AC/DC legend Bon Scott celebrated at Scotland’s oldest sweet shop in Kirriemuir

Bon Scott (Image credit: Fin Costello/Redferns - Getty)

Scotland’s oldest sweet shop has created a tasty treat for AC/DC fans attending this weekend’s Bonfest.

The Star Rock Shop is located in Kirriemuir, the town where AC/DC legend Bon Scott spent his formative years – and they’ve decided to sell the Hell Balls sweets to celebrate this weekend’s festival and to mark Highway To Hell’s 40th anniversary.

The annual festival in the Angus town will take place on May 3-5 and will feature various AC/DC-themed bands along with other artists who are once again coming together to honour the late vocalist.

Shop owner Liz Crossley-Davies tells The Courier: “To represent hell I wanted the colour of flames, so they are red, orange and black. And for such a strong name and image there needed to be a unique but strong bold flavour – so they are sour blackcurrant.”

She adds: “There are some songs and albums that no matter your age or music taste everyone knows, and Highway To Hell is one of them.

“Many wouldn’t know the song comes from an album of the same name, but everyone knows the tune and chorus. And that’s what made an artist like Bon Scott special – to create music that is recognisable, crosses all walks of life, and lasts.”

In May 2016, a Bon Scott statue created by sculptor John McKenna was unveiled in Kirriemuir after a crowdfunding campaign raised more than £50,000 for the project.

For more information about Bonfest 2019, visit the official website.

Earlier this year, a letter written by Scott when AC/DC were on tour across the US in 1978 went up for auction, with the Western Australian Government splashing out $14,000 to secure the document.

Scott Munro
Louder e-commerce editor

Scott has spent 35 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in the summer of 2014 before moving into e-commerce in 2020. Scott keeps Louder’s buyer’s guides up to date, writes about the best deals for music fans, keeps on top of the latest tech releases and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more for Louder. Over the last 10 years, Scott has written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from daily news and weekly features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, The Tragically Hip, Marillion and Rush.