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#1
01-10-12, 16:15
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Illicit whisky galore
Researched my family tree, I kept coming across members of my family who were caught or implicated in illegal whisky distilling. Were they the black sheep of the community, I wondered. Far from it, it appeared that every cottar and crofter had their fingers in the illicit whisky jar. Below are some of the people involved in the illegal trade in the Kintyre area of Argyllshire in the first half of the 19th century.
Sources: Ledgers of Robert Colville, the Still Books of Robert Armour, coppersmith, records of the Duke of Argyll, court records, excise records Tenants of the Argyll Estate Convicted of Malting or Distilling Illegally, 24 October 1800 to 2 April 1801 The following were caught with a still: Thomas Brown, Machrimore Donald Campbell, Killeonan Robert Colville, Glenmanuill Peter Galbreath, Laggan James and John Harvie, Skeroblinraid Peter McBride, Largybeg Colin McEachran, Glenahervie Duncan McLean, Kylipoll (Calliburn) David Reid, Kildavie The following had quantities of ‘wash’, ranging from 6 to 126 gallons: Hugh McIliver, Remuil Donald McLean, Corrylach Malcolm McMath, Auchinslisaig James McMillan, Cuilanlongart John McPhaill, Darolochan Malting was being carried on by: Lachlan Bowie, Largymore Alexander Campbell, Strone Archibald Campbell Jr, Dailbhraddan Donald McConnachy, Baligroggan Hugh McMillan, Gartvain John McNaught, Druimnarianach Alexander Campbell, Carrine, was caught with five gallons of illicit whisky. David Reid in Kildavie later satisfied the Duke, on oath, that he had no knowledge of the Distilling, which had been 'carried on by his herd, and others not resident upon His Grace's Property'. From the Still Books of Robert Armour, plumber and coppersmith of Campbeltown who supplied the illicit stills: Angus Gilchrist and Malcolm McEachern, Arifeach Alexander and Donald McCoag, Loch Kieran Gilbert and Malcolm McEachern, Loch Kieran John McStalker, Achravad Alexander McAlester, Donald Thomson and Archibald McEachern, Dunskegg Gilbert and Samuel Currie, Lochend John McKechney, Achaglass Alexander Graham, Carnebeg John McLean and Archibald Milloy, Loch Kieran 1815 John McTaggart, Neil McIlreavy, John McKinven, Neil Downie and Duncan McLean, Achapharic John McCoag and sn, Beachmore 1817 Alexander and John McFarlane, Auchnadryan Hector and Finlay Currie, Courshelloch Donald McEachern, Auchnadryan John Campbell, Carnbeg, Largiesland, now in Garvoline, Skipness Archibald McMurchy, Stewartfield, Clachan Samuel and Coll McAlester & Co. Brantian, Ballochroy Glen Donald McMillan and Neil McEachern, Achravad, Clachan John McFiggan, farmer, Barr David Turner, innkeeper, Barr Neil McCorkindale and Edward McCallum, Barr Glen Gilbert McEachern and Angus Bell, Clachaig Glen, Muasdale Archibald McEachern, Cleongart, Bellochantuy Neil Downie and Malcolm Curry, Drumore-na-Bodach. Around 20 cottars clubbed together to set up a large still at Rhounahaorine. The main operators were Dugald McLachlan, John McInnes and Duncanm Downie. Captain Watson and Gauger Brown from the excise raided the village almost daily. The still was forced to close down due the constant raids. Many fled to Canada to escape justice. McFater, McEachran, McKay, McMurchy, McPherson, McKinnon, Carmichael, Smylie, and McMillan families, descendants of shareholders were found in 1880 when Hugh McLean, factor to Lord Stonefield, surveyed Ontario and the Prairie Provinces of Canada, on behalf of Kintyre Agricultural Society for further emigration. He found well-doing farmers owning their own lands, many named after the places their ancestors had left. Illicit Whisky Distillers who purchased malt from John Colville in Campbeltown 1814-1819 and 1823-26 John McNish, Amad Charles McMillan, Ardnicle Dugald McTaggart, Arus John Taylor, Auchadaduie Mary Blair, Auchensavill Alexander McDugald, Auchyglas John McAlister, Barr Mary McCallum, Barr William McFater, Barr Angus McMillan, Barr Flory McTaggart, Barr Duncan McCallum, Blary Archibald McFarland, Blary John McFarlane, Blary Dugald McClavereb, Carnmore John Gray, Carnmore James Brodie, Clachan Duncan Gilchrist, Clachan Donald McCoig, Clachan (also at Lochkearan) Charles Mertin, Clachan Archibald McEachrane, Cloinagart Donald McLeod, Cloinagart (also at Margmonagach) Nany McArthur, Coalhill [Drumlemble] Mary McKinven, Coalhill John (Mc)Murphy, Coalhill Bell McSporran, Coalhill Archibald Blair, Crubastill James McGill, Dalbuie Andrew Kelly, Darlochan John McInnis, Drumlemble Archibald Downie, Drumore Neil Currie, Drumorebolach Sandy Heman (Hyndman), High Park Thomas McKendrick, Homeston Robert McGill, Kerrafuar Robert Watson, Kerrafuar Neil McDonald, Killegruir (also at Margmonagach) John McAlister, Killegruir John Kendry, Killocraw Duncan McLarty, Killocraw John McMillan, Killocraw Duncan McCallum, Kilmaluag William McKellar, Kilowaraw (Killarow) Flory McTaggart, Knockhanty Isbel Smith, Knockhantybeg Alexander Campbell, Knocknaha Mrs Craw, Knocknaha Malcom Kelly, Knocknaha Donald Kelly, Knockrioch Donald Munro, Lagalgarve John Campbell, Licken Ket Kenzie, Lochend [Campbeltown] Ket McNaught, Lochend Donald Tyre, Lochend John McLean, Lochkearan (above Clachan) Sandy Cameron, Lossit Gardener, Lossit Gardener's widow, Lossit John McDonald, Margmonagach John Taylor, Margmonagach James Thomson, Muclach Mary McKinven, Paisley (above Lagalgarve) John McMillan, Putichan John Maloy, Rannachan Donald Cameron, Saltpans (Machrihanish) Dugald McClaverin, Saltpans Hector Reid, Saltpans (also at Lossit) John Smith, Saltpans Archibald Gilchrist, Stockadale (Barr Glen) Donald McLarty, Tangcoshan (Barr Glen) Nancy Watson, Tangchoillan William Armour, Tradicle (Trodigal) From Excise correspondence 3 Aug 1848, fair held on 'Tanloan [Tayinloan] Ferry Green' - Hugh Gillis, spirit retailer of Ballochroy 'a respectable man in moderately good circumstances' had four-and-a-gallons seized. He pleaded ignorance of the law.’ - Janet MacInnes, Ballochroy Glen, had a half-gallon 'exposed for sale'. She gave her excuse as poverty. - Duncan Currie of Baycarr [Beacharr] lost an identical quantity. He was in 'poor circumstances' and denied having sold the whisky. - Margaret MacCallum, Tayintruan, lost two-and-half gallons. December 1848 Three men were discovered grinding illicit malt. Two escaped, but Duncan Currie was caught and jailed for three months. The miller, John Thomson, said that 'when he gives the key to parties to dry grain they hand it about from one to another...' January 1850 Three tuns containing about 200 gallons of wash were discovered in a garden at Auchafarrick. The garden was in Robert MacSporran's farm and was overlooked by the house of his brother John, also a farmer. They were the suspects, but there were six others houses, occupied by servants and cottars, on the boundary between the two MacSporran farms. The brothers denied any knowledge. Both were prosecuted, but the case was dismissed. January 1850 Thirty bushels of malt 'in operation' were found in a cave at 'Crubesdale'. Angus Bell was fined £25. May 1851 John Thomson, miller at Barr, fined for allowing malt to be dried in his kiln. February 1852 Adam McCorkindale, Clenegart, fined £50 for illegal malt. Later reduced to 10 shillings. March 1852 John Thomson, miller at Barr, in trouble again for same offence. He implicated John MacMillan of Clachaig, who denied the malt was his. April 1852 Isle of Gigha. Ten tuns containing 30 gallons of 'low wines' and 120 gallons of 'wash' found and destroyed. The cottars testified that the distillery belonged to Dugald Blue and John Gillies of Ballochroy on the mainland. 
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#2
01-10-12, 17:57
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Shona they would have been good to be friends with lol
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#3
01-10-12, 18:27
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Once of my uncles, who passed away recently had a wealth of stories which were told to hiim by his grandfather about how the distillers evaded the dreaded 'gaugers' - the excise men. On hearing that the excise men were on their way to search for whisky and stills, they quickly killed a hen and daubed all the children with spots of blood. When the excise-men called, they saw the children covered in what looked like spots. Fearing it was contagious, the gaugers retreated fast.
Just like the film Whisky Galore, my family claim that there are still jars of illicit hooch still hidden in the burns and glens.
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#4
01-10-12, 18:40
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Oh pity they hadnt left some sort of map ;;;
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