A former walled garden within an historic estate with links to Robert Burns and Winston Churchill could soon be brought back to life as a private distillery.
Sustainable food and drink experts Organic Architects have submitted a planning application to Stirling Council for a new whisky distillery at Auchenbowie near Bannockburn.
The proposed development will be situated within the now derelict old walled garden of the A-Listed Auchenbowie House, which has a long history of using its land for commercial purposes.
The estate has a fascinating past. The lands of Auchenbowie were bought by Robert Bruce, Provost of Stirling, in 1555 from the Cunninghams of Polmaise. Robert Bruce commissioned the building of a substantial laird's house, which forms the basis of the house today. The Auchenbowie House Bruce created incorporated a L-plan tower house. The house was extended and remodelled again in 1768 and in the 19th century.
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At the end of the 17th century one of the Bruce family, Captain William, killed Charles Elphinstone in a duel and had to flee the country. In 1708 Auchenbowie passed by marriage to the Munro family. 1787 saw a visit by Scotland's greatest poet, Robert Burns, who wrote in his journal of dining with the Laird.
The UK’s wartime prime minister, Winston Churchill, is also said to have written part of his 3 volume “The Great War” at Auchenbowie whilst staying in the house as a guest.
The multi-million pound investment is set to create 15 direct jobs in the area, and will generate additional employment through local supply chains, from farming to transport.
The architects behind the vision for Auchenbowie said they drew inspiration from traditional architecture, blending it with modern elements to create a special space as well as incorporating a new classically themed organic garden.
Bari Reid, Director at Organic Architects, commented: “The site is a former garden, used for many years as stables and an exercise yard for horses. Unfortunately, over the past 50 years, the area – sheltered by tall brick walls – has fallen into disrepair. Our team is proposing a strategy for reuse, giving it a new lease of life and preserving it for future generations. New buildings have been designed to sit within the walled garden like Victorian greenhouses. A formal garden will grow local botanicals for spirit production.
"As part of the plans, a central glass house offers views of a water garden which will also act as a cooling pond for the distillery. This combination of the formal landscape plan, with the rejuvenation of natural features promises to create a unique and peaceful distillery building group.”
If the planning application is successful, construction is expected to start later in 2025, with an anticipated completion date in 2026.
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