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The Complete Caledonian Imbiber

The Complete Caledonian Imbiber: Episode 5: The Craiter and Reamin Swats

Factual: Food & Drink

Bottled Poetry

Episode 5

Episode 5: The Craiter and Reamin Swats

The Craiter and Reamin Swats

BBC Radio Scotland - The Complete Caledonian Imbiber, The Craiter and Reamin Swats

Billy Kay celebrates the history of ale and whisky in Scotland.

Billy Kay celebrates the rich history of ale and whisky in Scottish society, and its convivial tradition in poetry and song.

In 1994, Billy Kay made a 4 part series called The Complete Caledonian Imbiber, which celebrated the Scots drouth for the great wines of Europe and the native tipples, ale and whisky. Here Billy celebrates the rich history of ale and whisky in Scottish society, and the convivial tradition of poetry and song. 

Does whisky really have the strongest claim to be Scotland's national drink, or Is it "an uncouth Highland arriviste" compared to the red wine of Bordeaux called claret? Which beers were called Scotch Burgundies? Why is Belgium home to a traditional Scotch ale? Did "the pith o'broom" added to the ale of a famous Edinburgh brewster wife in the 18th century give her beer hallucinogenic properties? Did the creation of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society in 1983 herald a revolution in whisky drinking where the balance shifted away from blended to malt whisky? The Society's pioneer Pip Hills talks about the original cask of Glenfarclas that Kay and others poured into flagons and shared in Pip's Edinburgh New Town home back then. What exactly were the "reemin swats" Burns refers to in Tam o' Shanter? All of this and more will be revealed here, and celebrated in great tunes like Neil Gow's "Farewell to Whisky" played by John Martin and great drinking songs such as Allan Ramsay's "Todlin Hame" sung by Rod Paterson.

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