The Whisky Distilleries of the United Kingdom

The following is from The Whisky Distilleries of the United Kingdom by Alfred Barnard:

Teaninich

ON leaving Dalmore we proceeded to Teaninich situated on the other side of the river, to reach which we were obliged to return to the station and go through the rural village of Alness. The surrounding country is naturally rich and fertile, and we were struck with the beauty of the corn-fields, ripe with golden-grain, and the verdant meadows in which cattle were placidly grazing.

"All the tree tops lie asleep,
Like green waves on the sea,
As still as in the ocean deep "
The ocean woods may bee;”

In the background we re seen the huge projections of Ben Wyvis, whose summit was bathed in sunshine, and its slopes covered with peaceful farms and I woodlands. Crossing the bridge we turned to the left and followed the course of the river, whose banks are overhung with trees of considerable size, the grateful shade of which we fully appreciated as we pursued our war to Teaninich. The Distillery, which is beautifully situated on the margin of the sea, and about one and a half miles from the station, consists of several ranges of substantial buildings, which, together with the Manager's house, workmen's cottages, and farmsteading, give it the appearance of a small colony. It was founded in the year 1800, and covers upwards of four acres of ground. The establishment is almost encircled by a broad belt of fir trees, and is only divided from the sea by a roadway.

In the absence of the Proprietor, the Manager showed us over the premises, and took us through the Maltings, Mash-house, Tun-room, and Still-house, all neat and well-arranged buildings. The Kilns are heated with peat, and the Stills are of the old Pot kind.

Teaninich is the only Distillery north of Inverness that is lighted by electricity; besides which it possesses telephonic communication with the Proprietor's residence and the quarters of the Excise Officers. There are several spacious bonded Warehouses distributed about the premises. The make is pure Highland Malt, and the annual output is 80,000 gallons. We were informed that the actual sales for the year 1884 amounted to 74,000gallons.

Teaninich is a very interesting place, and we much regretted that we had so little time at OUT disposal, as, after hastily inspecting the Distillery, we had to I hurry to the station to catch a passing Dingwall.

Ben Wyvis - Index