Drambuie unmasks its new bottle for the anniversary of 100 years in production. The new celebratory, clear bottle is taller and thinner for easy pouring. Drambuie fashioned the bottle to represent a more elegant 21st Century style.  Also released is the new icon of the interlocking “DD” with dueling swords as a remembrance of Bonnie Prince Charlie and his escape to the Scottish Highlands after a failed attempt of overthrowing the king. The icon is encompassed with four diamonds to portray the four values that motivated Prince Charlie, risk, rebellion, passion and mystery.

The Drambuie Fizz.

This concoction is a bit like a mojito but has the smokiness from the scotch whisky and derives its sweetness from the honey rather than sugar or simple syrup.

Here’s the recipe from the bartender:

Muddle 5 lime wedges in a rocks glass, then fill with crushed ice.
Add a shot and a half of Drambuie and top up with a splash of club soda.

The 2009 Pursuit will welcome six American teams to the Scottish Highlands to shoot, climb, race and revel in Scottish lore.  All bets are off as everyone from a husband and wife team to hard-nosed New Yorkers fight for bragging rights, and the chance to bring the winning title home to the United States for the second year in a row.

Last year’s winning team, Current TV, included a native Scotsman and three American smokejumpers – all self-proclaimed “tough guys.” The rough terrain and celebratory drams of Drambuie did little to squelch their enthusiasm as they crossed the finish line sweaty, fatigued and victorious.

This year’s teams span the country and include a celebrity team, Team Seann, led by Seann Wiliam Scott, best known for his roles in the “American Pie” film series. Other teams competing in the Pursuit are Team Versus, Team Sirius/XM, Team Men’s Journal, Team Details and the aptly-named ‘Buie Boys.

The name Eilean Donan, or island of Donan, is most probably named after the 6th century Irish Saint, Bishop Donan who came to Scotland around 580 AD. There are several churches dedicated to Donan in the area, and it is likely that he formed a small cell, or community on the island during the late 7th century.

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.

Scotland’s answer to American Gansta Rap could very well be the Red Hot Chili Pipers. It’s not everyday that you meet bagpipers with attitude, but the winners of the BBC show “When Will I be Famous” are known for their blazing hot rock shows. The Pipers performed at last year’s Pursuit and are scheduled to return in 2009. For more information about the band, check out the Pipers’ official web site!