During its early life, it was known as "Linlithgow" after the town in which it was built, and was originally located at Bonnytoun.

The distillery took its name from St Magdalene's Hospital, a lazar house which once stood upon the site.

[2][3] For the majority of the 19th century the distillery was run by the Dawson family, initially by Adam Dawson (1747–1836), who had trained as a maltster and was the youngest son of a sheep farmer from Kippendavie near Dunblane.

By 1856 the distillery was capable of producing 4,000 US gallons (15,000 L; 3,300 imp gal) of whisky per week, and employed around 30 people.

They retained their distinctive pagoda roofs, and are protected as category C listed buildings.