Message in a Bottle – by Paul Mclean

After a long chat with a “friend” about a weird and strange “happening” up on the west coast, I had to go and see for myself. The story went, that bottles of excellent whisky are being washed up and, just there for the picking! I must admit I thought it a joke, but with a few days to myself, there’s no stopping me from visiting the fantastic west coast, even if it rains.

Thursday morning I set out north, now at this stage I’m asking myself “do I say where I have been?”, well with so many wee bays, coves and inlets, some hidden, some no, why not say – so, started with a meeting with a good friend at the Green Welly Shop at Tyndrum (picking up a painting), then wandered into the superb whisky shop there, I was so tempted with; Arran / 1995 First Production One of 1000 bottles from the first ever production at The Isle of Arran Distillery. Each bottle is individually numbered on the label tag. This is from one of the very first casks to be filled, laid down in the Summer of 1995. This is also CASK STRENGTH 60.3% vol Distilled at Isle of Arran Distillery £249.99

Hmmmm … Aberlour a’bunadh limited edition Sterling Silver Label. 12 year old single malt, I was yearning for bottle number 219, och but look was all I managed! Comes in a hesian bag, but inside is a lovely 58.7% dram, costs £249.99. It was then the bells rang in my heid, “time to go”. So headed up through Rannoch Moor and Glencoe. Dreich but fantastic scenery. From there through Fort William and turning left towards Mallaig. A grand road so it is travelling through many lochs and glens, once past Glenfinnan, the road gets a wee bit more “wild”- on then to the Back of Kepoch, where I was lodging that night, took a few pix and scoured a few hidden places lookin for the drams. None to be found. Och well, back to the hotel restaurant and some excellent local fish for my supper, chased doon with some red wine.

Friday; my search began once again, over the day I drove all over the place and around lunchtime, was at Ardnamurchan, the most westerly point on the British mainland. After a quick lunch I started oot again on my search. Low and behold, look what I found! A very nice bottle of Glen Garioch in its old broon bottle, and … a very nice Mannochmore. Now – I’m no being fussy, but someone had helped themselves to a lot of the Mannochmore, what a cheek!!! Whereas the Glen was complete. What can you do? I sat doon on the kelp covered rock and took a wee nip to myself, ah! Acting as a life saver, I rescued both bottles and walked them to my car. My day continued as I caught the ferry to Mull and another to Oban, where I strayed down to Connel for an overnight stay.

Alone in my room, I opened the Mannochmore, what was the message? DRINK ME, DRINK ME! So being the kind soul I am, I drank some… a slight hint of chocolate, sawn wood. Excellent dram, now can taste apples and lemons (lets just say citrus). Very fruity with a balance between bourbon and sherry wood matured whiskies that make up. I was tempted to sample a wee bit too much, but resisted!

Saturday; On my way home next day I took some photos; here’s one, Kilchurn castle in the morning mist, aye its a Campbell castle, but I thought I would take a shot at it!

I am thinking of doing some more messages pretty soon…

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