Glen Albyn Distillery Table Book



With a flutter of apprehension, I made my way to the Highland Archive Centre in Inverness to examine a Glen Albyn artifact. Officially titled 'Distillery Table Book for Glen Albyn Distillery Co. Ltd./MacKinlays Birnie Ltd.' or 'HCA/D31/4/3/1', this piece is unfortunately noted to be in a state of disrepair. 

Having previously encountered the logbook from Glen Mhor distillery, I was uncertain of what awaited me as I gingerly opened the cover and peered inside. The book is dated from 1901 to 1932, which follows the dates on the title page, but my heart soared at the thought of uncovering a treasure that traces back to the very origins of Glen Albyn's second revival in the 1880s, as further into the book we are given the dates and manufacturers of various pieces of equipment.

The opening page is just what you would anticipate - a title page. Yet, what catches the eye are the names etched across it, hinting that this book held significant value for Glen Albyn over the years, serving as a vital resource for a stream of men at the distillery.

Filled with anticipation from the very first page, I couldn't help but wonder what treasures lay hidden within the rest of this book. It dawned on me just how much effort was already required; I had adopted a meticulous strategy in my previous readings, carefully navigating each page to absorb, reflect, and debate the insights they might offer.

While many might have breezed past this page, captivated by the impressive display of labour and names, eager to plunge deeper into the narrative, I found it essential to document every name and date here. By connecting the dots and exploring patterns, I aim to honour the legacies of those who have departed yet left an indelible mark in these pages.




This appears to be a typical issue book for Customs & Excise, likely part of a standard collection for the industry. It features categories such as 'collection', 'district', and 'station', all of which have been overlooked amidst the flood of individuals. The same goes for 'year ending 30th September 189' and 'examined the Folios and found.' 

From this information, it can be inferred that the names listed on this page, and the next page that offers more recent names, are likely Excise representatives, either stationed at or covering Glen Albyn during that period. The year ending on 30th September marks the traditional close of the season, just before the new distilling season kicks off, which, as observed at Glen Mhor, typically runs from October to September.

The images clearly showcase the fragile beauty of this book, with its well-worn cover telling tales of decades of handling. It's truly astonishing that it has remained whole, and the pages inside, despite the charming variations of handwriting, are still readable.




By examining the Inverness Burgh records, we discover that the primary distillery crew at Glen Albyn during the years 1901 and 1902 consisted of:

Wm. Macconachie, manager, Glenalbyn villa

Melville Christie, brewer, Glenalbyn cottages

Donald Simpson, maltman

J. Macleay, maltman

The Excisemen working in Inverness in 1901 were David Gracie, Jas Miincaster, R. Sulhvan, John Hamilton Taggart and J. Herbison. However these men are not responsible for the initial signature. This honour belongs to Collector and Distributor of Stamps, based at the Inland Revenue Offices (Excise, Stamps and Taxes) on High Street, Inverness. Namely, W.H. Maslin who signs the book on December 3rd and again in 1904 on 12th February.

The book itself promises to be a treasure trove of detail that I look forward to unearthing in the coming months with you.


This book has been kindly made available via the Highland Archives Centre and is watermarked for its protection. As with any images on this website, please ask first before using and please always give credit.

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