June 2009

  • A whole lot more pictures from the Great whisky Blending Trip

    All three of the participants (Rob, Ken and me) have been working furiously on the text for a planned book about the trip. Have to say that so far I think it’s absolutely hilarious. Working title is Journey’s Blend: Towards A New Theory Of Motorcycling, Malt Whisky, Scotland And Everything There’s a Flickr set of…

  • For the man who doesn’t have to try…too hard

    Truly wonderful Radio Four documentary today on the legendary, subterranean-voiced Bill Mitchell, the voiceover artist behind Denim aftershave, and (after Orson Welles pulled out) Carlsberg. Also a great picture of bohemian Soho in the 60s. You’ve got seven days to listen to it here. Probably.

  • Bitter wind and bluster on the air

    I’ve known for several months that a major on-air discussion about the proposed Viking Energy windfarm project in Shetland was likely to take place on the BBC local radio station, Radio Shetland, and that I’d be hosting it. So I’ve been extremely careful to avoid making any public comment on the issue. Feelings have been…

  • The Viking Energy debate – live tonight on BBC Radio Shetland

    Ahem…It’s the biggest issue facing Shetland, and tonight, for two hours, live, the main players for and against Viking Energy are available to you for questions and comment. A special two hour Speakeasy on BBC Radio Shetland tonight from 10 past six, hosted by me, Tom Morton. Viking Energy – yes or no? Phone your…

  • Trembling Bells – resistance is futile!

    This track by Glasgow (and environs) band/collective Trembling Bells is on the Uncut free CD this month, which features acts signed to Damon Albarn’s boutique label Honest John’s Records. It has taken over my life. Lavinia Blackwall has a unique voice, one that combines trained operatic range with effortless folk intonation and occasional rock raunch.…

  • Excellent review for Serpentine in The Shetland Times

    Many thanks to Shetland Times reporter Laura Friedlander for a lengthy and enthusiastic review which reflects almost exactly my wife’s opinion of the book. Can’t, alas, find it online so you’ll have to trust my ability to extract the most flattering bits! Headlined “adventure story will be summer’s top read in the genre”, I suppose…

  • Getting it right first time, and heading for home

    I’m in the Mcdonalds at Kirriemuir, heading north on the A90 to get the boat home tonight. And it’s done! The Journey’s Blend blend is complete, expertly put together by Edrington’s head of all things blendiferous, John Ramsay, at the Glenturret distillery just outside Crieff. Also the site of the Famous Grouse Experience, hence the…

  • Pictures from the big bike trip

    A few snapshots: The Kilchoman cross on Islay, and the very first cask of Kilchoman whisky – now, at more than three years old, legally Scotch whisky. The bikes, first at 6.15am waiting for the ferry from Port Askaig to Kennacraig, and then including a yellow interloper, Dave’s Triumph Sprint, outside Bladnoch Distillery at Wigtown.…

  • Islay, Wigtown, McDonalds…

    In the Broxden McDonalds outside Perth. First internet for three days. That’s 620 miles, and now heading (alone – others had a long lie) for Glen Garioch at Oldmeldrum. Big Red Bathtub behaving very well. I left the – truly excellent – Bladnoch Inn at 7.00am as I was booked to open the Scottish Classic…

  • On the road – Glencoe in unaccustomed sunshine

    It’s 100 miles exactly from Glasgow to Fort Bill. I’d done 105 by the time I’d found my b&b, tucked away behind the town. I set out from Glasgow under grey skies, but by the time I hit Tyndrum (my usual pilgrimage to the Green Welly Stop) the sun was out. Fort William is HOT,…