Polly

The astonishing true story behind one of Scotland’s most famous legends — the shipwreck, the whisky, and the islanders who refused to let good spirit go to waste.

Roger Hutchinson uncovers the real events that inspired Whisky Galore, revealing a tale even stranger, funnier and more dramatic than the fiction it spawned.

About the Ebook

Early on a winter morning in 1941, the 8,000‑ton cargo ship SS Politician ran aground off the coast of Eriskay in the Outer Hebrides. Among its cargo were 260,000 bottles of whisky bound for America — a miraculous windfall for islanders whose own supplies had dried up under wartime rationing.

Word spread fast. Boats arrived from as far away as Lewis, and before the authorities could intervene, more than 24,000 bottles had been spirited away. Whisky was hidden in peat stacks, buried in gardens, stashed in barns — or simply drunk on the spot to destroy the evidence.

As official salvage efforts faltered, the government resorted to dynamiting the ship’s hull to prevent further “rescues”. But by then, the islanders had already written themselves into legend.

This extraordinary true story inspired Compton Mackenzie’s bestselling novel Whisky Galore and the beloved 1949 Ealing comedy. In Polly, acclaimed journalist and Hebridean expert Roger Hutchinson tells the real tale — funnier, stranger and more dramatic than any fiction.

“An incredible testament to one man’s determination.”
— The Sunday Herald

Critical Praise

"A wildly entertaining and meticulously researched account of one of Scotland’s most iconic maritime mishaps."

Why You'll Love This Ebook

• The true story behind Whisky Galore — richer and more surprising than the myth.
• A blend of humour, history and Hebridean character from a master storyteller.
• Vivid depictions of island life, wartime hardship and community ingenuity.
• Perfect for fans of Scottish history, maritime tales and cultural folklore.
• A standout Birlinn title from one of the Highlands’ most respected writers.

About the Author

Roger Hutchinson is an award‑winning author and journalist. Formerly an editor in London, he joined the West Highland Free Press in 1977 and has since written extensively for BBC Radio, The Scotsman, The Guardian, The Herald and The Literary Review. His books include the bestselling Calum’s Road and the acclaimed The Soap Man, both shortlisted for major literary prizes.

Publication Details

Publisher: Birlinn Ltd

Imprint: Birlinn

Publication Date: 7 March 2024

Print Length: 176 pages

ISBN (Ebook): 9781780278506

Format: Ebook

Language: English

Categories: Local History / Humour

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