The S.S. Politician & the Real Whisky Galore
In 1941, the SS Politician ran aground off the shores of Eriskay and so began one of Scotland’s most iconic tales of island resilience, wartime scarcity, and a little bit of mischief. This real-life event inspired Compton Mackenzie’s famous novel Whisky Galore and the much-loved film of the same name.
A Sipwreck Like no Other
On February 3, 1941, the SS Politician departed Liverpool, bound for Jamaica and New Orleans. She carried a mixed cargo that included army and RAF supplies, plumbing materials, shoes, bricks, and nearly 22,000 cases of Scotch whisky.
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To avoid German U-boats patrolling the North Sea, the captain opted for a longer route west. On the morning of February 5th, the ship struck the rocks in the Sound of Eriskay. Her crew were safely rescued, reportedly taken to shelter in the old Eriskay school, often used in the past to house stranded seafarers.
Once word spread that the wrecked vessel carried precious whisky (uisge beatha), the “water of life”, local fishermen launched their boats to salvage what they could. Filling the creels carried by Eriskay Ponies, islanders discreetly brought ashore thousands of bottles, spreading them throughout the community. For people living under strict wartime rations, it was a rare moment of joy and abundance.
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Ceilidhs sprang up across the island, spirits lifted both literally and metaphorically by the unexpected bounty. Islanders even travelled from as far as Lewis and mainland Scotland, drawn by rumours of free whisky and unguarded treasure.
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Money to Burn
Also onboard the SS Politician were boxes of Jamaican currency. Unaware of their true value, some locals used the banknotes as kindling for their fires, while others gave them to children as playthings. It was only when new ten-shilling notes began to appear in tills from Aberdeen to Liverpool that officials realised the money had value after all.
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Customs Crackdown
Eventually, the authorities took action. Eriskay was swarmed by customs officers, soldiers, and insurance agents. The whisky was hidden in sheds, peat stacks, and even under floorboards. Thanks to the island’s small size and word-of-mouth communication, locals often stayed two steps ahead of the officials.
Still, many were caught. A number of islanders were taken to Lochmaddy Court and charged, although few believed they were doing anything wrong. By traditional salvage law, if goods washed ashore, they belonged to the finder.
A Sad End
Despite several salvage attempts, the SS Politician was never successfully recovered. A failed effort to refloat her and tow her to Lochboisdale resulted in the ship breaking her back in two. The bow was later towed to Glasgow for scrapping, while the stern remains on Roc na Polly in the Sound of Eriskay, where many, including the Hebridean Mermaid, have since dived to explore her remains.
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​​​https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002b2by
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Later that same year, with about 1,000 cases of whisky still aboard, customs officers were authorised to dynamite the remaining part of the ship to stop any further salvaging. One islander, Angus John Campbell, famously protested:
"Dynamiting whisky! You wouldn't think there'd be men in the world so crazy as that."
The tale of the SS Politician lives on in books, films, songs, and island memory. The wreck is now part of local folklore, a story of cleverness, survival, and a bit of Hebridean humour in the face of wartime hardship. It’s a story that continues to draw visitors to Eriskay, where the whisky may be gone, but the legend is everlasting.
Comann Eachdraidh Eirisgeidh Appeal
When Ionad Eilean na h-Òige (the former Eriskay School redevelopment) opens into a heritage centre and community hub, it will include a couple of exhibits related to the SS Politician, such as a salvaged bath, a Forth brick, and several virtual artefacts. As Comann Eachdraidh Eirisgeidh was only established in 2010, long after the events of S.S. Politician, many original artefacts were collected by other museums locally, and on the mainland at the time.
It is very important to us that Eriskay, the island where the story began, has its own meaningful representation of this remarkable chapter in its history. If you have any artefacts, photographs, or personal stories connected to the “Polly” or Whisky Galore that you would be willing to share or loan for display, we would be incredibly grateful. Your contribution would help ensure this iconic part of Eriskay’s heritage is preserved and shared where it truly belongs.
S.S. Politician in her wartime colours with Eriskay in the background.
