (after Benromach), opened in 2022 on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park outside Grantown-on-Spey. Its own whisky is a long game: the inaugural First Peek (a 3-year-old, 1,000 bottles) sold out by January 2026, the shop sells CRN57° sourced blended malts in the meantime, and the first core single malt isn't expected until around 2034. The striking building and Cairngorms setting make it a worthwhile visit now.
Visiting The Cairn
Contact distillery
Grantown-on-Spey, Cairngorms
PH26 3LQ
- Shop
- Café/Restaurant
- Parking
Core range
First Peek (inaugural, sold out)
57% ABV · Bourbon casks
The Cairn's true inaugural release: First Peek, a 3-year-old at 57%, £50, limited to 1,000 bottles — sold out by January 2026. Current distillery sales are the CRN57° sourced blended malts; The Cairn's own core single malt isn't due until around 2034.
Food pairings
| Whisky | Food | Why |
|---|---|---|
| CRN57° (sourced blended malt) | Smoked salmon canapés | Clean, accessible blended malt suits light party food. |
Getting there
Car. Just outside Grantown-on-Spey on the A95, on the northern edge of the Cairngorms National Park — 35 min from Aviemore.
Where to stay near The Cairn
The Cairn is just outside Grantown-on-Spey, a handsome Victorian planned town on the northern edge of the Cairngorms. Grantown has a good range of hotels and B&Bs, and Aviemore (35 minutes) adds the full resort options. It pairs naturally with Speyside distilleries to the north and the Cairngorms outdoors to the south.
Hotels, B&Bs, and self-catering within easy reach of The Cairn.
Booking links are affiliate links — we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Location
Grantown-on-Spey, Cairngorms, PH26 3LQ
View on map →Frequently asked questions
+Is The Cairn a real distillery?
Yes — it's Gordon & MacPhail's second distillery, opened in 2022 just outside Grantown-on-Spey. Its own single malt is still maturing: the inaugural First Peek sold out in January 2026 and the first core release isn't expected until around 2034.
+What is CRN57°?
The blended malt range The Cairn currently sells while its own spirit matures. The whisky inside is sourced, not distilled at The Cairn — an honest stopgap, clearly labelled.
+Where is The Cairn distillery?
The Cairn is in the Highlands, just outside Grantown-on-Spey on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park. Postcode PH26.
+When was The Cairn distillery founded?
The Cairn was founded in 2022, making it roughly 4 years old.
Other Highland distilleries
The obvious comparison is sister distillery Benromach — same owner, same patient Gordon & MacPhail approach, but Benromach has two decades of mature stock to show for it.
Oban
A tiny two-still distillery sitting right in the middle of the town it’s named after. Oban bridges Highland and West Coast island character — gently smoky, salty, fruity.
The Dalmore
The Highland distillery that appears on more end-of-year gift lists than any other. Dalmore is famous for heavy sherry-cask maturation and extremely serious prices at the top of its range.
Glenmorangie
Home to the tallest stills in Scotland — nearly five metres — which produces a notably light, fragrant spirit. Glenmorangie is one of the best-selling single malts in Scotland full stop.
Other distilleries owned by Gordon & MacPhail
Distilleries that share The Cairn's corporate parent — useful context if you're comparing house styles within an owner's stable.
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