The D Black was my great-grandfather, who moved from Strachur, where the family had farmed for generations and entered the tobacco trade in Glasgow, which was booming then. He eventually became chairman of the Glasgow Tobacco Warehouse and was apparently described in his obituary as the last of the Glasgow Barons.

He was succeeded by his older son, Donald with his younger son, Archie, my grandfather covering sales.

They then set up retail shops, including three in Oban, the last of which was at 89 George Street, where it was known as D & A Black Ltd.

It was managed superbly for almost half a century by Miss Agnes MacLaine, who continued to maintain an extensive wholesale trade.

By the 1950s the warehouse had expanded to five premises between those in Glasgow and Greenock.

The business is still in the family, but has moved into the 21st century, meeting the demands of data storage after the decline of the Glasgow tobacco industry.

Malcolm Black, ‘Lag-an-Tobair’, Old Shore Road, Connel.

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