A HISTORIC walled garden on a Stirlingshire estate with links to Robert Burns could soon be transformed into a whisky distillery.
Organic Architects, who specialise in sustainable food and drink, have submitted planning permission to construct a new distillery at Auchenbowie House, just outside Bannockburn.
Plans proposed by the firm would place the development at the heart of a derelict old walled garden, which was previously used as stables and an exercise yard for horses, and have designed the building to look like a Victorian greenhouse.
Developers also plan to rejuvenate the garden so they can grow their own botanicals for spirit production while also utilising a water garden as a cooling pond for the distillery.
Architects for the distillery aim to blend the natural beauty of the landscape of the estate, which was visited by the poet Robert Burns in 1787, into a practical whisky operation.
Winston Churchill is also said to have written part of his three volume “The Great War” at Auchenbowie whilst staying in the house as a guest.
Bari Reid, director at Organic Architects, hopes the plans will give the garden a new lease of life and provide the perfect peaceful backdrop for a whisky distillery.
He said: “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.”
Organic Architects hopes the development will bring a positive impact to the area's communities along with providing around 15 jobs and creating a new supply chain.
The multimillion-pound development has drawn inspiration from the traditional architecture of Auchenbowie House while incorporating modern elements to the design.
The firm hopes that planning will be approved by Stirling Council so they can “bring distilling back to an area which was once at the forefront of Scotch Whisky”.
Construction is expected to start later in 2025, with an anticipated completion date in 2026.
