John Haig (1802-1878)
of 24 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh; Whisky Distiller & Founder of John Haig & Co.
He was remembered by his son as, "a Distiller and large Farmer making £10,000 a year when he married my mother in 1839. The Distillery at Cameron Bridge was sold to the Distiller's Company (DCL) in 1876; he remained on as a Director until his death. He was not connected with any business except his own, but I can remember him as a hunting man and taking an interest in County affairs. He was first & last Chairman of the Leven and East Fife Railway. Took a great interest in the Volunteers and Freemasonry." In 1865, he was a prime mover in establishing the Scotch Distiller's Association with seven other lowland distilleries and in 1877 Haig & Co. merged with the Distiller's Company Limited (DCL). In the same year that John died, John Haig & Co. was selling over a million gallons of whisky a year. Haig himself was for many years partial to Brandy, Whisky or Kirsche before breakfast, which contributed towards gout in later life. He married Rachel Veitch of Stewartfield and they had ten children including Field Marshal Douglas Haig and George who married a daughter of William Astor of New York.
