Talisker is located in Western Victoria, in the heart of Australia Felix (Felix is a Latin word meaning happy or, in this context, blessed). Talisker is 23km south of Casterton and 80km north of the coastal town of Portland. The homestead sits atop a large hill and the viewing tower is visible for many kilometres around it.
Talisker Homestead
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History
The original plans for Talisker survive and are held in the Victorian State Library in Melbourne.
Initially forming part of the Merino Downs pastoral run (taken up by Francis Henty in 1836),
Talisker passed to Francis’s daughter Caroline on the death of Francis in 1889. Merino Downs was one of the first three squatting runs established in Victoria. Following Caroline’s marriage to Angus McLeod, the Talisker homestead was commissioned by architect Charles D’Ebro prominent for his design of Stonnington (Malvern) and Langi Willie (Skipton).
The homestead (circa 1901) is a large U shaped designed Edwardian home of some 26 rooms. Featuring a viewing tower with expansive 360 degree views, elaborate plasterwork, colour leadlights and handsome timber and marble mantles throughout the home. The original garden design is evident with Bunya Bunya pines, a large Oak and a Kurrajong tree.
The Name – Talisker
Talisker is named for Alexander McLeod’s (please note McLeod and MacLeod are used interchangeably) ancestral seat on the Isle of Skye.
Talisker was for centuries a possession of the Clan MacLeod. In 1820 Donald Macleod, 6th of Talisker, sold his interest in Talisker and emigrated to Van Diemen’s Land, now known as Tasmania.
In 1825, Hugh MacAskill took over the Talisker estate and completed the clearance process begun under his predecessor. Five years later, in 1830, he founded the Talisker distillery, and the legendary Talisker whisky was born.
‘Hold Fast’
Adorning the main entrance to the homestead is a crest, bearing the words, Hold Fast Talisker. This is the family motto of Alexander McLeod.
The history of Hold Fast
Long ago one of the MacLeod chiefs of Dunvegan went to Inverary to visit the Earl of Argyll and when he was there he was invited to attend the execution of a Campbell who had misbehaved and who was to be gored to death by a bull.
When the man was led into the arena he showed such calm courage that the MacLeod pleaded for his release but Argyll declared this would not be possible.
MacLeod asked if he could jump into the pit and save the man thus securing his release. Argyll reluctantly agreed but added, ‘You go to your death.’ MacLeod leaped down and as the bull lowered its head for the charge he seized one of the horns and clung on as he was tossed about. A spectator shouted, ‘Hold fast!’
He did so and managed to stab the bull with his dirk. It is said this is why the bull’s head and the motto, ‘Hold Fast’ are in the armorial bearings of the MacLeods of Harris to this day.
Taken from: Macleod, H., MacLeod: The origins of the Clan MacLeod and their place in history, Newtongrange, UK, LangSyne Publishers, 2019.
