Page updated 09/02/2018
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Campbeltown's Lost Distilleries L - W
For details on the maps linked to, see main Campbeltown's Lost Distilleries page.
Lochead (Lochhead)
Lochead or Lochhead was on Lochend Street, between Lady Mary Row and Parliament Square - now Tesco and it's car park. It was converted from an old mill. The Parliament referred to seems ambiguous, with Barnard at one point stating that "here in the year 503, Fergus the first king of Scotland, built his Parliament House, which administered the affairs of Scotland until 843." Though he also refers to the neighbouring Hazelburn distillery having said to have been "planted on the site of the Parliament House where James IV held a parliament when he emancipaed the vassals of the McDonalds."
When Barnard visited the capacity was 110,000 gallons
In 1895 the distillery was bought by JB Sheriff and they expanded the distillery, building the large warehouse, whose shell still exists (see below); and a massive 4 story maltings where Tesco's Saddell Street facade now incorporates the ground level frontage - as shown in this Google Street View. Sheriff also owned Loch Indaal at the time, but sold both to Benmore Distilleries Ltd in 1920, who closed both, and mothballed Benmore around the same time. Benmore Distillers merged with DCL, whose policy at the time was consolidation, so there was no prospect of re-opening.
Maps: 1865 showing the lade running along the side of Lady Mary Row, which would have supplied water to the distillery and the two wormtubs used to cool the distillate 1866(6) 1898 1914 showing the new plan of the distillery buildings, and the warehouse the other side of the Lochend Church 1959 showing the rear buildings have gone Google Wall of warehouse - the board above the entrance can be seen in this picture on the Lost Distilleries site with the distillery name just about discernable, but by the time the Google Street View cameras got there in October 2015, nothing can be made out. The walls of this warehouse can also be clearly seen on the satellite image.
When Barnard visited the capacity was 110,000 gallons
In 1895 the distillery was bought by JB Sheriff and they expanded the distillery, building the large warehouse, whose shell still exists (see below); and a massive 4 story maltings where Tesco's Saddell Street facade now incorporates the ground level frontage - as shown in this Google Street View. Sheriff also owned Loch Indaal at the time, but sold both to Benmore Distilleries Ltd in 1920, who closed both, and mothballed Benmore around the same time. Benmore Distillers merged with DCL, whose policy at the time was consolidation, so there was no prospect of re-opening.
Maps: 1865 showing the lade running along the side of Lady Mary Row, which would have supplied water to the distillery and the two wormtubs used to cool the distillate 1866(6) 1898 1914 showing the new plan of the distillery buildings, and the warehouse the other side of the Lochend Church 1959 showing the rear buildings have gone Google Wall of warehouse - the board above the entrance can be seen in this picture on the Lost Distilleries site with the distillery name just about discernable, but by the time the Google Street View cameras got there in October 2015, nothing can be made out. The walls of this warehouse can also be clearly seen on the satellite image.
lochraun
Lochruan Distillery, named after the Knockruan Loch (redhill loch) just north of Campbeltown, was on Princes Street, and when it was built it would have been on the mussel ebb of Campbeltown Loch, before the ebb was drained in 1881 and the reclaimed land turned into Kinloch Park. Prior to the reclamaition, the distillery changed hands and the new owners "extended and improved" it according to Barnard. The etching in Barnard's book appears to have been made prior to this extension, as the extension added buildings towards the point from which the etching is seen - it shows an open courtyard and the wormtubs are clearly visible. The maps from the 1860s show the open area, while those of 1898 show buildings in this area extending to Dalintober High Street. It must also be assumed that some of the southerly buildings on the site were given up, as Dalintober distillery moved from Queen Street to a site on the edge of Kinloch Park in front of Loachraun in the early 1880s, as it was there by the time of Barnard's visit in 1887.
As mentioned in the Whisky Story blog: "One later point of interest is that Lochruan appears to have 'dabbled briefly in 1910 with continuous distillation to cut costs' (Townsend, 1993) and Udo (2005) notes that a continuous still was installed in that year. I can’t find any further information on this but it would appear to have been the only Campbeltown distillery ever recorded as having engaged in this practice."
The distillery was sold to James Buchanan & Co in 1919, who undertook some alterations before being swallowed up by DCL in 1925. DCL shut the distillery - they were seeking to consolidate the supply of whisky, as there was seen to be a surplus at the time. The council later built housing on the site.
The 1914 maps shows Lochruan and Dalintober in their new positions; the 1938 map shows the sites blank; and the 1959 map shows the new housing.
Maps: 1865 1866(6) 1898 buildings in area just marked distilleries 1914 1938 1959 Google
As mentioned in the Whisky Story blog: "One later point of interest is that Lochruan appears to have 'dabbled briefly in 1910 with continuous distillation to cut costs' (Townsend, 1993) and Udo (2005) notes that a continuous still was installed in that year. I can’t find any further information on this but it would appear to have been the only Campbeltown distillery ever recorded as having engaged in this practice."
The distillery was sold to James Buchanan & Co in 1919, who undertook some alterations before being swallowed up by DCL in 1925. DCL shut the distillery - they were seeking to consolidate the supply of whisky, as there was seen to be a surplus at the time. The council later built housing on the site.
The 1914 maps shows Lochruan and Dalintober in their new positions; the 1938 map shows the sites blank; and the 1959 map shows the new housing.
Maps: 1865 1866(6) 1898 buildings in area just marked distilleries 1914 1938 1959 Google
lochside
Lochside Distillery - another short-lived distillery, gone before maps and Barnard, so little is known, other than it was another distillery on Longrow (Street) - though on the less crowded east side this time. David Stirk says it was "situated behind Robert Armour & Sons, plumbers, on Longrow." and that the "site is now a garage." His book also provides a picture of "Robert Armour's premises on Longrow. His 'bothy' was at the rear of the property", Fortunately the building is dsitinctive, and the derelict shop in the picture can now be identified as having become Amelia's Cafe Bistro, 30 Longrow. So, hopefully this is roughly where it was. Of course in 1830, the mussel ebb had not been drained to make Kinloch Park, so Lochside was an apt description for the location of the distillery - fairly close to the discharge of the Witch Burn into the Loch.
There were a number of distilleries that went to the wall around this time, including Highland, also in 1852.
Maps: 1865 1898
There were a number of distilleries that went to the wall around this time, including Highland, also in 1852.
Maps: 1865 1898
longrow
Longrow was between Springbank and the Lorne and Lowland church, on Well Close off what was then called Longrow Street. A relatively short-lived distillery, whose name lives on. Named for the Street near which it was situated - the main road into Campbeltown, though it seems it only had an arched entrance between shops on Longrow Street. Barnard says "The establishment is so built in by houses and shops in Longrow that it would be difficult for a stranger to find it." He goes on to call the distillery buildings old-fashioned.
When the dsitillery was built, Well Close isn't a street as such, it would appear to be part of Springbank Distillery, and Glebe Street doesn't exist either, so Longrow was a compact site. Output of 40,000 gallons in 1885 (Springbank made 145,000). Barnard describes Longrow's founder, John Ross as the oldest distiller in town, hale and hearty at the age of 85 - but he died the following year (which Barnard reports in an addendum to his report), and the distillery was sold to the Greenlees family - big players in the Campbeltown whisky scene - within 10 years they have closed the distillery - it's small, old-fashioned and can't be expanded, so they continue their business elsewhere. |
Longrow Distillery was next door to Springbank - indeed it's site has largely been taken over by Springbank - it was perhaps natural that when Springbank wanted to use a different name to differentiate their double distilled peatier malt, they chose to revive the Longrow name.
Maps: 1865 1866(6) 1898 just marked as distillery 1898(6) 1914 is just on the bottom edge of the map, just marked as Distillery 1959 shows that some of the buildings nearer Longrow have been removed - this area has now become a car park for the Springbank Evangelical Church, which must rate as one of the direst possible uses for a former distillery site. Google Longrow warehouse now bottling hall for Springbank. The warehouse on the left of the picture, if not previously part of Longrow, is certainly built on its site. This Google image shows the access to the distillery courtyard from Longrow.
Maps: 1865 1866(6) 1898 just marked as distillery 1898(6) 1914 is just on the bottom edge of the map, just marked as Distillery 1959 shows that some of the buildings nearer Longrow have been removed - this area has now become a car park for the Springbank Evangelical Church, which must rate as one of the direst possible uses for a former distillery site. Google Longrow warehouse now bottling hall for Springbank. The warehouse on the left of the picture, if not previously part of Longrow, is certainly built on its site. This Google image shows the access to the distillery courtyard from Longrow.
meadowburn
Meadowburn Distillery was located on what is now Witchburn Road, though it is not named on the 1866 map - it's just an extension of Big Kiln Street into the countryside. Misako Udo gives an address of Tomaig Road, but this road is beyond the western boundary of the site. The location is on the slopes of Barley Bannocks Hill below Crosshill Loch, which supplied water for many of Campbeltown's distilleries. There is now a new development of houses off Tomaig Road on a new road called Meadowburn Place.
Meadowburn closed in the 1880s, the exact date isn't really known, but it was presumably not in operation when Barnard was in Campbeltown, as he didn't bother to visit. The buildings existed until after WWI, when its neighbour Burnside ceased production and both were dismantled. David Stirk gives an 1882 closure date, but Misako Udo suggests "end of WWI", but I think this refers to the dismantling of the distillery, and that it had not been in operation for many years. The site is now the car park for Cambpeltown Creamery.
Maps: 1865 doesn't extend as far as the distillery 1866 1866(6) 1898 1914 1938 1959 finally showing the post distillery layout Google
Meadowburn closed in the 1880s, the exact date isn't really known, but it was presumably not in operation when Barnard was in Campbeltown, as he didn't bother to visit. The buildings existed until after WWI, when its neighbour Burnside ceased production and both were dismantled. David Stirk gives an 1882 closure date, but Misako Udo suggests "end of WWI", but I think this refers to the dismantling of the distillery, and that it had not been in operation for many years. The site is now the car park for Cambpeltown Creamery.
Maps: 1865 doesn't extend as far as the distillery 1866 1866(6) 1898 1914 1938 1959 finally showing the post distillery layout Google
MOSSfield
Mossfield Distillery was one of the shortest lived of Campbeltown's distilleries. It was located on Kirk Close off Longrow (Street), within what are now the grounds of the Lorne and Lowland Church (UP Church on old maps). It cannot have been a large site, as there was not much room between the church and Longrow Distillery. The site is now flats. Some of the old walls from the time of the distillery remain.
Maps: 1865 1898 Google Entrance to Kirk Close
Maps: 1865 1898 Google Entrance to Kirk Close
mountain Dew (Thistle)
Mountain Dew Distillery was built next to Springside Distillery in Burnside Street and to the east of the Caledonian Distillery. It had a very short existence, but still managed to change its name, which was Thistle when it first opened. The Hydro-electric shop and warehouse, opposite Cross Street is believed to have been built on the site of this distillery.
Maps: 1865 shows the area prior to Glebe Street 1898 Google Hydro-electric shop on site of the distillery
Maps: 1865 shows the area prior to Glebe Street 1898 Google Hydro-electric shop on site of the distillery
rieclachan
Rieclachan was a survivor - almost. It lasted longer than any of the other closed distilleries, and was at one time the only distillery left working in Campbeltown, but it still succumbed in 1935. Its span of 109 years makes it the longest running of the closed distilleries. It was one of the block of distilleries between Longrow (Street) and what became Glebe Street. It was just south of Glengyle, and to the north of Campbelton (Campbeltown) Distillery. Between the latter two an alley ran south at an angle to Longrow. The east wall of this alley still exists and can clearly be seen on the satellite image. The distillery was run for most of its existence by members of the Mitchell family owners of Springbank. It ceased distilling in 1934 and closed in April 1935, so 1935 saw no distillation in Campbeltown at all. Fortunately both Scotia (by then re-named Glen Scotia) and Springbank were to re-commence distilling in 1936.
Rieclachan was quickly demolished and turned into a car showroom, which didn't last long, and now it's the Campbeltown Co-Op.
Maps: 1865 1866(6) 1898 1914 showing the area as Distilleries 1938 no change 1959 now labelled as Distilleries (Disused) Google This used to be a distillery.
Rieclachan was quickly demolished and turned into a car showroom, which didn't last long, and now it's the Campbeltown Co-Op.
Maps: 1865 1866(6) 1898 1914 showing the area as Distilleries 1938 no change 1959 now labelled as Distilleries (Disused) Google This used to be a distillery.
springside
Springside Distillery was built off Burnside Street, but set back from that Street, it was just to the South of the Lorne and Lowland Church (UP Church on the old maps), and it streched out to what became Glebe Street, as shown on the later maps. Springside was "the smallest distillery in Campbeltown", producing an "annual output of 30,000", when Barnard paid a "brief visit". However, it is still possible to see a building from the distillery that has been preserved quite well - David Stirk's book has two pictures of the bonded warehouse, which is shown as the small squarish building on Glebe Street on the maps. There's also a wall, pictured in the Whisky Story blog.
Maps: 1865 shows the area prior to Glebe Street 1898 1898(6) 1914 1938 1959 Google Bonded Warehouse
Maps: 1865 shows the area prior to Glebe Street 1898 1898(6) 1914 1938 1959 Google Bonded Warehouse
tober an righ (toberanrigh)
Well of the king, King's Well
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Tober an Righ was another short-lived distillery that didn't last long enough to enjoy a visit from Alfred Barnard. Built on Longrow (Street) in 1834. Doesn't appear on any maps as it had closed before any of them were drawn. Little is known about it, other than it having been a small distillery, with a low rate of only £80 being assessed on it in 1841 (Stirk). Whisky Story seeks to place it on the Springbank side of Longrow, but David Stirk has it at 48 Longrow on the opposite side of the road. 48 Longrow puts it roughly where the Timber Yard is marked on the maps, as can be seen from the earlier map it would have backed on to the mussel ebb. Either way, nothing remains, other than shops and houses on the site.
Maps: 1865 1898
Maps: 1865 1898
union
Union Distillery is another short-lived one, who's threshold Barnard didn't cross. Between Campbelton (Campbeltown) Distillery and Springbank Distillery on Longrow (Street). Nothing remains.
west highland
West Highland, again short-lived, nothing on the maps, gone before Barnard. Buit on Argyll Street, David Stirk (2005) says it is now a garage, but that has subsequently gone.
Campbeltown's DistilleriesLinks to Other RegionsGo ToCampbeltown LochOh! Campbeltown Loch, Ah wish ye were whisky!
Campbeltown Loch, Och Aye! Campbeltown Loch, I wish ye were whisky! Ah wid drink ye dry. (Full lyrics on wikipedia) |