On a December day in 1924, the people of Breadalbane celebrated the great days of illicit whisky distilling for perhaps the last time.
Memories of the trade were recalled when the grave of Seumas Mor Mac-il-eadndaig in the burial ground of Lawers was opened to receive the remains of his son, John McDougall.
John McDougall farmed at Tullochan and came from a branch of the clan known for its strength and love of fighting.
Several members were also skilled silversmiths and jewellery produced hundreds of years before was still treasured in the area in the 20th Century.
Seumas Mor, his father, farmed at Tom Mhorair, three miles to the west of Lawers.
There, at the foot of the ben, among streams of pure water, he operated the last illicit distillery in Breadalbane. The site was so well chosen and so cunningly concealed that, although it was known to the law, officers could not find it.
Seumas also had the support of his neighbours, who refused to yield to threats or bribes to reveal the still’s location.
Around the graveside that December day, one story recalled how Seumas turned lawmen to his side with charm and a taste of his famous Tom Mhorair whisky.
Two young gaugers, new to the area, were determined to make their mark and headed for the property of Seumas. A shepherd spotted them and alerted Seumas, who went to find them. His collie raced ahead, terrifying the lawmen with his growling.
Seumas took them to his home to recover their composure, where his wife set out scones, butter, cheese and a bottle of Tom Mhorair whisky.
The men left singing the couple’s praises and never spied on Seumas again. However, an Irish supervisor called Kelly put an end to the distilling around 1850.
He called on a neighbour of Seumas and demanded to be taken to the still. The innocent man thought the gauger already knew its whereabouts.
Seumas was arrested, tried in Perth and fined £500.