Brief History of the Incorporation
of Bakers of Glasgow
of Bakers of Glasgow
The exact date on which the Incorporation of Bakers was founded is uncertain but it is known that the Incorporation existed long prior to its first official mention in 1556.
For almost three centuries ending in 1884, the Incorporation carried on the business of millers in mills located on the banks of the River Kelvin. One of these, the "Ancient Wheat Mill of Partick", otherwise known as the Archbishop's Mill and, in later days the Bunhouse Mill, was given to the Bakers of Glasgow by the Regent Moray in 1568. This was a reward for supplying the Regent's troops with bread as they camped at Langside prior to the battle whose loss forced Queen Mary into exile and ultimate death in England. Successive Earls of Moray, including the present Earl, have been elected to honorary membership of the Incorporation thereby perpetuating the link established more than four hundred years ago.
The possession of the mills gave the Incorporation of Bakers of Glasgow the unique position of being the only Incorporation which actually carried on business institutionally in the city. Though it no longer owns the mills, the Incorporation is still the feudal superior of lands adjacent to the River Kelvin, including those on which the houses in Regent Moray Street are erected.
Over the years members of many well-known baking families of the City have been members of the Incorporation and today, although many of the companies and firms have disappeared, the names Beattie, Stevenson, Montgomerie, Bilsland, Peacock and Currie are still to be found in the membership list as are the proprietors of the more recently founded private bakery businesses in and around Glasgow. The Craft elects 4 members annually to the Trades House.
Today the Incorporation is engaged in works of charity and benevolence. Christmas and holiday gifts are paid to numerous needy pensioners and the Incorporation provides prizes for students of baking and allied subjects at Glasgow City College.
Membership
Details of membership will be sent directly to you if you send a message with your name, address and note indicating a desire to join the Incorporation of Bakers via the Contact Page.
For almost three centuries ending in 1884, the Incorporation carried on the business of millers in mills located on the banks of the River Kelvin. One of these, the "Ancient Wheat Mill of Partick", otherwise known as the Archbishop's Mill and, in later days the Bunhouse Mill, was given to the Bakers of Glasgow by the Regent Moray in 1568. This was a reward for supplying the Regent's troops with bread as they camped at Langside prior to the battle whose loss forced Queen Mary into exile and ultimate death in England. Successive Earls of Moray, including the present Earl, have been elected to honorary membership of the Incorporation thereby perpetuating the link established more than four hundred years ago.
The possession of the mills gave the Incorporation of Bakers of Glasgow the unique position of being the only Incorporation which actually carried on business institutionally in the city. Though it no longer owns the mills, the Incorporation is still the feudal superior of lands adjacent to the River Kelvin, including those on which the houses in Regent Moray Street are erected.
Over the years members of many well-known baking families of the City have been members of the Incorporation and today, although many of the companies and firms have disappeared, the names Beattie, Stevenson, Montgomerie, Bilsland, Peacock and Currie are still to be found in the membership list as are the proprietors of the more recently founded private bakery businesses in and around Glasgow. The Craft elects 4 members annually to the Trades House.
Today the Incorporation is engaged in works of charity and benevolence. Christmas and holiday gifts are paid to numerous needy pensioners and the Incorporation provides prizes for students of baking and allied subjects at Glasgow City College.
Membership
Details of membership will be sent directly to you if you send a message with your name, address and note indicating a desire to join the Incorporation of Bakers via the Contact Page.