Whisky guides

A guide to the Lowlands | Scotch whisky regions

This is our guide to The Lowlands, the Scotch whisky region that is probably most underappreciated. From old-school grain giants to a new and exciting era, here's a short history of the region.

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Taxing early days

Highlands and Lowlands

Rise of the Lowlands

Build your own

Going with the grain

The Lowlands style 20th century decline Nothing lowly about the Lowlands

Author:

Adam O'Connell

Reading time: 7 minutes

The Lowlands is defined as ‘The area lying to the south of the line dividing [it from] the Highland region.’ You might already know that, and could probably say something about how light, floral, and grassy malt whiskies are made there. But there’s more to the Lowlands than it’s often given credit.

It’s the second-largest Scotch whisky region by area and the largest by volume. The Lowlands date back to the end of the 18th century and, tied with the Highland region, is the oldest recognised whisky region. It was once home to over 100 distilleries, is the bedrock of the Scotch grain whisky industry, and is a hotbed of new talent. Let’s take a deeper look at Scotch whisky’s underrated region.