The Lochadraing Raid
tune – Sink the Bismark

‘Twas Eighteen hundred and Eighty seven the raid it did take place
The authorities reported it was a real disgrace
To be distilling whisky way down in Lochadraing
Albeit extra income for its people it did bring.

Although perhaps illegal and by the law was banned
Patrons came from far and near the product in demand
A welcome hand extended from friendly Lochadraing
Commodities were part exchanged and local news did bring.

For many years hitherto the gaugers did confuse
The district raided frequently for hidden signs and clues
They’d focus on the township but nothing new did find
The Lochadraing distillers no trace did leave behind.

But one morning early when all was quiet and still
The excisemen had surveillance on a house below the hill
A messenger they noticed heading west to Lochadraing
They followed him discretely a breakthrough it did bring.

The messenger was hurrying the distillers for to warn
They’d have to move the evidence from the house and from the barn
Perhaps a bit complacent this time they were too late
The officers their story to the press they did relate.

They knew that distillation did recently take place
The operation whereabouts they finally did trace
The gaugers now elated their search went on all day
The township and its people were now in disarray.

They returned next morning their mission to attain
Found conclusive evidence concealed within a drain
The gaugers now concluded their mission nigh complete
For Lochadraing distilling the future it was bleak.

But when the dust had settled to distilling did return
A still recommissioned near a bothy by the burn
Once again the ‘good stuff’ produced in Lochadraing
A place in local history for its people it did bring.

From the Scottish Highlander 10.02.1887 there is a fascinating account of illegal whisky distillation. This was centred on the Loch Druing area. ‘While the officers were laboriously searching the rocks, caves and mosses, the good folk of Loch Druing were quietly and comfortably distilling in the houses.’ Mackenzies were involved. Although the still wasn’t found, the mash-tun and five fermenting tubs were found in an outhouse as well as the spirits buried in the moss. Several local men were smugglers and there were threats of violence to the Gairloch Preventive Staff. The number of strangers in the area made the house where the distilling took place ‘more like a busy public-house than a quiet and remote farm-house’. The article concluded by stating that this was ‘a grave scandal to the whole parish of Gairloch’.