The Whisky Legends of Islay

by Robin Laing, Bob Dewar (Illustrator)

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.

160 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2009

Reviews

[Stuart · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining and eclectic collection of stories, legends, and anecdotes about Islay's whisky culture and history and colorful personalities
It is quite a mish-mash of short entries on a huge range of stories, legends, and anecdotes about anything on Islay to do with whisky, which is almost everything really. Lots of really interesting tidbits of history and legends, along with more contemporary anecdotes of the real larger-than-life characters who've lived on Islay and been part of the rich whisky tradition there. It's all good fun if you love Islay whisky and history, along with cheeky illustrations by and a healthy dose of Robin Laing's lyrics sprinkled throughout. I'm sure he would recommend you listen to his CDs while reading for the full experience. A good book to dip into either before or during an Islay whisky distillery tour.

[Traveling Diva · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is so poorly written, and the stories don't go anywhere, that I couldn't be bothered to finish it.