Whisky jar
Large earthenware whisky jar made by AW Buchan & Co at the Portobello Pottery. Shoulder is stamped "388 J.P. BRODIE Wholesale Merchant INVERNESS". A sticky label on the side (now removed) in Jimmy Bell's writing gave details of the donor and also said "Danny Leathad na Shermaig". Old display label states: "This jar belonged to the Matheson family of Lednashermaig, whose last surviving member, Danny, died around 1945. The family, in Lednashermaig for several generations, were well-known for illicit whisky distilling, commonly known as 'whisky smuggling'. Their bond stores were the peat bogs. Danny travelled the area every Friday evening carrying what looked like a boot box: it was commonly recognised that the box contained 2 bottles of whisky and that Danny was out supplying his customers. This piggin came into the possession of Johnnie Oman, Milltown of Evelix (uncle to John O. Sutherland), who took over the tenancy of Lednashermaig on the death of Danny. James Oman, farmer and meal miller at Milltown of Evelix (grandfather of John O. Sutherland), regularly prepared the malt for the Mathesons."
Dimensions: Height 480 mm - Diameter 260 mm