'Taking The Pledge' - When Scots pledged NOT to drink Whisky!

[@michaelfrazer1807]

Thank You so much. Moonshine, did not know were that name came about. The Most High bless You And Your family.

[@gordonsscotland8441]

Thanks, Michael. Kind regards, Gordon

[@wendyhay1302]

Thank you once again from South Africa. My paternal grandmother was a Mac Donald. I have been researching my family tree. They had a strong connection to Perthshire and later Glasgow. Sadly she drowned a lot of her homesickness for Scotland with more than a wee dram. I grew up almost believing that the Scottish were the chosen race.

[@gordonsscotland8441]

Many Scots, even today, firmly believe the Scots are the chosen ones, Wendy! Kind regards, Gordon

[@carolreid1609]

As usual Gordon very interesting history! I have taken up "having a wee dram of of Scotch whisky" since my 2013 trip to N. Scotland, after visiting the Glenfinnan distillery.A" wee dram" is enough - like the smell more than anything. My Aunt just turned 101 and she imbibes very moderately. Carol the Campbell from Canada. ;)

[@gordonsscotland8441]

It's interesting you like the smell, Carol. Many women, my wife included, don't drink whisky because they don't like the smell! Kind regards, Gordon

[@galoglaich3281]

Temporance movement was very strong in ireland aswell,mostly driven by the catholic church.The Main body was the Pioneer Total Abstainance Association ,and my father was a member all his life he wore a pioneer pin to signify he was a pioneer and didn't drink .His brother was aswell mainly because there father was an alcoholic which improvished the family to a large extent.Myself and my siblings never joined the pioneers and thank god we don't have a drinking problem.Often thought of taking the pin myself ,but i like the freedom to take the odd drink at special occasions .

[@gordonsscotland8441]

Didn't know that about Ireland, thanks! Many Temperance people in Scotland wore badges or ribbons to signify they had taken the pledge. Kind regards, Gordon

[@marylloyd2342]

My Dad’s tipple was Drambuie, at the same time he religiously paid his dues to the Rechabites!

[@gordonsscotland8441]

I'm sure they would have been fine with that, Mary! Drambuie is my favourite liqueur! Kind regards, Gordon

[@monisafraser1969]

Very interesting information. Thank you.

[@gordonsscotland8441]

As always, Monisa, it's my great pleasure! Kind regards, Gordon

[@briancooper2737]

I was wondering about beer and wine in that situation. Here in Texas where I grew up in the local Southern Baptist church the "pledge" or not drinking alcohol at all is still quite a hot topic. Including beer and wine. Though the church in general has lost ground socially speaking there are still laws that do not allow the sale of alcohol until after noon on Sunday.

[@gordonsscotland8441]

Originally in Scotland the temperance movement was just about strong spirits - usually whisky. As the movement grew, however, some societies were demanding total abstinence. Up until fairly recently in Scotland you could not buy drink from a supermarket on a Sunday, but you can now, after 10.00am (I think). Kind regards, Gordon

[@raquelcorvello3464]

Upvote for Gordon but don’t mistake it as approval for abstinence 🤠 brilliant video sir. My Uncle Duncan MacKenzie (Highlander from Lochcarron) was arrested in Jackson Hole Wyoming for smuggling booze during prohibition. Funny story they held him in a jail cell for a week waiting for a judge to arrive. They also stored the evidence in the jailhouse within his reach. (The jail was extremely small) Because there was no warden, he sold all the evidence out the window so by the time the judge arrived there was no longer any evidence and they had to let him go.

[@gordonsscotland8441]

That was very clever of Mr MacKenzie, Raquel! Kind regards, Gordon

[@Duececoupe]

I must admit that I do love a good whisky, but....I love a good Haggis even more! The best that I've had so far, was in Fort William, I almost walked into the kitchen asking for more! 😆😂 I think that I wandered off there....😉😆😂

[@gordonsscotland8441]

I love haggis as well, one of my favourite dishes! Kind regards, Gordon

[@Michele.3142]

So interesting! The Temperance Society sounds like the inspiration for AA only a lot more inclusive. I like it! So do factions of the Society still exist?

[@gordonsscotland8441]

I think most of them have closed down, Michele, but the British Women’s Temperance Association changed its name in 2004 to the White Ribbon Association and works hard to raise awareness of the effects that drugs, alcohol, tobacco, gambling and more can have on a person. Kind regards, Gordon

[@doreenochsnercotter6674]

Didn't the distillers object to the temperance of alcohol and the effect it would have on their livelihood (income)? HOW did the whisky business rebound in such a short time to be so successful as it is today, especially considering the Scotch had to age?

[@gordonsscotland8441]

Doreen, I'm sure the whisky distillers, and also public house owners, wine importers, etc would all have been opposed to the Temperance Movement, as probably also would have been their workers. However, because of the social problems associated with alcohol, the Temperance Movement in its heyday was very powerful. The whisky industry in Scotland rebounded from this and expanded rapidly. After WWII they focused strongly on international expansion, making Scotch today the number one whisky in the world. Your point about the fact that Scotch has to age (at least three years but often much longer - 12 year old, 18 year old is very common) is very important and often not fully appreciated. It has led the industry to often suffer 'famine and feasts' as it is very difficult to estimate what requirements will be in say, 12 years. Recently there have been shortages of some brands and new distilleries have been (and still are) being built, but who would know what the world will be like in 2035? Kind regards, Gordon

[@Michele.3142]

Do factions of the Temperance Society still exist?

[@gordonsscotland8441]

The White Ribbon Association is a charity, Michele. It has a website so you could find out more about it. Kind regards, Gordon

[@bigboaby555]

very interesting , probably not a bad idea giving up hard liquor or at least limiting consumption ! Do you know why Whisky distilling was banned in the first place Gordon , which led to it being distilled illegaly in the Highlands ?

[@gordonsscotland8441]

It wasn't banned, it was just the highlanders did it to evade paying the tax! Prior to the Excise Act, distilleries didn't have to be licensed so anybody could do it, plus the tax per gallon was higher. I think licensing the distilleries was a good idea as it meant quality would improve as it was really only the good distilleries that would be licensed. Kind regards, Gordon

[@bigboaby555]

@@gordonsscotland8441 ahhh I see , thanks for explaining that . keep up the good work

[@HighlandRising]

I was told some time ago that the country of Bhutan measured its wealth in GDH. Gross Domestic Happiness. It is, after all, what we are after. Also, nicotine products were illegal in all their foms. After a prediction made, by a man called Guru. Rinpoche.

[@gordonsscotland8441]

Interesting!

[@armoringregret9833]

You are the “Scottish Mr. Roger’s”. BTW there is big difference between New Make and Cask aged Whisky!

[@gordonsscotland8441]

Thanks very much for this! I am honoured you would place me alongside a man who was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, received over 40 awards and honorary degrees, and enjoyed an amazing media career spanning over 30 years. Don't think I'm quite in that category, but I'll keep trying! Kind regards, Gordon PS I agree about your comment on whisky. Of course, to be a Scotch Whisky (unlike inferior imitations!) it has to have been aged in casks for at least three years!

[@armoringregret9833]

Um