The Mayor Of Islay
We
were extremely delighted to receive the visit from Miguel Roman - the Mayor of
Islay Peru.
Most folk doubted the existence of the Islay "doppelganger" - a twin Islay from
the opposite side of the planet.
United once geologically, the Rhinns of Islay and the Arequipa coast of Peru
have more than the same amazingly ancient Gneiss rock origin in common. They
share the same name of Islay too. Surely the most extraordinary of coincidences!
Research by MD Mark Reynier uncovered the spooky set of affairs while
investigating the origin of the immensely pure Spring water used for bottling
Bruichladdich - the only single malt to be bottled on the Island of Islay... Why
were the Rhinns of Islay, home of Bruichladdich, three times older than the rest
of the Island - and the oldest rock in the Scotch Whisky industry?
They were once part of Peru.
Click here for more details.
And Peru has a province of Islay precisely where the two places were once
joined!
And to prove the point, Bruichladdich invited the Mayor of Islay (Peru) to
visit.
Miguel
Roman and his translator Victor Garcia-Belaunde made the 7,300 mile trip from
the opposite side of the planet to visit Bruichladdich and Islay.
Both Islays are located on oceans, surviving from agriculture, fishing, tourism
and distilling. Both are communities on the edge, ignored by central government
with poor under funded infrastructure. Both are dramatically beautiful, wild
places home to rare bird breeds.
Miguel and Victor were met with a fair degree of trepidation at the ferry
terminal by Mark and the Islay Community Council Leader Marie-Ann Brown - there
being no mayor of Islay Scotland.
Immediately it was apparent that there was going to be a good rapport. What a
charming man The Mayor turned out to be! Victor, who translated, was a most
delightful engaging character too.
Marie-Ann
toured the north part of the island bringing the Peruvians to Bruichladdich via
various historic sites and the incongruous site of a herd of Alpacas.
Donning a Kilt (he had been ribbed back home about the Scottish Skirt) the
Mayor presented a Peruvian Poncho to Mark. Having watched Braveheart, the Mayor
was fully aware of which articles of clothing were not required with a kilt..
On the open day the Mayor made an inspiring and extensive speech, gamefully
translated by Victor. It would appear that the Peruvian Islay got its name from
an Inca settlement known as Risla after the tribe who lived there.
This was anglicised to Islay in the eighteenth and nineteenth century by
immigrant miners and railway construction workers and possibly mercenaries of
the Peruvian Navy.
Pisco
Sours - the famous Peruvian Cocktail - were served at a dinner hosted by the
Islay Community Council at Wester Ellister. These were very well received. Pisco
is a brandy distilled from a wine made from Muscat grapes.
Islay Langoustines and Black Aberdeen Angus were served and gifts exchanged,
speeches made and company enjoyed. Digestifs were a Peruvian Sambucca-like
spirit which for some reason the name escapes me.
|
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| Islay, Peru
1857 |
The possibility of entering into a closer association were discussed for the
benefit of the children of the two Islays.
It is clear there is an extraordinary amount in common between these two
communities - not least the warmth of the people. We all very much enjoyed the
presence of Miguel and Victor two very charming, warm, friendly and amusing men.
Parting at the airport was an emotional business. After 48 hours it felt like we
had been friends for many years. Perhaps, after all, we have been...
