Water mixed with oatmeal was at one time as common a drink as whisky mixed with honey. It was a Duke of Atholl, however, during a Highland rebellion in 1475, who joined the two drinks and foiled his enemies when he filled the well they normally drank from with the ambrosial mixture. It so intoxicated them that they were easily taken and the legend of the special drink was born.
© 2003 Catherine Brown. All rights reserved.