We're here to get you into the spooky season with stories of three of our spookiest Collective Series drams. If you're feeling brave, let's take a look at the mysteries of these revered Scottish distilleries!
- Isle of Raasay 5 year old Chinkapin Cask - The Shoe Tying Ghost.
While the Isle of Raasay boasts breathtaking views, beautiful whisky, and beloved buildings, it is also home to some humble ghost stories. One that is particularly special is about a ghost who likes to tie your shoelaces! It all began on one evening at Bordale House, neighbours to the Isle of Raasay Distillery, where an event was taking place. It was a humble gathering, with some food and drinks, amongst friends and colleagues. However, it all changed when a young boy ventured upstairs with his laces untied, his mother noticed but didn’t pay much attention to stop him. Now, it’s worth noting here that this boy was too young to know how to tie his shoes. When the boy returned, his mother had quite the surprise - tied shoe laces. “How were you able to tie your shoes?” she asked. I’m sure you can guess what’s next… “The man upstairs helped me”. However, the only people in Bordale House were those attending the party, downstairs. Shivers.
2. Highland Park 35 year old Oloroso Sherry Cask - The Distillery Vikings.
The Highland Park distillery is most commonly known as the northernmost Scottish distillery, situated in Kirkwall, Orkney. It has a rich history which is prevalent throughout Highland Park's story. Magnus Eunson, the original founder of Highland Park, was a butcher and a church officer and founded the distillery in 1789. It’s known that he came from viking descent and secretly distilled whisky, hiding it in coffins under the pulpit and within the church walls to avoid tax collectors and excise officers. Now you’d think Eunson would be long gone, however, it’s reported that his spirit remains at the distillery, roaming around the grounds at night, making sure his legacy remains. And it’s not just Eunson who has remained, workers have reported seeing viking figures and even hearing battle cries echo through the halls. Not even whisky could tempt me to spend a night in this distillery!
3. Dailuaine 14 year old Ex-Bourbon Cask - The Haunted Bothie and Ghost Soldier.
The Dailuaine Distillery has its fair share of ghost stories which all contribute to the character and history of this stunning distillery. Being founded in 1851, it has stood the test of time and has seen many historical events, including the World Wars. The Dailuaine Distillery finds itself at the centre of a tragic ghost story about a WW2 soldier, electrocuted at the site. This solider is said to still roam the distillery and its grounds, where the haunted bothie lays. Yes folks, not one, but two ghost stories! Now if you’re unsure what a bothie is, they are old, free to use shelters, with facilities such as a fire or cooker, if you get lucky! But legend says, the bothie located at the back of Dailuaine distillery is not just your standard bothie, it's a haunted bothie. On the dark, wild, Scottish nights, the fires of the bothie are said to flicker through the thickness at midnight, when no one is to be seen using them. When visiting the distillery, make sure to be away by nightfall!
