Glenora Inn and Glen Breton Distillery sits on the Ceilidh Trail at Glenville, near Mabou, and combines whisky making, an inn and one of the island's most reliable places to hear live Celtic music. Short guided tours of the distillery run on the hour, finishing with a sample for guests over 19, and a longer Backstage Pass tour of the production floor is available by reservation. The Washback Pub serves beverages and meals and, in season, hosts a daily ceilidh with fiddle and guitar. It is a good stop on the way along the western coast between Judique and Chéticamp. The 2026 season ran from 29 May to 24 October, so everything here is closed in November, and the inn and distillery reopen in late spring.
What to do
Join a distillery tour, which takes 15 to 20 minutes and leaves from reception, then settle into the Washback Pub for lunch or dinner and some live music. The pub's daily ceilidh is the reason many visitors come, and the setting overlooking the glen is as much of an attraction as the whisky. If you want more depth, reserve the Backstage Pass tour, which starts at 3 pm and covers the production floor. The inn offers rooms for those who want to stay and hear the music in the evening.
Seasons and planning
The venue's 2026 hours page gives the site open from 29 May to 24 October, with tours daily from 30 May to 24 October between 9 am and 5 pm, and the Washback Pub serving beverages from 11 am. Standard tours cost about 7 dollars and children are free; no reservation is needed.
The pub's lunch service had gaps in October, the Whisky Warehouse dining room was closed for the 2026 season and times for the ceilidh vary by date, so check the page before you go. Nothing is open between late October and late May.
Fitting it in
Allow an hour for the tour and longer for a meal and music. Glenville is about 15 minutes from Mabou, so combine it with the Red Shoe area and the Celtic Music Interpretive Centre in Judique for a day on the Ceilidh Trail. If you are driving north to Chéticamp, it is a good midpoint for lunch.
What to expect
The experience
A short guided distillery tour, a longer reserved tour of the production floor and a pub with live Celtic music in season.
Best time
Late May to late October, and ideally an evening for the ceilidh.
How long
About 20 minutes for the tour and one to three hours with a meal and music.
Tips
Check the pub's ceilidh times for your date, reserve the Backstage Pass tour ahead and arrange a driver if you plan to taste.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Couples and adults who want whisky and live Celtic music in one stop.
- Families
- Children are free on the tour, though the pub and tasting suit adults best.
- Couples
- Book a table at the Washback Pub for the evening ceilidh and stay at the inn.
- Pair with
- The Celtic Music Interpretive Centre in Judique, Mabou and the western coast drive.
- Time needed
- One hour for the tour, longer for a meal and music.
Good questions
Is Glenora open now?+
No. The 2026 season ran from 29 May to 24 October, so the distillery, pub and inn are closed in November.
Is there live music?+
Yes, the Washback Pub hosts a daily ceilidh in season, with times that vary by date. Check the venue's page for the schedule.
How long are the tours?+
The standard tour lasts 15 to 20 minutes and leaves every hour, with a sample for guests over 19. The Backstage Pass tour is longer and needs a reservation.
Where is it?+
At 13727 Route 19 in Glenville, on the Ceilidh Trail near Mabou. It is about 15 minutes from Mabou.
Do I need a reservation?+
Not for the standard tour or for most pub seating. Reservations are accepted only for overnight guests and groups at the pub, and the Backstage Pass tour must be reserved.
