Moray HER - NJ12NE0021 - OLD DISTILLERY, GLENLIVET

Print site NJ12NE0021 Feedback on site NJ12NE0021

Main Details

Primary ReferenceNJ12NE0021
NameOLD DISTILLERY, GLENLIVET
NRHE Card No.NJ12NE24
NRHE Numlink 87427
HES SM No. NULL
HES LB No. NULL
Site Form Standing Structure
Site Condition Incomplete
Details Remains of the old distillery of Glenlivet. This was the first distillery to be licensed in Scotland under the Distillery Act of 1823, set up by George Smith, although it is presumed that distilling took place here prior to this date. It operated until 1858 when production was moved downhill to the current distillery site (NJ12NE0009). It is depicted on both the 1st and 2nd edition OS maps as an 'Old' distillery. The site went out of use in 1858, when it was moved to a new location (NJ12NE0009). There are grass-covered foundations of several buildings plus the remains of a chimney, two dams and several water channels. Later tracks cross one of the dam sites. A cottage now occupies part of the northeastern corner of the site, and may utilise the footprint of an earlier building. Investigation was undertaken in 2021 as part of the NTS and The Glenlivet Pioneering Spirit Project. The old distiller took the form of buildings around three sides if a courtyard, open to the north. Five trenches were excavated. Across the southern range Trench 3 recorded a structure against the inside of the southern wall and two fireboxes which would probably have been used to heat the wash and spirit stills. At the east end of those feature a number of artefacts pointed to the likely location of the spirit safe. A brass plate with 'Gottleich Patent' is from an excise padlock, and an iron hoop for a barrel maty have been from the spirit receiver. The other trenches examined the western range, courtyard and east range. Artefacts recovered included bottle glass, pottery, iron work, copper piping, brick and slates. A perforated air brick may had formed part of a kiln floor.
Last Update29/07/2022
Updated Bycpalmer
CompilerCH
Date of Compilation21/04/2010

Google Map for NJ12NE0021

National Grid Reference: NJ 1870 2836



Event Details

Event DateEvent TypeOASIS ID
1993 Survey
1994 Survey
2021 Excavation

Excavations and Surveys

Date MDate YTypeDurationDirector / OrganisationAuspicesFundExtent
31994 Survey   CFACGG100
 1993 Survey  SUAT   
 2021 Excavation  NTS   

Artefact and Ecofact

Date MDate YArtefact TypeFinderRecovery MethodConditionStorage LocationAccess No.
 2021 BOTTLE GLASS NTS Excavation  
 2021 POTTERY NTS Excavation  
 2021 COPPER PIPING NTS Excavation  
 2021 BRICKS NTS Excavation  
 2021 IRON BARREL HOOP NTS Excavation  
 2021 BRASS PLATE NTS Excavation  
 2021 SLATES NTS Excavation  

Ecofact

Samples
Palynology
Ecofact Notes

Monument Types

Monument Type 1Monument Type 2Monument Type 3OrderProbability
BOTTLES FRAGMENTH100
POTTERY  I100
PIPESCOPPER J100
BRICKS  K100
SLATES  L100
DISTILLERIES REMAINS OFA100
DAMS REMAINS OFB100
CHANNELSWATERREMAINS OFC100
KILNS SITE OFD100
MILLSWATERREMAINS OFE100
RAMPS REMAINS OFF100
CHIMNEYS REMAINS OFG100