The Rt. Hon. John Swinney MSP, First Minister of Scotland, Officially Opens Luss Distillery!

Today was a landmark moment for all of us here at Luss Distillery and the wider Loch Lomond Group, as we were honoured to welcome The Rt. Hon. John Swinney MSP, First Minister of Scotland, to officially open our new distillery and visitor experience on the banks of Loch Lomond.

This opening marks the culmination of years of ambition, planning and collaboration, and represents one of the most significant new investments in whisky tourism in Scotland in recent years. For us, it is about much more than a new building. It is a long-term commitment by Loch Lomond Group to Scotland’s spirits industry, rural tourism and sustainable economic growth, while creating new jobs and supporting the local community we are proud to be part of.

Set in the heart of the historic village of Luss, at the gateway to the Scottish Highlands, our distillery has been designed as an immersive discovery experience. We wanted it to feel welcoming to seasoned whisky and gin enthusiasts, while also inspiring those who are newly curious. The purpose-built site brings together four distinctive buildings, including our working distillery, immersive whisky and gin discovery areas, a dedicated tasting room, retail space and a cafe with views over the surrounding hills. Together, they form a vibrant brand home for our multi-award-winning spirits – most notably Loch Lomond Whiskies and Ben Lomond Gin. In our retail space, visitors can also explore the wider Loch Lomond Group portfolio, including Glen Scotia and Littlemill single malts, alongside other premium spirits and Champagne.

Following a soft opening in late 2025, we expect to welcome up to one million visitors during 2026. Luss is already one of Scotland’s most visited villages, attracting both domestic and international travellers, and we are excited to add a new chapter to that journey on the shores of Loch Lomond.

During today’s visit, the First Minister toured the distillery and visitor experience, reflecting on the economic contribution of Scotch whisky and the positive impact Luss Distillery will bring to the region. The visit concluded with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque to mark the occasion. To mark the opening, we also presented the First Minister with a bespoke bottle of Loch Lomond 14-Year-Old Luss Exclusive Cask. One of just 291 bottles produced, this exclusive release features personalised engraving and is available only here at Luss Distillery.

Colin Matthews, Founder and CEO of Loch Lomond Group and Council Member of the Scotch Whisky Association, said:

“Scotland is celebrated worldwide for its tourism, its exceptional Scotch whisky and spirits, and the natural beauty of places such as Loch Lomond and the Scottish Highlands. At Luss Distillery, we have brought these elements together to create a truly memorable destination - one that welcomes seasoned whisky and gin enthusiasts, as well as those curious to discover the people, place, the craft and passion behind our brands.

“We have long held ambitions to open a destination like this here on the banks of Loch Lomond, and it is a real privilege to have the First Minister mark this occasion with us as we look ahead to a busy spring and summer season.

“Scotland’s spirits sector is facing challenging times, which makes continued investment more important than ever. As one of the largest independent distillers in Scotland, we remain steadfast in our commitment to quality, history, authenticity and innovation, and we will continue to play a prominent role in developing Scotch whisky and the wider spirits industry to ensure it remains relevant, exciting and appealing to modern consumers.

“We call on the First Minister and colleagues across the political spectrum to continue their strong support for this great historic industry and the meaningful contribution it makes to Scotland and the wider UK.”

Colin concluded: “Every detail at Luss has been designed to celebrate the character of our spirits and the extraordinary landscape that inspires them, and we look forward to welcoming visitors throughout 2026.”

First Minister John Swinney said:

“It has been a pleasure to open the new Luss Distillery on the banks of Loch Lomond. The distillery and visitor centre not only adds to the quality of the tourism offering in Luss but also to Scotland’s international reputation as a world class destination for visitors.

“This investment by the Loch Lomond Group is extremely welcome, particularly when there are serious challenges impacting on the whisky sector, both at home and abroad.

“The spirits sector may be defined by its 170 export markets, its approximately £5.3 billion contribution to the Scottish economy, and the thousands of jobs it sustains, but it is the history and stories behind it, like those told here, that capture people’s imagination and bring visitors from across the world. Telling the story of the history and quality of our produce and its importance to Scotland’s economy, like that at Luss Distillery, is a key priority of my government and we will continue to do all we can to support this vital industry.”

The design and experiential concept for Luss Distillery was led by Scottish creative studio Paul Hodgkiss Designs, alongside Diverse Contracts and brand experience agency Hot Pickle, working with a wider team to deliver the construction and realisation of the project. From the earliest stages, the vision was to create a building that belongs to its setting rather than competes with it, drawing inspiration from the natural rhythms of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park.

The result is a contemporary distillery that celebrates sustainability, heritage, and community in equal measure.