James Logan writing in 1831 in his book Celtic Manners, makes some interesting observations:

"The love of intoxicating liquors is a vice which people in a low scale of civilisation are prone to.

The Highlanders can enjoy a social glass as much as any persons; but although whisky is plentiful with them, habitual tippling is extremely rare, and there is a proverb which speaks their contempt of those who meet for the sake of drinking only. (...)

A gentleman assured me that, in the parish of Lairg, in Ross-shire, where he was formerly resident, there was but one person addicted to drink; and a native of Laggan, Inverness-shire, knew but one individual in that part who was accustomed to intoxication: these characters indulged their depraved tastes in solitude, for they could find no associates.

The Highlanders seldom met for a carousal, and when they did assemble they enjoyed themselves very heartily, the "lawing," or bill, being paid by a general contribution, for which a bonnet was passed around the company. If, however, the Highlanders seldom met to drink together, it must be confessed that when they did "forgather," they were inclined to prolong their stay, and would occasionally spend days and nights over the bottle.

Donald Ross, an old man, full of amusing anecdotes of the gentlemen of Sutherland and the neighboring counties, used to dwell with particular pleasure on those social treats. The laird of Assynt, on one occasion, having come down to Dunrobin, was accosted by the smith of the village, when just ready to mount his garron and set off. The smith being an

old acquaintance, and the laird, like the late MacNab, and others of true Highland blood, thinking it no derogation from his dignity to accept the gobh's invitation to take deoch an doras, a draught at the door, or stirrup cup, for every glass had its significant appellation, and went into the house where the smith called for the largest jar or graybeard of whisky, a pitcher that holds perhaps two gallons, meaning, without doubt, to show the laird that when they parted, it should not be for want of liquor. " Well," says Donald, " they continued to sit and drink, and converse on various matters, and the more they talked, the more subjects for conversation arose, and it was the fourth day before the smith

thought of his shop, or the laird of Assynt."