Menstrie Charitable Association 

History 

The Menstrie Charitable Association (MCA) was formed in 1892 from a benevolent donation by Alexander McNab (1793-1890). Alexander, was the eldest of 5 sisters and 3 brothers. He was born and brought up at Loaning Bank, Menstrie.

The family were successful farmers and in 1846 the McNab brothers (Alexander & James) acquired the Dolls Distillery, later known as West Dolls Distillery which started in 1746 using water from the Dams Burn and rebranded it as the Glenochil Distillery. They removed the pot still which had been used to produce malt whisky and installed Coffey stills to produce grain whisky on an industrial scale. By the 1880's the Distillery was huge, producing around 1 million gallons of whisky per year making it one of the most successful distilleries in Scotland.

It is recorded in the 1851 census that Alexander who never married was living in Glenochil Distillery. In 1871 Alexander purchased the large country mansion Middleton Kerse House from the estate of James Meiklejohn for £9,275 and lived there until his death on 27 November 1890. The house was then bequeathed to his youngest brother James McNab.

By the time of his death Alexander amassed a large fortune and left £3,000 the equivalent of £426, 822 today. The MCA benefitted from £1,800 from this bequest, equivalent today to £232,812. 

The first meeting of the MCA was held on 13 June 1892 in the Cooperative Hall, Menstrie with the following attendees:

Mr Alexander Wilson (1833-1896), Loaningbank. Was a Farmer who lived at Loaningbank, the former home of the McNabs. He was aged 59 at the first meeting

Mr John Marshall (1856-??), Laurelbank Was an Accountant and was aged 36 at the first meeting.

Mr James Vicars (1828-1914), Menstrie. Was reported as a factory manager in the 1891 census. At this time he and his wife were staying with Mr Vicars sister, Janet who was an Inn Keeper in the village. He was aged 64 at the first meeting.

Mr Robert Dawson, The Nairns

Mr Alexander McNab (1860-1921), Middleton Kerse. He would be the nephew of Alexander McNab, (son of James McNab) who bequeathed the donation to the MCA. He was born in February 1860and was aged 32 at this the first meeting.

Mrs Margaret Johnston (1846- 1922), Broom Hall. She was the widow of James Johnston who had built Broom Hall. Mr Johnston was a manufacturer who owned the Elmbank Mill in Menstrie and had died two years earlier in 1890 at the age of 50. Mrs Johnston, maiden name McNab, was the niece of Alexander McNab who bequeathed the donation. She was aged 46 at the first meeting.

Mrs Isabella McNab (1849- ??), Broom Hall. Was the sister of Margaret Johnston nee McNab. She appears not to have married and stayed at various times with numerous relatives. She was aged 43 at the first meeting

Mrs Catherine Bain (1848- 1920), Elm Bank Cottage. Was an elementary school teacher. She was aged 44 at the first meeting