Ardgowan Distillery celebrates with grand opening

Easton Capital backed Ardgowan Distillery celebrated the launch of its new Inverkip based distilery with a grand opening by the Scottish Government’s Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes.

THE first new whisky distillery in Inverclyde for more than a century is now officially open for business. Scotland’s deputy first minister, Kate Forbes, opened the £20 million Ardgowan Distillery on 20th June 2025. Invited guests got a first look inside the building before the general public were welcomed to an open event running from 3pm until 7pm.

Following eight years of development and construction, the Inverkip site is now up and running with whisky already being produced. After cutting the ribbon, Mrs Forbes was joined by Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Stuart Macmillan on a tour of the attraction, led by distillery manager Laura Davies and former site CEO Martin McAdam.

The £20 million project is expected to see around 50 jobs created, and the Ardgowan team say they hope to attract 50,000 visitors a year. The distillery’s first casks are already being filled after building work was completed earlier this month.

Founded in 2017, the firm is led by whisky entrepreneur Roland Grain and distillery manager Laura Davies.

Mr Grain said: “After a lengthy build, the team and I are thrilled to now be in full production and filling casks with our own distillate, including private casks for our Clan Ardgowan members. Ardgowan’s ultimate goal is to revive the golden age of Scotch whisky with long sherry cask maturation in European oak.

The last whisky distillery to operate in Inverclyde was destroyed in the Greenock Blitz on May 7, 1941.