Charles Doig: The Architect Behind the Pagoda Roof | Scottish Delight
Charles Doig (1855-1918) was a Scottish architect and engineer based in Elgin, best known for his work designing and modernizing whisky distilleries throughout Scotland in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Charles Doig
Doig’s involvement in the whisky industry began in the 1880s, when he joined an Elgin surveying practice before starting his own firm in 1890. As the whisky boom of the late 19th century drove distillery owners across Speyside and beyond to expand and rebuild, Doig became their architect of choice, ultimately working on more than 50 distilleries across Scotland.
One of Doig’s most famous distillery designs was for the Strathmill distillery in Keith, Scotland. This distillery, which is still in operation today, was built in 1891, and features a number of architectural elements that are characteristic of Doig’s style. The distillery features a Scottish baronial-style architecture, which is characterized by turrets, towers, and battlements.
Another notable distillery designed by Charles Doig is the Benrinnes distillery near Aberlour. This distillery, which was built in 1826, was completely rebuilt in 1896, and is considered to be one of the most beautiful distilleries in Scotland. The Benrinnes distillery features a number of architectural elements that are characteristic of Doig’s style, including turrets, towers, and battlements, as well as Indian-inspired architectural elements, such as arched windows and intricate detailing on the exterior.
Doig’s influence on the design of whisky distilleries was not limited to the exterior of the buildings. He also designed the interior of the distilleries, ensuring that the production process was as efficient as possible. This was an important consideration, as the distilleries were designed to produce large quantities of whisky in a relatively short amount of time. Doig’s designs allowed for the smooth flow of materials and people throughout the distillery, which helped to increase production and reduce costs.
A “Doig ventilator”
One of the best known improvements Doig made was the addition of the so-called Doig ventilator. The design of this was inspired by Asian pagodas. The design replaced traditional rotating metal cowls, which were intended to draw smoke upwards but caught the wind poorly; the Doig ventilator instead allowed air to be pulled in from all directions, making it far more efficient. Additionally, they looked far more aesthetically appealing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Charles Doig?
Charles Doig (1855–1918) was a Scottish architect and engineer based in Elgin, best known for designing and modernizing whisky distilleries across Scotland in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He began working in the industry in the 1880s at an Elgin surveying practice before starting his own firm in 1890.
How many distilleries did Charles Doig design or work on?
As the whisky boom of the late 19th century drove distillery owners across Speyside and beyond to expand and rebuild, Doig became their architect of choice, ultimately working on more than 50 distilleries across Scotland.
What is a “Doig ventilator”?
The Doig ventilator is a pagoda-style roof ventilator Charles Doig designed, inspired by Asian pagodas. It replaced traditional rotating metal cowls, which were meant to draw smoke upwards but caught the wind poorly.
Why was the Doig ventilator an improvement over earlier designs?
Unlike the rotating metal cowls it replaced, the Doig ventilator allowed air to be pulled in from all directions, making it far more efficient at drawing smoke upward, while also looking more aesthetically appealing.
Which distilleries are famous examples of Doig’s architectural style?
Two of Doig’s most notable designs are Strathmill distillery in Keith, built in 1891 in a Scottish baronial style with turrets, towers, and battlements, and Benrinnes distillery near Aberlour, rebuilt in 1896 with similar features plus Indian-inspired arched windows and detailing.
Did Doig only design the exterior of distilleries?
No. Doig also designed distillery interiors, focusing on efficient production flow so materials and people could move smoothly through the building, which helped increase production and reduce costs.
