Walker, Duncan

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.