The parish of Urray, in which Druimorrin lies was hoaching with small stills up until the 1820s when the government brought in a series of Acts to stamp down small-scale (and difficult to tax) distilling. The end result was that the smaller stills gradually disappeared and the Ord Distillery emerged, just a mile and a half from Druimorrin.

It seems that at a time when parishes around Urray were being 'improved' by being cleared of small-scale tenant farmers and mailers to make way for sheep 'walks', the proprietors in this area chose to create a market for the grain produced and carry out different sorts of land 'improvements'.

Nowadays, we have the award winning Glen Ord single malt, with fascinating distillery tours, a modern visitor centre and of course the chance to sample the whisky.  All ages are welcome in the visitor centre and children aged 8 and over can go on the tours.

The Glen Ord Distillery was founded in 1838. Its soil, the barley, the sea air and the marvelously soft water that imparts Glen Ord Single Malt Whisky with a “Flavoursome roundness,” which has earned this unique spirit the International Wine and Spirits Competition '94 & '95 Gold Medal for the world’s best single malt and the '96 & '97 Monde Selection Awards. It is known as the “Richer Malt” from the Black Isle in the Northern Highlands.

The history of Glen Ord is entwined with Scottish lore and the MacKenzies of Ord. The distillery was prized by other distillers for its unique characteristics long before becoming available worldwide. Its impressive reputation is firmly established in Scotland - especially among blenders who included Glen Ord to add a premium note to their whiskies.

Unlike other single malts, much of Glen Ord’s distinctive flavour profile is due to the distillery’s unique twin water source known locally as “The White Burn” which includes pools fed by rainfall as well as from spring water.

Glen Ord Distillery Copper Stills

Uniquely among whiskies, the barley is grown right on the Black Isle and specially malted adjacent to the distillery. The flavour of Glen Ord lacks the “burn” often associated with single malt, while offering a mellowness and sociability that makes it particularly appealing.

Upon tasting Glen Ord, single malt authority, author, and connoisseur Michael Jackson, extolled, “Perilously drinkable — a smooth, well rounded choice.”