His Majesty King Charles III visits beautiful Campbeltown the Whisky Capital of the World, and it’s RNLI lifeboat station
On the morning of July 3, 2025, His Majesty King Charles III began the day with a visit to Campbeltown on the Kintyre Peninsula, Scotland. Campbeltown, cradled by the scenic sweep of the Kintyre Peninsula, is a coastal jewel where heritage, heart, and Highland spirit meet. Once hailed as the “Whisky Capital of the World,” this charming harbour town invites visitors to wander its historic streets, breathe in the salty sea air, and discover stories etched into every stone. With its rich maritime legacy, welcoming community, and breathtaking views across the Atlantic, Campbeltown offers a soulful escape where tradition thrives, creativity blooms, and every sunrise over the bay feels like a fresh beginning. It is a place that whispers of Scotland’s past while embracing the promise of its vibrant future.
Dressed in his personal Kintyre tartan kilt, with more than a thousand people stood behind crash barriers to see the King tour the town.the King visited the local farmers’ market, where he met stallholders and residents who had gathered to greet him. He then moved on to the Campbeltown Heritage Centre, where he learned about the town’s maritime and cultural history and met community custodians dedicated to preserving its legacy.
At the Campbeltown Harbour, the King visited the RNLI lifeboat station, greeting sea cadets, coastal volunteers, and fishermen. The RNLI’s Patron visit as part of Royal Week in Scotland where Their Majesties take time to celebrate Scottish culture, community and achievements, and to pay recognition to people’s great work. RNLI representatives who had the opportunity to meet His Majesty at the Campbeltown ferry terminal included full-time Coxswain Ruaridh McAulay and volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager, David Conner. His Majesty also met the RNLI crew who bought the station’s Severn class lifeboat, RNLB Ernest and Mary Shaw, alongside the quay to be part of the special occasion. David Conner, volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager at Campbeltown RNLI, said: ‘It was a huge honour to meet King Charles III today. The King was very interested in the area and our work to help save lives at sea.
We are incredibly proud of the efforts of all our volunteers who help keep Campbeltown RNLI operational and being given the opportunity to talk to our Patron about the RNLI’s work in Campbeltown was a huge privilege. The atmosphere has been jubilant today, and it will certainly be a day we will never forget.’
Nestled along the rugged shores of the Kintyre Peninsula, the RNLI Lifeboat Station in Campbeltown stands as a proud beacon of courage, community, and compassion. Manned by dedicated volunteers and crew members who brave the sea in all conditions, this station embodies the very heart of maritime resilience and selfless service. For generations, it has safeguarded lives along Scotland’s dramatic coastline, responding to distress calls with unwavering commitment and a deep sense of duty. With each launch, the Campbeltown lifeboat crew honours a noble tradition—risking their own safety to protect others, and reminding us all of the extraordinary strength found in quiet heroism and coastal solidarity.
King Charles later visited the Glen Scotia Distillery, where he sampled a rare 25‑year‑old single malt whisky—celebrating the town’s deep-rooted connection to Scotland’s distilling tradition. King Charles is known to like whisky produced using peat, which has a very distinctive flavour, and he asked Iain McAlister, master distiller and manager of Glen Scotia’s distillery in Campbeltown: “Is it a peaty one?” and was told it was not. Mr McAlister presented a bottle of the whisky to mark the visit and said afterwards: “It doesn’t get much better than this, having the King try our whisky.” Glen Scotia Distillery, nestled in the heart of Campbeltown, is a living tribute to Scotland’s whisky-making heritage—a place where tradition, craftsmanship, and spirit converge. Established in 1832, it stands as one of the last surviving distilleries in what was once the “Victorian Whisky Capital of the World.” Each drop of Glen Scotia whisky carries the soul of the sea, the character of the rugged Kintyre coast, and the wisdom of generations of master distillers. With its timeless stone walls and copper stills still in operation, Glen Scotia is not just a distillery—it is a story of resilience, revival, and the enduring art of creating world-class single malt whisky with passion and pride.
In the afternoon, King Charles returned to Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, where he resumed his formal royal duties. The Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh stands as a majestic symbol of Scotland’s rich royal heritage and enduring history. For over five centuries, this grand palace has been the official residence of Scotland’s monarchs, witnessing pivotal moments that shaped a nation—from the reign of Mary, Queen of Scots, to the union of the crowns. Its stunning architecture, elegant state apartments, and ancient ruins of Holyrood Abbey blend seamlessly to tell stories of power, faith, and resilience. More than a royal residence, Holyroodhouse is a living testament to Scotland’s cultural identity, welcoming visitors to walk the same halls where history was made and where tradition continues to inspire unity and pride today.
HRH King Charles received the Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps, who presented farewell audiences on behalf of three outgoing ambassadors—from Finland, Estonia, and Tunisia—as part of the regular ceremonial responsibilities of the monarch.
Throughout the day, the King’s engagements highlighted a blend of heritage, community, diplomacy, and personal resilience. His presence in Campbeltown was not only symbolic of royal appreciation for Scotland’s local traditions but also a testament to his enduring role as a steady and unifying figure, representing both continuity and care across the nations of the United Kingdom.
