Samson and Hercules Traditional Cache
Scottiedogz: unfortunately the Distillery has removed the sign where the cache was placed. We'll rethink and replace elsewhere
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This cache is located close to the road approaching the village of Deanston, beside the distillery.
Deanston Cotton Mill was built by the Buchanan brothers of Carston, near Manchester, in 1785, and utilised the River Teith to power the mill. In 1808 James Finlay & Co bought the mill and developed it into the industrial leader of its time, which included the construction of a 1500 yard long Lade.
James Smith, a manager of the mill, was a successful entrepreneur and inventor. He built unusually designed accommodation over four levels for his workforce, called the divisions, which was new in its day. At its peak, the mill had over 1000 workers and had the largest waterwheel in Europe.
James Smith is buried in Kilmadock Old Cemetery. This is across the river a short distance upstream: see GC1F754
The cotton mill closed in 1965. It was then converted into a distillery, producing Deanston single Malt whisky.
The water from the river Teith is used in the distillation at Deanston.
Production at the new distillery started in 1966. The distillery was built by the Deanston Distillery Company and this first malt was known as and Old Bannockburn Single Malt. The distillery was taken over by Invergordon in 1972 and the first 'Deanston' Malt was released. The distillery closed in 1982 before being acquired by Glasgow distillers Burn Stewart in 1990.
Only about 15% of the Deanston malt whisky produced is marketed as single malt, the remaining being used in blends such as Scottish Leader.
The Deanston whisky is still being produced here, and the old spinning sheds are used to mature whisky produced both here and at Tobermory Distillery.
Deanston is a pale, distinctive malt, distilled from unpeated malted barley and is available as a 12 and 17 years old Single Malt Scotch Whisky. It is exceptionally easy-to-drink and is regarded as a perfect expression of a Perthshire Highland Malt.
You can also get limited edition Deanston Malts such as the 'Deanston 14 yr old 150th Anniversary bottling from Cadenheads Authentic Collection' and 'Deanston 30 yr old Oloroso Sherry Finish' at insane prices!
As you walk past the distillery, if you look carefully through the wooden grills on the windows you can see the giant stills. Take a deep breath and smell the air - depending what stage in the whisky making process is taking place the smell can be quite overpowering.
When you reach the cache site look towards the distillery building - often the fire escape door is open and you can see inside.
There are information boards which tell more about the history of the building and the vllage. These will also tell you where the cache name originates from.
Cross the road and look over the wall - you will see the river Teith. If it is tea break for the distillery workers they will be standing on the pavement beside you fishing for salmon -one of the perks of the job. We have seen them catch some quite large ones in years gone by, and most freezers in the village are well stocked. Unfortunately staff do not have the same opportunities to obtain cheap malt! If however all the staff are inside working you will probably see the resident heron watching for fish. Poor fish, they haven't got a chance!
The coordinates given are for the location of the nano. Please bring your own pen or pencil.
* Congratulations to Geo-Gophers for FTF *
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