Bladnoch Distillery NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2009
Compiled by Sue
Welcome to the “irregular” Newsletter of Bladnoch Distillery. You’ll realise as you progress through it that Bladnoch is not just about whisky – it’s about Bladnoch…the whisky…the place…the people…the craic…..
If you would like copies of earlier issues please contact Sue on bladnoch@talktalk.net
THE 2009 RAFT RACE
Regular readers will appreciate just how important this event is in the local calendar. The annual Wigtown Community Week Raft Race begins on the riverbank in the Distillery Gardens. Sundry farm vehicles appear in the car-park, driven by exotic creatures with even more exotic rafts in tow. (There’s also a fancy dress element to the race) After the registration and raft judging – up to twenty vessels are launched into the River Bladnoch – hopefully as the tide is turning and flowing downstream – though this hasn’t always been the case. Those that actually float make their way to the start – just under the Bladnoch Bridge and await the starting pistol- which was actually a horn this year! And away they go, making their way about a mile and a half downstream to Wigtown Harbour where they can look forward to ploughing their way through banks of delightfully slimy mud as they extract themselves and their craft from the river.
Winners and losers can be found celebrating and commiserating in the Bladnoch Inn in the hours following the finish while the Bladnoch team enjoy a very sophisticated BBQ on the Distillery Lawn.
I know you’re thinking “She hasn’t mentioned the Bladnoch Raft!” Well, I was saving the best until last. The “Silver Surfers” finished in our best time ever – around 45 minutes though we never did discover our position – and even overtook a number of rafts on the way downstream. This year’s design was much more streamlined – as were the crew.
Quote of the day from the youngest team member, Claire, “ I saved the day!”
BLADNOCH WEBSITE & ONLINE SHOP
Our website changes are still ongoing…. Checkout the latest photo albums by following the “Photos” tab and we also have a section dedicated to our growing band of Miniature collectors. The webshop continues to be a great success in the UK and beyond. Just think – your favourite Bladnoch and Raymond’s exciting Forum Offers at the click of a button. WATCH OUT FOR THE 2009 CHRISTMAS BOTTLING 70cl & 5cl MINI
Log on to www.bladnoch.co.uk and click on the photo of “the girls” to enter the shop. For those of you who still prefer the more personal contact of a phone call ring 01988 402605 and ask for Yolanda.
BLADNOCH FORUM
The Forum membership continues to grow and grow with over 1500 members. I’m sure the regular offers of alternative bottlings at remarkable prices are a great draw. Our latest offers have included Caol Ila, Longmorn, Glen Grant and even a Bladnoch.
If you haven’t already signed up go to www.bladnoch.co.uk and click on the “FORUM” tab to register. A further advantage is that you will get a 10% discount on any bottle purchased from the on-line distillery shop.
BLADNOCH FOLK & BLUES FESTIVAL – August 28th – 30th
Founded three years ago by a group of over-enthusiastic musicians, the Bladnoch Folk & Blues Festival continues to go from strength to strength.
The festival takes place in and around Bladnoch Distillery and this means that our festival can never ‘get too big for its boots’ – we have a more intimate venue, we don’t cater for tens of thousands and you don’t have to queue for hours to use a port-a-loo!
In our first few years we have had names such as Martin Taylor, Allison Burns, Michael Marra, The Paul McKenna Band and many more. Our busking competition is now the stuff of legend – last year it was too wet to be held outside and people had to busk in the ever helpful Grapes Inn, Wigtown…
On our first year, we were voted the No. 1 gig in Scotland in the Sunday Times
It is, we hope, a friendly festival, and a family oriented festival. This year we have things for the kids to do such as a climbing wall and a music workshop where the children make their own instruments out of junk!
We hope we can continue the festival in future years, but to do that we need your help! So if you like great music, please come along to the 2009 Festival!
This year’s attractions include Skerryvore, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Blabbermouth, Connie Lush, Bellevue Rendezvous,Kings of Cheeze, The Fortune Sons, Adrian Byron Burns…..and more !!
NEWS FROM THE BOOK FESTIVAL – Share a dram with us this autumn
As part of Scotland’s Homecoming 2009 celebrations, this autumn we’ll be hosting a unique festival-within-a-festival celebrating the connections between whisky and writing. With music, tastings and some of the world’s top whisky experts – including Charlie MacLean, Gavin Smith, Ian Buxton and Robin Laing and Dave Broom – it will appeal to anyone who has ever curled up with a book and a dram. Watch this space for further details. To register for the whisky email newsletter contact mail@wigtownbookfestival.com.
STAFF PROFILE – Sammy
Sammy is the newest, and youngest, member of the Bladnoch Team.
Born in the Far East – Middlesborough – she moved to the Machars with her family when she was only eight years old. I guess she must be used to our Wigtown Ways by now.
Her time is spent in the office supporting Hazel in the day-to-day administration of the Distillery.Her computer skills have already proved very valuable.
When not at work Sammy spends her time at the gym, walking, socialising and Bebo Browsing.
Welcome to Bladnoch Sammy!
RAYMOND’S THOUGHTS FROM THE DRAMMING ROOM – the fisherman’s tale
Just back from a pleasant evening’s sea fishing at the Isle of Whithorn. I don’t know whether any of you know what it’s like to go fishing with little hope of catching anything. It’s maybe the gaudy copper lures and feathers I use, purchased as bargain offers from Lidl. Oh the embarrassment of it all. Maybe they’re just kid’s playthings and not intended for use by serious fishermen. I choose a heavy lure that looks like a big fish, other fishermen standing on the rocks nearby might think I’ve managed to catch something big when I’m reeling it in. I’m embarrassed as they offer advice, “You’ll not catch much with that, pal.” Should I lie? I reply, “Managed to get a few mackerel last night” Even one huge seagull sitting on a nearby rock appears to be regarding me with scorn.
After a very short time in which I manage to lose quite a few lures my patience ebbs and I give up in disgust. I suggest to Florence that she carries my fishing gear back to the car, so that I can walk ahead and not be quizzed by passers-by, “Any Luck?” But being brought up as a good Presbyterian she would have none of this minor deception.
Back at the harbour car-park, I’m spotted by someone I know, “Don’t worry”, he says, “I can never catch anything either, except mackerel”. Everyone can catch mackerel except me. But the craic sitting in the evening sun by the harbour is good. We take pleasure in asking other unsuccessful anglers if they’ve had any luck. If they say no, I enquire, “Not even mackerel?” and they look sheepish, which is my cue for further banter.
A small rubber boat comes in followed by a flock of noisy seagulls, the men are obviously gutting and filleting fish. …. Saved …. one of them knows me and offers me half a dozen freshly filleted fish, so I’m back at Bladnoch and they are about to go into the pan for supper………
To our many friends all over the world we would like to say “Thank You” for your continued support of The Spirit of the Lowlands
BLADNOCH DISTILLERY
BLADNOCH
WIGTOWN DG8 9AB
01988 402605
