There’s a good book on this called Scotland the Brand by David McCrone. Tax changes in the early 1820s, along with improved transport to London, also enabled the industrialisation and expansion of the whisky industry. Previously, the physical and fiscal landscape meant that lowland whisky was made at scale but with poor ingredients and tended to be awful and only drunk by the working classes (like C18th gin in England) and highland whisky, made in small illegal stills with better ingredients and processes, was better, but only made in tiny quantities.
"I don’t recall a group of sports fans ever doing so much to further their country’s image abroad, a form of popular diplomacy that doesn’t have many parallels."
I think the Barmy Army, the travelling cricket fans, with their songs and their trumpeter, is a testament to England and English football and sporting culture.
Scotch whisky has made a remarkable comeback since the dark decades at the end of last century when even Sean Connery and Kenny Dalglish preferred drinking Japanese (in ads, at least). As an aside, if you have any illusions about Google AI as an unbiased guide, try searching “Kenny Dalglish Japanese Whisky” and it will bombard you with propaganda for his current Scottish patrons while swearing that he never took any Yen, only confessing on closer examination.
Malt Whisky has a current challenge from the crumbling of the industry’s recent “premiumisation” (ie price piss-taking) strategy in the face of the collapse of Chinese corporate hospitality due to recession and anti-corruption campaigns. Hopefully the impact on the consumer will be beneficial (big discount promotions to reduce stocks) and not sinister like the Cognac industry response - destroy stocks and grub up vines to keep prices high. We know the real cost of making it from blended whisky - the Famous Grouse I splashed out £9 on to look like a sophisticated geezer as a student in the 80s can still be bought for about £15.
The Scotch whisky industry also had a role in the creation of the NHS. John Dewar, one of the brothers behind the world’s first cinema advert, chaired the Dewar Commission of 1912 which led to the creation of the Highlands & Islands Medical Service the following year. This provided a blueprint for the National Health Service 35 years later. Through the Dewar brothers, therefore, you can make a direct connection between the invention of the country’s international brand (whisky, Hogwarts) and one of the main pillars of our domestic identity.
Yes, it’s amusing to find the points at which the whisky industry intrudes upon the soberer aspects of Scottish life. Thomas Chalmers, founder of the Free Church of Scotland and key evangelical influence on Gladstone’s childhood, was the brother of Patrick Chalmers, proprietor of Wishaw Distillery near Motherwell.
I wonder how well the Scots would go down abroad if the team had been a threat to anyone. They were over there to have a drink and a laugh, not to win.
Actually, it's our rubbishness at football that directly led to this amiable behaviour. There was a time when Scotland was a serious football nation and, to put it mildly, our fan base wasn't quite as charming a brand as it is now.
A few of other factors worth noting: first, in the 1980s and 1990s post-Heysel, being perceived as warm and cuddly was a differentiating factor in sharp contrast to the ills which plagued English football fans at that time. Scotland: lovely, England: not lovely was the coded message.
A second, more niche, factor worth noting is that the national football support seeks to differentiate itself from the club scene which is undoubtedly more, how do we say this, robust. As can be seen on an annual basis, Glasgow's city centre turns into a horror story when either of the Old Firm (almost invariably Celtic these days) wins the league or Scottish Cup. You simply avoid Glasgow Cross and the Merchant City on those days. Manchester can testify to the "robustness" of Rangers supporters from c.2006 or thereabouts when they played in a European trophy final.
A third factor worth emphasising is that the travelling support for Scotland, especially the contingent heading to the US, is affluent. Not too many shell-suited, bucket-hatted Glaswegian neds (chavs) standing in line after applying for their ESTAs.
And, by the way, thank you for acknowledging the beauty of Glasgow City Centre which is often overlooked. This city has more than its fair share of problems but the city centre rivals any other in the UK bar London and holds its own against Edinburgh. Next time you are up, take a trip around the West End which is simply stunning.
Yes, and God bless! Frankly (expat American) I have been surprised at the mainly welcoming and joyous spirit on display from American hosts so far - an echo of "kinder, gentler" times which I thought were long gone and which probably won't last past the end of WC. Also, the sturdy performance of the US men so far softens hearts and minds!
I wasn't surprised at all to be honest. Always find Americans very welcoming and one day they will see the light and realise football is much better than all their sports.
There’s a good book on this called Scotland the Brand by David McCrone. Tax changes in the early 1820s, along with improved transport to London, also enabled the industrialisation and expansion of the whisky industry. Previously, the physical and fiscal landscape meant that lowland whisky was made at scale but with poor ingredients and tended to be awful and only drunk by the working classes (like C18th gin in England) and highland whisky, made in small illegal stills with better ingredients and processes, was better, but only made in tiny quantities.
I should look that up. Henry J describes trying some old-style whisky in the book, describing it as clear and much more basic in flavour.
Not a big soccer fan but this intermingling of cultures stimulated by this World Cup has been delightful.
"I don’t recall a group of sports fans ever doing so much to further their country’s image abroad, a form of popular diplomacy that doesn’t have many parallels."
I think the Barmy Army, the travelling cricket fans, with their songs and their trumpeter, is a testament to England and English football and sporting culture.
Scotch whisky has made a remarkable comeback since the dark decades at the end of last century when even Sean Connery and Kenny Dalglish preferred drinking Japanese (in ads, at least). As an aside, if you have any illusions about Google AI as an unbiased guide, try searching “Kenny Dalglish Japanese Whisky” and it will bombard you with propaganda for his current Scottish patrons while swearing that he never took any Yen, only confessing on closer examination.
Malt Whisky has a current challenge from the crumbling of the industry’s recent “premiumisation” (ie price piss-taking) strategy in the face of the collapse of Chinese corporate hospitality due to recession and anti-corruption campaigns. Hopefully the impact on the consumer will be beneficial (big discount promotions to reduce stocks) and not sinister like the Cognac industry response - destroy stocks and grub up vines to keep prices high. We know the real cost of making it from blended whisky - the Famous Grouse I splashed out £9 on to look like a sophisticated geezer as a student in the 80s can still be bought for about £15.
Yeah I seem to remember it was uncool when I was growing up, and vodka was the fashionable thing.
“Brown spirits are dead, only white spirits from now on - Vodka, Tequila, White Rum, Gin if it’s lucky” (1990). No one told the Chinese.
The Scotch whisky industry also had a role in the creation of the NHS. John Dewar, one of the brothers behind the world’s first cinema advert, chaired the Dewar Commission of 1912 which led to the creation of the Highlands & Islands Medical Service the following year. This provided a blueprint for the National Health Service 35 years later. Through the Dewar brothers, therefore, you can make a direct connection between the invention of the country’s international brand (whisky, Hogwarts) and one of the main pillars of our domestic identity.
Wow, did not know that. Whisky - the cause of, and solution to, all of Scotland's health problems
Yes, it’s amusing to find the points at which the whisky industry intrudes upon the soberer aspects of Scottish life. Thomas Chalmers, founder of the Free Church of Scotland and key evangelical influence on Gladstone’s childhood, was the brother of Patrick Chalmers, proprietor of Wishaw Distillery near Motherwell.
I wonder how well the Scots would go down abroad if the team had been a threat to anyone. They were over there to have a drink and a laugh, not to win.
that's a counterfactual none of us will ever have to ponder in our lifetimes, at least.
Actually, it's our rubbishness at football that directly led to this amiable behaviour. There was a time when Scotland was a serious football nation and, to put it mildly, our fan base wasn't quite as charming a brand as it is now.
A few of other factors worth noting: first, in the 1980s and 1990s post-Heysel, being perceived as warm and cuddly was a differentiating factor in sharp contrast to the ills which plagued English football fans at that time. Scotland: lovely, England: not lovely was the coded message.
A second, more niche, factor worth noting is that the national football support seeks to differentiate itself from the club scene which is undoubtedly more, how do we say this, robust. As can be seen on an annual basis, Glasgow's city centre turns into a horror story when either of the Old Firm (almost invariably Celtic these days) wins the league or Scottish Cup. You simply avoid Glasgow Cross and the Merchant City on those days. Manchester can testify to the "robustness" of Rangers supporters from c.2006 or thereabouts when they played in a European trophy final.
A third factor worth emphasising is that the travelling support for Scotland, especially the contingent heading to the US, is affluent. Not too many shell-suited, bucket-hatted Glaswegian neds (chavs) standing in line after applying for their ESTAs.
Instead of hosting Ireland v Scotland, maybe the Bostonians could be treated to an Old Firm match
And, by the way, thank you for acknowledging the beauty of Glasgow City Centre which is often overlooked. This city has more than its fair share of problems but the city centre rivals any other in the UK bar London and holds its own against Edinburgh. Next time you are up, take a trip around the West End which is simply stunning.
Ed’s already spoken up for the beauty of Bradford. He’s the true champion of the underdog.
Yes, and God bless! Frankly (expat American) I have been surprised at the mainly welcoming and joyous spirit on display from American hosts so far - an echo of "kinder, gentler" times which I thought were long gone and which probably won't last past the end of WC. Also, the sturdy performance of the US men so far softens hearts and minds!
I wasn't surprised at all to be honest. Always find Americans very welcoming and one day they will see the light and realise football is much better than all their sports.