Famed Actor Seann William Scott takes part in the Drambuie Pursuit – a 100 mile outdoor adventure race that took place this Sunday in the Scottish Highlands. (PRNewsFoto/Drambuie)

International Group Proves Victorious at Legendary Adventure Race

NEW YORK, May 11 /PRNewswire/ – DRAMBUIE(R) Liqueur today announced that a team from Germany has won the 2009 DRAMBUIE Pursuit, an annual outdoor-adventure race across the Scottish Highlands. Team “DRAMBUIE Warriors” triumphed against 12 other international teams all racing to retrace the voyage of Scotland’s rebel Bonnie Prince Charlie, for whom DRAMBUIE was originally created in 1745.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090511/NY15198 )

Each year, teams of four adults (over 25 years of age) are flown to Scotland from around the world to race across the Scottish Highlands from Inverness to the Isle of Skye, in celebration of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s legendary escape from the British Army after a failed attempt to regain the throne. Once safe passage was secured, the Prince left to his loyal aides the only thing he had left to his name: the recipe for DRAMBUIE that to this day remains secret.

The annual competition consists of demanding trials of archery, mountain climbing, speed boat racing, kayaking and several other grueling activities against the backdrop of the Scottish Highlands, all to commemorate the passion and adventure of The Prince’s journey. Among this year’s contenders raced famed actor Seann William Scott, who led his own team to fourth place in the epic journey.

“The spirit of Bonnie Prince Charlie truly lives on at the DRAMBUIE Pursuit,” said Valerie Fender, Marketing Manager for DRAMBUIE. “And we congratulate the “DRAMBUIE Warriors” team on having the passion and dedication needed to win this year. The stakes are raised at every race, and we look forward to an even greater level of competition and spirit next year!”

To apply for the chance to compete in next year’s DRAMBUIE Pursuit or to view photographs from this year’s race,visit www.PursuitOf1745.com.

INVERNESS, Scotland (Mar. 24, 2009)- On May 9, 2009, modern day rebels and extreme sports junkies will butt heads with 100 miles of grueling terrain and a series of unforgiving outdoor trials including hiking, white-water rafting and mountain biking in the 2009 DRAMBUIE Pursuit.

It’s humans versus the Scottish Highlands in an outdoor adventure race that pays homage to Scotland’s original rebel, Bonnie Prince Charlie, and his flight through the Highlands after a failed attempt at taking over the British throne. In 1745, Bonnie Prince Charlie fled the British army, leaving to his loyal subjects his greatest gift: the secret recipe for DRAMBUIE. Now, nearly 300 years later, American teams will be flown to Scotland to retrace the Prince’s legendary voyage from the Isle of Skye to Inverness.

DRAMBUIE will host teams of four during the Pursuit and is looking forward to welcoming Seann William Scott, well known for his irreverent roles in movies such as the American Pie film series, and most recently in Role Models, to the adventure.

Seann will test his skills against other teams selected to raft, bike, climb and shoot their way through the 100-mile race. Last year’s winning team, comprised of a native Scotsman and three smokejumpers from the American West, proved they had the heart and grit to conquer the Highlands. This year’s teams are looking forward to proving their mettle in the ultimate extreme sports adventure.

Visit www.pursuitof1745.com for more information on the 2009 DRAMBUIE Pursuit competition.

Check out the Drambeauties audition video, the ultimate in shameless self-promotion.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFnMmdpHtcY

[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEnM8Kp1NuI 285 234]

The first fortified structure was not built on the island until the early 13th century as a defensive measure, protecting the lands of Kintail against the Vikings who raided, settled and controlled much of the North of Scotland and the Western Isles between 800 and 1266. From the mid 13th century, this area was the quite separate “Sea Kingdom” of the Lord of the Isles where the sea was the main highway and the power of feuding clan chiefs was counted by the number of men and galleys or “birlinns” at their disposal. Eilean Donan offered the perfect defensive position.

Over the centuries, the castle itself has expanded and contracted in size. The medieval castle was probably the largest, with towers and a curtain wall that encompassed nearly the entire island. The main keep stood on the islands highest point. Around the end of the 14th century, the area of the castle was reduced to about a fifth of its original size, and although the reason is unclear, it probably relates to the number of men required to defend the structure. By the 16th century, a hornwork was added to the east wall to offer a firing platform for the newly introduced cannons.

Eilean Donan also played a role in the Jacobite risings of the 17th and 18th centuries, which ultimately culminated in the castles destruction.

In 1719, the castle was garrisoned by 46 Spanish soldiers who were supporting the Jacobites. They had established a magazine of gunpowder and were awaiting the delivery of weapons and cannon from Spain. The English Government caught wind of the intended uprising and sent three heavily armed frigates, The Flamborough, The Worcester, and The Enterprise, to quell matters. The bombardment of the castle lasted three days, though met with limited success due to the enormity of the castle walls, which in some places are up to 14 feet thick. Finally, Captain Herdman of The Enterprise sent his men ashore and over-whelmed the Spanish defenders. Following the surrender, the government troops discovered the magazine of 343 barrels of gunpowder which was then used to blow up what had remained from the bombardment.

For the best part of 200 years, the stark ruins of Eilean Donan lay neglected, abandoned and open to the elements, until Lt Colonel John Macrae-Gilstrap bought the island in 1911. Along with his Clerk of Works, Farquar Macrae, he dedicated the next 20 years of his life to the reconstruction of Eilean Donan, restoring her to her former glory. The castle was rebuilt according to the surviving ground plan of earlier phases and was formally completed in July of 1932.