Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has announced today that the Dallas Dhu distillery in Moray Speyside will reopen as a working distillery.

Aceo Distillers Company Limited (Aceo) will take over the management of distillery operations, implementing a phased program of development of the site. HES will retain guardianship of the site on behalf of Scottish Ministers.

This development is expected to benefit the local community and economy. Dallas Dhu will be transformed into a unique heritage attraction, offering visitors the opportunity to experience artisanal Scotch whisky production methods, alongside its existing popularity as a visitor destination. The focus will be on showcasing the rich history of Speyside whisky and the art of traditional Scotch whisky making.

Aceo will implement a phased approach to operational improvements. This will include bonded warehousing facilities and the eventual reintroduction of traditional whisky production, alongside improvements designed to enhance the visitor experience. The new visitor centre will offer tours focusing on the story of Scotch whisky and Speyside production.

Investment will prioritise sustainable improvements to the distillery, ensuring the historic and artisanal nature of the distilling process remains central to the experience as Dallas Dhu is brought back to life.

Dallas Dhu, built by entrepreneur Alexander Edward, has a long and distinguished history. Originally constructed to meet the growing demand for Scotland's national drink, the distillery produced malt whisky for the popular Roderick Dhu blend for nearly a century. Production ceased in 1983, and the distillery was handed into state care a few years later. The traditional distilling equipment remains exactly as it was when the doors closed for the final time.

Stephen Duncan, Director of Marketing & Engagement at HES commented “Dallas Dhu offers a unique opportunity to showcase traditional distilling techniques as a living history attraction. This reopening marks a new chapter for the distillery, and we are confident it will attract visitors, while also bringing benefits to the local community and economy.”

Edward Odim, Managing Director, Aceo said "The Aceo Team are thrilled to be reopening the historic Dallas Dhu Distillery. Our vision is to make Dallas Dhu one of the leading, must-see whisky distilleries in Scotland, giving visitors a unique, close-up experience of whisky making. The aim is to breathe life back into the distillery by first getting the original equipment working and traditional whisky distilling going once again. This revived, long-lost spirit will be matured in Dallas Dhu’s well-preserved Victorian dunnage warehouses. 

“Longer-term, the plan is for a state-of-the-art visitor centre with exhibition and museum space, and a café/restaurant, to be enjoyed by visitors and the local community.  There will be a cooperage displaying the art of the cooper, a working malting floor and an interactive virtual reality whisky experience, that delves into the science behind Scotland’s famous spirit. But, as well as show how whisky is made, we intend to tell the social and economic story – past and present – of whisky production in Speyside, Scotland’s largest whisky producing region.

“So, it’s time for us to roll up our sleeves and get going on reviving this jewel in the crown of Scotland’s whisky distilleries.”

Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes said:

“This collaboration between Historic Environment Scotland and Aceo marks the start of a new chapter for the celebrated Dallas Dhu Distillery site.

"The re-introduction of whisky production and expansion of the visitor experience will breathe new life into a historically significant distillery, showing how Scotland's treasured heritage assets can be preserved and revitalised at the same time, so that sites like Dallas Dhu continue to evolve and flourish.

"It's fantastic news for the local community in Forres, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact this collaboration will bring."

About Historic Environment Scotland

1. Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is the lead body for Scotland’s historic environment, a charity dedicated to the advancement of heritage, culture, education and environmental protection. It is at the forefront of researching and understanding the historic environment and addressing the impacts of climate change on its future, investigating and recording architectural and archaeological sites and landscapes across Scotland and caring for more than 300 properties of national importance. HES is also the lead on delivering Scotland's strategy for the historic environment, Our Past, Our Future.

2. Historic Scotland, Scran, Canmore, The National Collection of Aerial Photography (NCAP), The Engine Shed, Stirling Castle and Edinburgh Castle are sub-brands of Historic Environment Scotland. 

3. Historic Environment Scotland is a registered Scottish Charity. Scottish Charity No. SC045925 

4. Keep up to date with news from Historic Environment Scotland and register for media release email alerts. You can unsubscribe at any time by following the unsubscribe link included in every email.

5. You can follow Historic Environment Scotland on X, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and our blog.  

From Aceo:

Aceo, a prominent company in the Scotch whisky industry, has unveiled today that they will be reopening the Victorian Dallas Dhu Distillery. Built in 1898, Aceo aims to bring the distillery back into production for the first time since 1983 and transform the site into a state-of-the-art visitor attraction.

"The Aceo Team are thrilled to be reopening the historic Dallas Dhu Distillery," said – Edward Odim, Managing Director, Aceo. "Our vision is to make Dallas Dhu one of the leading, must-see whisky distilleries in Scotland, giving visitors a unique, close-up experience of whisky making. The aim is to breathe life back into the distillery by first getting the original equipment working and traditional whisky distilling going once again.”

Aceo's commitment to giving back to the community and sustainability is at the forefront of the restoration project, with plans to minimise environmental impact and enhance wildlife and biodiversity at the site. Additionally, the distillery will serve as an educational hub to learn about the science and artistry behind whisky production. 

Aceo is committed to preserving the historic fabric of Dallas Dhu and its unique heritage, while embracing modern technologies for sustainable distilling practices, with their goal being to create a destination that celebrates Scotch whisky and its enduring legacy.

“Longer term, the plan is for a state-of-the-art visitor centre with exhibition and museum space, and a café/restaurant, to be enjoyed by visitors and the local community. There will be a cooperage display, a working malt floor and an interactive virtual reality whisky experience, exploring Scotland’s famous spirit.” explained Mr Odim. “But, as well as showing how whisky is made, we intend to shed light on the sometimes hard social and economic history of whisky production in Speyside, Scotland’s largest whisky producing region.”

As part of the project, together with local organisations, Aceo will host an array of events including art exhibitions, workshops, concerts and cèilidhs – the hope is for Dallas Dhu to become a hub of community life for all to enjoy. Aceo’s investment in Dallas Dhu Distillery will create jobs, increase tourism and economic activity in the area.

"We are very excited by the Dallas Dhu Distillery revival project, which has so much potential” added Edward Odim. "So, it’s time for us to roll up our sleeves and get going on reviving this jewel in the crown of Scotland’s whisky distilleries.”

About Aceo

Aceo Limited has been in the Scotch whisky industry for 25 years and has built its own successful spirit brands which are sold around the world – including the award-winning Murray McDavid whisky. (Aceo Distillers Company Limited, the company that will be reviving Dallas Dhu Distillery, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Aceo Limited).

Aceo provide a wide range of B2B services including bottling, label design, cask management, logistics and exports.

Aceo has its HQ near Edinburgh but also has strong and longstanding ties with Speyside; in addition to its whisky maturation warehouses at Kinloss, Coleburn and Royal Brackla (together holding 50,000 casks), it has a Craft Bottling Hall at Dandaleith near Craigellachie.

Other assets in Speyside include; Dallas Dhu House and The Old Bank in Forres, Parkmore Distillery Manager’s House in Dufftown – plus an old stone Bothy in the Glenrinnes hills and Beach Huts at Findhorn Beach.

Aceo also owns the ‘Murray McDavid’, a 60ft traditional wooden boat on the River Clyde in Glasgow which hosts whisky events.

You can follow Aceo Limited on LinkedIn, Aceo Spirits on X, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram, and Murray McDavid on X, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.