ScotlandLowlands

St. Magdalene

Average Rating

13.25

1 vote

Average Shop & Tour
  • 50.00
    Ambiance
  • 1.00
    Selection
  • 1.00
    Value
  • 1.00
    Service
Photo by Slàinte Mhath

About

St. Magdalene was established at least by 1798 (and possibly as early as 1765). During its early life, it was known as "Linlithgow" after the town in which it was built, and was originally located at Bonnytoun. It moved to the St. Magdalene site in 1834, to be close to the Union Canal. Before the distillery existed, the site was home to a leper colony, convent, and hospital at various points in time between the 12th century and the distillery's 18th-century founding. The distillery took its name from St Magdalene's Hospital, a lazar house which once stood upon the site.

For the majority of the 19th century the distillery was run by the Dawson family, initially by Adam Dawson (1747–1836), who had trained as a maltster and was the youngest son of a sheep farmer from Kippendavie near Dunblane. Adam Dawson and his wife Frances McKell had ten children, including James Dawson the prominent champion of Aboriginal interests. Another son, John Dawson (1796–1878), continued the distillery business along with his brother Adam Dawson Jr (1793–1873). By 1856 the distillery was capable of producing 4,000 US gallons (15,000 l; 3,300 imp gal) of whisky per week, and employed around 30 people. The sale of the distillery to Distillers Company in 1912, was brought about by the untimely death in January 1912 of John Kellie Dawson, son of Adam Dawson Jr, from meningitis at the age of 43. St. Magdalene was renovated in 1927.

After St. Magdalene closed in 1983, some of the buildings were converted into apartments. They retained their distinctive pagoda roofs, and are protected as category C listed buildings.

  1. karloff did not rate this distillery Connoisseur

    Passed this on the way home from Stirling. It's just a little diversion from the M9.It's definitely worth a visit as it's just about all there. It's mixed emotions as you walk around. It's sad that it's shut but happy the structure is still there and will be for many years to come for whisky geeks like us to pay a visit. Getting some funny looks taking photos from the residents but I'm sure they are used to it. 

  2. dcsicsak did not rate this distillery Expert Senior

    Still beautiful but sad to see it is now fitted for habitation. Still a piece of whisky-history.

  3. Cast Olila did not rate this distillery Connoisseur

    View only from outside. Ambience 90

  4. GLEN MAUR Plus did not rate this distillery Connoisseur

    View only from outside. Ambience 91

  5. bullbarley scored this distillery 13 points Expert Senior

    Lovely former location of a great defunct distillery that preserves the pagoda roof lines in the modern flats development. The Annet House Museum in Linlithgow has a brief review of the former glory of St Magdalene.

    Total
    13
    Ambiance
    50
    Selection
    1
    Value
    1
    Service
    1

Distillery location

St. Magdalene's
EH49 6AQ Linlithgow, West Lothian
Scotland Lowlands

Whiskybase logoWhiskybase

Build and track your whisky collection, rate and review bottles, check prices, and engage with like-minded enthusiasts. All things whisky since 2007.

Become a Supporter 

Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play

Whiskybase B.V.
Zwaanshals 530
3035 KS Rotterdam
The Netherlands 


KVK: 60207205
VAT: NL853809112B01