St. Magdalene was established at least by 1798 (and possibly as early as 1765). During its early life, it was known as "Linlithgow" after the town in which it was built, and was originally located at Bonnytoun. For the majority of the 19th century the distillery was run by the Dawson family, initially by Adam Dawson (1747–1836), who had trained as a
maltster and was the youngest son of a sheep farmer from
Kippendavie near
Dunblane. Adam Dawson and his wife Frances McKell had ten children, including
James Dawson the prominent champion of Aboriginal interests. Another son, John Dawson (1796–1878), continued the distillery business along with his brother
Adam Dawson Jnr (1793–1873). By 1856 the distillery was capable of producing of whisky per week, and employed around 30 people. was brought about by the untimely death in January 1912 of John Kellie Dawson, son of Adam Dawson Jnr, from
meningitis at the age of 43. St. Magdalene was renovated in 1927. After St. Magdalene closed in 1983, some of the buildings were converted into apartments. They retained their distinctive
pagoda roofs, and are protected as category C
listed buildings. ==References==