On Friday November 17, 2006 the new and upgraded Bowmore Visitor Centre was officially opened. It has been 32 years ago since the first opening of the Bowmore Visitor Centre, on September 12, 1974. Therefore Morrison Bowmore Distillers is very proud to open a renewed and restyled Visitor Centre at Bowmore Distillery on Islay. Bowmore Distillery was established in 1779 and is the oldest distillery on Islay. Every year Bowmore distillery welcomes approximately 10.000 visitors for a tour and to savour a dram.

Scottish actor James Cosmo was present for the cutting of the ribbon. The event was perfectly organised and ended with a fantastic fireworks and live music.

 17th November 2006

Bowmore, the award winning Islay Single Malt Whisky, officially unveiled its new Visitors Centre today as part of a £20 million global investment programme over the next five years.

 Guests of Bowmore celebrated with drams and fireworks as the Visitors Centre, which is very much the home of the Bowmore brand, was officially opened by actor James Cosmo. This marks the start of an exciting new era for Bowmore which, from December, will see the launch of a stunning new bottle, packaging and range.

-go to my Bowmore Range page for more new images-

 Visitors to Bowmore are welcomed to join a tour of the distillery where highlights include the Visitor Centre itself, which showcases some of the Bowmore archives, never previously on display to the public, the traditional floor maltings and the famous Bowmore Vaults, that create the international award winning whisky. The tour then returns to the Visitors Centre where guests are invited to savour a dram and enjoy stories about Bowmore Distillery or simply to enjoy the breathtaking view from the new balcony over looking Loch Indaal. 

Commenting Iseabail MacTaggart, Bowmore Operations Manager, said: “We are delighted with the new Visitors Centre here at Bowmore which will offer all our guests the chance to share in the tradition and to reflect on the heritage of the ancient practice of making Bowmore Islay Single Malt Whisky in the unique surroundings.”

 The village of Bowmore is the capital of Islay and is proud to have the distillery at its heart. No trip to Islay would be complete without a visit.

Go to the website.

Here you can see nice photos of the renewed Bowmore Visitor Centre and shop. There are also photos taken on the evening of Friday 17th November when the Distillery was beautifully illuminated in various colours and the invited guests enjoyed the whisky, the live music and the fireworks.