Courtesy Call to the Provost of East Dunbartonshire and Visit to the Heritage Sites of the "Mother of Japanese Whisky"
2026/9/24
On Thursday 24th September, Consul General Katsutoshi Takeda visited Kirkintilloch, the administrative hub of East Dunbartonshire, to pay a courtesy call to Cllr Gillian Renwick, Provost of East Dunbartonshire.
Kirkintilloch is the historic birthplace of Rita Cowan (known in Japan as Rita Taketsuru, born Jessie Roberta Cowan), widely celebrated as the "Mother of Japanese Whisky." It is the very place where she grew up and shared her fateful first meeting with her future husband, Masataka Taketsuru. Bound by this profound legacy of love and the history of Japanese whisky, Kirkintilloch shares a deep and enduring bond with Yoichi Town in Hokkaido, Japan—the historic birthplace where Masataka Taketsuru independently established Nikka Whisky—as one of the earliest twin-town (international friendship city) relationships established between Japan and the United Kingdom.
During the meeting, both parties engaged in a warm and productive dialogue, discussing the deep-rooted historical ties between East Dunbartonshire and Japan, as well as prospects for future international exchange. Following the discussion, Provost Renwick personally guided a tour of the key local heritage sites dedicated to Rita Cowan's memory:
Kirkintilloch Town Hall: A visit to the permanent exhibition space to view the historic kimono and obi once belonging to Rita, which were gifted by Yoichi Town and are now preserved with great care.
The Auld Kirk Museum: A tour of the civic cultural hub to view archival displays and personal artifacts that reflect the enduring spirit of friendship and history shared by the local community.
William Patrick Library: A visit to the library, which stands on the former grounds of "Middlecroft House"—the Cowan family villa. Inside, the delegation viewed the beautifully preserved, original stained-glass panels that once adorned Rita’s childhood home.
This visit served as a valuable opportunity to reaffirm the "spirit of friendship" spun by the history of whisky, celebrating a timeless cultural bond that continues to thrive across generations.
Kirkintilloch is the historic birthplace of Rita Cowan (known in Japan as Rita Taketsuru, born Jessie Roberta Cowan), widely celebrated as the "Mother of Japanese Whisky." It is the very place where she grew up and shared her fateful first meeting with her future husband, Masataka Taketsuru. Bound by this profound legacy of love and the history of Japanese whisky, Kirkintilloch shares a deep and enduring bond with Yoichi Town in Hokkaido, Japan—the historic birthplace where Masataka Taketsuru independently established Nikka Whisky—as one of the earliest twin-town (international friendship city) relationships established between Japan and the United Kingdom.
During the meeting, both parties engaged in a warm and productive dialogue, discussing the deep-rooted historical ties between East Dunbartonshire and Japan, as well as prospects for future international exchange. Following the discussion, Provost Renwick personally guided a tour of the key local heritage sites dedicated to Rita Cowan's memory:
Kirkintilloch Town Hall: A visit to the permanent exhibition space to view the historic kimono and obi once belonging to Rita, which were gifted by Yoichi Town and are now preserved with great care.
The Auld Kirk Museum: A tour of the civic cultural hub to view archival displays and personal artifacts that reflect the enduring spirit of friendship and history shared by the local community.
William Patrick Library: A visit to the library, which stands on the former grounds of "Middlecroft House"—the Cowan family villa. Inside, the delegation viewed the beautifully preserved, original stained-glass panels that once adorned Rita’s childhood home.
This visit served as a valuable opportunity to reaffirm the "spirit of friendship" spun by the history of whisky, celebrating a timeless cultural bond that continues to thrive across generations.