Glenfiddich Distillery has a number of claims to fame. Perhaps most importantly, it was Glenfiddich which, in 1963, decided to market a single malt whisky to a world outside Scotland that until then had thought that scotch whisky meant blended whisky. The existence of the wholly new market that has grown so dramatically since owes much to Glenfiddich; and it is fitting that theirs is the biggest selling single malt worldwide.

Glenfiddich had its origins in the autumn of 1886, when William Grant purchased land in the valley of the River Fiddich just north of Dufftown. On Christmas Day 1887 the first spirit was produced from the second-hand stills Grant had also purchased to get his distillery up and running.

The name Glenfiddich came from the Gaelic valley of the deer and the first whisky produced was marketed, as it is today, under the brand of a stag's head.

The distillery is unusual in remaining in the hands of the same family throughout its life: it is still owned, together with neighbouring Balvenie Distillery, by the Grant family. The mid 1900s was a time of huge change in the distilling industry, with large number of distilleries coming under the ownership of just a few huge companies who controlled much of the market.

The big bonus of any visit is that the standard distillery tour, taking about an hour, is free: and it is also possible to book a much more in-depth "Connoisseur's Tour".

Visitors to the distillery can also browse the information in the visitor centre while waiting for their tour to assemble, and enjoy the displays in the Malt Barn while sipping their complimentary dram after the tour (or, for drivers, their orange juice while looking forward to opening their free miniature later).

There is also, of course, an on site shop: and being Glenfiddich it is an exceptionally large, welcoming, and well stocked shop which charges very reasonable prices for Glenfiddich and Balvenie single malts.