ARTWORKS

John Birnie (1856–1946)

George Fiddes Watt (1873–1960)

Inverness Town House

John Birnie (1856–1946)

© the artist's estate. Image credit: Highland Council

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John Birnie was born in Banffshire in 1856. From 1872 to 1877 he worked with the Royal Bank of Scotland. He then began a life-long career in distilling. Birnie spent eight years at Benrinnes Distillery on Speyside before coming to Inverness in 1885 to take charge of the Glen Albyn Malt Whisky Distillery at Muirtown.

For 16 years Birnie was a member of the Town Council. He served as treasurer for six years and as a magistrate for three. He was elected provost in 1910, a post he held for six years. As provost he took a leading role in organising aid for soldiers on active duty in the First World War and in providing comfort for the bereaved.

Inverness Town House

Inverness

Title

John Birnie (1856–1946)

Date

1916

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 102.5 x W 88 cm

Accession number

ITH 3

Work type

Painting

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Normally on display at

Inverness Town House

High Street, Inverness, Highland IV1 1JJ Scotland

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Artist or maker

George Fiddes Watt

1873–1960

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