A small group of Glasgow companies have banded together to produce a unique gin with a special and crucial purpose.
Inspired by the historic landscape of Kilmahew near Cardross, monies raised from sales of Kilmahew Small Batch Gin will go towards restoring one of Europe’s greatest modernist buildings.
The iconic St Peter’s Seminary ruins in Argyll and Bute have been abandoned since the late 1980s, with every structure within the site - from medieval to modern - having fallen into a sorry state.
However, the innovative approach to bringing the site back to life will see the part of the building in its current state come together with partial restoration and a new design.
The space will become a dramatic setting for public art, performance, learning and debate, similar to the Kelvingrove Bandstand in the West End of Glasgow.
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The limited edition gin has come about following a collaboartion between public art charity NVA, the Glasgow Distillery Company, and design company Stand.
The gin is actually a fitting tribute to the St Peter’s site; it has been infused with bramble leaf, the bush of which can still be found in Kilmahew woodland today.
Orange peel has also been added as a nod to John Fleming, the first gardener to oversee the estate’s Walled Garden when it was established in 1866
Mike Hayward, co-founder of the Glasgow Gin Distillery, explained: “We wanted to produce a premium spirit that balances a number of contrasting yet complementary botanicals in the same way St Peter’s seminary harmonises with the surrounding Kilmahew estate.”
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According to NVA, the site was designed by two Glasgow architects for the Catholic Archdiocese of Glasgow. It was completed and consecrated in 1966.
NVA was given a substantial boost in 2016 with confirmation of grants of £4.2 million from Heritage Lottery Fund and Creative Scotland.
Following a successful fundraising campaign, the capital restoration project can now proceed, and construction works will begin later in the year on the building which sits in the heart of Kilmahew woods.
An NVA spokesperson added: “The area is named after St Mahew, a sixth-century monk whose chapel is said to have existed close to St Peter’s since the earliest Christian times.
“Given the historic links between monks and distilling, Kilmahew Gin is a nod to the people who have lived and worked in this remarkable place over the centuries.”
There are only 1,000 bottles of Kilmahew Gin on pre-sale at nva.org.uk/shop at a cost of £40, including VAT.
