Charles Doig
Charles Doig created the iconic pagoda roof for distillery kilns, combining improved ventilation with a distinctive design that became a symbol of Scotch whisky distilleries.
Charles Doig distilleries
| Name | Country | Status | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speyburn | Scotland | Active | Malt |
| Glenburgie | Scotland | Active | Malt |
| Glen Elgin | Scotland | Active | Malt |
| Lochside | Scotland | Closed | Malt |
| Aberfeldy | Scotland | Active | Malt |
| Dailuaine | Scotland | Active | Malt |
| Glen Mhor | Scotland | Closed | Malt |
| Cragganmore | Scotland | Active | Malt |
| Laphroaig | Scotland | Active | Malt |
| Glenfarclas | Scotland | Active | Malt |
| Dalwhinnie | Scotland | Active | Malt |
| Glentauchers | Scotland | Active | Malt |
| Lomond | Scotland | Lost | Malt |
| Strathmill | Scotland | Active | Malt |
| Coleburn | Scotland | Closed | Malt |
| Balblair | Scotland | Active | Malt |
| Craigellachie | Scotland | Active | Malt |
| Knockando | Scotland | Active | Malt |
| Glenfiddich | Scotland | Active | Malt |
| Ardbeg | Scotland | Active | Malt |
| Dufftown | Scotland | Active | Malt |
| BenRiach | Scotland | Active | Malt |
| Benromach | Scotland | Active | Malt |
Charles Doig & the Pagoda Roof
Charles Chree Doig (1855–1918) was a pioneering Scottish architect best known for designing the iconic pagoda (or cupola) roof found on many distillery malt kilns. First introduced during the 1889 refurbishment of Dailuaine distillery, the “Doig ventilator” improved airflow and smoke extraction during the drying of malted barley, ensuring more consistent and efficient production. Its distinctive, curved design—both functional and visually striking—was widely adopted across Scotland, becoming a defining symbol of Scotch whisky distilleries. Today, while often decorative rather than functional, the pagoda roof remains one of the most recognisable features of traditional distillery architecture.
The below are the distilleries that adopted the Doig ventilator, not all survive and only a tiny handful are actually used, as only a tiny number of distilleries continue to operate malt kilns to this day.