Royal blood
Torquhil Campbell, otherwise known as the 13th Duke of Argryll, is a man of many titles. He’s a duke, clan chief, business owner, father to three and a brand ambassador of Royal Salute. But even with his status, Campbell isn’t one with an air of aristocracy. His royal lineage is easily cast aside as he speaks of his family, the perks of living in a shoe-box apartment in Hong Kong, and his favourite hobby, fly-fishing.
I come from a very old family. I can trace my family roots back to the year 600, and it’s full of heritage, stories, a bit of royalty. It’s similar to Royal Salute, that it’s steeped in history too, with great heritage. It’s powerful, it symbolises prestige, luxury. Royal salute was launched in 1953 on the day of Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation.
In days gone by, a duke was a very powerful person. But it doesn’t have the same status as it had years ago. Today, I’m a chairman of my family business (he runs Inveraray Castle, home of the Dukes of Argyll and the seat of the Clan Campbell, and a 65,000-acre estate). There are some ceremonial roles that remain.
My favourite Royal Salute is the 21 Year Old. It’s such an easy whisky to drink. It feels very approachable, even for both male and female drinkers. I find that the best way to enjoy it is with a little water, and some ice.
I enjoy drinking wine, especially white wine. I drink predominantly New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, and some South African wine too.
I’ve lived in Hong Kong for six years, it was a really great experience, compared to living in a castle in Scotland. There’s a lot less cleaning and maintenance to do when you’re living in an apartment! Plus, the castle I grew up and live in was built in the 1740s. We had a major renovation in 2009, but it is still quite an old home. It’s a big place, and things need to be fixed all the time. It’s actually quite challenging.
I’m the chef at home. My favourite cuisine is Vietnamese. I love it for its freshness, especially with the use of fresh vegetables like coriander and mint.
Out of work, my family and I do a lot of fishing, bicycling, climbing, and other outdoor sports. I especially love fly-fishing. It’s a very good contrast with my day-to-day work; it’s very personal and insular.
One of my favourite accessories to go with my kilt is a really nice evening sporran with lots of silver. It has been in the family for a few hundred years. It’s a family heirloom, so it means a lot to me.
I have a large collection of artwork. I also commission paintings, the most recent one being a painting of my son. Occasionally, I buy back old portraits at auctions, such as those that used to belong to the family but were sold off for some reason.
Royal Salute
