Inverness Directory

 

The Inverness Burgh Directory (also known as the Country Directory) and related parish materials provide a valuable record of the Glen Mhor team and ownership. While these records are accessible online, it is a laborious task for anyone to search through every year.

Therefore, I undertook this task.

The primary directory was first published in the 1890s and was in circulation for several decades, however, it appears that other materials were available before its publication, and previous editions were less regular than annual. I have examined these resources to gain better understanding of the staff, management, and other mentions of Glen Mhor distillery.

1899

This entry confirms two of the major influences on Glen Mhor (John Birnie and Robert Robertson) are in and around the distillery.

We also have 2 maltmen named in Alex Fraser and John Campbell; no doubt hard at work. Interestingly, Glen Mhor Cottage is listed as the home address for John in the same volume along with a Fraser Alexander, who will be the chap above. 

So, this confirms the existence of a cottage specific to the distillery and on Telford Street and as documented in these 1904 extension plans. 

1905

This entry documents an Robert Ferguson who is responsible for Excise duties at the Glen Mhor distillery. He also appears in the distillery listing alongside John Birnie and Robert Robertson, who is listed as a brewer. William Reid is a new name present as a maltman.

1908

Just a couple of years later and we have a John B. James in the Excise role. 

The snapshot of the distillery, confirms the continued presence of John Birnie and Robert Robertson in their senior roles. John Longmore and John Sutherland occupy the malting roles - and the ongoing turnover of staff perhaps in a manual and thankless role.

1924

Present on Telford Street, we have a handful of the major roles at Glen Mhor.

1925

A year on and we can see that the main roles at the distillery remain in situ at Glen Mhor Cottage.

1926

The consistency continues the following year, with the 3 men still living on site.

1927

No changes either, the subsequent year.

1928

Interestingly we have a Mrs Fraser listed, which might be in error, or she's living near her place of work as a grocer/post-office nearby.

1929

Mrs Fraser is no listed giving support to our prior theory, however we have a new maltman residing at the cottage.

1930

Listed at the cottage is James Ritchie, who would eventually go on to become the distillery manager towards the end of the decade. Missing is Robert Robertson, who has moved into Glen Albyn House, which signifies a major change at both distilleries and the first year of a new structure. 

John Birnie has moved to his own property elsewhere in the city.

1935

Very little detail in this edition, however it does confirm that Robbie Robertson is in residence at Glenalbyn House as overseer of both distilleries. 

This is particularly important, as we know Robbie passes away on site in October 1937, and his successor was a mystery, but by using this address, we should in later editions be able to confirm who was employed in this role of status.

We also have Kenneth Mackenzie employed as mashman and living next door to the distillery, so it must be one of the workers cottages. 

Also, next door to Kenneth is a James Ritchie, a name that will become more prominent who in this entry, occupies the prized role of brewer. 

1938

This edition confirms the presence of James Ritchie in Glenalbyn house as the overall manager (we'll discuss this in the 1939 entry) but it does mark a significant transition across both sites.

We also have a joiner (Thomas Perrie) in Glen Mhor Cottage and Kenneth Mackenzie continuing to be listed as the mashman.

Interestingly, there are no other distillery-themed roles showing on Telford Street, which is normally a hive of activity when it comes to such careers. 

1939

This edition gives us the status of 3 workers on Telford Street, with a joiner staying at the distillery cottage. However, also living on the same street are a maltman (Duncan Cameron) and mashman (Kenneth Mackenie), who must have worked either at Glen Mhor, or Glen Albyn.

Also, of particular note is the presence of James Ritchie in Glen Albyn house, which was traditionally used by distillery managers as it was next door. As James' occupation is a manager, it would seem logical that he was the distillery manager of Glen Albyn and Glen Mhor, and tasked with contacting the Exciseman as this incident in 1939 shows. James would have also been the successor to Robbie Robertson who had managed both since the mid-1890s.