The Outer Hebrides’ first whisky festival, On the Rocks, will be held on the Isle of Eriskay, scene of the true Whisky Galore!, on midsummer weekend.
The SS Politician wrecked on the rocks between Eriskay and South Uist in 1941, risking the loss of 250,000 bottles of whisky on board, which the war-rationed islanders were deter - mined to save from the waves – and the taxman. The story inspired Sir Compton Mc- Kenzie’s classic novel Whisky Galore!, and an Ealing comedy set on Barra directed by Alexander MacKendrick, re-made into a new film starring Gregor Fisher and Eddie Izzard, which released in Scotland last Friday.
The festival will be hosted by the island’s village hall and local pub, Am Politician, on June 24- 25, serving Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky’s range of Whisky Galore! malts and blends, topped up by Isle of Harris gin.