Historical
Towser
1963–1987
The greatest mouser the world has ever known
- Owner
- Glenturret Distillery, Scotland
- Years
- 1963–1987
- Known for
- Historical
Towser was a long-haired tortoiseshell cat who spent her entire 24-year life as the resident mouser at the Glenturret Distillery near Crieff in Scotland — Scotland's oldest working distillery and the home of The Famous Grouse. Her job was to keep mice away from the barley used to make whisky, and she performed it with astonishing dedication. By the time of her death in 1987, Towser was credited with catching an estimated 28,899 mice, a figure that earned her a place in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's greatest mouser. The number was extrapolated by distillery staff from her daily average of around three mice, sustained across more than two decades. Beloved by workers and visitors alike, she became the distillery's unofficial mascot. After her death, Glenturret commemorated her with a bronze statue at the entrance — paw raised mid-pounce — where it still greets visitors today. Her legacy was such that her pawprint and image have featured in the distillery's branding ever since.
Further reading: Towser on Wikipedia