AN ICONIC Scottish landmark which has served as a filming location for Hollywood blockbusters and hit TV shows is up for sale.
The Devil’s Pulpit at Finnich Glen, which is about 15 miles north of central Glasgow, has been put on the market along with 23 acres of surrounding land.
The gorge is around 90 to 100 ft deep and was carved out of the local red sandstone by glaciers. The pulpit itself (shown below) is a small flat-topped rock formation at the very bottom of the gorge.
The 23-acre lot has planning permission in place for a visitor centre, restaurant, cafe, shop, and events area, as well as a 150-vehicle car park.
David Young, the landmark’s current owner, said there was an opportunity to create an “attraction of national importance”.
The Devil’s Pulpit, which is just south of the Loch Lomond National Park, attracts around 70,000 visitors a year despite having no real infrastructure in place. In 2020, restrictions were brought in after lockdown easing saw crowds flock to the landmark.
TV shows including Outlander, Taggart, and Sherlock Holmes have all used the gorge as a filming location, as have Hollywood blockbusters such as The Eagle, Detective Pickachu, Guy Ritchie's King Arthur.
However, the steep sides are “a potential safety hazard” and there have been rescues in the past, according to the sales brochure, which is understood to be a key factor behind the decision to approve planning consent.
Planning is in place for bridges across the gorge as well as an upgraded network of paths and safety railings, with agents Graham and Sibbald saying: “The bridges across the gorge will not affect future [film or TV] productions and may make the lighting of the set easier for the film crews.”
The lot was previously put on sale in April 2023, but it is understood that a commercially viable way forward for the visitor centre development has been difficult to establish.
The idea of putting a Scotch whisky distillery on the land has been mooted and understood to have been received favourably locally.
The Graham and Sibbald listing states: “Imagine distilling the devils whisky from the peaty blood red water from the gorge (which runs from a public water supply reservoir) and taking advantage of the golden barley grown in neighbouring fields and with Scottish wood oak casks sourced from woodland on the estate to really heighten its marketing message.
“The Devil’s Pulpit development opportunity is perfect for a passionate distiller to make a name for themselves with the devils whisky.”
Young said: “There is an opportunity here at Finnich Glen to create a visitor attraction of national importance.
“It is indeed a beautiful Scottish landmark that is visited by people from all around the world. It has been previously referred to as Scotland’s Grand Canyon in miniature.”
The price of the land is available on application. You can find the full listing on the Graham and Sibbald website.
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