The Fiction Factory

The Clydeside Distillery

Took a trip through to Glasgow on Friday last week to visit the Clydeside Distillery. I started the day by taking some time to wander around Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. I saw the Dali again as usual – see Part 139 of this blog – along with Van Gogh’s Portrait of Alexander Reid (1887). He was a Glasgow art dealer who shared a flat in Paris with Vincent for a couple of months and Reid posed for his portrait during this time. Talking of Paris, I first went to FOPP and purchased a copy of A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway before walking out to Finnieston. This book features his memories of living in Paris as an unknown writer in the 1920’s. I’ve since read it and thoroughly enjoyed it. On the walk I stopped to take yet another photograph – from a different angle – of the statue of Charles Rennie Mackintosh which I mentioned in Part 103 of this blog. As it was lunchtime, the free pipe organ recital was on at the Art Gallery and it was great to hear the instrument in such a magnificent setting.

The Clydeside Distillery is new, opening in November 2017 and is Glasgow’s first single malt distillery in over a hundred years. Situated on the bank of the River Clyde, it’s just off the SECC conference centre, with the next stop after that the Glasgow Transport Museum. Historically, this site was known as the Queen’s Dock. The tour, which included three drams at the end of it, was well attended, with folk visiting from various parts of the world. Glasgow is a popular tourist destination, though not on the same scale as Edinburgh, which has reached the point of its centre being almost entirely populated by tourists. It’s obvious from the walk down to the Clyde, that Glasgow is very much a working city populated by Glaswegians. In that respect, it reminds me of the time I spent in Madrid, Spain, which is similar, as the impact of tourism in the centre there is not overwhelming. It can also be described as a working city, contrasting with Barcelona, which is a major tourist hotspot. As an aside, both cities have excellent art galleries and museums, with the Picasso museum in Barcelona a must see. Having said that, if you want to experience Picasso’s Guernica in-person – and it is quite a painting to stand in front of – you need to visit the Reina Sofia in Madrid. Needless to say this was a highlight of the visit for me.

While taking in the history of the Clydeside Distillery, I noted one of the information boards talked about the temperance movement in the nineteenth century, who were opposed to the drinks industry and its trade. They campaigned to have drinking laws changed, with the Forbes Mackenzie Act of 1853, closing pubs at 11pm during the week, and all day on Sundays. This led to the emergence of shebeens, illegal drinking dens, selling cheap and indeed dangerous whisky. A main figure in the movement was William Logan. This made me smile. I have a new novel which is ready to publish, and will be available early next year, in which its main character is called Will Logan. My fictional character likes a dram of whisky and has a fair few in the course of the novel.

I would have published a photograph with this blog of the pump house, built in 1877, which is where the distillery is now located, but it’s obscured under scaffolding just now. The image I’ve used shows the side of the building with the extension housing the copper stills. I will wait until the work is finished as it easy enough for me to return to. It was here that Customs & Excise kept watch over the export of whisky (liquid gold) as it was brought down river, to be loaded up for shipping out. There is a great photograph of the Queen’s Dock back when shipbuilding took place on the Clyde. I see from their website, that this photograph is featured, and in the bottom left of the photograph you can see the pumphouse with its tall tower. This was used to operate the swing bridge to its right, providing hydraulic power, allowing access to the other side of the dock and for ships to sail in and out as required.

I find the whisky making process fascinating, and coupled with the history of the area and the location itself all helped to make this a real treat. The tour lasts an hour including the tasting at the end, with three whiskies to try. First up was the Stobcross, which is their flagship product and the one they first opened with. Note the address of the distillery is 100 Stobcross Road. The single malt is produced using clear water from Loch Katrine, 100% Scottish barley, then finally matured in Oak casks. This is what is described as the lighter, mellow Lowland style. Then I tasted the Napier, followed by the Fortnight which is described as peated. The Napier is named after Robert Napier (1791-1876) who is regarded as the ‘Father of Clyde Shipbuilding.’ My favourite was the Napier – I purchased a bottle – which has been matured in sherry casks, and has a smoky flavour, reminding me of my favourite Bowmore. Apparently the Morrison family who own the distillery have a connection with the Bowmore, Auchentoshan, and Glen Garioch distilleries, which was once known as the Morrison Bowmore portfolio. It was also noted on the tour that one of their ancestors, John Morrison, had a role in the construction of the Queen’s Dock in 1863. I think that’s a wonderful fact, and to see the area regenerated after the demise of shipbuilding and to have that family connection through history is something special.

Full details of these whiskies and the others they produce can be found on their highly informative website. There you can find out about the history, the process and notes on the various whiskies they produce here. I thoroughly enjoyed the visit, including the bar after the tasting where I tried some of the cocktails on offer. I’m sure I will pay another visit in future.