ZW02 – Thomas Meikle: the whisky trail

Stitchers: Annabel Meikle, Fiona Meikle, Graham Meikle (Pathhead, Scotland)

In 1869 the Meikle family undertook a three month voyage from Lanarkshire to Port Natal (Durban) in South Africa, in the quest for adventure and the lure of the colonies. When they arrived they travelled northwest to settle a rented farm in Natal colony. The Meikle brothers grew up driving oxen-led wagons to market, becoming transport riders. Realising that the Rhodes settlers in Mashonaland required provisions, they loaded five wagons with clothes and food, and three with whisky.  Over a hundred oxen were needed for their 700 mile journey. The brothers built their first ‘store’ from the empty whisky crates, the beginning of the Meikle empire in what became Southern Rhodesia.

ZW02 Tòmas Meikle: Slighe an Uisgebheatha
Ann an 1869, ghabh an teaghlach Meikle turas trì mìosan à Siorrachd Lannraig gu Port Natal (Durban) ann an Afraga a Deas, a’ sireadh dàn’-thuras agus air an tarraing gu na coloinidhean. Nuair a ràinig iad, shiubhail iad gu an iar-thuath a thuineachadh air tuathanas air màl ann an coloinidh Natal. Dh’fhàs na bràithrean Meikle suas a’ dràibheadh charbadan chun na margaid air an tarraing le daimh, nan dràibhearan còmhdhail. A’ tuigsinn gun robh feum aig luchd-tuineachaidh Rhodes air solar ann am Mashonaland, luchdaich iad còig charbadan le aodach agus biadh agus trì eile le uisge-beatha. Bha còrr air ceud damh a dhìth airson an turais 700 mìle. Thog na bràithrean a’ chiad stòr aca le creataichean uisge-beatha falamh, toiseach ìmpireachd Meikle anns an àite ris an canar Rhodesia a Deas a-nis
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