South Uist is a reknowned today for the beauty of its machair. But in February 1941, this part of the Outer Hebrides became the global epicentre of whisky.
Whisky and Burglary
When the SS Politician, bound for the West Indies and America, was blown off course and came aground on the rocks of Eriskay - the 260,000 bottles of whisky she was carrying became fair game to the island’s inhabitants. Or did they?
Islanders thought the rules of salvage applied. That anything lost to the sea could be legally seized. A local Customs man disagreed. People came from as far as the Isle of Lewis, battling the waves to ‘rescue’ the whisky, some dressed in their wives clothing to avoid incriminating oil marks getting on their own attire. It’s estimated that 24,000 bottles were either hidden, destroyed or drunk by the residents of the Outer Hebrides - good folk made weary by wartime rationing and scarcity.
Punishment
A second salvage mission was conducted, this time by the authorities. Villages and crofts were raided, with guilty parties being arrested, fined and, in some cases, even jailed. The SS Politician was then dynamited to prevent further looting - consigning any leftover liquid cargo to Davy Jones’s locker.
Legacy
As with any good whisky, this story has legs. It’s a tale that’s inspired books, Hollywood films, plays and musicals. But there’s no substitute for hearing it first hand, especially in "Am Politician", Isle of Eriskay, South Uist, with authentic memorabilia from the ship itself (recovered from the ocean floor in the 1980s).
So, come for the story and stay for the scenery. You can experience your very own Whisky Galore! on your Hebridean holiday. You might even learn where that missing £38,000 went too...
Slàinte mhath! Good health!
