Cheers to Rosebank plans

A heritage open day will give people the opportunity to look at the past – and the potential future – of the canalside development near Camelon.

Organised by the Scottish Waterways Trust and Scottish Canals, the event will be in the disused distillery on the banks of the Forth & Clyde Canal and also in the Rosebank Beefeater, the restaurant and bar run in what was the whisky bond.

Between 2pm and 6pm the community can step behind the gates of Falkirk’s once great distillery to explore its history.

In the sensorium, visitors will be able to explore the world renowned ‘nose’ of Rosebank Whisky, discover more about the heritage of the buildings themselves in an exhibition and see the site with a guided tour led by the Scottish Waterways Trust’s cultural heritage officer.

Across the road in the Beefeater, people will be able to see and hear what lies in store for the complex with Scottish Canals and Michael Laird Architects, who will be displaying plans, as well as answering questions.

The trust, Scotland’s only national waterways charity, is hoping to engage with volunteers and the public while giving them a taste of the summer-long programme of 
opportunities to uncover 
even more of the site’s heritage.

Tracey Peedle, development director for Scottish Waterways Trust, said: “We are delighted to be part of this unique heritage open day to connect the community with the rich built and cultural heritage of the Rosebank Distillery.

“With partners Scottish Canals and Michael Laird Architects, we aim to take visitors on a journey through the past, into the present and then onwards to the future of this important landmark that overlooks the Forth & Clyde Canal.

“Our cultural heritage officer hopes to inspire more people to engage with, and learn about, their local canal in new and exciting ways.”

The first Rosebank distillery opened in 1817, although it is unlikely that it was on the eventual site and it wasn’t until the mid-1840s that the canalside location was developed.

Named after the roses which grew alongside the waterside, it was eventually closed in 1993 by the then owner United Distillers. However, since then there have been several proposals to develop the building.