East Steading, Royal Lochnagar Distillery

The East Steading of the Royal Lochnagar Distillery is a group of distinctive buildings constructed in 1845, with later alterations in the 19th and 20th centuries. The complex represents a purpose-built distillery, including a manager's house to the northeast. The buildings are constructed of coursed grey granite rubble, with a four-storey, double-pile former maltings building now used as a warehouse, characterised by regularly spaced small openings. A U-shaped steading, now a visitor's centre, features seven former cart arches to the east, flanked by advanced blank gable ends to the north and south, and now has boarded, two-leaf timber doors. A pyramid-roofed mash house is also present, alongside a complex of single-storey office buildings to the north, which includes a three-bay cottage. A tall brick chimney is located to the south.

Fenestration is varied but predominantly features timber surrounds, with grey slate roofs, gable stacks, and brown painted iron rainwater goods.

Internally, the buildings have been extensively modernised, however, a historic, open-top mash tun with rakes and rows of iron columns in the former maltings remain.

The manager's house is a two-storey, three-bay structure with a timber-gabled porch, constructed of coursed grey and pink granite, with timber sash and case windows, two gable stacks, and purple slates, complemented by white-painted rainwater goods. A single-storey outhouse, built of granite rubble, is also present, featuring an eight-pane timber casement window and a timber door.

The steading is a good example of a mid-19th century distillery complex still in use. The distillery has been operational since 1845, and following a fire in 1841, John Begg was granted a lease to build the distillery. A visit from Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1848 resulted in a Royal Warrant and the adoption of the brand name "Royal Lochnagar." Sensitive alterations were made in the late 20th century to accommodate visitors and modern distilling practices. The site is located within the Cairngorms National Park and is shown on the 1866 Ordnance Survey map.