Rosebank Distillery

The interior at the restored Rosebank Distillery strikes the perfect blend between old and new, including combining Junckers solid Oak flooring in several spaces with restored original timber floors and beams in other parts of the buildings. Designed and redeveloped by architects MLA, the landmark building once again takes pride of place on the banks of the Forth and Clyde Canal in Falkirk.

Prioritising preservation and reuse, MLA turned what was a series of previously abandoned, dilapidated buildings into an experiential hospitality destination in its own right, creating jobs and opportunities for the local community. Owned and operated by Ian MacLeod Distilleries, Rosebank is now a working distillery with a new, welcoming visitor centre, an academy, retail space, offices and staff rooms.

Restoring the crumbling distillery buildings presented numerous constraints and challenges. Half the site contained listed warehouse buildings and some were beyond repair. A blend of old and new was required to balance building preservation with modern building regulations. Several buildings, including the Victorian red brickwork building that houses the visitors’ centre with six tasting rooms, were restored with guidance from Historic Scotland.

The redevelopment has secured the long-term future of the site and modernised the buildings. Of considerable importance to local tourism, up to 50,000 visitors are expected every year, calling for robust and durable materials. Fitted in the tasting rooms and circulation areas, Junckers Oak Variation plank flooring, a rustic grade solid hardwood floor that aligns with the heritage character of the original building, and Oak Herringbone flooring which adds an elegant look to the luxury experience spaces are both hard-wearing surfaces that can be expected to last for 60+ years.

The flooring contractor was McGarry Flooring.

Awards

• Scottish Design Awards Commercial/Office/Hotel Building or Project Gold Award Winner 2025
• RIAS Architectural Excellence Winner 2025
• Scottish Property Awards Architectural Excellence Winner 2025
• Architect’s Journal Architecture Awards Editor’s Choice Winner 2024
• Architect’s Journal Architecture Awards Leisure Project Winner 2024
• Mix Interiors Public Sector & Cultural Interiors Winner 2024
• Herald Property Awards for Scotland Best Regeneration Project - Commercial Winner 2024

Photo: Chris McCluskie