Dornoch Castle Hotel has won the title of ‘Whisky Bar of the Year’ at the 2026 Scottish Licensed Trade News (SLTN) Awards. The accolade was presented last week in recognition of excellence across Scotland’s hospitality sector.
The win marks a significant milestone for the Highlands venue and its front-of-house team.
“Winning the SLTN Whisky Bar of the Year for 2026 is brilliant news for the whole team,” said Jamie Williams, bar manager at Dornoch Castle Hotel.
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READ THE STORYWilliams credited the staff for the achievement. “Our staff have put in a tremendous amount of hard work to create a space that genuinely champions Scottish whisky, and this award is entirely down to them,” he said.
The bar has built a reputation within the global whisky community over several years. It serves as the home of both the Dornoch Distillery Company and independent bottler Thompson Brothers.
The site also underpins the forthcoming Struie Distillery, a new facility currently under construction. The project is set to expand distilling activity in the area.
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“Between celebrating this win and watching the new Struie Distillery take shape, it’s a really exciting time for us all up here in Dornoch,” Williams added.
The hotel offers curated seasonal whisky packages designed to draw enthusiasts to the Highlands. These experiences allow guests to sample rare and independent drams alongside local produce.
Guests who book directly through the Dornoch Castle Hotel website using the code WeeDram26 can access exclusive rates and discounts on drams, dining, and stays.
Dornoch Castle Hotel sits in the coastal town of Dornoch in the Scottish Highlands, a region long associated with whisky production. The surrounding Northern Highlands are home to several notable distilleries, including Glenmorangie, Clynelish, and Balblair.
The SLTN Awards are among Scotland’s longest-running hospitality honors. They celebrate operators and venues across the country’s licensed trade, spanning categories from bars and restaurants to hotels and pubs.
Scotch whisky remains one of the UK’s most valuable export categories, supporting tourism across rural Highland communities. Visitor interest in whisky experiences has fueled demand for destination bars and tasting-led stays.
