Did you know long ago in Scotland people wouldn't bury their dead if there was no whisky in the house?

Question

Nowadays, whisky and funerals are often still closely

connected, but there was once a time when whisky was an essential ingredient at a funeral. When an old lady died on one small Hebndean isle, in the middle of winter, the steamer had not been able to come near for some time, and there was a dearth of whisky on the island. With not enough whisky available to bury his mother with due ceremony, her son became anxious, and scanned the stormy horizon looking for any sign of the Dunara Castle. After a week’s watching, and no ship, he still refused to sanction the burial. ‘She’s auld, and it’s cauld, and she’s thin, and she’ll keep,’ he said.

Answer 1

I'm g;ad that not all Scots are like that.  I only recently found out that I'm part Scottish and I'd hate to think all my ancestors were drunks.  LOL I always thought we were English ,along with the Indian.But, no My Mom told me that our ancestors came from Scotland and changed their name once here.  The old name was Dickson.Very interesting story thuogh. //////Good job--------again.

Answer 2

Sounds about right, being Irish, you can't have a wake, without the party. No booze no party. Have a Irish whiskey, I'm buying. Really though I do not like whiskey, unless it is an Irish Coffee.Will a Guinness do?

Answer 3

always keep a couple of cases of Glenmorangie in the cellar just in case...

Answer 4

I did happen to know that broad generalizations made about all scots are doomed to be incorrect.

Answer 5

that`s dead funny hen,,,:)

Answer 6

No, I didn't. Interesting read.

Answer 7

No I didn't, very interesting.

Answer 8

haha kl i used to live in scotland. and i loved it.

Answer 9

Thanks for the history lesson very interesting have a star.

Answer 10

Thanks for reminding me,  My Father in Law told me the tale. Very nostalgic!

Peace.

P.S. They pour it over the grave, after it passes the kidneys :-)

Answer 11

The name of that film was Whisky Galore and it was written by Sir Compton Mackenzie so big John B is right, but it was very funny.

Answer 12

ni I didn't know that, very informative. There's no worry about that in my house, my dad always has about 4 bottles of whiskey in, Scottish and Irish varieties :)

Answer 13

Those Scots won't do anything if there's no whisky in the house!! LOL

Answer 14

I didn't know that thank you so much

Answer 15

Not all Scots.  I know  a lot of Scots were for religious reasons and health reason don't drink ...so this is just a "myth?? " also AA is big in Scotland

Answer 16

No I did not know that but it is interesting. My mother's people are Scot-Irish, (I may have told you already)  and they do like their whiskey, all of us.Well, I like margaritas with a twist of lime. But dear old dad and his kin liked tea. They did not drink not a one of them. They were English folks. Quiet and reserved. Mom and her crowd were loud, happy drinkers.    Poppy

Answer 17

No, I did not know that.  I'd like to know your source.

Answer 18

And to think in some countries, only milk and bread are staples.

Answer 19

Whisky has caused a lot of funerals for us but we always bury ours with tobacco.  I can remember my dad driving up to his reservation when one of our tribal members passed to get tobacco.....and they put it in the coffin along with their last meal.

Answer 20

Whiskey and funerals are closely connected here as well. Never heard of one being delayed because of a lack of whiskey however.

Answer 21

See British film, Tight Little Island.  About a British ship that goes aground off Scotland, during WWII, with a huge cargo of Scotch Whiskey. Scotch was all, I mean all, shipped to the USA to earn dollars for the war effort. The Scots had to do without the precious product. The natives salvage the cargo and proceed to hide if from the Brits by moving it around their village and surrounding land.

Answer 22

i guess i learned something new today?

Answer 23

No I did not know that.