How you say the Scotch whisky distilleries you mispronounce

Most Scotch whisky distilleries are named after places. A fair few of them have the word ‘glen’ in them. You would think that would make them nice and easy to pronounce. Some are. Most aren’t. It’s a legacy of the beautiful language of Gaelic and rather than moan or avoid saying these names, it’s better to learn and then show off to all your mates. 

In what will be an ongoing series (since there are so many), we will help you avoid the gaffes so you can say “Glen Geery” with confidence when you see the name “Glen Garioch”. No really, that’s how it’s pronounced. We’ll get to that.

Here’s how you say the Scotch whisky distilleries you mispronounce.

Scotch whisky distilleries you mispronounce

Abhainn Dearg: Pronounced “Avin – jerrig”

Abhainn Dearg Distillery is on Uig, on the west coast of the Isle of Lewis, and it’s a small distillery founded in 2007. In Gaelic its name Abhainn Dearg translates to “red river” and to pronounce its name you say “avin – jerrig”.

Allt-á-Bhainne: Pronounced “Ollt-err-VANE”

Allt-á-Bhainne is a Scotch whisky distillery located in the Speyside region. The distillery was founded in 1975 and the name Allt-á-Bhainne is Gaelic and means “Burn of the Milk,” which refers to a nearby stream.

Dailuaine: Pronounced “Dall-yewan” 

Dailuaine Distillery is a single malt whisky maker founded in 1852. The Gaelic of the name, an dail uaine, is thought to mean ‘green valley’ which describes the distillery’s picturesque location in Speyside. To pronounce it just sound out “dall-yewan”.

Glenfiddich: Pronounced “Glen-fid-ick”

Despite being a giant of single malt Scotch whisky, many people mistakenly pronounce it “Glen-fid-itch” with a “ch” sound at the end, but the correct pronunciation has a soft “ck” sound, like in “kick.” The name derives from the Gaelic Gleann Fhiodhaich meaning “valley of the deer”, reflected in Glenfiddich’s stag logo.

Glen Garioch: Pronounced “Glen Geery”

The East Highland distillery was founded in 1797, making it one of the oldest Scotch whisky distilleries still in operation. The name “Glen Garioch” throws people more than most, being pronounced “glen geery” in the Doric dialect of Aberdeen. It comes from the distillery’s location in the celebrated ‘Valley of the Garioch’, which was named “The Granary of Aberdeenshire” thanks to the quality of barley produced there. 

Ledaig: Pronounced “Led-chig”

Ledaig whisky was founded in 1798 as part of Tobermory Distillery, with Ledaig being the peated whisky produced there. The name Ledaig is Gaelic for “Safe Haven,” referencing the sheltered bay of Tobermory on the Isle of Mull.

Lagavulin: Pronounced “Lagga-voolin”

The Lagavulin Distillery can be found at Laguvulin Bay on the island of Islay. The distillery, which was founded in 1816, gets its name from the anglicisation of the Gaelic lag a’mhuilin which means ‘hollow by the mill’. To pronounce its name say “lagga-voolin”.

Tomintoul: Pronounced “Tom-in-towel”

Tomintoul Distillery was founded in 1964. The name “Tomintoul” is derived from the nearby village of Tomintoul, which is the highest village in the Highlands of Scotland, and means “Hillock of the Barn” (Tom an t-Sabhail) in Gaelic. You pronounce it like “tom-in-towel”, like your friend Tom is wrapped up after a shower. 

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