Keepers of the Quaich

The Keepers of the Quaich is an exclusive society founded in 1988 by major companies within the whisky industry. Membership by invitation only, and members are sworn in at bi-annual induction ceremonies (Spring & Autumn) held at Blair Castle in Perthshire, Scotland. The primary rationale for the group was to promote Scotch Whisky after some decline in sales for the commodity at home and globally. According to one source the group's mission statement is:

"To advance the standing and prosperity of one of Britain’s premier export industries, and to make more widely known its uniqueness, traditions, quality, service and benefits to the community it serves at home and in the markets of the world."

Powerful Guests

Tom Bruce Gardyne writing in Whisky Magazine provides some insight into the twice yearly gatherings in terms of the powerful guests present and the masonic style rituals used. However, it should be noted that although present at the dinner Gardyne was not witness to the initiation ceremony of new members. When Gardyne attended the master of the ceremony was Jim McColl of Beechgrove Garden fame this role involves addressing the haggis, and the special guest was Philip Lader, Bill Clinton's former ambassador to Britain. On Gardyne's visit Lader was sworn in by laying hands on the ceremonial Quaich together with the 31 Life Members and eight Masters also being inducted at the time. Gardyne shares a tale from a previous banquet.

The story goes that the Fear an Tigh that evening was having quite a tussle with a particularly slippery haggis which jumped the knife and had to be snatched from the floor. "What's he doing?" whispered Nancy Reagan, wife of the guest of honour – the former President of the United States Ronald Reagan, to her neighbour on the top-table. "Addressing the haggis," replied Lord Elgin, the Society Patron and past Grand Master. "What for?" came her reply. "So we can eat it," replied Lord Elgin (Andrew Bruce) politely. This was met by a horrified cry of: "EAT IT? I'm not eating it!"

Other noteworthy attendees present with Gardyne, included The Reverend John Cairns who delivered a robust and humourous poem he had penned about the virtues of Scotch.

John McGrath, Chairman of Diageo, proposed the Loyal toast. He drew inspiration from the way whisky has had to struggle against governments and their hostile tax regimes and how this has helped encourage a sense of unity.

We were getting to the crux of the matter – the role of the Keepers of the Quaich in drawing together the diverse and dissipated threads of the trade under one roof. The industry could now pay tribute to its far-flung worker bees and at the same time re-affirm the bond between Scotch, of which 90 per cent is exported, and the land it comes from. This last point is crucial to whisky. After all not every spirit can bang on about its roots with such conviction as sight of the massive Cameron Bridge distillery in Fife and its steady stream of Smirnoff tankers would prove.

Many claim the big decisions affecting Scotch whisky are too often made outside Scotland, but watching the big guns on the top table one wondered what deals were being struck right here in the heart of Perthshire. The industry is currently in a state of jittery anticipation over the fate of its third biggest player – Seagrams. Then again the talk was probably of something far less contentious. On our table we were discussing when the Society of the Keepers of the Quaich was actually conceived. If its origins weren't Jacobite perhaps they were from the late Victorian whisky boom? The truth is the Society is barely twelve years old – a fact that seemed almost shocking given how polished and well choreographed the whole event was. It also begs the question: why hadn't anyone thought of it before? .

Patrons

This List was compiled in 1996 and therefore, may not remain accurate:

GRAND MASTER

• George Bull, Group Chief Executive, Grand Metropolitan PLC

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

• Richard Waitling, Chairman
• Andrew Dewar-Durie, Vice Chairman
• Julia Thorold Director
• Brian Morrison
• Christopher Barry Green
• Patrick Millet
• Matthew Gloag
• Derrick Fillingham

MASTER OF CEREMONIES (FEAR AN TIGH)

• Sir Anthony Greener

PIPER

• Tom Thomson

Patrons

• The Right Honourable The Earl of Erroll, Merlin Hay
• His Grace, The Duke of Argyll, Ian Campbell 1937-2001
• His Grace, The Duke of Atholl DL, John Murray
• The Right Honourable The Earl of Elgin and Kincardine KT, Andrew Bruce
• The Right Honourable The Earl of Mansfield, William Murray
• The Viscount Thurso, John Thurso
• Lord Macfarlane of Bearsden, Norman Macfarlane
• Lord Napier and Ettrick KCVO DL, Nigel Napier
• Sir Iain Tennant KT LLD
• Sir George Bull
• Mrs James Throughton
• Mr James Bruckner