Bothwell

 

Camphill Vaults

1-3 Main Street, Bothwell, Glasgow. G71 8RD. Tel: 01698 853526.

 

The Camphill Vaults, Bothwell. 1897.

Camphill Vaults 2006. Note the addition of two rooms in the attic.

One of two windows advertising William Younger & Co. Pale Ales.

These stained glass windows are now showing there ago.

This stained glass window is advertising Bell’s Perth Whisky with an established date of 1825.

The accepted practice in the 1830’s was to use young, immature whiskies for blending. Arthur Bell, however, was adamant that only mature whiskies be used in the blend of Bells Whisky, a decision that earned him a reputation not only as a specialist blender, but as a man of vision with the highest regard for quality.

In the early days Bell refused to put his name on a blend, believing that the quality should speak for itself.

After his sons joined the company, they convinced him that branding their product could only be good for business and in 1904 the first label appeared bearing the words “Arthur Bell & Sons Extra Special Old Scotch Whisky, Perth, Established 1825.”

It was only in 1925 that “Afore ye go” was registered as the official company slogan for Bells Whisky.

It’s story is as follows: During the First World War, the Bell family would have a few cases of Bell’s Extra Special Old Scotch Whisky sent down to the docks to be distributed among the troops going off to the Western Front. The idea being that they should have a wee dram, …”afore ye go”.