Rosebank Distillery

Established in 1840, Rosebank was known as the ‘King of the Lowlands’ for its high-quality triple-distilled whisky. However, recessions, reduction in whisky consumption, two world wars, and soaring maintenance costs all took their toll. When the business eventually closed in 1993 the distillery was abandoned and fell into disrepair.

A Rescue Plan
Acquiring the dilapidated site in 2019, Ian MacLeod Distillers envisaged reviving the iconic brand and restoring its former home. Attempts at repurposing the site as residential and commercial space had previously failed so this was an ambitious aim.
Care, attention, and passion were needed to carry on the Rosebank legacy. Around half the site contained listed warehouse buildings but others were beyond repair. Whilst the aim was to preserve as many of the existing buildings as possible, it was necessary to demolish those that were structurally unsound.

A Vision for Rosebank
A series of in-depth workshops and community engagement developed the brief and the company’s vision for the brand. They also identified the operational constraints and the commercial expectations of the project.
Since new whisky needs time to mature, creating an experiential hospitality destination was key to the success of the project. In addition to the working distillery the design required a visitor centre, academy, retail units, offices, and staff rooms.
Honouring the heritage of the building, preservation and re-use were prioritised. Materials from the original buildings include brick, timber, and slate were retained for the restoration.

Manufacturing Process
Because whisky distillation involves high levels of heat, recirculation and re-use of heat were designed into the process. Encouraging natural ventilation, a black zinc-clad ‘sawtooth’ roof uses automated openings to manage heat released from the stills.
And compared to the disjointed original, the new site facilitates linear production, improving efficiencies and safety.

Blending Old and New
Reflecting the historical context, the finished design blends the past with the future to stunning effect. The much-loved chimneystack, an iconic local landmark, stands proudly alongside a striking, contemporary, steel-framed building.
Showcasing the unique combination of three stunning pot stills with worm-tub condensers, a full height glass frontage invites passers-by and the local community into the heart of the whisky-making process. The Rosebank team have described the inspiring new still house as ‘a cathedral to distillation’.
Securing a long-term future for Rosebank Distillery, the development has restored a landmark building, created jobs and ensured a new era in whisky production.