Whisky Galore!

On a foggy night off Todday, the freighter Cabinet Minister runs aground and begins to sink. The islanders discover that the cargo includes 50,000 cases of Scotch destined for New York. This revelation turns a routine wreck into a potential windfall and sparks a bold salvage effort.

With salvage work halted for the Sabbath, the whisky cargo sits within reach yet out of bounds. The islanders treat whisky as essential to their way of life, arguing for patience and ceremony. The delay increases tension as the temptation grows.

After the Sabbath ends, Waggett orders Odd to stand guard as the salvage continues. Odd volunteers to be tied and bound, effectively sacrificing his freedom to allow the islanders to unload many cases. The act is framed as fulfilling a rèiteach tradition that ties marriage customs to the handling of the whisky.

Waggett orders a guard and begins a focused search for the hidden cargo. Constable McPhee reluctantly assists, but the islanders consistently outmaneuver him. The pursuit exposes the friction between rigid authority and island ingenuity.

The islanders devise clever schemes to conceal cases and misdirect the pursuers. They slip barrels into ordinary shipments and deploy decoys to keep Waggett guessing. The ongoing cat-and-mouse game showcases the community's resourcefulness and shared purpose.

Waggett widens the net by bringing in Customs and Excise officers led by Mr Farquharson. The mainland investigators begin tracing the whisky, but the locals maintain their edge. The clash between bureaucracy and local improvisation intensifies.

Amid the festivities surrounding the salvaged cargo, the rèiteach proceeds. George Campbell, normally abstemious, declares that he will marry Catriona despite his mother's opposition. The moment reinforces love and tradition as driving forces on Todday.

Islanders secretly plant several bottles of whisky in an ammunition case shipped to the mainland. When the case surfaces, the whisky is found and becomes a key piece of evidence in the broader inquiry. The discovery prompts Waggett to travel to the mainland to answer questions.

Waggett leaves Todday to face questioning from his superiors about the whisky scheme. His pompous stance clashes with the locals' cunning, underscoring the unequal power dynamic between authorities and islanders. The pursuit of the whisky enters a new phase as the mainland investigation unfolds.

With Waggett away, both couples proceed to marry: Peggy and Odd, and George and Catriona. Fortified by whisky, the brides and grooms stand firm against lingering opposition and celebrate their vows. The ceremonies fuse personal courage with the island's stubborn hospitality.

The weddings take place during the summer solstice, enlivened by liberal supplies of the water of life. The island's social fabric is strengthened as love, ritual, and whiskey are celebrated together. The event marks a high point of communal resilience amid the whisky crisis.