Scotland’s own Marie Celeste (Dallas Dhu)
Dallas Dhu is a distillery musuem. But does it have any soul left? The Mystery Visitor went to the eerily deserted site
Dallas Dhu styles itself a âhistoric distilleryâ â quite fittingly, as it is in the charge of Historic Scotland.
Better known for its castles and heritage sites this government agency seems an unlikely custodian of the cratur.
But there is a logic to all this. As the excellent guide book explains, âWhisky is Scotlandâs national drink. It has evolved out of our landscape and history⦠While the march of change has transformed many distilleries, and closed others, Dallas Dhu remains â a perfectly preserved time capsule.â
From all this you will gather that Dallas Dhu is silent. In fact, it last distilled in March 1983 after which it was closed. Its owners, UDV (now Diageo), transferred it to Historic Scotland who have operated it as a visitor attraction and museum since 1988.
So now it stands, cold and empty, looking slightly forlorn in the grey light of a dull Scottish day. Located just outside Forres, on the edge of a drab housing estate, Dallas Dhu presents an enigmatic face to the visitor. Its purpose lost, it seems forever questioning its new role.
On the one hand, there is nothing sadder than a silent distillery that you sense will never re-open. Mothballed machinery lies idle, a deep cold pervades the still room and water-filled casks make believe they are maturing in the dunnage warehouses.
The angels have long departed. Itâs all unbearably poignant. One longs for the confidence and energy of the Victorian entrepreneurs who built this little place.....
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By Mystery Visitor
Section : Mystery Visitor
Page number : 42
