Historical information

Glencoe Restaurant on Lockhart's Gap Road, Tallandoon, Victoria was owned by the family of William McDonald and his wife Helen nee Beattie. They migrated from Scotland in the early 1860s and settled in the Wahgunyah and Rutherglen area where their children were born. C1876 they took up a selection at Tallandoon, Victoria which they named “Glencoe” after their home in Scotland.
The house was made of mud brick and measured approximately 18 feet by 10 feet. The roof was later replaced with tin. To supplement their farming income the McDonalds operated as Glencoe Restaurant and their hospitality was known far and wide. Three times a week, Crawford & Co coaches travelled from Wodonga to Glencoe via Kiewa over Lockhart’s Gap, changed horses at Glencoe and then went on to Mitta Mitta.

An Extract from “Leader of Melbourne, Saturday 14 May 1887” relates the story of a visit to Glencoe.
THE TRAVELLER MY EASTER EXCURSION by GIRVAN
“From the top of Lockhart's Gap we caught our first glimpse of the Mitta Mitta River, winding like a silver thread through the flats below. A descent of some 3 or 4 miles brought us to the first settlement on the eastern side of the Gap, and a board serving as a rustic sign announcing this to be the " Glencoe Restaurant”. We resolved to rest here for the night, and, entering the cottage of sun-dried we were made welcome and received every attention at the hands of the hostess. A hardy old Highlander, lineally descended from the old clan of the McDonalds of Glencoe, the proprietor, bidding good-bye to his native vale, had sought to woo Fortune in the Australian bush, and followed the avocation of a gold miner for many years with but indifferent success and at length, renouncing this precarious method of " gathering gear," took up a selection in this valley and named his farm Glencoe, in memory of his native place. May this peaceful valley, never witness such deeds of blood as did the original home of this worthy old man.
Combining a little cultivation with grazing, and adding to his income by means of the restaurant as well as by affording accommodation to the Snowy Creek and Wodonga coach, which changes horses here, our host seems to be thriving apace, and need not fear that his old age will experience any of the vicissitudes of fortune which marked his younger and struggling days.”

In July 1919, “Glencoe” was sold to Mr C. A. Franks but he died immediately after and so the property was sold again in September 1919, this time being purchased by the Peters family. It was sold again to Alan Beer in 1957.
Helen McDonald died on 13th November 1914 and William died on 12th March 1920.

Physical description

A black and white image of the McDonald family at the front of their home at Tallandoon, Victoria. The family members in this image are William McDonald Senior standing with Williamina (Minnie) (18), Helen (William’s wife) seated, Margaret (Maggie) and Hannah standing beside Helen, Barbara (13) standing in front of the coach and William Junior reclining.

Inscriptions & markings

On sign post - The GLENCOE RESTAURANT / Horse Feed Paddocks