Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Whisky Galore
While blends such as Famous Grouse or
Johnny Walker are best known, most
connoisseurs prefer varieties of single
malt whisky, the taste of which
depends largely on where it's distilled:
Sweet Lowland, peaty Island, or
smooth and balanced Highland. Single
malts are seen as sipping whiskies and
can be diluted with a few drops of tap
water. If you want a cocktail made with
whisky, expect it to be a blend, such as
Whyte & MacKay or Bell's, and not sin-
gle malt like Glenmorangie or
Laphroaig. If you want a North Ameri-
can bourbon, rye, or sour-mash whisky,
you need to name the brand: For exam-
ple, Jack Daniel's or Maker's Mark.
2
popular stout remains Ireland's Guinness, while the potent Stella Artois, from the
Continent, is the best-selling premium lager.
SCOTLAND IN POPULAR
CULTURE
MOVIES
The movies listed below are among the best and most popular made
about Scotland and its people.
Braveheart
(1995): This movie—hardly historically accurate but moving nonethe-
less—probably did more to stir overseas interest in Scotland than any promotional
campaign ever cooked up by the tourist board. Mel Gibson stars as the 13th-century
patriot William Wallace in this sweeping Academy Award-winning epic.
Gregory's Girl
(1981): A simple comedy about an awkward high school student
(played by gawky John Gordon-Sinclair) in a modern (and mostly hideous) 20th-
century New Town near Glasgow.
I Know Where I'm Going!
(1945): This is a charming, funny, World War II-era
black-and-white movie from the great British team Powell and Pressburger. It takes a
young English fiancée on a suspenseful, romantic adventure to the Hebridean isles.
Local Hero
(1983): In this sweetly eclectic comedy—possibly the best Scottish
movie ever made—villagers on a gorgeous stretch of coastline (filmed near Mallaig)
expect to cash in big time because of Texan oil-industry interest, but events conspire
against them.
Morvern Callar
(2002): An excellent adaptation directed by Lynne Ramsay of
Alan Warner's affecting contemporary story of an unusual turn of events in the life
of a young woman from a Scottish town.
My Name is Joe
(1998): Although not entirely lacking humor and romance, this
movie paints a rather grim, if accurate, picture of Glaswegians struggling with their
addictions and inner demons.
Orphans
(1997): Actor Peter Mullan (star of
My Name is Joe
) wrote and directed
this outlandish and very, very dark comedy about the day the Flynn family in
Glasgow tried to bury their recently deceased mother.
The 39 Steps
(1935): Director Alfred Hitchcock and scriptwriter Charles Ben-
nett almost completely reset John Buchan's tale of spies and intrigue. Instead of
sticking to the borders, the film transports the hero to the Highlands.
