Who we are:

At AN EARLY AGE, JAMES MCDIARMID WENT AS AN APPRENTICE TO WORK IN A SHOE FACTORY. THOSE WERE THE DAYS WHEN A SHOE HAD TO BE A SHOE. ONLY THE HIGHEST GRADE MATERIALS AND FINEST WORKMANSHIP WOULD PASS MUSTER. EVERY BOOT HAD TO BE CAREFULLY LASTED AND EVERY STITCH IN ITS CORRECT PLACE. THEN CAME THE TIME WHEN MCDIARMID'S OWNED OAMARU'S ONLY SHOE FACTORY, WHICH OPERATED FOR TWENTY THREE YEARS, UP TO THE TIME OF THE GREAT WAR. DURING THIS TIME MCDIARMID'S BUILT A REPUTATION FOR QUALITY AND VALUE THAT WAS SECOND TO NONE IN THE DOMINION.

TODAY, 130 YEARS LATER WE STILL REPAIR SHOES USING TRADITIONAL METHODS AND THE SKILL OF COBBLER GLENN WHO COMPLETED HIS APPRENTICESHIP IN 1984.

OUR PRIDE IN SERVING OVER 5 GENERATIONS OF FAMILIES IS TESTAMENT OF OUR COMMITMENT TO THE INDUSTRY AND UNDERSTANDING THE NEEDS OF OUR LOYAL CUSTOMERS.

WE INVITE YOU TO EXPERIENCE OUR EXTENSIVE RANGE OF FOOTWEAR AND YOU CAN TRUST US WHEN PURCHASING ONLINE AND ASSURE YOU OF OUR VERY BEST ATTENTION AND VALUE.
- GRANT MCDIARMID  



James McDiarmid

Founder

Ewart (Son of James)

Ken (Son of Ewart)

Grant McDiarmid

Current Owner - 4th Generation

MacAllan House 1893

McDiarmid's iconic boot 1948

James McDiarmid Founder