The History Of Clynelish
1819
Built by the Marquess of Stafford to provide a ready market for the barley grown by his tenants.
1821
The distillery is leased to James Harper, the first of three tenants who would manage the site for the best part of 80 years.
1896
Clynelish is bought by blending company Ainslie & Co.
1897
Power now comes from a steam engine, in addition to the water wheel.
1912
John Risk, already a 50% shareholder, buys the distillery and forms the Clynelish Distillery Co. Ltd.
1925
John Risk sells his shares.
1930
Scottish Malt Distillers now own 100% of Clynelish.
1931
Clynelish is another victim claimed by the depression, closing its doors in the hope that the halt isn’t permanent.
1938
Better times mean Clynelish is up and running again.
1941
After just four years, wartime barley restrictions force the distillery to close once again until 1945.
1968
Construction of a modern distillery to the south is completed. Old Clynelish closes to make room for it’s modern replacement – the distillery we know as Clynelish today.
1975
Old Clynelish is reborn as Brora Distillery, producing a peated malt.
1983
Despite its resurrection and success, Brora distillery is closed.
2008
With two additional washbacks, the distillery can now work seven days a week