Ballantine’s distillery dominated the town of Dumbarton for over 60 years before being mothballed in 2002, but when Allied Distillers was taken over by Pernod Ricard in 2005, the site was earmarked for “redevelopment”. When I visited, only the main tower remained standing.
The tower has a very massive steel skeleton, with very thick concrete floors – the lower levels are like a bunker.
Higher up, it’s very open and exposed – not good if you have vertigo 😉
There’s evidence that it’s being prepared for demolition.
After negotiating the open steel walkway, there’s a good staircase to higher levels.
Top floor is about 16 storeys up.
There’s a fantastic view of Dumbarton Castle from the top.
Coming back down a different way, and more fun with heights.
The only other building left is a small electricity substation.
