Caol Ila and Distillery Houses
The Distillery Houses were built as homes for distillery workers and their families during the nineteenth century. Their construction reflected the remote location of the distillery, where housing was essential to support a stable workforce. Together, the houses formed a small community closely connected to the daily operation of the distillery and are among the few surviving examples of purpose-built whisky workers' housing on Islay.
Caol Ila Distillery was founded in 1846 by Hector Henderson. Its name, Caol Ìle, is Gaelic for "Sound of Islay," referring to the narrow stretch of water separating Islay from Jura. Between 1972 and 1974, the original Victorian distillery was replaced with a modern facility on the same site, while retaining its spectacular location overlooking the Sound of Islay. Today, Caol Ila is the largest distillery on Islay, producing whisky renowned for its distinctive balance of maritime character, gentle peat smoke, and citrus notes.
