If you were somehow able to travel back to the second half of the 19^th century, you’d find the area around the River Clyde in Central Glasgow packed with Scotch whisky activity of all sorts. Blenders, bottlers, bonded warehouses, even distillers, were all in full swing. Whether it be Teacher’s in St Enoch Square, Greenlees Bros in Osborne St, Mackie & Co in Carlton Place, Lang Bros in Oswald Street or the Adelphi Distillery on, well, Adelphi Street. The whole area was awash with the stuff.

When Alfred Barnard visited the Adelphi Distillery in 1886, not only was he impressed by its single malt, he was also somewhat bewitched by the sight of the Clyde and went on to describe a city in its prime…

“The course of this noble river, through the heart of the city, forms one of the most striking panoramas of its kind in the United Kingdom. From the centre of Jamaica Bridge, the scene presented to the eye is one never to be forgotten; a forest of masts extending as far as the eye can reach; the open centre of the silver stream; the wharves piled with wares from every nation, and alive with men from all parts of the world; the continuous flow of passengers passing to and from the various steamers; and the endless variety of sounds and sights complete a picture unequalled in any other city in the world. The bustle and activity of modern days is here seen to its fullest advantage.” Alfred Barnard, 1886.

It’s fair to assume that the sight of whisky casks coming to and from the quay would have been a common occurrence in this part of the city for many, many years. The transportation of whisky could be a risky business, however. Especially in a city known for its cobblestone streets. One bump too many and the barrels would soon be hitting the stones, with one such instance reported in the local press in 1952…

‘Gallons of whisky ran in the gutters and into the drains in Commerce Street, Glasgow, yesterday, after eight large barrels, each containing 112 gallons of 10-overproof whisky had fallen from a lorry. Whisky ran from leaks in several barrels and seeped through cracks in others.’

Naturally, the fine people of Glasgow weren’t about to watch good booze go to waste.

‘One man, who saw the barrels falling from the lorry, said: “The barrels had hardly stopped rolling when people appeared from nowhere carrying an assortment of pots, pans, pails, cups, and buckets.”’

Heroes, every one. The River Clyde may not be quite so littered with whisky casks today, but the city itself still has a lot going on, with world-class distilleries, blenders, and bottlers calling Glasgow home. Add excellent bars, fantastic retailers, and more tasting events than even the strongest liver could handle, and you have an impressive whisky destination.

Learn the history and sample the whiskies with a Scottish Rogue Whisky Bar Walking Tour. More info HERE