Glen Albyn Distillery Logbook 28th November 1923

We set forth on an exciting new adventure of exploration with the first of two logbooks for Glen Albyn, transporting us back to the year 1923, a time that feels worlds apart from our own.

As mentioned on the main page of the logbook entries, our past experiences suggest a rich variety of records awaits us. The first entry certainly upholds this expectation, featuring the well-known figure to Glen Mhor enthusiasts, exciseman Gilbert W. Peterkin. He would go on to oversee both distillery sites, delighting us with his meticulous record-keeping and keen observations over the years.

At this particular juncture, however, he was not in charge of Glen Mhor, as the esteemed Neil M. Gunn held that position. Gilbert would serve in his role until 1948, when he eventually retired from his duties.

I remain ever grateful for the invaluable support from the Highland Archive Centre and Alan Winchester in bringing these historical accounts into the digital realm, enriched with thoughtful commentary and insights.

'Glen Albyn 

Excise Logbook 

File No. 73023

Enclosure No. 1

28th November 1923

Honourable Sirs,

I beg to report that Mrs Christina Cameron trading as Forsyth Co. Spirit Retailer 'on' (6 day) and tobacco dealer on 16/18 Inglis Street, Inverness, has permanently discontinued business as from the 14th November and that the Excise License was surrendered on 27th Nov.

Application for repayment in respect of proportional period of license duty and for remission of the unpaid second account, is not made by Messrs Stewart, ???, Solicitors, National Bank Buildings, Inverness, judicial factors for Mrs Cameron.

The annual value of the premises is £110 and the total duty payable is £47:8:1. The first moiety is £23:10:8

(next page, Enclosure 2)

was paid in June last and the second moiety £23:11:5 remains outstanding.

I am satisfied that the business is discontinued permanently. All stock and fittings were sold by public auction on 14th Nov.

I am your obedient servant, G.W. Peterkin, officer, Glen Albyn.

The honourable

The Commissioners of Customs & Excise

(response to above)

Repayment of a/c authorised as submitted by ACQ, the second moiety is to be written off.

Dutty of the a/c repair this 14/11/23 to D.Mactavish judicial factor for Mrs Cameron, lic withdrawn. 

JWA, Coll (collector)'

I should note, there is a suggestion in the margin, or question, that the license has been present since 1915. 

Inglis Street remains in Inverness to this day, avoiding some of the demolition of the recent era. Near the Eastgate area of Inverness it is a busy retail thoroughfare and perhaps this closure gives us some insight into the difficulties facing retailers due to the economic environment. We know many distilleries did not reopen, or just closed and the knock on effect would be a fall in demand also hit the retail sector, such as Mrs Cameron. 

My thanks to Ambaile for the image of Inglis street which they describe as:

'View of Inglis Street in Inverness. On the left side of the street are the premises of Pullars of Perth the dry cleaners, Campbell the Ladies and Gents Tailor, a tobacconist shop and a wine merchants. On the right side of the street are the premises of Alexanders the bookshop and newsagent. At the top, Inglis Street meets High Street. The photograph shows the Station Hotel, built in 1854 and MacRae and Dicks garage.'

You may have noticed the reference to a tobacco and spirit merchant appearing together, which strongly suggests that Mrs. Cameron's shops are featured in this photograph, which I've zoomed in and utilised A.I. to clean up:

I took a look at the Inverness Burgh Directory from 1920, which indeed verifies that John Forsyth & Co., wine and spirit merchants, were located at 18 Inglis Street, with Mrs. Cameron listed as the proprietor. Curiously, the adjacent number 16 was home to a licensed grocer named William Davidson. This implies that Mrs. Cameron likely expanded into new premises shortly thereafter to establish a tobacco shop, only to face financial difficulties later on. It’s quite remarkable that this image captures the fleeting existence of both businesses.

While this entry has very little to do with Glen Albyn and the essence of this research, it sheds new light on the activities and duties of an Exciseman within Inverness during this period. 

My thanks to the Highland Archive Centre in Inverness for making these materials available for my research. Their generosity ensures that the wider whisky population can enjoy these resources.