In 1907 the private limited company of G & J Maclachlan Ltd (Scottish Company No. 6511) was formed to take on the brewing, distilling, hospitality, and wine and spirits interests of the Glasgow-based partnership of G & J Maclachlan.
The company’s trademark was a castle with three turrets, and their motto was Fortis et Fidus (strong and trustworthy).
Following the formation of the company brewing ceased at the Castle Brewery in Maryhill, Glasgow, and was concentrated at the recently built Castle Brewery in Craigmillar, Edinburgh.
The firm went into voluntary liquidation in 1923 and its assets were transferred to a new company - Maclachlans Ltd.
Location: Glasgow
Active: 1907 - 1923
Status: Dissolved
The Castle Brewery in Craigmillar, Edinburgh, was built in 1901, and the remaining brewing operations in Glasgow were transferred there in 1907.
The company's offices were in Castle Chambers, a magnificent five-storey red sandstone ashlar office block at 57 West Regent Street, Glasgow.
The company also had a significant chain of pubs which operated under the Castle brand. This included the Castle Vaults, on Clarendon Place, Glasgow, which is still a pub today. The company trademark can be seen above the door.
Archives
The National Records of Scotland holds dissolved company papers (Ref : BT2/6511) for the period 1907-1923).
The University of Glasgow Archive Services holds papers in its Scottish Brewing Archive from 1907-1967 (Ref : GJM)
Books and periodicals
Dean, P. Maclachlan’s Castle Ales. Scottish Brewing Archive Newsletter, 1995, 26, pp.12-13.
Donnachie, I. A history of the brewing industry in Scotland. Edinburgh: John Donald Publishers, 1979.
