LUSS, Loch Lomond, is a place that will be forever in my heart.
It's where my late maternal grandparents lived their lives and are now at rest, together. My wife and I were married in the church. And we've spent many happy times with our children in the village.
The bonnie banks, and the inherent peace of the place, have also become a second home to Loch Lomond Whiskies master blender Michael Henry.
"The Ben standing watch over the deep, still waters of the loch... it's timeless," comments Michael, who is originally from the north coast of Ireland.
Distilling in these parts is almost as well-established as the surrounding mountains. Yet it's only in recent times local offerings have ascended into real global prominence.
"Loch Lomond 21-Year-Old and Loch Lomond 30-Year-Old were both awarded double gold in the San Francisco World Spirits Awards 2021," says Michael.
"Our Loch Lomond 12-Year-Old Inchmurrin also won the Best Highland Scotch 12 Years Old & Under category in the World Whisky Awards 2021." The Alexandria operation say the gongs are "testament to commitment and dedication".
I'm keen to know more about the specific shifts that have brought fairly seismic recognition to a distillery based alongside The Highland Boundary Fault.
"Innovation is key to us," continues Michael. "I lead the liquid innovation strategy and work with our distillery manager, Derrick Smith, on our continuing innovation programme.
Denne historien er fra July 2023-utgaven av The Scots Magazine.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Denne historien er fra July 2023-utgaven av The Scots Magazine.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
The Bliss Of A Bothy
After a strenuous walk, a mountain shelter can offer all you need
The Long Way Round
When you can only just see the stepping stones under a river in spate, it's time to re-think the route, as two Highland adventurers found out
The New Oyster Cult
A community is helping to restore the once rich biodiversity of Loch Craignish, one species at a time
A Poet's Sanctuary
Hidden on a hilltop, writer Dominic Cooper is inspired by the wild, stormy winters of the Ardnamurchan peninsula
A Rural Housing Crisis
Across Scotland, locals are being priced out and crowded out - but communities are now working hard to address the issue
A Historic Centre
Glasgow's Mercat Cross may not be as old as it appears but it's still seen many changes, along with an ebb and flow in prosperity
A Bird With A Brain
Jim's encounters with the raven in several northern countries have only increased his respect for its intellect and ingenuity
The Warrior King
On the 750th anniversary of his birth, Robert The Bruce's legacy as cultural keystone and historical enigma continues to fascinate
All Going Swimmingly
From Tutti Frutti to Shetland, Monarch Of The Glen to Granite Harbour, Dawn Steele's heart will always be in Scotland - and the sea
Following The Coos
The latest charity art trail aims to a-moos-e and delight visitors to Perth and Kinross this summer
