Whisky distilling re-opens the door to old courthouse
A derelict building, where criminals were condemned for alcohol-related offences, has been saved through a distilling connection. Campbeltown’s Old Courthouse is to receive a make-over by new owner Kilkerran Developments Ltd. The B-listed building has been unoccupied for many years and it is hoped that this rejuvenation will create a bright future for the property. The newly-formed development company Kilkerran Developments Ltd was setup by Springbank’s parent company director, Hedley Wright, of J. & A. Mitchell and Company, Limited. It is unknown what the future may hold for the Old Courthouse however, it is thought that the whisky trade will almost certainly be at the centre of the building’s new direction. Argyll and Bute Council’s policy lead for economic development, Councillor Aileen Morton, said: ‘The Old Courthouse has lain derelict for a long time and a number of unsuccessful efforts to secure its future have been launched. ‘This is a huge step towards bringing this historic building back into use and we’re very pleased to have helped with the change of ownership. ‘There is still a long road ahead, but it will be great to see Kilkerran Developments come up with something that will be a real attraction for Campbeltown.’ An investment of £2.2million to boost Campbeltown’s historic town centre was launched in 2015 and runs until 2020. The CARS (Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme) follows on from an earlier CARS, which ran from 2007 to 2012, and the Townscape Heritage Initiative, in operation from 2009 to 2015. A spokesman for Kilkerran Developments Ltd added: ‘The most important step in securing the building for the future is to secure the building itself. ‘There is a lot of work to be done externally before we can even begin to work on the inside of the building and as such that will be the focus for the immediate future. ‘Work has already commenced on clearing some of the debris from the courtyard so that we can then establish the next steps necessary.’