Pioneering Spirit; the archaeology and history of whisky making in Scotland Derek Alexander, Head of Archaeology National Trust for Scotland

The Pioneering Spirit project  is the first project of its kind. This nationwide archaeology and research programme is working to uncover the hidden history of whiskey-making in the Scottish landscape,from its illicit beginnings to the rise of industrial distilleries.Its seeking to unearth both old and new stories,as well as ground the knowledge and the mythology of illicit whiskey-making back to the very places it happened.

To date the team has identified 30 sites of illicit whiskey production across the landscapes in the care of NTS and it is expected there are more. Illicit stills have so far been uncovered in Trust places including Torridon, Kintail, Grey Mare’s Tail,Nature Reserve,and Mar Lodge Estate National Nature Reserve. We’ve also been exploring the beginnings of licensed whiskey production in Speyside. We are all looking forward to meeting up with Derek again, a long term member of the Renfrewshire Local History Forum.