Hello and welcome to Stories of Scotland Fireside Folktales, the delightful wee enchanting interlude episodes.

I'm Annie, a lighthouse blinking on a distant island.

And I'm Jenny, a fishing boat full of illegal goods.

And in this wee episode, we are whisking you away to a peaty fireside on the Isle of Mull.

And what better accompaniment to some traditional tales than a traditional wee dram.

Ah, but is that a traditional whiskey you've got there, Jenny?

If by traditional you mean illegal, then yes, yes it is.

Back when we had a high tax on alcohol, a Highland and Island folk were adamant that a good dram should not be costing

an arm in a leg. And so, they sat about illegally distilling whiskey in secret hiding holes of

the glands and moors of Scotland. And the Isle of Mull was no different. We've got two wonderful

wee tales

inspired by a book called Tall Tales from an Island by Peter McNabb.

And they're not only about the most famous of Scottish spirits,

but also about good old community spirit

and spooky old ghostly spirits.

Oh, how thrilling.

That's the spirit, Annie.

But just before we start, Annie, of all the lovely listeners listening right now,

how many do you think like learning about the language, heritage, archaeology, literature,

landscape, identity, folklore and magic of Scotland's Highlands and Islands.

Every single one.

Well, do I have a course for all of you, lovely listeners?

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