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A Whisky Region of Its Own

Campbeltown is officially recognized as the smallest whisky region in Scotland. Once known as the ‘Whisky Capital of the World’, the town counted nearly thirty legal distilleries in the 19th century. Ships left its harbour bound for Glasgow, Liverpool, and the United States, carrying the reputation of Campbeltown malt far beyond Kintyre.

Today, only two distilleries are in regular production — Springbank and Glen Scotia — while Glengyle (Kilkerran) operates only a few weeks per year. For Witchburn, it is both an honour and a privilege to stand in this neighbourhood, alongside these world‑famous names that embody heritage, resilience, and authenticity.

The Town and Its Character

Campbeltown is more than whisky. It is a place of rugged beauty, strong traditions, and a community shaped by both land and sea. Nestled at the very tip of the Kintyre Peninsula, the town is remote — almost like an island — yet only a short flight or a scenic drive from Glasgow.

The town’s charm lies in its mixture of maritime atmosphere, historic buildings, and cultural landmarks. Life here is intertwined with the ocean, with fishing boats in the harbour and sea air sweeping in from the Mull of Kintyre.

Highlights of Campbeltown

History of Campbeltown

1667

Campbeltown named after Archibald Campbell, Earl of Argyll

1825

Excise Act legalizes distilling in Scotland

1844

Twenty-nine distilleries active in Campbeltown

1876

Machrihanish Golf Club formed

1916

First airfield built at Machrihanish

1920

Prohibition begins in the United States, hitting Campbeltown whisky exports hard

1935

Only three distilleries remain in production

1941

Royal Naval Air Station Machrihanish officially opened

1977

Paul McCartney releases the song ‘Mull of Kintyre‘

1980

RAF Machrihanish identified as an emergency landing site for the Space Shuttle

1996

Campbeltown Airport opens to commercial flights

2012

Site sold to the Machrihanish Community Company (MACC)

2023

Brave New Spirits announces plans to build Witchburn Distillery

Looking Ahead — A Shared Revival

Campbeltown has seen both its golden days and its struggles. From thirty thriving distilleries to only two in regular production today, its story is one of resilience.

At Witchburn, our goal is not just to make whisky — it is to contribute to Campbeltown’s new era of recognition and growth. We believe the town deserves to shine again as a whisky capital. By building Witchburn here, we want to help bring back that sense of pride, energy, and international attention that once defined Campbeltown.