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bcacstuff · 18 hours

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This post is to answer a number of questions, to correct some anons/commenters/people online seeing jumping to incorrect conclusions and perhaps elaborate on some information I already posted.

First of all, in my initial post I already stressed Sam is not buying the place, nor leasing it. Midhope Castle is (and will always be) part of the Hopetoun Estate which is owned and managed by a charitable Trust. I also linked to more information, here's the link again Please read careful what I write and don't spread all kind of rumors or false information you have no knowledge of.

It is a false assumption to think Sam (or his business) is developing the plans at Midhope Castle. He is not! He is not the applicant for the plans and proposals. The only assumption that can be made with an educated guess, based on all we've seen including last Monday evening's private visit to the site, is that he might consider to invest in the plans. His comment on the documents is not that from an applicant, but from a Public member.

The applicants for the plans and proposals are as I stated Hopetoun Estate Trust and Golden Decanters. Those companies commissioned the plans.

It's also an incorrect assumption that these plans are old, referring to an old article and a company that already has been dissolved. I posted twice the link to my post from September last year where I clearly linked to the article and dissolved Company (Midhope Castle Distillery). From that post:

As you can see on the ownership and application document, the filed date is 8 February 2024. Not 2020, nor 2021, nor any other year but this year, so a few months ago! So if you like to criticize me, belittle me or want to make me look like a fool, better look in the mirror, cause you are the one here looking like a fool! Not me.

In the comments and in Anon messages there were questions or assumptions about the plans as well. Let me elaborate:

As I pointed out in my initial post and showed you, the work is planned to be done in phases, 8 phases to be precise

The plan is to develop the Distillery first, in order to bring it in business and the profit is to be invested in the next phases.

There are 14 Conditions and several Policies the proposed plans take into account. No spade will hit the earth before they meet all the conditions and policies. I wont exhaust you with all the details but they include amongst other:

Conservation Statements of listed building and repairs, reinstatement of the walled garden.

Each phase needs to secure implementation of a programme of archaeological works to safeguard archaeological heritage.

For each phase updated contaminated land site investigation and risk assessments must be completed

Conditions for noise and vibrations, waste for the environment (and plants)

A condition for a construction environment manage plan

Policy to take historic assets and places into account

Policy for zero waste

Policy for liveable places

Policy for Health and Safety

Policy for Business and Industry

Policy for rural development

Policy for tourism

Many things are taken into consideration before work can even start. As to the anon asking about the OL filming proceedings at the Castle, it is taken into account too. In one of the screenshots I posted in my initial post you can see that the final season of OL is mentioned and for continuity it is not possible to change the buildings or structures before filming is completed.

So all the people seeing all kind of bumps on the road ahead, or accuse Sam of things he can't be accused of (as he is not developing these plans) of the fandom of invading the place (wont be allowed)

Nor will it turn into a theme park (for the one who probably said that in jest, but still).

Again, can I all ask you to read what I write and not what you think I wrote, and not jump to all kind of conclusions nor spread false rumors around. The whole phased plans will probably take up to 10 years (if not more).

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bcacstuff · 20 hours

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The premiere will be i 2025.

oh looks like he's gonna have a warning from OL_Starz on his first professional job then.... 😂

yeah, but 2025 has 12 months... 🤔

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bcacstuff · 20 hours

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bcacstuff · 23 hours

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So that's what he was doing last Sunday when the driver already posted his pic with Tony Singh

The one who's birthday it is today...

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bcacstuff · 1 day

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Design of Midhope Distillery

The parts of document I'm showing in this post was presented and designed on June 26, 2020

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This Design and Access Statement accompanies a Planning Applica- tion for a new Single Malt Scotch Whisky Distillery at Midhope Castle which lies within the Hopetoun Estate on the outskirts of Edinburgh. It is intended this is the first of a series of applications containing proposals to regenerate the Castle, the surrounding listed buildings and landscape setting.

The overall project aims to create an environment to produce, share and market an exceptional whisky. Its success depends not just on the production of whisky but on the ability to invite guests to see the creative process, appreciate its origins and have the time to experi- ence the whisky and the environment. It is intended in the future that the castle will be the venue for a significant part of these activities.

Note, the clients Golden Decanters and Hopetoun estate are the original applicants. Golden Decanters changed their company name since April 2022

Design Team

Project Manager - Curries & Brown

Currie & Brown works across the public and private sectors, including commercial property, consumer goods, defence, education, funding institutions, government, healthcare, high-tech, hospitality and leisure, industrial, mixed-use developments, nuclear, pharmaceuticals and life sciences, PPP/P3, residential property, retail, trans- portation and logistics and utilities and renewables. wWith our global reach, Currie & Brown brings together a large group of talented professionals to offer our clients a comprehensive range of the services, experience and expertise, together with a significant value added offering.

Planning Consultant - Scott Hobbs Planning

Scott Hobbs Planning (SHP) is an established planning and development consul- tancy founded in 2004, servicing clients throughout the British Isles, for major mixed use, commercial, retail and residential development. The practice has wide ranging and detailed experience in all aspects of planning-related work including national policy shaping, development planning and development management; development framework and master-planning; and consultation processes.

Architect - 56three Architects

56three is a design based Practice with projects covering new build, conservation and refurbishment works throughout the UK.

We have an award winning team of architects, technicians and interior design- ers who are able to provide the full range of architectural services from feasibility through to construction.

Landscape Architect - rankin fraser landscape architects

rankinfraser landscape architecture llp was formed in January 2008. Based in Edin- burgh, Scotland the practice brings together Chris Rankin and Kenny Fraser – two Landscape Architects with over 30 years combined experience of delivering award winning projects from conception through to completion

We combine practice with research and teaching to provide our clients with a thoughtful, creative and professional approach to landscape design and place mak- ing covering public realm, landscape urbanism, housing landscapes, education and health projects in urban and rural situations.

LOCATION

The site is approximately 11.5 miles West of the City of Edinburgh, 5 miles to the North West of Edinburgh airport, 3.5 miles to the West of the South Queensferry, and a little under half a mile South of the Firth of Forth. It has an overall area of 6.9 hectares within the beautifully managed Hopetoun Estate. Hopetoun House is approximately 1 mile East of the site.

SITE

The site is located within Hopetoun Estate but outside the area of the Designated Designed Landscape that surrounds Hopetoun House and Abercorn to the east. The site for the new distillery is located to the immediate west of Midhope Castle.

The Castle is reached via an access road runs for approximately a quarter of a mile, west from the road link between the hamlet of Ab- ercorn and the A904.

The site to the east of the Midhope Burn is largely dense woodland. A Fireworks manufacturing business is currently located in a large clearing near the entrance to the site. This clearing was formerly the location of a Saw Mill.

The access road arrives at a small car park. There is a path that leads to the outer wall of the Castle courtyard.

Midhope Castle is to the north-east of the site with a courtyard and a modest walled garden to the immediate South. Behind the castle, just to the north, is a small derelict Victorian, ancillary building.

In the space to the east of the castle toward the approach road there are two Victorian cottages and a doocot.

The site for the distillery building is to the south-west of the cas- tle and in an area that is currently occupied by a number of modern agricultural sheds and some hard-standing left from recent utilitarian ancillary structures. The area is functional and has no obvious sig- nificant historic structures. It currently houses the grounds for a tree climbing and chainsaw training company which is in the process of relocating.

HERITAGE CONTEXT

The original Midhope Castle (recorded as “Medhope Castle”) was built in the late 15th century. In 1587 this castle was partially rebuilt.

The castle was extended in 1664 and reached the general arrange- ment and form that can be seen today. Further extensions and altera- tions took place in 1678.

By the early 20th century the castle was in a state of disrepair and the interior timber staircase recorded as being in poor condition.

In 1988 a programme of consolidation and partial restoration was undertaken. A new roof was formed on the West Tower and steelwork was inserted within the shell of the castle to stabilse the structure. New window frames were inserted into the existing openings. This work seems to have arrested any further significant deterioration.

Today the building is in a ruinous state internally, and most of the in- ternal features have been lost, but is generally wind and water tight.

Midhope Castle was designated as a Scheduled Monument in 1950 and was given a Category A listing in 1971 . In 2018 the Scheduled Monument status was removed and the designation was simplified to the current Category A listing.

The Roy Lowlands map of 1754 shows the castle within the wider context of the Hopetoun House Estate. To the north of the castle are a series of geometrically arranged copses either side of an axis that relates to Hopetoun House to the west. Today some of these trees are still visible.

The landscape around Midhope Castle is also visible on this plan - the series of walls that form the courtyard at the castle, and the larger open area to the west.

The 6 inch map of 1854 more shows Midhope Castle in the form that it can be seen today. The approach path from the east, the Doocot, the gamekeeper’s cottage and the walled garden to the south of the castle are visible.

This plan also shows the state of the landscape to the west of the castle. A path or track extended out from the courtyard into the land- scape and a series of gardens were enclosed to the north.

The south edge of the site was defined by a row of trees that aligned with the walled garden.

The remaining traces of these landscape structures have informed the location of the new distillery building and the landscape strategy.

MASTERPLAN APPROACH

The current application is the first in a series of planned phased pro- posals for the site that will initially improve the setting, and stabilise the fabric, of the castle, and later seek to reuse and regenerate the castle.

The construction of the distillery and the production of the whisky need to be the first steps in order to establish the business and generate income in order to progress to the next phases of the wider project.

In the medium term there are also plans to open parts of the castle to facilitate some of visitors who currently visit the site due to the castle’s association with the “Outlander” television series.

There is the ultimate aim to use the castle for visitor functions that are complimentary to the new distillery – tasting spaces, dining, and potentially overnight accommodation.

All of these future works will carefully balance the repair and refur- bishment of the existing historical fabric of the castle and surround- ing landscape features. Further refinement of the timing and content of these next phases will reviewed as the project develops.

VISION

Initial works

The current Planning Application is for the new distillery building together with the immediate landscaping, a new access road and the change of use of Midhope Castle to visitor accommodation.

An application for Listed Building Consent will follow. This will include the repair and refurbishment works to the landscape features around the castle- the reinstatement of the damaged stone piers, the re- gaining of the walled garden and cobbled castle forecourt and the potential removal of derelict outbuildings. It has not been possible to gain access to the site to carry out these surveys due to restrictions imposed by the Covid 19 crisis.

Next steps

Future Planning Applications and Listed Building Applications are planned as the business becomes established. These include plans for a Maltings Building at the former Sawmill site, work to the castle and extensions as appropriate, repurposing of the Dovecot, and other facilities in the grounds of the castle and distillery.

SCOPE OF INITIAL PHASE

It is possible to conceptually divide the site into two areas, they can broadly be described as modern farm building land and the castle grounds. It is not intended that the physical distinction between the areas be over emphasised in the finished design but it is a useful tool in describing the approaches to the specific areas. The distillery is proposed to be on the farm building land, with the main road and the access road coming across the castle grounds.

The farm building land does not have any obvious structures of histor- ic significance, whilst the castle grounds are rich with elements that are historically significant and referred to in the category A listing of the castle and the Category B listing of the Doocot.

The historic influence on the farm building land is most strongly ap- parent in its relationship to the castle grounds. The land spreads in a relatively level expanse from the castle and forms the base of an approximate bowl. This reinforces the sense that the area that will house the distillery, despite being the larger area, is attendant on the castle as the most substantial historic structure on the site.

Very little work is proposed to the immediate castle grounds in this application. The client wishes to take the time to carefully consider the appropriate design and relationship with the existing buildings. The intention is to intervene in this area as little as possible at this point and only to the extent that is required to access the distillery site without negatively affecting the significant historic fabric.

The castle grounds are subject to ongoing analysis and will be the focus of future applications in subsequent phases.

DESIGN PROPOSALS

The distillery is seens as the first phase of a sequence of develop- ments on the wider site aimed at enriching the landscape and improv- ing the setting and fabric of Midhope Castle.

The aspiration is to create a unique place where the production of Whisky, the landscape it draws from and the heritage of the site can be enjoyed. The setting and location is key to the proposal.

The new distillery building will have two main functions. It will pro- duce over 500,000 litres of whisky a year from Barley grown on the Estate. It will also offer visitors the opportunity to see all aspects of the Whisky production process and to enjoy the unique historical set- ting and landscape.

The setting of the distillery is one that has many layers of history. It will be close to Midhope Castle, which is known to date from the fif- teenth century and along with the land around has been altered many times over the subsequent years. The castle was occupied until the 1920s and each periodw has resulted in change. The additions to the castle are clear to see, and there are buildings around the castle that date from the 1800s. The setting shows a timeline of agricultural use and castle shows evidence of the varied occupation that ranges from aristocracy to the workers on the land.

The castle is the embodiment of the historic significance of the site, and this position is to be carefully maintained. The orientation of the new design is lead by the influence of the existing fabric. It’s form will have a larger footprint but a lower height, it will not compete with the castle but rather work alongside it, and by looking toward the castle’s raised entrance create an exciting new dynamic.

SETTING & ACCESS

The approach to the site will be along the existing track which winds through dense woodland to a clearing that is currently used as a car park for visitors to the castle.

From here a new access route is proposed to take service traffic for the distillery to the south, away from the castle and existing cottages.

The existing footpath leads up to the castle courtyard past the listed dovecot building and existing Victorian cottage and outbuildings to the north.

The courtyard sits between the castle and the overgrown walled gar- den to the south. To the west of this enclosed outdoor space is the open area currently given over to light industrial and agricultural use. This largely flat area of land sits within a shallow depression relative to the surrounding wider agricultural landscape. This will be the site of the new distillery.

The distillery begins to be visible on moving through the courtyard. The new building will align with the traces of an route that once ran through this area out to the west.

SETTING & RESPONSE

The new building consists of three, simple shed-like forms.

The largest is a long, pitched roof building that edges the south of the site. This building will contain most of the distillery production areas and spaces for visitors – a display area containing whisky ma- turing in barrels, tasting spaces, and multi-purpose areas that can be used for exhibitions and functions.

To the north is a second smaller pitched roof form that contains the stills and shelters the worm tubs.

To the south a third pitched roof form encloses external tanks and barrel storage.

A service yard is located to the south of the distillery and sits be- tween the new building and the existing embankment. The service yard and the more industrial activity is hidden from view from the surrounding landscape and most importantly is invisible from the ap- proach road and castle. Access to the service yard will be provided by a new road formed to the south of the main site.

The public areas of the distillery will offer views back to the castle and the landscape to the north. The landscape around the distillery will reinstate paths and routes that we once on the site.

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

The basic form of the new building has been influenced by common simple, robust utilitarian agricultural buildings. From a distance the distillery will appear as a grouping of simple, quiet forms in the land- scape.

The still house will be wrapped in timber giving it an abstract quality. This building will contain the stills and their copper forms will be vis- ible through the glazed gable facing the castle courtyard.

The still house sits in a cooling pond and forms a gathering place at the visitor entrance to the distillery. This entrance aligns with both the reinstated road and wall running east to west but also with the existing track that leaves the site to the north.

A large framed window on the first floor of the distillery offers pano- ramic views back to the castle, across the structured landscape close to the distillery and further to the agriculutral fields of the estate beyond. These large windows will be edged in bronze metal cladding,

The maturation display area at the east end of the building will be clad in stained or charred slatted timber that will allow in direct light into the space. On dark evenings this end of the building will glow and act as a lantern drawing visitors across the landscape from the castle.

As I showed in my previous post, these plans are now revised and filed again on 8 February 2024, awaiting a decision. This document was filed on 21 March 2024. There are some minor changes to the original plans which were already approved in 2021

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bcacstuff · 2 days

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Midhope Castle Distillery plans and more

Where do I start....

Perhaps where I left off last September when I discovered the trademark filing for 'Lallybroch Spirits' in combination with the registration of Latha Ur in January last year, a company owned by Sam and Alex.

Speculations about considering a Distillery perhaps on the grounds of Hopetoun Estate, of which Midhope Castle (better known as Lallybroch by OL fans) is part. Plans for a distillery at the side were made before and even approved, but the company Midhope Castle Distillery limited, not owned by Sam or GGC, dissolved in August 2023. Shortly before the new trademark Lallybroch Spirits was filed in September.

I have questions... were my last words on that post

Well... I might have found answers, maybe not all so far but.... dare I say a huge pile of it!

After last nights pictures of Sam and Alex visiting Midhope Castle, (pictures that are (curiously) now gone from some IG accounts!!🤫) speculations started again about a Distillery and what was he holding there in those pics

Nope not the socks!

I went to sleep, and didn't really look further until today and my jaw dropped a few inches when in a few clicks I stumbled upon 53 (!) documents. Yes, fifty-three!. Filed starting February 2024 up to 5 April 2024. So very recent and hot from the press.

Plans, proposals, drawings, reports, comments.... all of it. What he is holding there are drawings and plans from an architectural firm. I'm still processing all the documents as there are a lot and some contain over 90 pages. But from what I already saw i can say these plans and proposals are huge, when I say huge I mean HUGE.

Anyway, I don't think I will be able to show and tell you all I found in one post. But I will try to put some main points in this post so you have an idea.

But before I do, I like to stress that people hoping Sam buying 'Lallybroch', that is out of the question. As said before, Midhope is part of the Hopetoun Estate and privately owned by the Earl of Hopetoun and part of a charitable trust. Read more about that here

And the million dollar question you all might have is, is Sam involved? Well.... I can say there is a document with a comment from Mr Sam Heughan as a member of the public... so not an applicant but well read on!

There is some history involved, so much we already knew. Plans for a distillery on Hopetoun grounds including Midhope Castle were already filed and granted in April 2021

These plans are now revised and filed again on 8 February 2024, awaiting a decision

note: I blurred reference and planning numbers

There are some minor changes to the original plans which were already approved in 2021

Background for the application is included in the document

Interesting in these inclusions are the notices of the original plans being already granted in 2021 but since then met difficulties securing investment statements due to a number of reasons. "Discussions are now proceeding with investors and there is a realistic prospect that work will begin in the near future (2024/2025) to implement the permission"

So, as said, he can not buy Midhope or anything, but I think he (they) will be investors. As he also left a comment:

There are plans proposed for a distillery, service yard and parking areas, Repair of castle, forecourt and gatepiers, Repair to walled garden and associated features, Building works to secure the reuse of the castle and associated structures, all in phases.

Here are some of the screenshots (and probably the drawings he was holding in the pics while visiting Midhope)

Phasing Plan