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Distillery and visitor centre set to open near Stirling Castle

The husband and wife team behind the popular Stirling Gin brand have announced plans to open a distillery in the shadow of Stirling Castle.

Published: August 3, 2017
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June and Cameron McCann, who launched their award-winning gin in 2015, have bought a 19th century building - formerly a blacksmiths - which they plan to transform into a distillery and visitor centre.

The pair say the move will allow them to grow the company and create jobs for people from the area as well as attracting visitors to Stirling.

The McCanns are working with a local architect and building firm with refurbishment plans for the Old Smiddy on Stirling's Lower Castlehill already started.

The aim is for the distillery to be fully open by next summer.

June McCann said: “We had been looking for the perfect site and always knew the building would find us and it has - distilling from `Scotland’s Heart’ was always our intention.

“The Old Smiddy felt like the right place from the moment we entered it.

“Being in the shadow of Stirling Castle, along with the blank canvas it offered, meant it was an opportunity which couldn’t be missed.”

It is believed the new centre will be the first legal distillery within the Stirling City boundary.

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Stirling North councillor Jim Thomson welcomed the plans.

He said: “I think the distillery and visitor centre will be a great tourist attraction.

“It will encourage tourists to visit somewhere else in the town so they don’t just come to see the castle and then disappear.

“It may also help other businesses, such as the cafes which are nearby, and it will be good to have something else in the Top of the Town.”

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Stirling Gin was created in a tiny copper pot still in the McCann’s Bridge of Allan kitchen two years ago and launched at the 2015 Stirling Gin Festival.

The couple will be inviting fans of their artisan tipple to `Join the Journey’ of Stirling Distillery as plans unfold over the coming months.

Driven by a passion for all things drinks-related, Sean writes for The Scotsman extensively on the subject. He can also sometimes be found behind the bar at the world famous Potstill bar in Glasgow where he continues to enhance his whisky knowledge built up over 10 years advising customers from all over the world on the wonders of our national drink. Recently, his first book was published. Dubbed Gin Galore, it explores Scotland's best gins and the stories behind those that make them.

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