Homecoming 2009

30 April 2009, 17:26

In the first part of episode Northern Delights, Tom Morton takes his orange motorbike on to the Cromarty Rose as he bids farewell to his loved ones to embark on his journey.

The Scottish writer, broadcaster, and musician is off on a motorcycle mission, a search for the spirit of Scotland: whisky.

He’s on a spiritual pilgrimage in search of malt whisky, 150 whiskies, each one a product of its own particular place, its history and its people.

His journey over the course of the series takes in Orkney, the Speyside region, Tain, Skye, Fort William, Islay and Campbeltown. Whisky has a heritage dating back more than 500 years. 

No one knows exactly when the art of distilling was first practised in Scotland; it is known that the Ancient Celts practised distilling, and that the liquid they produced - uisge beatha (meaning “water of life”) - evolved into what we today call whisky.

Single malt whisky is a specific type distilled at just the one distillery, and which is made completely from a single type of malted grain. Given its purity it is especially treasured by whisky-lovers, who often spend years searching for their favourite malt.

Last updated: 30 April 2009, 17:26