Doig Ventilators Touch Down at Glencadam Distillery!
jmarchitects are delighted to celebrate a major milestone at the Glencadam Distillery Visitor Centre.
jmarchitects are delighted to celebrate a major milestone at the Glencadam Distillery Visitor Centre, as two newly crafted Doig Ventilators have been successfully craned into position atop the roof.
These iconic roof structures are a modern reimagining of the original ventilators designed by the renowned Scottish architect Charles C. Doig, whose name is synonymous with the classic pagoda-style roofs found across Scotland’s distilleries. First introduced in the late 19th century, Doig Ventilators were engineered to improve airflow in malt kilns and quickly became a defining feature of the whisky-making landscape.
The original ventilators at Glencadam, installed in 1896 and 1915, were tragically lost to fire. Now, more than a century later, they make a triumphant return—reinterpreted as sculptural skylights that honour the distillery’s heritage while bringing natural light into the new Visitor Centre.
Designed by jmarchitects in collaboration with Linear Design and Construct, GlenFab, and Artisan Roofing—who delivered the striking copper cladding—the ventilators are a powerful symbol of Glencadam’s past and future.
Works on site are progressing at pace, with the new Visitor Centre set to open its doors this summer. Once complete, it will offer an immersive experience featuring a shop, exhibition space, tasting rooms, a whisky lounge, and a first-floor café and function room. Meanwhile, the adjacent VIP Suite is being transformed into a luxurious hospitality space for the distillery’s most valued guests.
The design takes inspiration from both traditional and contemporary distillery vernaculars, with a dignified material palette and locally reclaimed stone from the former Brechin Infirmary rooting the building within its historic setting.
Project manager of Angus Dundee Distillers Gary Milligan said:
“The development of our new visitor centre marks an exciting chapter, not just for Glencadam Distillery, but for the entire Brechin community.
“As we celebrate 200 years of whisky-making heritage, this investment will create valuable job opportunities, from hospitality and retail to guided tours and whisky experiences, while also providing an economic boost to the area by attracting visitors from near and far, reinforcing Brechin’s reputation as a destination for quality Highlands produce.
“This project is a testament to our commitment to both our craft and our community, ensuring Glencadam’s legacy continues to thrive for generations to come."
As Glencadam’s iconic Doig Ventilators return to the skyline, a proud and symbolic moment and milestone, they herald a new chapter in this historic distillery’s story.
“Reintroducing the Doig Ventilators to Glencadam has been a meaningful opportunity to celebrate the distillery’s architectural heritage. These structures honour a historic identity while helping to shape a contemporary visitor experience rooted in place and tradition.”
- Paul Smith, Architect, jmarchitects
For more information on this project: https://jmarchitects.net/glencadam-distillery-visitor-centre/
Photography / Imagery Credits: Angus Dundee Distillers, Linear Design, Artisan Roofing and Construct & Nick Dalgety
Video Credits: Angus Dundee Distillers
Credit: Paul Smith, jmarchitects
