Smugglers' Tales

The peninsula due to its topography was perfectly suited for the trade. One place where there was a secret still was on the moor up at Barremman near where it marched with the Dukes estate also in the burn above Hattonburn and not far from the old road which went from there across the field and then past the Mansion House over to Coulport. The smugglers would construct a long flue with holes at intervals so that the smoke from the fire might not emerge in too great a volume and attract the attention of the Revenue Cutter on the loch. On one occasion the crew of a Revenue Cutter landed on the Peatoun shore and all but took red-handed a number of smugglers engaged at their trade. the news spread and the natives emerged from their crofts, both men women and boys and a goodly array confronted the revenue men as they were carrying off the spoil. Thus armed they encountered the revenue officers who demanded a passage through, but were owing to the force of numbers compelled to yield up the booty they had. Shortly after regaining their vessel, the exulting crowd of Rosneath natives were standing triumphantly surveying the vessel when all of a sudden the latter sent several cannon shots amongst the astonished crowd of spectators. Fortunately no one was hurt but they beat a rapid retreat Smugglers who were caught could end up in the old jail in the high street of Dumbarton opposite the Elephant Hotel.

Whisky still

Malt was one of the ingredients was brought from Greenock by Wherry under the cover of darkness however the methods of distribution were, to say the least ingenious. One old women who was known to keep a good drop of the real "Mountain Dew" and who was greatly suspected of selling far more than she paid duty for, had been reported to the gaugers as one worth looking after. Taking the hint they lost no time in making a raid upon her premises, to the surprise and consternation of the douce quite widow who stoutly denied the buying of illicit spirits. Her manner and loud protestations alarmed the gaugers in no wise who went systematically about their work quite unconcerned searching from place to place tapping each barrel and box which came in there way to make sure of no deceit. In spite of there care they were nearly forced to give up the search when all at once one of them noticed that the water-stoups seemed extra ordinarily large and heavy for one person to carry. Taking his stick to try their depth he was surprised to find it could only go down three inches or so. The stoups were then taken out and examined where it was found that beneath the small quantity of water on the top was a bung which when opened allowed not less than three gallons of double strong whisky to run out of each.

A story is told of a man who owned more than one of the numerous small stills which existed in the neighbourhood, to the effect that he had made a small boat which he towed after his smack. He is said to have constructed the small boat in such a way that he had provided it with a double bottom, to the lower bottom of which he had a bung so that in the event of being pursued he could take it out and let the small boat sink in some little bay most convenient and return when the scare was over. It is said that between the upper and lower bottoms he could stowaway about twelve gallons of whisky. The man’s wife was also involved in the distribution of spirit. By-and-by the excise men got the hint of this, and a watch set for her. One day as she landed on the- quay at Greenock one of the officers remarked on her extraordinary stoutness and his suspicions being aroused she was handed over to the female searcher of the customs dept. When the searcher had relieved her of her plaid, she discovered two large bladders filled with spirits, then removing her upper skirt the searcher found three more bladders. Altogether she was carrying eight gallons of whisky. During the operation she maintained a dogged silence only once asking the searcher in Gaelic if she meant to pull her to pieces. When she finally appeared before the officer released of her burdened looking so neat and slender she caused much amusement. John Smith of Peatoun Murder fame was said to be heavily involved in the trade His family being merchants travelling between Ireland and the Clyde. It was said that Bauldy McArthur’s still in Knockderry glen was one of the best and certainly the Rev Dr Drummond sang its praises whenever his duties took him to this part of the parish