Burns Suppers—The first recorded Burns Supper was held a mere five years after the poet's death, in the summer of 1801. Then, as now, its purpose was to recollect and celebrate his life and work.
The Day the Bubble Burst—The Pattison family started in business in Edinburgh as dairy wholesalers but were sharp enough to seize the chance of making a fortune in whisky.
A Christmas Mystery—Koshkenkorva is a kind of schnaps made in Lapland—I discovered this from a lady in the Finnish Embassy—but it is my belief that Santa favours reindeer urine.
Highland Spring—Do the Scots take their water for granted? After all, we see enough of the stuff from one year to the next.
Early Encounters with Malt—In November 1944 I found myself back in Edinburgh on leave for a week. I picked up a copy of Neil Gunn's Whisky and Scotland for the sum of five shillings (25p). This book changed my life.