To get closer to the heart and soul of Scotland, Edinburgh on 25th January in is a great way to start. In deep midwinter, the Scottish celebrate Robert Burns (Burns Night).
They salute their greatest poet, poetry book in hand and the smell of whisky in the air.
During the traditional dinner, three glasses of whisky are reserved: one for the host, one for the speaker and one for the bagpipe player.
Poetry, hospitality and respect for tradition: this is the heart and soul of Scotland.
As “Scotland’s favourite son”, Robert Burns naturally produced some works on the theme of whisky. In his poem “Address to a haggis” (a traditional Scottish dish), the bard compared whisky to amber beads.
Scottish writers often celebrate whisky. Sir Walter Scott, author of Ivanhoe and Rob Roy, considered it to be a gentleman’s drink.
Whisky is also often present in the Sherlock Holmes investigations, written by Scotsman Conan Doyle.
The flavours of whisky are clues which lead the investigative palate to the heart of Scotland. Elementary, my dear Watson !
