Raw Spirit In Search of the Perfect Dram

In an absorbing voyage as interesting to non-drinkers as to true whisky connoisseurs, sci-fi and literary author Iain Banks explores the rich heritage of Scottish whisky, from the most famous distilleries to the most obscure operations. Whisky is more than a drink: it's a culture that binds together people, places, and products far across Scotland's rugged terrain. Switching from cars to ferries to bicycles, Banks criss-crosses his homeland, weaving an engrossing narrative full of fascinating traditions, peculiar people, and the downright bizarre places he encounters on his journey down Scotland's great golden road.

Iain Banks came to widespread public notice in 1984 with the publication of his first novel, The Wasp Factory. He went on to gain enormous and popular critical acclaim with further works of fiction and science fiction. In 1993 he was acknowledged as one of the Best of Young British Writers. He died in 2013 at 59.

Contents
Acknowledgements xi

Introduction – Out of our Heads 1

1: These Drugs of Subtle Virtue 7
The Land Rover: a paean 12
Great Wee Roads: a digression 20

2: Does not Rhyme with ‘Outlay’ 25
Pronunciation: a word 29
Once upon a time: distilling as cottage industry 32
Distillery aesthetics: a highly partial overview 33
Childhood: a sentimental detour 42

3: Exploding Custard Factories 45
Whisky: the how-to bit 48
Notes: a note 60

4: To Jura 67
Willy’s Definitive Dram Definition 71
The Toby’s Party/The Balcony Scene story 74

5: The Heart of the Water 87
The midge: microscopic megascourge 92
Les and Iain’s Guide to Sensible Sailing 98
Loch Shiel: an appreciation, with reservations 99
Cask Strength 102
Drinking: you’d think it would be obvious 105
And that’s one of the good ones 107

6: WhiskyLandWorldVille! 111
Altitude problem 121

7: Break for Curry 135
Scotland: land of contrasts (not) 140
The Highlands: their identification and use 142
Highway the hard way: a road bore writes 151

8: Fear and Loathing in Glenlivet 157
The Jag: all the fruity flavour of yesteryear 159
Substances: the usual disclaimer 165

9: The Awemsys of Azshashoshz 183
Azshashoshz: that etymology in full 186
Head crash: talking on empty 196
McCartney: the case for madness 198
Ditto Brown: telling who your real friends are 201

10: Welcome to the Land of Heederum-Hawderum 207
Happy cars: in defence of anthropomorphism 209
What Happened to My Car 227

11: The Smell of a Full Scottish Breakfast in the Morning 233
How much? Nested digressions around Aussie wine 236
Writers: What Not to Say 252
Stop Press Handy Anti-Midge Tip 260

12: Porridge and Scottishness, Football and Fireworks 261
Fitba and the Greater Morality 274

13: Just the Whole Gantry, Then 285
Why Roger and I have mixed feelings about Brad 301

14: The Ends of the Country 311
Welcome to the Free World 313
Illegality: a thought experiment 327
Orkney: a Handy Hint on blending in 330

15: Tunnel Biking 335
Last rant before the end 346
Redman’s Blues 350

16: A Secret Still 353
Further Reading Pronunciation Guide 365