The roots of home
Dave uses four whiskies,the Washington cityscape and some stunning photography on a Celtic heritage trail
âAh want to thank you, sir.â He has clearly enjoyed himself. âAh never enjoyed Scotch before tonight - very much a bourbon man [âbrrrbnâ was barked in the correct American fashion] â but now ah do; and sir ah would like to offer you a job.â This takes me aback somewhat.
Few people have ever offered me employment. Fewer still on the back of a whisky tasting. âEr... thanks?â I reply. The idea of relocating to Washington DC was never on the career plan, but come to think of it there was never much of a career plan in the first place, a careering plan perhaps.
âYes sir, â he says. âI can see you would be a great car salesman. Hereâs my card. If you ever fall on hardtimes you just give me a call and Iâll get you selling Jagooars and Land-Rovers.â With that, he was gone.
His place is taken by the genealogist for the Clan MacLaren, bemoaning the lack of Scottish members coming forward to be DNA tested. This doesnât surprise me. What self-respecting Scot would want to find out that he might be ... English? We create our own history.
âI am Scottish, donât you question it.â Weâre dismissive.
Meanwhile the audience is looking for roots, DNA, an anchor to grasp hold of, some sense of deeper belonging.
I was too, after two hours sharing a Washington DC stage with photographer Jim Richardson, who had invited me to cover the liquid part of an evening celebrating âWhisky Countryâ at National Geographic HQ. Iâd finished my piece with a few l.....
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By Dave Broom
Section : A dram with Dave Broom
Page number : 12
