Dumbarton Bridge distillery

Lowland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Dumbarton Bridge was a malt distillery in its namesake town that operated for short bursts of time during the early 19th century.

There are countless former distilleries in Dunbartonshire and for many years Dumbarton had what was seen as Scotland's biggest distillery – a vast brown brick edifice on the north bank of the Leven where it meets the Clyde, built by the Canadian firm Seagram in 1938.

Dumbarton Bridge distillery on the other hand sat on the east bank of the River Leven between the current rail bridge, just west of the railway station, and the main road bridges. Today Dumbarton Health Centre occupies the location.

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Map
  • Region
    Lowland
  • Production type
    Single malt
  • Distillery Status
    Demolished

Dumbarton Bridge History

Dumbarton Bridge distillery was first licensed to John Hamilton in 1816 during a period of instability for the small and medium-sized Lowland distillers, who were struggling against the popularity of whisky produced by their Highlands counterparts.

Distillery failures at this time were frequent and Dumbarton Bridge closed the following year. It remained mothballed until it was reopened by John Lang in 1827 as Dumbarton distillery.

Lang continued Dumbarton’s operation for 10 years until 1837 when it was again shut down. Dumbarton was operational again by 1851, but no other record exists of its final closure.

Timeline

  • 1816 Dumbarton Bridge distillery is opened by John Hamilton
  • 1817 After only one year, the distillery is closed
  • 1827 The site is re-opened by John Lang, this time as Dumbarton distillery
  • 1837 The distillery is closed once more
  • 1851 Dumbarton is reported as ‘operating’, but details on when distilling eventually ceased are scant

Contact

Address
Dumbarton
West Dunbartonshire
United Kingdom
Map

See also

  • Rutherglen Bridge Rutherglen Bridge Rutherglen Bridge Distillery

    Rutherglen Bridge

    Lost Glasgow distillery that operated briefly at the start of the 19th century.

  • South Bridge South Bridge South Bridge Distillery

    South Bridge

    A 19th century distillery that operated on what was then the outskirts of Aberdeen.

  • Bridge of Don Bridge of Don Bridge of Don Distillery

    Bridge of Don

    A lost distillery that operated somewhere on Aberdeen’s northern edge in the late 18th century.

  • Eastbridge Eastbridge Eastbridge Distillery

    Eastbridge

    A Kirckaldy-located 19th century distillery, whose buildings still survive today.

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