Whisky Legends of Islay by Robin Laing sampler
This witty and diverting book, from musician and whisky expert Robin Laing, captivates the reader with folklore and history reflecting aspects of Islay life, all relating back to whisky. Simultaneously entertaining, comforting and informative, Laing uses narrative and lyric to examine the relationship between the islanders of Islay and whisky. When grouped together as a whole, the various anecdotes, poems and songs beautifully illustrate the importance that whisky plays in the lives of the people of Islay, but also of how it has shaped their history.
This witty and diverting book, from musician and whisky expert Robin Laing, captivates the reader with folklore and history reflecting aspects of Islay life, all relating back to whisky.
Simultaneously entertaining, comforting and informative, Laing uses narrative and lyric to examine the relationship between the islanders of Islay and whisky. When grouped together as a whole, the various anecdotes, poems and songs beautifully illustrate the importance that whisky plays in the lives of the people of Islay, but also of how it has shaped their history.
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obin laing is one <strong>of</strong> those lucky individuals who have turned their hobbies and<br />
interests into a career. On the one hand, <strong>Robin</strong> is passionate about whisky;<br />
Scotland’s most important export, her most successful traditional industry and perhaps<br />
her greatest contribution to humanity. <strong>Robin</strong> chairs the tasting panel for the<br />
Scotch Malt <strong>Whisky</strong> Society and writes many <strong>of</strong> their almost poetic tasting descriptions.<br />
He also contributes regularly to <strong>Whisky</strong> Magazine and has published The <strong>Whisky</strong><br />
Muse, a collection <strong>of</strong> poems and songs on the subject <strong>of</strong> Scotch whisky, and The <strong>Whisky</strong><br />
River: The Distilleries <strong>of</strong> Speyside (both Luath Press).<br />
On the other hand, <strong>Robin</strong> is also a musician. As a songwriter and interpreter <strong>of</strong><br />
traditional Scots song, he has recorded eight cds. Four <strong>of</strong> those are whisky cds; The<br />
Angels’ Share (1997), The Water <strong>of</strong> Life (2003), One for the Road (2007) and <strong>Whisky</strong> for Breakfast<br />
(2011).<br />
<strong>Robin</strong> performs his ‘<strong>Whisky</strong> and Song’ shows all over the world, thus being an<br />
ambassador for Scotland in the most enjoyable way imaginable.<br />
<strong>Robin</strong> was born in Edinburgh in 1953 and now lives in rural South Lanarkshire.<br />
He loves beach barbeques, star-gazing and walking in the mountains.<br />
bob dewar was born in Edinburgh at an early age. Sixteen years later he was published<br />
nationally. He worked in dc Thomson’s studio where, among other things,<br />
he ghosted Dennis the Menace. After going freelance, he did political and social<br />
commentary for The Scotsman newspaper. He has illustrated books for many publishers<br />
including the Children’s and English Speaking Departments <strong>of</strong> Oxford<br />
University Press, and for Fife Educational Social Development. His work has also<br />
appeared in The Times, The Herald, Scottish Field and The Scotch Malt <strong>Whisky</strong> Society<br />
newsletter and on its Members Room ceiling. He has had exhibitions in Lucca,<br />
Italy, in Glasgow and in Edinburgh and had caricatures hanging in the House <strong>of</strong><br />
Commons. He is now a lot older than 16 and is married to the novelist Isla Dewar,<br />
with two sons and an absurdly friendly big golden retriever. Bob has no idea how<br />
this friendliness happened, since he tends toward grumpiness.
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