Ann an 1976, stèidhich Sir Iain Nobail Pràban na Linne Earranta, Uisge-beatha Gàidhlig, gus uisge-beatha dha rìribh a thoirt do mhuinntir na Gàidhlig. ‘S e nàdar de dh’iomairt chùl-mhùtaireachd a th’ann am Pràban na Linne, le ainmean nan uisge-beatha a’ sealltainn dualchas cànain is cultarail na Gàidhlig.
‘S i Té Bheag, prìomh uisge-beatha na companaidh, na thathas a’ cleachdadh ann an Gàidhlig airson drama bheag. Tha MacNaMara, a tha a’ ciallachadh “Mac a’ Chuain” ann an Gàidhlig, a’ togail air seann traidisean mara nan Innse Gall agus an ceangal eachdraidheil ris an rìoghachd mara Ceilteach aig an robh làmh an uachdair air na slighean mara mòra bho Eilean Mhanainn gu Eilean Leòdhais bho na meadhan-aoisean gu an 16mh linn.
Tha Poit Dhubh, neo stail mhì-laghail, a’ comharrachadh traidisean an uisge beatha mì-laghail a dh’fhàs cho ainmeil air feadh na Gàidhealtachd is nan Eilean. Bhathar a’ creid gu robh nan uisge beatha a b’fheàrr a’ tighinn bho na stailean mhì-laghail seo agus bha cliù mhòr aca. Tha e coltach gum biodh fiù’s a’ Bhanrigh Bhictòria i fhèin ann am Baile Mhoireil a’ dèanamh cinnteach gun robh an-còmhnaidh stòr math de dh’ uisge-beatha “mì-laghail” no “ionadail” ri fhaighinn airson na h-aoighean aice!
In 1976, Sir Iain Noble set up Pràban na Linne Ltd, The Gaelic Whiskies, to provide authentic whisky for the connoisseurs of the Gaelic speaking Hebridean Islands of Scotland. Pràban na Linne is the Gaelic expression which describes “a small smugglers enterprise”, with the names of the whiskies reflecting the rich linguistic and cultural heritage of Scottish Gaelic.
Té Bheag, the original flagship whisky of the company, is the colloquial and affectionate expression used in Gaelic for “a wee dram”. MacNaMara, signifying in Gaelic “the Son of the Sea”, echoes the ancient maritime tradition of the Hebridean islands of Scotland and their historic association with the Celtic sea kingdom that dominated the great seafaring routes from the Isle of Man to the Isle of Lewis from medieval times until well into the 16th century.
Poit Dhubh, named after the Gaelic term for an illicit still, celebrates the illustrious tradition of illicit whisky making which became legendary throughout the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. The illicit stills being regarded as a source of some of the most revered whiskies, held in high regard by connoisseurs of discerning taste. At Balmoral, Queen Victoria ensured that there was always a good reliable source of “illicit” or “local” whisky available for her guests!
