The Leith Banking Company was established in January 1793.

 

In 1810 the directors of the Leith Banking Company were

 

Alexander Alison,

Adam White,

James Jamieson,

J. Pillans, and

J. Pattison.  

 

In 1829 the partners were fifteen in number and included

 

James Ker of Blacksheills,

John Pattison, W.S., Edinburgh,

Robert Grieve, Merchant, Leith,

Abram Newton, Merchant, Leith,

Alexander M'Donald of Lochans, residing in Callander; 

William Blackie, Muirhouse, by Stowe,

John Gray, Merchant, Dalkeith,

Archibald Scot, at Langholm,

John Bisset, S.S.C., Edinburgh,

John Brown, Carlisle,

William  Armstrong, Carlisle;

the representatives of Robert Davidson, Dalkeith and

Henry Johnston, banker, Leith.

 

These were gradually reduced in number, by death and otherwise, till four only were left.  The Edinburgh Almanac of 1828 lists these four as

 

John Pattison, W.S., Edinburgh,

Abram Newton,

Robert Grieve

Alexander M'Donald

Branches.

 

 

Leith.   This was the main office of the Bank.  The building stands to this day.

 

Callander.  This office, which was in existence in 1810, was probably opened as a consequence of the involvement of Alexander M'Donald of Lochans who resided in Callander as he was the Agent for the Callander office.  The office was used as a “gateway to the Highlands” and the Bank would frequently erect tents at cattle fairs, etc. with the intention of circulating the Bank’s notes. The branch was still operational in 1828, as per The Edinburgh Almanac, when the Agents were Donald McLaren and Angus McDonald.

 

Carlisle.  There is frequent reference to the Leith Banking Company being the first Scottish Bank to break into England and this is said to have occurred in 1830 when the Bank registered as an English company and was therefore in a position to operate in England and at the same time retain note issuing ability as a consequence of being a Scottish Bank.  It appears that this mode of operation was discontinued in 1837.  An 1830 register of Banks records the Leith Banking Company operating in Carlisle under the Agency of Barnetts & Co.  There is however a letter in my collection which is dated 1814 and was sent from The Leith Banking Company to the East Lothian Banking Company and in which the following reference is made.

“Mr John Hebson of Carlisle having expressed a wish that I should advise you on his accounts - I can candidly say that we employed him as our agent for many years & were much pleased with his conduct as to correctness, punctuality & honour.  And we only left him on withdrawing our business from England, the Stamp office having refused to allow our license to extend beyond Scotland".

This letter, and the detail within the Bankruptcy case, suggests to me that a branch of the Leith Banking Company operated in Carlisle well before 1830 and the 1830 “invasion” of England by the Bank was the second incursion and one accompanied by the registration of the Bank in England.

 

Dalkeith.   Little known in respect of this branch although it was in existence in 1810.  In 1828, as per The Edinburgh Almanac, the Agent was John Paterson.

 

Glasgow.  There is no mention of there ever having been a branch in Glasgow although the Leith Banking Company certainly did business in the city via an Agent.

"In 1800, and during fifteen years after, the agent was Mr. Richard Dick, Younger of Gartsherrie, better known as "Justice Dick," whose tall thin figure, with tied-hair profusely powdered, and carrying an old-fashioned green silk umbrella, with a brass ring at the top, under his arm, or a gold-headed cane, will no doubt be remembered as somewhat conspicuous in his regular visits to the " Old Coffee Room."" 

He was a partner of the firm of R. Dalglish & Co., soap and candlemakers, Candleriggs, in an old fashioned house west side of that street, nearly opposite "Bell's Wynd”.  He was a fine old gentleman. The business of the bank was then conducted in his own premises in Hutcheson Street, and consisted chiefly in collecting and dis­counting a few small bills. In 1816 the agency was transferred to Messrs. J. and R. Watson, Post Office Court, who retained it till 1832, when the Western Bank became the agents.

 

Langholm.  Was in existence in 1810 although may have had a brief existence as was not in existence in 1828 and is reported to have “turned out unfavourably”.  On 27th October 1827 a Bankruptcy case involving Thomas Hobson, Banker of Carlisle refers to Archibald Scot and advises that in 1825 Archibald Scot came to Carlisle and opened an office there, having “previously carried on business at Langholm, in Scotland, as agent for the “Leith Banking Company” ”.  In my collection I have a letter dated 1812 which was sent from Archibald Scott, Writer, Langholm, to the East Lothian Banking Company enquiring as to whether they wished to establish a branch of the East Lothian Banking Company in Langholm.  This is almost certainly the same gentleman.  I think the East Lothian Banking Company had enough difficulties without employing an Agent who operated a branch which turned out unfavourably!

 

Galashiels.  Little known in respect of this branch although it was in existence in 1810.  In 1828, as per The Edinburgh Almanac, the Agent was George Craig.

 

On 7th May 1842 the Bank was sequestrated.  The then surviving partners were Mr. Ker and Mr.Johnston; Messrs. George Craig, banker, Galashiels; and John Bisset, S.S.C., Edinburgh.  The trustee was Mr. James Brown, accountant in the latter city.  The debts amounted to £123,582, of which up­wards of £10,000 were notes in circulation.  The dividend was 13s. 4d. per pound.

 

One of the Bank's account-holders was Sir Walter Scott.