Illicit Distilling in Glasgow
Neill Murphy of Scottish Rogue digs into Glasgow’s illicit distilling past…
There’s a certain romance that’s often retconned into old tales of illicit distilling. The noble Highlander, indulging in his birthright of whisky-making, forced to come up with increasingly cunning ways to elude the dastardly men of the excise. And why not? Scotland has always enjoyed a lovable rogue, and that’s often how we frame the illicit distillers of the past.
There are stories of Magnus Eunson in Orkney, chasing away the taxman by hiding his casks under a coffin lid and claiming plague. Then there’s George Smith perfecting his process in the hidden recesses of the Livet Glen before going legit and establishing one of the most iconic whisky brands of all time. Even the famous tale of the SS Politician, which ran aground off Eriskay and set off a game of cat and mouse between the islanders who rescued her cargo of whisky and the men of the excise who sought to recover it.
Illicit distilling and the smuggling of the product it made were widespread throughout Scotland. The question is, did such practices ever come to the city of Glasgow? I was curious and did some digging. The following story is what I found…
Audacious Smuggling in Glasgow
Yesterday afternoon, one of the most audacious cases of smuggling which we have heard of for a lengthened period was brought to light. Mr. Joseph Townsend, Supervisor of Excise, in company with several of his officers, repaired to the spirit establishment at the South Side of the entrance to the Trades’ Hall, Glassford Street, and in the cellars seized up apparatus for the conducting of an extensive illicit distillery – and this, too, under the very wing of the Deacon-Convener, and in the very heart of Glasgow. The premises in question were lately occupied by Mr. James Pagan, spirit dealer, whose name they at present bear, but we are informed they were handed over in September last to Mr. Richard Deary, spirit dealer, occupier of shops in Port Dundas Road and Candleriggs. The cellars are in connection with the spirit shop above alluded to, and situated immediately underneath the Trades’ Hall. The officers found, amongst other articles, two whisky stills, capable of conjointly containing upwards of 100 gallons. The stills were warm, and bore evidence of having been recently in operation. In the cellars were also found a large number of casks, and tubs containing molasses wash, low wines and spirits. Several cartloads of the distilling apparatus were conveyed in the course of the evening to the Inland Revenue Office. A person acting as manager, whom Mr. Townsend found on the premises, was at once apprehended, and taken before Bailie Wright, one of our city magistrates, on a charge of being found in apartments where illicit distilling was being carried on. He was convicted, and sentenced to pay a fine of £30, or suffer three months’ imprisonment.
– The Herald, 28th March 1856
The Trades Hall has stood on Glassford Street since 1794. Home to Trades House, the building was designed by architect Robert Adam, and when he passed away, it was completed by his younger brothers James and William.
The Deacon Convener of the Trades House of Glasgow is the civic head of the city’s 14 Incorporated Crafts, one of which, ironically, is the craft of the Maltman. The Deacon Convener serves as the third most senior citizen in Glasgow after the Lord Provost and Lord Dean of Guild. Illegally distilling, quite literally, under his nose, was an act of such outrageous gallusness* that it should be celebrated in our humble opinion.
*Gallus – bold, cheeky, or daring in Scottish slang.
So let’s hear it for the Trades Hall rogues, hiding in plain sight, and distilling spirits right under the noses of officialdom. On yersel lads.
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