2. The following courtesy Angus MacIssaac. A short movie entitled “The Wake of Calum MacLeod” will be shown on Bravo television at 4:30 P.M., Friday, February 29^th. The movie was made in Cape Breton so should have a great dollop of Highland realism.

The Isle of Eigg Electrification Project switched on for the first time on 1st February 2008, allowing power generated from renewable energy sources around the island to be supplied to all residents, through the new island-wide high voltage distribution network. The system will generate over 95% of the island’s annual energy demand through a combination of Hydro Electric, Wind Power and Solar Energy, which is believed to be the first time that anyone has successfully integrated these three renewable energy sources. To ensure that constant power can be provided, a battery storage system has been designed which will compensate for short periods where energy from renewable sources is not available. Two diesel generators have also been installed to provide emergency back-up power, and to supplement the supply should the output from the renewable sources be lower than the demand.

4. Talisker Distillery in Skye is looking forward to increased interest from connoisseurs around the globe after one of its products was named “the world’s best single malt whisky” in the industry’s most prestigious awards event.

It was Talisker 18 Years Old that took the fancy of the judging panel — and the supreme title for the first time — in Whisky Magazine’s 2007 Awards. A spokesman for Diageo, the distillery’s owners, said that demand for Talisker was expected to rise sharply as a result.  The award coincides with the retirement of Charlie Smith, manager at Talisker for the past three years, following a distinguished career in the whisky industry. Mr Smith was also manager at Dufftown, Cardhu and Glenkinchie distilleries.

He is succeeded by Willie MacDougal, a native of Aberfeldy who was site operations manager at Oban Distillery for six years prior to a brief spell at Blair Athol. His family has a long association with the industry and Mr MacDougal says he is “totally thrilled” to be taking over at one of the world’s most famous distilleries.  “Talisker is one of the most successful malts in the world,” said Mr MacDougal, “though — or maybe because — the distillery’s output is deliberately a good deal lower than some other top-selling malts. It’s a distillery with massive heritage and an amazing future, with fans all over the world.” He added that he also intended to improve his piping skills while on Skye.  The Whisky Magazine judging panel’s comments on Talisker 18 Years Old fully endorsed Mr MacDougal’s enthusiasm for the brand. Dave Broom, one of the world’s leading whisky commentators, described it as “elegant with fascinating balance between smoke and subtle sweet fruit. Ever changing in the glass and on the palate.”

Edinburgh whisky dealer Keir Sword waxed even more eloquent:

“Warm, rich and attractive. Leather, pipe-tobacco, sweet sherry and polished oak on the nose, followed by a good creamy texture and a warming finish. A very attractive

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Gung Haggis Fat Choy - A Unique Scottish-Chinese Cultural Celebration

Gung Haggis Fat Choy is a cultural event originating from Vancouver, BC. The name Gung Haggis Fat Choy is a combination wordplay on Scottish and Chinese words: haggis is a traditional Scottish food and Gung Hay Fat Choy/Kung Hei Fat Choi s a traditional Cantonese greeting (in Mandarin it is pronounced Gong Xi Fa Cai) used during Chinese New Year. The event originated to mark the timely coincidence of the Scottish cultural celebration of Robert Burns Day (January 25) with the Chinese New Year, but has come to represent a celebration of combining cultures in untraditional ways.

In Vancouver, the event is characterized by music, poetry, and other performances around the city, culminating in a large banquet and party. This unique event has also inspired both a television performance special titled Gung Haggis Fat Choy, and the Gung Haggis Fat Choy Canadian Games, organized by the Recreation Department at Simon Fraser University.

In this conversation, we speak with event founder and spearhead Todd Wong. He tells us how it got started, and what it has come to represent around Vancouver and far beyond. 

 Gung Haggis Fat Choy [21:38m]:  Download