Polly: The True Story Behind Whisky Galore

by Roger Hutchinson

In 1941 an 8,000-ton cargo ship ran aground in the Sound of Eriskay in the Outer Hebrides. In the difficult war years any gift from the sea was welcome, and the SS Politician had among her cargo a quarter of a million bottles of whisky. The events that followed inspired Compton Mackenzie's novel Whisky Galore. Using eyewitness accounts, historical papers, and official documents, this book tells the story of the SS Politician and the circus that surrounded her, from islanders in small skiffs to wartime excise officers and the final solution, to the problem of the vessel affectionately known as the "Polly."

Genres: Nonfiction, Scotland

160 pages, Paperback

First published September 16, 2011

Reviews

[Tom Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hugely enjoyable read. I hesitated for a moment between 4* and 5* simply because the subject matter is not really that profound, but it wasn't pretending to be anything other than it was - a super well-researched and highly affectionate telling of a story of what would have been just another grounded ship (no casualties) were it not for the rather special cargo and the very special place where it all happened. The author has a bit of the Joe Garland talent to tell a story with enthusiasm and colour, while so well grounded in painstaking research including so much original voice where possible. Highly recommended, especailly for travellers to the Hebrides :)

[Brian Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mainly bought because we were visiting the Outer Hebrides and a number of the tourist attractions referred to Compton McKenzie's film famous 1949 Whisky Galore film . Interesting but rather thin read of what happened . What I did find interesting was the amount of whisky on board - some of it retrieved early on while a large amount remained the bottom of the ocean for many years .

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting story, well researched and well written.