A HISTORIC spot in Clackmannanshire is in the running to be named a 'hidden gem'.

People can get behind the Kennetpans Distillery by voting for it in a contest that would see it become a centrepiece of Scottish Archaeology Month.

They can show their support and help put it on the map by backing it in the Dig It! 2017 Scotland in Six - Hidden Gems competition.

The ruins of the distillery sit on land owned by Fiona and Bryan Frew, who set-up Kennetpans Trust in a bid to safeguard it for future generations.

And being named one of the top six – which would see it host an event in September as part of Archaeology Month – could be a game-changer for it.

Fiona said that from the trust's point of view, it could help make people aware of its existence, give it more exposure and could even lead to a few donations.

This would allow them to secure what is left of the building, which is their overall aim.

To potential voters, she said: "Please help us – just to vote because it is a hugely important building.

"If they are at all interested in their local history it is an amazing thing for Clackmannanshire to have as part of their history and I just feel we need to keep it here."

Fiona and Bryan have lived in Kennetpans for more than 20 years and bought a patch of land the distillery sits on over 10 years ago.

After a few years they started looking into it and, after noticing it was in a state of disrepair, felt compelled to do something about it.

They have managed to secure some funding and work has been underway on stabilising the building.

They have also established a website, made some links in the community and Fiona has spent hours delving into its history.

It has grown into an unlikely passion and she feels it is a place people should know about.

Fiona said: "We feel responsible; we need to keep that for future generations so they can find out about the local history and the local area, and Scotland as well."

The distillery is highlighted as forming Scottish and Irish whisky industries as they are recognised today and is known for being the birthplace of the Haig and Jameson brands.

The Stein family, who are thought to have been at the forefront of the industrial revolution in Scotland, ran the largest distillery in the country at the time.

Whisky commentators today describe John Stein, who owned Kennetpans, as “the father of commercial whisky distilling.” 

Meanwhile, his brother James opened the nearby Kilbagie operation – the first Scottish distillery which exported the product.

By the 1770s the two distilleries, which were linked by Scotland’s first railway and a canal, produced so much alcohol that the duty they paid combined was higher than all land tax collected in the country.

John Haig married one of Stein’s daughters in 1751 and his descendants later started the world famous Haig brand.

John Jameson, originally from Alloa, was also related to the Steins and Haigs through marriage and moved to Dublin, taking charge of the family’s Bow Street distillery later assuming full ownership and creating the Jameson brand.

In 1788, due to changes in law that imposed extra duties on exports to England and an attempt at bribery, the Stein family found themselves in the middle of much controversy and were bankrupted.

To keep up to date with the distillery, you can also follow the trust on Twitter.