Middlecroft House, Kirkintilloch

This large house on the High Street beside the Black Bull Inn, belonged to the Whitelaw family, and then the Cowans. Rita (Jessie Roberta) Cowan (1896 - 1961), became known as 'the mother of Japanese Whisky'. She married Masataka Taketsuru in 1920 and moved to Japan where Masataka founded the 'Nikka' whisky company.

The house became the Town Chambers for the Burgh of Kirkintilloch, and then Strathkelvin District Council Offices, until 1985 when Tom Johnston House was built.