Glen Mhor Distillery 18th October 1907 Wine and Spirit Trade Record Page 3

Welcome to the third page of the long-lost 1907 article about Glen Mhor distillery, which I am thrilled to present in an online format for everyone to enjoy and discuss. My thanks, once again, to Leon at James Eadie for uncovering this article, which softens the disappointment of missing out on a Mackinlay & Birnie reproduction at auction - likely from a later decade.

One of my main research motivations is to shed light on new information, and this page certainly delves into often neglected aspects of any distillery. What stands out, as I’ve noted in previous pages, is the recurring notion that, despite being published by a contemporary industry journal, this piece feels like a paid advertisement, with Mackinlay & Birnie hiring a writer to craft the narrative. A forerunner to many of the articles you read in the press or online today.

There are specific sections I’ve previously emphasised that reinforce the idea that the entire article aims to promote Glen Mhor within the industry, highlighting its economic benefits such as efficiencies of transportation and design features that appeal to both blenders and retailers. Things that writers would overlook unless asked to include. 

A hint emerges through the previously mentioned Mackinlay & Birnie reproduction, which essentially verifies that it belonged to them and that they maintained ownership rights. Furthermore, the images featured in this article seem to be part of a collection they likely commissioned themselves, reflecting their passion for documenting their new distillery on camera. These images are indeed from the early days of Glen Mhor, dating back before this article was published in 1907, and are probably from even earlier, likely captured before 1900.

I’m still grappling with the idea that the origins of this article trace back to the elusive Pictures of Inverness: A Peep into Glen Mhor Distillery. This work, published by Mackinlay & Birnie in 1897, showcases the skills of Alfred Barnard, who did not include Glen Mhor in his seminal work, as it was not built during his visit to Inverness at that time. 

What we do know is that A Peep served as both a promotional piece and a tribute to the town, its picturesque landscape, Glen Mhor distillery, and the Mackinlay blending operations in Leith. Central to this publication was Barnard’s insightful write-up. We do have two reviews from 1897, including one from the Highland News, but unfortunately, critics of that era seemed to shy away from quoting the text directly - how much simpler it would have been if they had!

The more I delve into this 1907 edition, the more I find myself convinced that its origins trace back to the elusive Barnard article. Whether Barnard revisited it himself or if it was updated by the distillery owners or another contributor remains a mystery to me, for now.

Those with a discerning eye will spot that the transcription below features the word 'peep' once again. A look into his work, The Whisky Distilleries of the United Kingdom, reveals that this term appears nine times, primarily to provide glimpses into often overlooked sections of a distillery, such as the Engine House, various vessels, and condensers.

On Page 3, there are only a few notable words, including 'eloquent,' which appears once in his text, so it doesn't serve as definitive evidence. If we turn back to Page 2, we find 'trammels' mentioned once, in the context of 'trammels and unwise regulations to which the trade had previously been subjected’, this fairly unused word features in his published work.

The term 'antiquated' shows up five times, mostly referring to outdated equipment. 'Ingenious' is noted six times, primarily in relation to mechanical solutions. 'Veritable' is used twice in connection with smugglers, and while none of these instances provide conclusive proof, they do hint at a connection to Barnard or perhaps a heavy-handed editor, which seems unlikely considering it was a commissioned piece by the owners.

I don't typically engage in betting of any kind; I'm content with my life as it is. However, if you were to inquire whether I think this text originated from Barnard and is part of his lost work on Glen Mhor, I would say, yes, there is a strong suspicion.

It's still unclear whether he was prompted to revise it for a broader audience in 1907, or if Mackinlay & Birnie contributed additional details - something I’ll ponder as we approach the end of the article on page 4. For the moment, without locating the original manuscript or any relevant transactions in the company records stored in Glasgow (which I plan to explore one day), I’ll leave the conclusions up to you for now.

Warehouse image

In the course of this research project, we have uncovered a wealth of information regarding the appearance of Glen Mhor's warehouses, ranging from original plans to exterior photographs and references in customs documents. Yet, this is the very first and only confirmed internal image of a warehouse, and it’s a new one at that. This emphasises my earlier point that these photographs originate from the Mackinlay & Birnie collection of their distillery. After all, the likelihood of a journalist and photographer being present on-site just as a warehouse is completed and ready for the casks is almost zero.

Can we identify which warehouse this is and when the photo was taken? If you’ve journeyed this far with me, you can count on me to give it my utmost effort.

Initially, it becomes clear that the photographer has only just entered the warehouse, with the light streaming in from the external windows and the open door positioned behind them. This observation effectively eliminates warehouse #1, which was extended in 1894 with the warehouse #2 build, to span the entire length of the site. The sole access point to this distillery was from the side. Given that the light source is positioned behind and this warehouse is significantly smaller, we can confidently dismiss this warehouse as well.

We find ourselves on the ground floor of a two-storey warehouse, all warehousing at Glen Mhor was this height. There is a pleasing symmetry of the subsequent warehouses, constructed uniformly after the original #1/#2 was extended. This series of new warehouses began to rise after 1895 and continued until 1914 in planning terms.

What stands out immediately is that we are gazing into one of these uniform structures, which serves as a boundary between the distillery and the football ground located behind it. In total, there are eight pillars, and our plans from the 1898 warehouse confirm this internal layout and likely mirroring of the warehouses from #3 upwards. Three rows of these pillars align perfectly with the architectural blueprints we possess. This design was not only effective but also efficient, as previously calculated by Alan Winchester, who analysed cask maturation records noted by Customs and Excise.

The Glen Mhor research project brings a delightful surprise: fresh insights compel us to revisit earlier discoveries, enriching our comprehension. Consider those 1898 blueprints, showcasing the classic windows adorning the left side of the structure that are replicated in the lead photograph. In light of the external designs, this arrangement is entirely logical. By that year, the warehouse expansion would adequately meet the demands of the time. This new addition was likely the final one for a while; otherwise, it would be impractical to invest time and resources in installing windows only to later seal them off. If the Guild plans are indeed comprehensive, as they appear to be, then the renowned warehousing at the 'distillery end' wouldn't see completion until 1914, when additional plans were put forth.

Considering this article originates from 1907, it doesn't include the last warehouses that established the final border between the distillery and the football ground. Thus, I am certain in asserting that this is the warehouse submitted for approval in 1898, and the image itself belongs to that era, specifically depicting warehouse number 5.

I'm also reminded of the infamous 1943 complaints of Exciseman, Gilbert W. Peterkin, during the Second World War, as to the conditions of working in his new warehouse office, which was situated in a warehouse for safety and not drawing attention to the distillery. This isn't the distillery he was based in, but it will be a carbon copy and one under his supervision at the time. A very cold and dark place to work, during difficult times. 

The now notorious grievances of Exciseman Gilbert W. Peterkin from 1943 come to mind, particularly regarding his working conditions in the temporary warehouse office during the Second World War. This office was strategically located within a warehouse to ensure safety and to keep the distillery under the radar. Although it isn't the same warehouse in this image, it is a mirror image and fell under his supervision at that time. It was a bleak and frigid environment to toil in, especially during such challenging times.

It’s likely that the Glen Mhor you’ve enjoyed, has spent some time nestled within this warehouse. Beyond the imagery, the treasure lies in the text and the wealth of information it contains.

Transcription Page 3

'that could be desired. Water carriage down the east coast to Leith, Newcastle, Hull and London comes out at about half railway rates, while the west coast, to Glasgow, Liverpool, Bristol, &c. is reached via the canal. The canal serves another useful purpose in that it supplies the driving power for the whole establishment. As everybody knows who is acquainted with Inverness, there is a series of five canal locks close to the town. The upper one is tapped for this purpose, and with a fall of 32 feet the water is taken through the distillery in a 15 inch pipe, never been seen in its course, and yet driving by means of a 10 inch turbine the whole of the plant. More eloquent testimony to the immense energy and cheapness of water power it would be difficult to find.

For mashing purposes, water from Loch Ness is used, and this has the reputation of being one of the softest waters in Scotland, varying only a degree from Loch Kartine water. The mash tun has a capacity of 250 to 300 bushels of malt, which is dressed and measured before being ground. The dressing machine is situated immediately over the grinding-mill, which is provided with a steel Archimedean screw to prevent the flames arising from an accidental explosion in the mill being carried back to the malt elevator. The wort drains into an underback, from which it is pumped up to the receiver, whence it passes on to the refrigerator and into the washbacks. These are six in number each with a working capacity of 8,000 gallons, or two charges of the wash-still.

Outside the distillery one notes the huge tanks of cold water, coiled round the interior of which are the worms from the still-heads in which the condensation of the Spirit takes place. From the work of the spirit-still the Whisky flows on to the spirit-receiver, and thence finds its way in casks to various warehouses. The original warehouse is a particularly fine one, 350 feet long. It has two floors, but the air is practically of the same temperature and humidity throughout the building because of the open flooring. Uniform maturation of the Whisky is thereby secured wherever it is stored. Last autumn another warehouse was added, and this is equally well adapted for maturing purposes.

Returning to the distillery by way of the courtyard, we take a peep at the cooperage and cask-repairing shop; also at the dynamo house, and the accumulator room. The former contains a dynamo supplying sixty lamps of 16 candle power, while the latter contains a battery of 55 cells, seven plates in each, and all requisite appliances for electric lighting. Near the entrance gates of the distillery are cottages for the workmen, while the distillery and excise offices and the counting' 

What we can learn

A natural continuation to page 2, this section highlights the remarkable accessibility of Inverness and Glen Mhor for those in the market for whisky. It's understandable that readers and prospective buyers might have hesitated to purchase casks from a producer located so far north, beyond the renowned Speyside distilleries. However, a key theme of this article is the welcoming nature of Glen Mhor, emphasising their readiness to engage in business and their approachability.

I remain extremely fortunate to be able to bounce my ideas and discoveries off Alan Winchester, who was equally as impressed by this particular page:

'Yes, interesting to hear the dimensions of the turbine.

Interesting the cost of sea carriage half of the railway, again these commercial interests. The mention of the soft water of the Ness is directly linked to production and the virtue of its softness in comparison to Loch Katrine, Loch Katrine supplies Strathclyde distillery. 

I wonder if the explosion retarding screw below the dresser is a Doig addition, also it's usual to install this below the malt mill to prevent the explosion going up the grist elevator, I have come across mention of Doig with these devices, a big risk with early distilleries.'

Doig was intricately connected to every aspect of Glen Mhor, from its very first designs to the lively days when it truly came on production. This invoice from November 1894, detailing what appears to be replacement parts for the distillery, highlights his commitment to making it as modern and secure as possible for its time, so Alan's theory seems entirely likely.

This intriguing detail, probably originating from the very beginnings of Glen Mhor, prompts us to ponder whether the core of the article stems from an even older source than the 1907 publication. After all, who else would draw attention to a screw that had been utilised at a distillery for a minimum of 13 years? Unless, of course, it represented a remarkable innovation from the era in which it was penned.

I have delved into the history of the water pipe and its connection to the Glen Albyn distillery, and it probably still lies partially beneath the quayside (see the red line above) as a lasting connection to both distilleries. 

In 1975, the familiar tale of Glen Mhor and Loch Ness water was still making the rounds, as evidenced by this interview with Angus Mackay, the head brewer:

'We don't use ordinary water. We use the pure water of Loch Ness which has a lot of seepage from the rocks and peat. Scottish barley is allowed to germinate in this water.'

As I have mentioned previously, it creates catchy soundbites for tourists, as by the time the water travels through the Caledonian Canal, it’s as much like Loch Ness as the Thames is. This connection is also whimsically explored by William Birnie in an unpublished interview where he remarks:

'Take, for instance, our two Distilleries, one where you now are here, and one over the road a hundred yards away, both using the same barley, same peat, same water and everything, more of less the same - they are both slightly different Whiskies, and the Blenders know the difference. Both are very good from my point of view of course! By the way, we get our water from Loch Ness, where the monster lives, but I don't think he has much to do with it, although I am sure he is there alright.'

Equally intriguing is the consideration of the canal as a potential access route, although I have shown that it was seldom utilised, if ever. However, this piece overlooks the concerning canal incident from 1904, just three years earlier, which led to the distillery being flooded and the turbine suffering significant damage - you'd have thought this would have been mentioned to some degree - and underlines the promotional aspect of the article. And we know the turbine from Frederic Nells of London was a significant investment for the distillery, and one that they were very proud of.

Washback details

The reference to the washbacks uncovers deeper insights and a timeline of events. Glen Mhor initially started with four washbacks, each boasting a capacity of 6,500 gallons. Shortly after alteration plans were submitted in 1898, this number was increased to six. The addition of a seventh washback clearly took place after 1907 - another small yet significant detail we are piecing together, likely linked to the arrival of the new mashtun in the 1920s. By the time of the Customs & Excise accident report in December 1938, we know it was operational and fully in place.

Last autumn I gave you a warehouse

This particular entry stands out: 'Last autumn another warehouse was added, and this is equally well adapted for maturing purposes.'

In this article, I have pointed out that no new warehouse was introduced in 1907, nor was there one in the fall of 1906 as suggested. There are no plans to support this claim, and any proposals for warehousing only emerged in 1914, as previously noted. We can assert this with certainty, drawing on available resources, and none are more trustworthy than the records kept by the United States Navy (yes, Glen Mhor has a unique history), which documented the distillery site for their naval base during World War I.

You can count on the military to capture the layout of a Scottish whisky distillery in 1918. The drawing reveals the elongated warehouse, which consists of numbers one and two, while a trio of additional warehouses stands in perfect alignment, backing onto the football ground. In total, there are five warehouses, including the internal view featured at the top of this article, showcasing the outer windows on the left, of warehouse five.

Mackinlay & Birnie decided against constructing another warehouse for quite some time, and it’s easy to see why. By 1920, they had taken over the Glen Albyn distillery, a sprawling facility that boasted significantly greater warehouse space, literally across the road. 

On November 14, 1898, the Inverness Dean Guild received the proposed alternation plans, which were submitted for their review. Remarkably, just five days later, these plans gained approval and were subsequently announced in the Highland News.

'Dean of Guild Court - At the Inverness Dean of Guild Court on Monday plans were passed a duty-free warehouse which Messers Mackinlays & Birnie are erecting as an addition to their Glen Mhor Distillery in Telford Street. The estimated cost of the warehouse is £573.'

This places the Autumn remark in either 1898 or 1899, with my inclination leaning towards the former, which is quite intriguing. The term 'erecting' implies that the project is either already in progress or nearing its final stages, suggesting they may have had an agreement with the Guild, making the final submission of plans merely a formality. 

Moreover, who would choose to construct a traditional stone-walled dunnage warehouse in the cold depths of a Highland winter? Clearly, this article predates 1900, and I suspect that the entire narrative surrounding the new warehouse was intentionally included; otherwise, it would eliminate a significant portion of the article, along with an accompanying image. 

Mackinlay & Birnie clearly repurposed this article for their promotional efforts, as evidenced by the auction lot featured at the beginning of this piece. This occurred much later, with the company continuing to use images of the distillery from 1890 all the way into 1938. This illustrates a consistent pattern of using existing materials without re-contextualising them.

Let's go outside

A rare glimpse into the less glamorous side of the distillery reveals the essential water tanks and elusive worm tubs, about which information remains scarce. While we can find these features on various plans from the 1890s, the intricate details I crave are still missing. Just how distinctive were those worm tubs? We know that Glen Albyn had D-shaped ones, which is quite uncommon. When John Birnie collaborated with Charles C. Doig to design Glen Mhor, could he have drawn inspiration from his experiences at Benrinnes in Speyside? It seems quite plausible, especially considering the character of Benrinnes and what we know about the Glen Mhor distillate during John's time there.

A green distillery

It's remarkable to read the concluding paragraph on this page, highlighting the significance of water-powered energy and its applications. Just imagine, this was all happening in the 1890s! Glen Mhor was truly a pioneer, a contemporary hallmark of the Scotch Whisky industry, seizing the advantages of its innovative technology and location. Designed with the expertise of the greatest whisky architect, combined with the skill and insight of John Birnie, it must have felt like a breath of fresh air compared to the more traditional and ramshackle Glen Albyn just a stone's throw away.

With the advent of the electric grid, distilleries and society at large quickly adopted this more convenient energy source, leaving the potential for generating and storing our own natural power largely unexplored until modern times. Notably absent from the discussion is the significant damage to the turbine and operating plant in 1904, which must have had a considerable impact during the flood.

The arrival of electric lighting at the distillery in October 1896 was a momentous occasion, celebrated in various newspaper articles from the Dundee Courier, Ross-Shire Journal, and the Northern Chronicle and Advertiser, all of which can be found in the Newspaper section.

The turbine remained the primary power source until the 1920s, when a gas engine was introduced, or possibly earlier, adding an extra 19hp to support the expanding distillery. This arrangement persisted until 1954, when electric motors were installed to drive the malt mill, malt elevator, and mashtun. It’s likely that some electrical upgrades occurred around 1949 with the installation of the Saladin boxes. The turbine continued to operate until 1960, finally retiring after fulfilling its last duty of powering the washback switchers.

Final thoughts

Congratulations on making it this far. This page is brimming with intricate details that invite further exploration, discussion, and, eventually, insights. I apologise for the delay in sharing my thoughts, but I trust you can understand the chaotic nature of my mind when delving into the depths of Glen Mhor.

We’ve breathed life into this page, uncovering the rich details and insights it holds - far better than letting it languish in a neglected file. History has so much to teach us if we’re willing to dig deep enough.

This article has deepened our insight into the distillery, painting a vibrant picture. As we turn to the final page, I'm excited as to what it can offer.