WHISKY ARCHAEOLOGIST
... digging into the history of Scotch Whisky
About
The Whisky Archaeologist
Research Projects
Uncovering new information on the history of Scotch Whisky
In the Hills
Looking for stories in the landscape
Collections
Finding and curating objects for storytelling and illustration
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ABOUT
Colin Mackenzie FSAScot
Whisky heritage specialist and retired chartered architect with over 35 years of experience, working in the UK and abroad.
Has expertise in researching historic buildings and sites in order to inform, involving the identification and analysis of evidence, archive research, record drawings and reporting to recognised standards.
Is the great-great-grandson of Alexander Mackenzie, an illicit distiller and whisky smuggler in the early 1800’s, who lived in the famous Glenlivet region of Scotland. Alexander’s son Peter (Colin’s great-grandfather) went on to manage The Glenlivet distillery from 1901 until his death in 1929.
Has a lifelong interest in the unique history of Scotch whisky spirit - its rich and multi-faceted story and all surviving items and records associated with it.
Has a reference collection of historic bottles, put together through 40 years of digging dumps and buying, that includes examples dating back into the 1700’s. Also a wide range of whisky related artefacts that show the different ways that Scotch whisky has been packaged and promoted over the years.
Is a former Trustee of The Cabrach Trust [link], and is helping them to establish the background and details of illegal and early legal distilling in the Cabrach region of NE Scotland.
PROJECTS
My current projects are ...
The history of illegal and legal whisky distilling in The Cabrach & Glenlivet region of the Highlands, and the extraordinary part if played in the story of the whisky industry in Speyside, Scotland and beyond.
Research into the early legal distilleries of NE Scotland (1790’s – 1890’s) - locations, configurations, production and background.
On-going development of a reference collection of whisky related items started over 40 years ago. The plan is, one day, to have much of this on public display.
WANTS
I am looking for ...
Items that have a connection with the many aspects of whisky manufacture and marketing – old bottles, tools, packaging, signs & advertising etc.
Unique stories and information on any aspect of Scotch whisky – including social and family history, characters, companies and associated trades eg. coopering.
The opportunity to see items to record, and I am always happy to make an offer for anything of interest that you might be willing to sell!