29/05/2026
Uisge-beatha agus taighean-staile Ìle
Islay's Whisky History - Something to read with a wee dram 🥃
In the mid 1600s Whisky, which many locals distilled themselves, became heavily taxed for the first time (This tax became a lot greater in 1707 when Great Britain was formed and these laws often favoured the Scottish lowlands). These taxes were completely unsustainable..
During this time Ileach's moved their stills to glens or sea caves to keep them hidden. Taxmen were avoided by fishermen sending smoke signals, or messages by horse to hide stills. Some pretended to speak only Gàidhlig. Often taxmen avoided policing Islay, during the "smuggling" period Ileach's often used violence, ambushing and kidnapping of taxmen. (Although, some were just bribed by a wee dram or two).
After huge riots in the 1720s, Bowmore Single Malt Whisky became the first legal distillery on the island in 1779, It was followed by a new law in 1823 which made legal distilling and selling profitable and fair. By the 1950s Islay had 7 distilleries and since then that number has continued to grow.
Here are some pictures gathered from the archives of Islay's distilleries over the years.
Slàinte mhath agus Tha mi an dòchas gun còrd an Fhèis Ìle ribh! 🥃
