No spirits to lift the gloom as castle goes dry

Published on Monday 23 February 2009 22:50

IT WAS originally known as Castle Gloom.

And tourists visiting Castle Campbell, a 15th century fortress situated above Dollar Glen in Clackmannanshire, may find the old name somewhat appropriate, after managers decided the attraction would no longer sell whisky.

The castle was the lowland stronghold of the powerful Campbell earls of Argyll, who were seldom far from the major political and religious events of late medieval Scotland.

The castle was designed to serve three main purposes. First, it was to provide adequate defence, though it would never have been able to survive artillery attack. Second, the castle was a statement of the lord's wealth and power.

Third, it was a place of residence for an extensive household of a member of the senior nobility, who also had to provide hospitality to guests and their entourages.

These guests included royalty and other noblemen. Mary, Queen of Scots stayed there in January 1563, and John Knox, advocate of Protestantism, in 1556.

The buildings within the castle include a tower house, hall and chamber range, and an east range. To the south are terraced gardens. From 1 April, the castle will cease to sell any alcohol after managers decided the cost of obtaining a licence was too high.

At present it sells whisky miniatures, including specially made "clan" bottles.

David Urquhart, the joint managing director of Gordon & MacPhail, an Elgin-based supplier of miniatures, said the new licensing regime might affect its business. He said: "We're not against it in principle, but unfortunately it is going to have a negative effect on tourist outlets. There will be fewer places stocking what is Scotland's greatest export."