Whisky - the water of life, perhaps Scotland's best known contribution to the world. Muse - goddess of creative endeavour. The Whisky Muse - the spark of inspiration to many of Scotland's great poets and songwriters. Brought together by Robin Laing, a highly respected Scottish folk singer and songwriter, and based on his one-man show The Angel's Share, it combines two of his passions - folk song and whisky. Each poem and song is accompanied by fascinating additional information, and the book is full of interesting tit-bits on the process of whisky making. Reflected in these poems and songs are the pleasures (and medicinal benefits) of imbibing this most beloved of spirits as well as the unfortunate consequences of over-indulgence, the centuries of religious disapproval, the temperance movement and the exciseman. The stories told here are lubricated by warmth and companionshop, best enjoyed with dram in hand. Slainte.

Which river has half the distilleries in Scotland found along its length and in its surrounding glens? Why were monks at the forefront of developing whisky? Which Speyside distillery has an annual migration of toads? How did Glenrothes distillery expel its ghost? Robin Laing - singer-songwriter, author of The Whisky Muse, and chair of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society's Tasting Panel - set out to visit every distillery in the Speyside area, from Benromach to Tomintoul, and presents a guide to each of them here. There are descriptions of over 50 distilleries on Speyside, including The Macallan, The Glenlivet, Cardhu, Aberlour, Glenfiddich and Glengrant. - Each entry is part history, part travelogue and part commentary on the changes in the whisky industry. - Includes personal musings by the author, stories associated with the distillery and snippets of poetry and song. Laing's 'spirit' guide in his journey is Alfred Barnard, author of 1887's The Whisky Distilleries of the United Kingdom. Barnard visited many of the same distilleries that Laing visits now and similarly left his impressions of the state of the facilities and the beauty of the surroundings. Much of this present book compares what Barnard found with what exists now, and the differences - and similarities - are often fascinating.

Robin Laing - songwriter, poet, performer - takes the reader on a lyrical tour of the history and lore surrounding Scotland's national drink. His writing depicts whisky in its many guises; be it a warm comfort on a winter's night, the perfect accompaniment to beans on toast, or even a perilous substance inciting mayhem and 'super velocity.' The Whisky Muse II is an ode to both whisky and the country where its stories began. Laing's poems are steeped in legend and inspired by a wealth of anecdote; from sea dragons to warring rabbits, culinary finesse to the elusive female haggis. His songs are reminiscent of the foot-stamping and rowdy camaraderie of folk songs performed in a cosy tavern, possibly following a wee dram (or two). So settle down, crack out the Usquebaugh Baul, and join Laing for many a tale of legend, adventure, chaos and love, all in tribute to Scotland's favourite tipple.

This witty and diverting book, from musician and whisky expert Robin Laing, captivates the reader with folklore and history reflecting aspects of Islay life, all relating back to whisky. Simultaneously entertaining, comforting and informative, Laing uses narrative and lyric to examine the relationship between the islanders of Islay and whisky. When grouped together as a whole, the various anecdotes, poems and songs beautifully illustrate the importance that whisky plays in the lives of the people of Islay, but also of how it has shaped their history.