Auchtermuchty

From Whiskipedia

Distillery in Fife established in 1829. For its entire history it was run by one family - the Bonthrones. An ancestor of theirs started brewing near Falkland Palace in 1600; by the mid 20th century the Bonthrone family owned or operated most of the maltings in Fife. Auchtermuchty was their first official distillery. It had a relatively low output (30,000 gallons a year by the 1880s) and two small stills. The spirit still was an old illicit still bought in a battered and dented condition from a smuggler around 1825. In all three generations of Bonthrones ran the distillery before it closed down in 1926 and was sold in 1929.

From 1923 the distillery was known as Stratheden. Most of the distillery buildings still remain. The maltings and warehouse are now a mill and the office building is used by Auchtermuchty Community Council. The malt barn and kiln were declared listed buildings in 1992. Lost Distilleries: Auchtermuchty

Alfred Barnard, in his book "The Whisky Distilleries of the United Kingdom" (1887), writes about this distillery:

"The Distillery, which was founded in the year 1829, is situated in the small town of Auchtermuchty, about half a mile from the railway station. It is built in the solid rock in front of a tributary of the river Eden, which stream comes from Lochmill and runs through the town. It took nearly two years to blast and cut out the rock, and 3000 loads of stone were removed by the excavators. With the exception of the Distillery proper, the buildings, more especially the Maltings, are somewhat scattered, and cover about 2 1/2 acres. The Distillery has been in the handsof the Bonthrones, father and son, for nearly a century. The present proprietor is reputed to be the oldest distiller in Scotland, and, although well advanced in years, he was, at the time of our visit, both hale and vigorous, and able to attend to his business. It was in the year 1829 that he first began to make whisky, and made about 3000 gallons the first year, since which time the output has greatly increased and many additions have been made to the works. Mr Bonthrone is assisted in the Distillery by his two sons, who have been trained to the business, and understand the art of distilling in all its branches."