While there is plenty to shout about this unassuming distillery, one of the most astonishing is the story of its founder, the “Blind Captain” Hugh Munro.
The “Blind Captain” Hugh Munro
Hugh Munro was born in 1770, son of Navy Captain James Munro. On his father’s death in 1788, aged just 18, Hugh Munro inherited his father’s lands and title to become the eighth Laird of Teaninich. As a wealthy landowner he was fortunate to be betrothed to his sweetheart Jane, daughter of another landowner General Sir Hector Munro—remember this is the 18th century nobility, so yes, probably some form of cousins.
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Hugh’s position of privilege did not stop him from enlisting in the recently created 78th Highlanders regiment; a foot regiment formed in 1783 by the Chief of the Mackenzie clan. In September 1794 they were posted to the Netherlands to fight in the French Revolutionary Wars. Aged just 24 Captain Hugh Munro laid eyes on his sweetheart for the last time as he set off for the continent.
In November 1794 Hugh was shot in the head. He was one of more than 60 wounded in defense of Nijmegen, but in a small miracle the bullet did not kill the Captain. However it destroyed both his eyes and passed behind the bridge of his nose. Miraculously, given the level of medical expertise at the time, Munro survived to return home to his castle, but not his sweetheart.
18th Century Discrimination
Unfortunately for Hugh the 18th century did not look fondly on disability, even if you were a lord. The father of Hugh’s beloved believed Hugh’s blindness meant his daughter would not be properly provided for. Jane was forbidden from marrying Hugh. It’s understood there was a plan to elope but ultimately Jane could not bring herself to go against her father’s wishes.
Whether in defiance of his not-to-be father-in-law, or with the fearlessness of a man who has seen death’s door, Hugh turned his energy to his duties as Lord of Teaninich, and excelled.
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Teaninich’s Blind Captain
Now known by the moniker the “Blind Captain,” the young and apparently fearless Hugh did not let a little thing such as blindness get in the way of doing his duties and improving his community. He began significant work on Teaninich castle, demolishing and rebuilding parts of it. “He enthusiastically supervised the work, pacing out rooms to his exact dimensions and even climbing planks and scaffolding,” explains the literature on Teaninich Castle itself.
In a time when disability was seen to make you less of a person, Hugh Munro seemed determined to prove the world wrong. He still enjoyed horse riding, and historical accounts suggest he was known for galloping at top speed with nothing but his groom ahead of him to scout for obstacles. His one concession to other’s views of his blindness seems to be wearing large green glasses that hid his eyes from view.
Other than that he carried on as any good lord would; improving life and productivity of his estate and those that lived there. He laid out the town of Alness, straightened the river to prevent flooding, extended the leases of craftsmen to allow for better productivity and provided refuge for the homeless. Importantly for whisky lovers, in 1817 he founded the Teaninich distillery.
The Historic Teaninich Distillery
For landowners distilling whisky was seen to be a positive partner to other estate activities. There were numerous benefits for tenants and their lord because whisky was growing in popularity and making it provided an outlet for locally grown barley. The whisky was also easier to transport to market than grain. Plus it gave estate workers something to do in the cold winter months and the byproducts were good as animal feed and fertilizer.
Teaninich’s Blind Captain believed that a licenced distillery would improve the life of his tenants and also prevent illicit distilling, which was eating into his profits. The Teaninich distillery provided a legitimate place for local farmers to sell their grain, rather than use it for making their own moonshine.
Munro’s plan may have been slightly too successful by the standards of the time. In 1822 it is reported that he ended up with more than 4,000 gallons of whisky stored in his warehouse. This was considered a lot because at the time whisky was largely sold as newmake.
Campaigning For The Whisky Industry
The problem in Munro’s opinion was unfair competition. The laws of his time allowed illicit distillers to thrive at the expense of legitimate operations. Certain of the superiority of legitimately produced, consistent whisky, Munro began to campaign.
In 1822 the 62 year old “Blind Captain” made national headlines for his address to the Parliamentary Commission when he complained that no public house in Tain had purchased legally produced whisky in over 12 months.
Breaking Hearts
While Hugh seemingly moved on from his first love and threw himself into his duties, Jane is understood to have lived heartbroken. At her father’s request she was betrothed to and married another, and never spoke to Hugh again. However when she became ill she apparently asked to be taken to their parish church so that she could see Hugh one last time. On seeing him in his distinctive green glasses she is believed to have collapsed and died soon after. This tragic love story has been immortalized by The Boutique-y Whisky Company in their uniquely styled labels.
Hugh moved into the estate dower house after selling the castle to his brother. He kept Teaninich distillery until his death in 1946, although is understood to have taken a lighter roll in day-to-day activities from 1830.
The Modern Teaninich Distillery
We are seeing some changes as Diageo develops visitor centers in some of its distilleries. But it is a shame that interesting stories like Hugh Munro’s—especially ones representing diversity in an industry that has been renowned for focusing on able bodied white men—do not yet have the opportunity to be told as widely. As Diageo finishes its latest round of investments I’d argue that Teaninich’s remarkable founder provides the kind of heritage that the industry should shout about.
This article is adapted from a piece originally written for Forbes.com
