Whisky has evolved greatly since its first rise to popularity following the phylloxera outbreak of the 1860s which destroyed cognac and wine vines opening up a huge market for Scotch whisky. In the current international market where it is possible to buy whiskies as exotic as japanese single malts, whisky blenders have to find ways of making their product stand out. In the last ten years, blenders have experimented with barrels which have contained different alcohols and as part of the range of whiskies on sale you can now find port wood, burgundy wood and even rum cask finishes. Richard Paterson has produced the unique Whyte & Mackay double marriage blend, where after blending, the whisky is returned to sherry butts to "marry" fully before bottling, producing a more balanced end product. The Dalmore distillery produce the chocolatey Dalmore cigar malt, specially designed to drink as a digestif with a cigar. This constant evolution of Scotch whisky gives the consumer greater choice and continuing enjoyment allowing Scotch whisky to maintain its lead in the whisky market.

Exploring the Islands of Scotland. Geologically unique, rich in flora and fauna, wild, remote and steeped in history, the many islands around the long and rugged coastline of Scotland are among the most unspoilt and beautiful destinations to be found anywhere on our crowded planet. Formed during massive and violent upheavals in the Earth's crust nearly three billion years ago and later eroded and shaped by the action of ice, the islands of Scotland also bear the scars of thousands of years of human occupation. From Neolithic settlements, chambered burial tombs, megalithic stone circles, and Iron Age brochs, to early Celtic Christian chapels, Viking place names, clan fortresses, deserted townships of the infamous 'clearances' and more modern relics of both world wars, the islands of Scotland are a historical treasure trove second to none. From the sand-blown machair of Tiree and the white shell-sand beaches of Barra to the towering sea-cliffs and stacks of remote St Kilda and the dramatic Cullins of Skye, the Scottish islands are famed worldwide for their beauty. Recognised for their flora and fauna, the islands are also home to many important nature reserves that provide a safe haven for rare and endangered plant and bird species. The surrounding seas, rich in marine life, not only support vast colonies of seabirds but also large numbers of seal, whale, dolphin and porpoise. Exploring the Islands of Scotland is both beautiful and practical and not only provides the intrepid traveller with a fascinating insight into each island's history and flora and fauna, but also contains valuable information on how to get there, tourist information, what to see, where to stay and island walks. Exploring the Islands of Scotland - The Ultimate Practical Guide: 0.

Scotland's Coast. A Photographer's Journey. The magnificent scenery of Scotland's six thousand miles of coastline. From the Mull of Galloway in the south to the tip of Unst in the Shetlands, the northernmost point in the British Isles, and from remote St Kilda out in the Atlantic to the Sands of Forvie National Nature Reserve on the North Sea, capturing the enormous variety of scenery that characterises the Scottish seacoast. Some of the sites photographed, including St Kilda, the sandstone peaks overlooking Loch Torridon, the majestic Cuillins on Skye, are well-known to Scottish tourists, others are hidden coves or remote sea stacks that few visitors will ever have seen. Whatever the subject, be it a wide Hebridean vista or fragmentary patterns of ice on a frozen beach, this photography book guide helps us to look at it afresh and reveals new and unsuspected beauties on Scotland's wonderful coastline. Scotland's Coast: A Photographer's Journey.