Castle Apothecary: Where Scottish Heritage Meets Modern Skincare

What happens when a 30-year career in clinical aromatherapy, a global pandemic, and a 14th-century Scottish castle collide? For Alison MacColl, founder of Castle Apothecary, the answer is a skincare range that doesn’t just smell extraordinary, but that tells a story stretching back centuries.Alison’s origin story is both surprising and deeply personal, born out of a very common COVID-era problem that her professional background gave her a unique way to solve. The solution she found wasn’t new, it turns out Scottish women had been doing something remarkably similar for hundreds of years, right down to the very plants she uses today.Her ingredients aren’t chosen at random. Each one connects to a living thread of Scottish heritage. From the walled medicinal gardens of historic castles, to Highland crofting traditions that predate modern medicine, to a family memory from the Isle of Mull that perfectly captures how this knowledge was once passed down. The parallels are striking, and more than a little magical.What’s equally fascinating is the science behind why her products stop people in their tracks quite literally. There’s also the small matter of where she actually makes everything. A detail that, once revealed, makes the name Castle Apothecary feel less like branding and more like a statement of fact.The business itself is quietly building something impressive, with stockists now appearing across Scotland in some unexpected places and new product launches this spring that sound genuinely worth seeking out.If you’ve ever picked up a beautifully made Scottish skincare product and wondered about the hands and the thinking behind it, this episode is for you.Listen to the full episode of Crafting Scotland to hear Alison’s full story.Where to Find Castle Apothecary ProductsEdinburgh Scottish Design Exchange — George StreetGlasgow Scottish Design Exchange — Sauchiehall Street (recently moved from Buchanan Galleries to their own premises)Near Loch Lomond Connick Crafts — Drummin, near Loch LomondForfar Gallery 55Upcoming RetreatWhat: A Creative Retreat Day for Women When: Sunday 26th April, 10am – 3.30pm Where: The Tea House on the Loch, GartcoshWhat’s included:* Perfumery workshop led by Alison* Creative journaling* Connecting with your inner voice session* Deluxe afternoon teaFurther details of upcoming shows, pop-up stalls and retreats can be found on Alison’s website: https://castleapothecaryscotland.comThank you for listening to the podcast. I would love to know what you’re taking away from this episode.If you are a crafter in Scotland and would like to be a guest on this podcast, then please complete this short form - https://form.typeform.com/to/kUUWIPfRTo stay in touch and find out about upcoming guests then visit me over on Instagram and follow along - https://www.instagram.com/devinetoursofscotland/In case this inspires you not only to be more creative but also plan a holiday in Scotland and would like a little help with planning your trip or even like me to guide you in part or for the entire duration of your stay, then check out my website and use the contact form to get in touch - https://devinetoursofscotland.co.uk This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit devinetoursofscotland.substack.com