On the isle of Islay with Mr Toad

Dominic Roskrow visits one of the greatest centres for malt whisky.

One of the most disturbing aspects of modern Scotland is the fact that there is a net migration of people, and those people that are coming to the country are doing so part-time and buying homes to be used only for holidays.

The trend is most acute on the west coast, which, with the exception of Orkney, is where my favourite parts of Scotland are. So bad is the problem that some islands are now in danger of hitting a critical mass where they are going to cease to be viable economic concerns.

At a time when so many countries are worrying about too many immigrants and England in particular is doing its normal xenophobic quick step over the enlargement of the European Union and the potential ‘flood' of citizens from former Eastern bloc countries, Scotland is desperate for some influx, and is doing everything it can to encourage new settlers.

One island where this is not a problem is Islay (pronounced Eye-la) where buying property is just about impossible and which is enjoying something of a boom.

The reason? Whisky.

Islay is a mecca for whisky fans, having no less than seven operating distilleries and a maltings, with another smaller distillery set to open in the next few weeks. Not just any old whisky, either; some of the best and most challenging of all, including the three weighty peaty ones – Ardbeg, Laphroaig and Lagavulin.

In spring the island holds a festival of music and whisky, and enthusiasts from across the world cram the flights and ferries to create a melt...

To read the rest of this article you can do any of the following.

• By : Dominic Roskrow
• In : Editor's View
• Issue : 15
• Page : 3
• Words : 691