Timeline

 

The timeline of a distillery is a vital tool; from the beginning to the end, all the bumps in the road and moments to remember. These might be currently lost to time, but Glen Albyn presents a challenge to uncover. 

We begin this journey with just a clutch of details and our own experiences. Eager to showcase this unique distillery in a new light.

10th January 1840

The Inverness Courier reports the opening of a new distillery, Glen Albyn, on the site of the former Muirtown Brewery. The founder, Provost James Sutherland, is presented with a service of plate to celebrate his enterprise.

There is also literature to suggest that the site at one time was a maltings.

1840-1844

Plans owned by from the Canal & River Trust show the oldest known record of the original Glen Albyn distillery and layout. The site comprises of 144 feet in length along the basin bank, and approximately 120 feet in depth.

22nd November 1849

The main buildings are destroyed by fire, at a cost of £4k to £5k.

January 1850

Rebuilding work is underway.

18th November 1851

A distressing accident at Glen Albyn claims the lives of two distillery workers.

1852

The distillery is back in production - perhaps full production given the prior 1851 entry?

1852

Plans and sketches of the building next door to Glen Albyn (also owned by James Sutherland) have been found. These give more foundation to the rumours of a pipe between both buildings.

1855

Hard times fall upon James Sutherland and his assets are seized. Glen Albyn falls silent for over 20 years.

7th October 1857

The distillery equipment at Glen Albyn is sold at auction as detailed in this newspaper article.

1859

Shortly after James Sutherland dies, a pipe is found between the distillery and the next door inn house/hotel that he also owned.

1884

A grain merchant, A.M. Gregory, purchases the site and builds a new distillery to continue the name.

August 1884

Plans are submitted to the Inverness Dean Guild for new buildings and provide insight into the state of the Glen Albyn at this time.

1885

John Birnie takes charge of the Glen Albyn distillery, after spending 8 years at Benrinnes. A former banker, he would be instrumental in creating Glen Mhor. He was also a keen golfer, curler and had a farm at Balnafettack, North West Inverness.

1885

A inscribed pencil is presented to William Grant of the Glenfiddich and Balvenie distilleries with thanks from the staff at Glenalbyn distillery. 

1887

Stills from Glen Albyn arrive at the Balvenie distillery owned by William Grant and Sons. 

1892

Harper's Weekly reports that the site has been expanded with a second range of warehouses.

1892

John Birnie, manager and distiller, credited with turning around Glen Albyn, is refused a shareholding in the distillery and leaves - he returns across the road as co-founder of Glen Mhor distillery.

4th July 1892

Planning permission is sought and approved for a new 194ft, two floor warehouse, at Glen Albyn.

1893

A still is sold by Glenalbyn to William Grant, providing the first still for Balvenie distillery.

6th August 1894

A new set of plans confirms the existence of an 'old warehouse' possibly from the original distillery, that is set to be expanded with two new warehouses.

2nd December 1895

Plans are submitted to the Inverness Dean Guild, seeking permission to build the Glen Albyn Manager's House. An iconic structure that would play host to many events over its lifetime.

14th December 1895

The Courier reports the Glenalbyn Distillery Company - to take over the business of whisky distillers carried on by the Company at Inverness; capital, £35,000, in £10 shares.

19th December 1895

An amendment to the Glen Albyn House plans is submitted, possibly due to concerns from the Dean Guild and thereby approved. 

20th November 1897

Plans are submitted to the Dean Guild of Inverness for a new kiln at the distillery, marking the arrival of its first pagoda. 

November 1899

Glen Albyn for the new season of producing whisky, keeps its prices as per 1898.

3rd December 1901

The Glen Albyn table book comes into existence and offers us a wonderful snapshot into the distillery.

1903

Likely taken during the first half of 1903, the classic image of distillery workers gathering around a cask.

1906

Mackinlay's & Birnie becomes a private liability company, with John Walker & Sons Ltd. becoming co-shareholders.

27 November 1917

The first intake of US Navy men arrives. 3000 barrels of whisky are transferred to Glen Mhor for safe keeping. This photograph from the period shows the Glen Albyn Manager's House with the US flag on display.

1918

This image either from late 1917, or early 1918, shows the railway into the distillery and naval personnel at work. 

9th February 1918

The military base comes online and starts producing mines. The US National ensign is hoisted for the first time.

17th September 1918

The US Navy base is completely demobilised and turned over to a UK naval officer at 10am.

1921

John Birnie takes up residence in Glen Albyn House after successfully purchasing the distillery with the Mackinlay’s.

1st April 1931

Kenneth Mackenzie of Glen Albyn has a nasty fall at the distillery and is knocked unconscious which makes the local news.

5th September 1932

Glen Albyn is one of seventy-eight distilleries to close due to increase excise duty costs. 

12th October 1937

Robert Robertson sadly dies while living at Glen Albyn House, and decades of service to distilling in Inverness.

1941

Glen Albyn closes due to the Second World War - this was believed to be the official year from publications but we have a more valid date in 1943.

26th June 1942

The Glen Mhor exciseman is promptly called to assist with a fire at Glen Albyn distillery and break the locks.

19th February 1943

Glen Albyn is mothballed due to WW2 restrictions and the remaining feints are rolled across to the Glen Mhor distillery.

22nd June 1943

Lord Woolton visits Glen Albyn distillery to see how it is helping the war effort. 

18th February 1944

The Glen Mhor Customs & Excise logbook records wartime damage at Glen Albyn distillery thanks to some bad army driving.

1945

Glen Albyn returns to production.

19th November 1949

Staff and their friends were entertained to a Dinner Party in the Cumming's Hotel. Mr William Birnie, Managing Director, informed the gathering that it was a dual function, first to commemorate the opening of the Saladin Plant at Glen Mhor distillery, and secondly, to commemorate the centenary of Glen Albyn Distillery.

1957

A four-storey warehouse is built for an additional 385,000 of whisky.

1961

Floor malting comes to an end as the Saladin Boxes are installed.

1963

Direct heating of the stills by coal furnaces comes to an end and steam heating is installed.

6th November 1967

Over a series of weeks, the fire alarm system and warehouse floors are strengthened at Glen Mhor and Glen Albyn.

26th January 1968

Mackinlays & Birnie are quoted in the press, including the Herald Statesman, that output of Scotch whisky will decline in 1968 because of overproduction. The firm staid that 'stocks are at a record level, equal to 10.5 years consumption.'

1972

DCL successfully bid for and purchase Glen Albyn and Glen Mhor.

12th July 1972

The Department of Trade and Industry, gives the all-clear for the Distillers Company to take over Mackinlays and Birnie. 

1973

Scotland's Malt Whiskies was published in this year, and contained a nugget of information regarding the illegal pipe that ran from Glen Albyn to a nearby inn.

1975

Glen Albyn mashman, Davy MacRae retires along with  Alexander ‘Sandy’ Campbell (Glen Mhor foreman)and this prompts a celebration involving both Glen Mhor and Glen Albyn staff.

23 August 1977

Distillery worker, George Skinner, makes the news for less than positive reasons.

1982

Production for the year is noted to be 330,000 litres, compared to a capacity of 1.25 million.

1983

Glen Albyn is closed as demand for whisky falls. 

17th June 1985

Debate continues over the fate of the Glen Albyn site, as reports of vandalism and glue sniffing cause concern amongst local residents.

1988

The distillery is demolished.