I had thought the ban was due to crop failures after Laki erupted catastrophically - but Napoleon is a likelier culprit with this date, 10 years after it quieted down again.
John ________________________________________ From: lute-...@cs.dartmouth.edu [lute-...@cs.dartmouth.edu] on behalf of Francis Wood [oatenp...@googlemail.com] Sent: 13 September 2011 17:54 To: NSP group Subject: [NSP] Farewell to Whisky - Niel Gow The note accompanying the fine tune 'Farewell to Whisky' appearing in the Gow 5th collection states: "This tune alludes to prohibiting the making of Whisky in 1799. It is expressive of a Highlander's sorrow on being deprived of his favourite beverage". Also in the 5th collection is the remedy to this distressing situation: 'Whisky Welcome back again', with the note: "Alluding to permitting Whisky to be distilled in the year 1801. It is a merry dancing Tune." I seem to remember reading that the prohibition was caused by a shortage of grain. Can anyone provide anything more specific about the relevant circumstances in 1799 - 1801? Francis To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
