Publican W

The Alhambra Bar, 33 Paisley Road West, Glasgow.

Mr George Christie Walker. 1888.

George Christie Walker was a native of Keith, where he spent most of his younger days, gaining a good education and business training. Following this he spent some time in London and other parts of England before coming to Glasgow. He entered into the services of Thomas Young & Co., where he became manager. After 8 years of service with the firm he joined the company as a partner. This was the beginning of a new career, he then took over a pub formerly owned by George MacLachlan at 31-33 Paisley Road West at the corner of Stanley Street, Kinning Park. George made some improvements, the main bar was fitted out with a new family department renaming the pub to “The Alhambra” this old pub still stands today and is better known as The Wallace Bar, however it’s been closed for years now. George opened another public house at 117 Oxford Street, in the Gorbals.

George was very popular with his employers and married Mr Young’s daughter.

George was a yeoman and had a love of horses. Before coming to Glasgow he resided in London.

Wholesale Wine, Spirit and Beer Merchant, 233 Hope Street, Glasgow.

Mr Duncan Walker. 1887.

In 1864 Duncan Walker a wine, spirit and beer merchant took over a small pub at 233 Hope Street, Glasgow. He had a trade circular neatly framed hanging up in the place of honour in his private office mantel, the numerous representatives and friends curiously examined it which read., “Edinburgh, 11th March 1864. Sir, In consequence of the death of my much regretted and universally respected agent, Mr Hood, and in fulfilment of what I understand to have been his wish, I have appointed as his successor Mr Duncan Walker, 20 Union Street, Glasgow. Trusting this appointment may prove acceptable to my numerous customers, I would solicit a continuance of their orders, assuring them every endevour on my part will be made to merit their approval as hitherio. I am Sir, Your obliged and obedient servant, (sigd.) George Ritchie”.

Mr Walker was agent for numerous companies including Cork Distillery Co Ltd, Ritchie & Sons, Brewers, Edinburgh, The Phoenix Porter Brewery, Dublin, Marchadier & Co, Brandy shippers, Cognac, Messrs. Thompson, Prune wine patentees, Dublin, Chaigneau & Co, Bordeaux, F. Vergara & Co., Jerer-de-la-Frontera and London.

Apart from this he had his own whisky called “Mountaineer” Old Highland Whisky, Old Glen, Loch, Scotch Whisky, Lake, Old Irish Whisky. Mountaineer old Highland Whisky was one of the best selling whisky in India. Alluding to Mr Thompson’s Prune wine agency, Mr Walker stated that when he first took up the agency in 1867 many friends thought he was taking a step in the wrong direction, but the sales of it increased and was one on his high list of agencies.

Mr Duncan Walker was Director of the Wine, Spirit and Beer Trades Defence Association for 20 years and retired from that post in 1886, he was also President of the Scottish Wine Merchants Benevolent Institutio from 1878. When he joined the directorate in 1875 the funds of that stood at £3,200, and the balance in 1887 were nearly £9,500.

Mr Walker was a native of Kirkintilloch where he was educated at the local Parish School and latterly in the High School. His son Archibald became a member of the Kirkintilloch Defence Association and President of the Benevolent Institution in 1909. Archibald was also proprietor of the Cross Keys, Kirkintilloch.

The Cross Key’s.

Kirkintilloch.

Mr Archibald Waker. 1893.

Archibald Walker took over the Cross Key’s in 1888, an old-fashioned and well-reputed tavern in Kirkintilloch. Archie got his thorough training in the wine and spirit business from his father Duncan Walker who had licensed premises in Hope Street, Glasgow. It was here that Archie acquired a thorough insight into the details of the trade.

The Cross Key’s was one of those quaint, old-fashioned country taverns now fast disappearing, but which, in the early part of the century, was looked upon as an edifice of no small importance. One of the parlour’s, there were five sitting-rooms in all, still retained its dated furniture, consisting of wooden chairs and tables, while the walls were covered with various ancient and modern manuscripts. It was in the same state when he took it over as it was in the days when Rob Roy used to make a footpath of the old Roman Wall close at hand. But now the times have changed! A railway station stands right in front of its door, and ships sail east and west a little further up the hill. What a surprise the sight would be to old Hadrian were he allowed to revisit his old wall!

Mr Archibald Walker. 1909.

Personally Mr Walker is what his friends would call a “dounce young man.” for he was yet a long way under thirty. Since 1890 he had been a Burgess of Glasgow, and also a member of the Bonnetmakers’ and Dyers’ Corporation. Quite recently he had been appointed secretary of the Kirkintilloch Wine, Spirit and Beer Trade Defence Association. Mr Walker was a member of the Royal Scottish Bicycling Club, and lifted two of their 10 mile championships in 1888 and 1891, and their 20 mile handicap last year from scratch. He has made his mark as a football player, having played with the Swifts, and second string of the Glasgow Rangers. With all this record Mr Walker looked as unassuming and innocent-like as a big school-boy. All his energies were now directed to business, and what began with so much promise cannot fail of success in the future.

He stocked good quality liquor including “Old Glen,” “Mountaineer,” and “Lake” Scotch and Irish whiskies. The Cross Key’s cellarage was extensive and well looked after. Fancy half a dozen pipes, each 90 odd feet long, underground, leading to “Ritchie’s” Edinburgh Brewing’s of ales and stouts, Mr Walker swears by Ritchie’s as a very cool and refreshing drink.