sgiandubh

[sgiandubh]

Good morning to you...as always, this person is very indignant and enraged.

https://www.tumblr.com/maximumwobblerbanditdonut/748583730081333248/the-unexpected-guests?source=share

Dear (returning) Mythomaniac Anon,

Sorry for the delay and see below why. Well, then: how was that, at their end of the rope, across the street?

I know, I am quoting BIF (that petty, nasty, condescending woman), their Main Intellectual Luminary (LOL for years), but see how easy it is to boomerang anything?

And I will even suit myself and quote her some more, lookie here:

I am not even sorry. Karma is a bitch, like that and it seems to have backfired badly on BIF's comadre, 'Max'. You see, I can immediately tell when people who have NO idea about what LAW really is, start talking about it. They will always be oh so damn literal and oh so damn mechanical in their 'reasonings'. I mean, if law were to be read as is, why would we even bother going to law school, right? Why not have AI sort it out, literally and mechanically, too (and boy does 'Max' sound like an android when she starts droning her maximum wobbling bullshit)? You see, in law, it's never enough to copy/paste something, because this is about people, money and interests, being those individual or collective. Timelines are important (and indispensable in any legal approach), but never enough: what makes the difference is always the particular context and the interpretation of facts - that is, by the way, called jurisprudence, when it becomes a legally binding precedent (not our modest case, here), in common law system countries (the UK, the US) or a complementary source of law, like in Roman/Civil law systems, such as the French and Romanian ones, which I know best. There is a technical distinction between those two concepts (legally binding precedent and complementary source of law) and I once passed a whole year written exam in Public French Law with honors, picking this exact topic, but I won't bother you with it, Anon. In a nutshell, tread carefully when you open that droning mouth and leave no stone unturned, if possible. Otherwise, you'd make a fool out of yourself, with bullshit like this:

There is no Midhope Distillery Company Ltd, you fool. There once was the Midhope Castle Distillery Ltd, as I have abundantly shown in not one, but two posts. It did not 'change its name' in 2023, it was dissolved by voluntary write-off (third time might be a charm, across the street, maybe the coin would drop?). And one more time, for you Mordor people in the back: there is no way to know who the shareholders of a given company are, based on the Company House records, nor the amount of their participation. This is confidential information, as shown also in the Planning Proposal - once more, I repost the screenshot:

' The Business Plan, submitted (...) under Private and Confidential cover, provides background information on the applicant'. Including, but not limited to, the existing investors/shareholders - it is essential to show the local authorities your business project is not a whim or a dream.

She also writes confidently stuff like:

That is simply not true. As I have also shown in my last post, Outlander is explicitly mentioned in both the first and the revised Planning Proposals, as a strong argument for the entire business project. It may serve to remember that one of the elements justifying it was to provide the 20k seasonal visitors of the Midhope Castle Grounds an opportunity to access the (vastly) improved interior of the castle, along with a whisky related experience/discovery activity, accommodation and high-end dining opportunity. Again, I repost the screenshot, because those people are mendacious by nature and it is perhaps the only way to show them some facts (not useless factoids):

That being said, we can speculate and deduct a simple correlation between a company actively looking for investors to support their now vastly revised, ten-year project and an actor-cum-entrepreneur who might be interested/already involved in that project. Unless he'd make a formal announcement himself, at some point in time, there is no way to confirm. 'Max' should perhaps learn to water down her confident tone, sometimes, especially when it is obvious she did not look at the documents herself, used only Google in the arrogant and foolish hope 'those tinhat shippers are stupid' and has 0 (zero) legal expertise.

This whole thing might be pending approval, but let's not forget the first Planning Statement was approved back in 2020 (which is a good starting point), that they have secured a business partnership with the owner of the land, Lord Hope (the 4th Marquess of Linlithgow) and that as far as I could read during those past two days, all the reports seem ok, at least up until this point in time. I see no reason why they wouldn't meet and talk about it: on which planet is that such a big deal and on which planet could that be construed as 'conflict of interest' (another one of 'Max's' arguments), given the organic link between OL and Midhope, since 2013?

I also have made a hasty mistake, in my previous post, when dealing with Ken Robertson's participation to the project. He continued to be involved, as my penned timeline shows, in both Hopetoun Estate Distillery Ltd and Hopetoun Estate Whiskies Ltd, as a Director, continuously from May 2017 until their dissolution, in December 2022. Again, it's all on the timeline - see what I just did, here? LOL for a century and a half.

And for Marple's 'Sorry' clip, I have the perfect reply. Especially the chorus, of course - ignore the rest, it's about some Seventies playboy, quite an Alternate Universe from hers:

I will stop now, Anon. With the MPC Gala just round the corner, all the eyes will be on that one. This drama will probably draw to a fizzled denouement, as they always do, in this fandom. But I will follow that business project and report from time to time. I bet the farm we'll have news, rather sooner than later.

#anon #fandom #shitshow #boozewars

[sgiandubh]

The door faces North

This has been, by far, one of the most complex investigations I have ever done in this fandom, and I am truly sorry for the long wait I had to inflict on many of you & for the uncharacteristic radio silence in DMs and comments. During this peculiar journey, I checked, double-checked and cross-checked as many details as I could and I carefully considered at least two different theories, of which I still think they do not exclude each other. I am now confident enough to make not only an educated guess, but also a daring bet on SRH's next whisky move.

Also, sorry for the length of this post. Truly sorry - think of the completely pulverized night sleep I had to give up, in order to bring this to you.

But first, a word on Marple's obvious PR tip on the Hopetoun Estate refurbishment and distillery old/new project. I am fair game enough to tell you the obvious: her overall recounting of the principals is roughly correct, spare perhaps one or two minor details. Correct, but dry - she limits herself to the technical documentation submitted by Golden Decanters and The Hopetoun Estates Trust to the West Lothian Council for approval. She correctly points out that S is not a visible part of the deal, at this point in time and she does a decent summing up of a very, very, VERY plethoric amount of bureaucratic information. She concludes, and I think she is partially right, that he might be interested in becoming an investor (I am taking things a bit further, though). But in doing so, she focuses on the development phase of the project only: the possible connections with SRH and his own spirits business are less, if at all, obvious.

I am going to give you my view of all this charade and, if I am going to mention (and probably repeat) some things already found by her, I am going to focus on the people: this is where the whole story starts to become remarkably interesting, at least to me. After all, I remember promising you some more clarity. Here's an honest, fair play take.

Little did I know, when I started to write about that (now defunct) company, Midhope Castle Distillery, Ltd (https://www.tumblr.com/sgiandubh/748597198794670080/the-info-provided-above-is-correct-but-outdated?source=share), that my investigation would turn to this:

... for it was to be just an almost random layer of a juggernaut matryoshka of defunct or still active companies, featuring roughly the same people and no less than 6 different name combinations centered around Midhope, Hopetoun, etc.

The following pics will give you an idea - feel free to open them in a separate tab, for clarity . I preferred this synthetic approach, because otherwise you will curse the shite out of me. But it had to be done, with or without Depon, Advil's Greek cousin (and before you ask a graphologist, this is my handwriting, and nobody else's 🙃):

The only explanation for the whole almost frantic Midhope/Hopetoun crisscross/hopscotch (LOL) combos I can think of is two people trying to secure one (several?) credit lines or to attract significant investors for their project and ultimately failing to do so. But I might be wrong (although I doubt that, thank you). Out of this entire maze ( I swear I now have a migraine), there are only two active companies remaining: Golden Decanters Ltd (renamed GD Spirits Ltd, in April 2022) and Midhope Ltd (renamed Skosk Ltd, in July 2023). It is on them I am going to focus my gaze.

GD Spirits Ltd was incorporated in Berwick-upon-Tweed, England (just across the Scottish border), probably for tax reasons, on March 11, 2015, the nature of its business being listed as 'wholesale of wine, beer, spirits, etc.'. It started with a team of two women: Julia Mackenzie-Gillanders and Ann Medlock, whose names we are going to see over and over again in all the eight corporate avatars. Later down the timeline (LOL for three decades and a half), on January 30, 2018, they were briefly (until July 19, 2018) joined by two very interesting professionals: Mrs. Margaret Boswell, an attorney at the very prestigious international law firm Gide Loyrette Nouel (Paris and London offices)...

...and Ken Robertson, former Corporate Affairs Director at Diageo Whisky, a subsidiary of the international Diageo group, one of the major players on the world spirits' market:

The second company, Skosk Ltd, was incorporated in August 2021, in Perth, Scotland, its nature of business being listed as 'distilling, rectifying and blending of spirits', with the clear intention to align with the exacting criteria prescribed by the 2009 Scotch Whisky Regulations:

[ Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotch_whisky - sorry, I don't have time to wax lyrical on this, and neither do you]

This time, we only meet again the two distillerettes, Gillanders and Medwick. Up until now, at least, nobody else (attorney, former sales executive, whisky expert) has joined the platoon - TBC? I would not speculate and leave all options open.

There is little to 0 transparency on Skosk's financial situation, at the moment and to be honest, it looks very much like S's co-star (hehe)'s Irish business venture...

... but I was a bit more lucky, and the numbers more chatty, as far as GD Spirits was concerned:

Paging all shipper chartered accountants out there, but to me, it doesn't look great, at the moment. Cash is ridiculous, the net worth is hemorrhaging and the current assets are negligible, compared to 2020, when I think they managed to secure one or two credit lines, but not nearly enough for what they needed. Just enough to pay themselves and their external consultants and cover the operating costs, if you ask me.

The revised Planning Statement, of 8 February 2024, posted first by Marple, echoes my initial guess (COVID blew it up, see link to the first post) and the above assessment:

Mark this: 'Discussions are now proceeding with investors and there is a realistic prospect that work will begin in the near future (2024/2025) to implement the permission.' Given that they will start with the road and parking rehabilitation and upgrading, probably overlapping with the distillery building, it would make sense to begin this autumn at the earliest, with the most urgent: access to the site itself.

The initial Planning Statement, dated 9 July 2020 and re-posted on March 21st, 2024, tells a more detailed story. This is part and parcel of the current project as well, since the revision is just pointing out the changes operated, not the entire rest, which remains unchanged. You be the judge:

Also keep in mind this tiny, tiny thing: the Business Plan is 'submitted (...) under Private and Confidential Cover'. See where I am looking?

The initial plan was (and still is) for GD Spirits to produce their own booze, using Midhope's own barley (this is very important for the rest of my theory!). They even offer an overview of the real impact of their project on the local economy:

20 to 38 initial new job creations for a £ 15 to 30 million investment is not 'huge', madam Marple. Cumbernauld is huge. This? This is rather modest, if you ask me. But hey, what do I know about the labor market, right?

That initial Statement tells also the story they want to tell about the genesis of their idea, the scouting for the right location and a couple of other interesting details:

So they are telling us they started to look for the perfect location in 2018 and oh, hello, they found the Hopetoun Estate rather quickly, already starting the pre-planning application consultations as early as July 2019 (don't get me started, please):

If so, then why did they incorporate not one, but two different companies clearly linking them to the Estate (Hopetoun Estate Distillery Ltd and Hopetoun Estate Whiskies Ltd) the same day and as early as May 23rd 2017 (and both dissolved in December 2022), as my above penciled timeline (LOOOOOL) shows? Who is really behind this project and why this entire ballet? It's like me pre-emptively looking for rental properties in (let's randomly guess) Lisbon, when it's just wishful thinking, heavily projecting and with 0 guarantees I will be posted there, right? I mean, I adore and deeply know Lisbon and I would be thrilled to go there. But I am not currently looking for any rental property, just like that, because that would be a #silly, rookie mistake. In their case, I think there's a different situation - again, you be the judge.

A first answer, as to who is really behind that project, was given by the UK media, back in 2020:

How odd, when we know that both Mrs. Boswell, the well-traveled attorney and Mr. Robertson resigned from GD Spirits in July 2018. Do they still say hi to the two distillerettes? Do they quietly keep an eye on the project? Are they silent partners? Business angels? Shareholders? Time to remind you that under UK law, there is 0 visibility on the shareholder's structure of a company. You just see the officers (Director, Secretary, etc), on the Company House website. On an umpteenth, last- second cross-check, it became apparent that Mr. Robertson remained involved in another company of the distillerettes, Hopetoun Estate Whiskies Ltd (yes, the one mentioned above), until its voluntary strike-off, in December 2022.

Their best laid plans do mention OL, and how could it be otherwise? But all this £ 15 to 30 million hullaballoo for 20.000 people only (who counted them and how?), on a seasonal basis?

High-end restaurant, luxury B&B, event spaces, you name it. Interesting, to say the least.

And, for the people in the back, who still think SRH has a 100 years lease at Midhope (Jesus H. Roosevelt Christ, the stupidity!):

This is why he commented as a 'member of the public'. At face value, there is no public involvement into that project. Yet. But it is my belief there is a vested interest in all this, justifying the comment, the visit, those papers rolled in his fist, etc. At first, I thought that was a visit to Lallybroch by the Exec Producer of OL's Season 8, to discuss technicalities - and shared that privately with a wonderful friend only. I mean, why not and still perfectly possible. But then, as I could not sleep tonight and felt guilty to have you all waiting, I started to connect some tiny dots.

Like this one, for a start:

Yes, I know, Marple told you that FIRST, I would not dare say otherwise, because if I did there would be a transcontinental screech. That trademark application was filed at the US Patent and Trade Office in September 2023 and I thought (and still partially do) it was a potential rebranding solution to The Sassenach's EUIPO nightmare (much exaggerated by the fandom's toothbrush experts):

But you also know I am an idiot and I always check people's CVs, when I follow a thread. This morning, the one Distillerette I am particularly interested in is Mrs. Julia Hall-Mackenzie-Gillanders (née Scales) and not like *urv would be.

Her LinkedIn profile is exceptionally talkative, too:

... and a BA (with Honors) in Fashion Design, class of 2005, at the Northumbria University.

The Financial Times article 'From packing boxes to wine deals worth millions', you can read on her LinkedIn page, tells a very interesting story. It is the story of a shy underdog (lots of temple bells clinging, at the moment), who made it by sheer persistence. It starts like this:

'When a painfully shy young woman contacted a fine wine merchant and said ' I have no qualifications- can I help?', she got the job and today is signing deals worth millions of pounds.'

It obviously did ring a bell and if SRH knows she exists (she is married, *urv!), and I dare to speculate he does, it must have struck a deep chord. Would I do business with her? I wouldn't speculate, although I am not very sure. Would he? He'd probably listen very carefully to what she has to pitch, for a start.

And what she has to pitch is also very interesting, in his world. A brief look at the Golden Decanters' website shows a first high-end single malt sourced collection of 4 exceptional expressions already sold out:

And when they mean high-end, they mean gold leaf labelling and all the tralala:

And, some last minute news, too:

Remind me, because I am an old woman, after this white night: wasn't The Sassenach (no comment, we agree to disagree and I am very skeptical), a blend?

We have these dots, then:

Bold Underdog ->spirits business->high-end collection of single malts sold out->business partnership with owners of Midhope Castle, fictional Lallybroch in OL, including a distillery and whisky production with Midhope/Lallybroch barley -> visit by the male lead and spirits entrepreneur (also the fictional Lallybroch laird) to Midhope/Lallybroch and vested interest in the estate's most recent business project....

What if The Sassenach would be included, for a start, in that new Blended Collection? And could it really be fanfic to imagine a future high-end, limited edition, Lallybroch whisky produced at Midhope, with Midhope/Lallybroch barley? It wouldn't be the first time, would it: after all, they did it with that limited tequila batch.

As I said, because I am (remember Someone? LOL) a 'silly cow', I was hoping he wouldn't do it. But my guess is he might very well do exactly that, with those people and under that label.

It's half past eight AM, local time and I need a strong, black coffee.

I rest my case (and I am bracing myself for the screeching). I will answer Anons later, after I come back from the hairdresser's. Appointments must be kept at all costs. Thank you all for your patience.

#boozewars #business #fandom #shitshow

[sgiandubh]

Meanwhile, some words of wisdom...

Do you think the attendees at IFTA and BFTA know that T is not who he is supposed to be?

I don't think he's significant enough for anyone to care. But I would imagine those who know her well likely do and they all understand how the business works. Bigger question is do they wonder why he doesn't take better care. Did he expect to get cut loose by now? Did he mourn the extension to season 8 more than anyone? What's the going rate for integrity these days?

And I think most there know who she is but not much more about her. We read everything, they certainly don't.

[sgiandubh]

Gotta love, love, love @imaginaryjane.

👏@chatty_cat twitter

[sgiandubh]

@sgiandubh had some shite to sort out today with the car registration (technical inspection and it's really international migraine, I suppose). But I am unto something here and will be back as soon as I have solid things to share.

Not all things are what they seem to be. Mark me.

Do you know anything more about the interesting publication of @sgiandubh about the posible destillery project in Lallybroch!?

The fine print is the one that contains the interesting details, not the watermarks in a publication taken from public documents 😒

Creo que @sgiandubh está preparando un post muy detallado sobre el tema Lallybroch, después de todo ella es experta en asuntos legales y sabe leer e interpretar ese tipo de documentos y lo que es mejor aún, explicarlos para el resto de los mortales que no tenemos ni idea de ellos. Estate atenta a su blog.

I think @sgiandubh is preparing a very detailed post on the Lallybroch issue, after all she is an expert in legal matters and knows how to read and interpret these types of documents and what is even better, explain them for the rest of us mortals who do not have no idea about them. Keep an eye on his blog.

[sgiandubh]

Perfect post is perfect, right?

She’d like to think she’s a smooth operator.

Carefully prepared for the camera catching her relaxed and smiling, hand on the knee of Mr Tony McGill.

Not so smooth when he doesn’t follow the script. All it achieved are very real concerns for Tony’s health.

Once again 🥊 home happiness is ..,

Love for Sale

[sgiandubh]

The info provided above is correct, but outdated.

The first project (and the easiest to come across) of a distillery at Midhope was launched by two women in July 2020, in the form of a PLC (Private Limited Company - basically, the financial responsibility of the shareholders is limited to their participation: if they default, they won't be pursued on their own estate):

Some mild promo happened, including a Facebook page, essentially announcing that all planning permissions for the architectural project had already been granted, by mid-April 2021...

... and also a website, now gone forever in the Bardo of Failed Investment Projects:

Interestingly enough, the Facebook page lists the company as having its HQ in EDI (remind me where was S spotted, last week-end? LOL forever), whereas the legal Company House registered documents list it as being based in Northumberland, England - for tax purposes, most certainly.

Its last mandatory accounts were registered in July 2021, and they look like this, granting them an exemption from audit (that means that basically not much happened with that project, spare securing some planning permissions, some promo/PR and commissioning some refurbishment/extension plans at a local architect's firm/office):

Surely enough, that was the PR firm they worked with, that released the following communique in July 2020. It is a decent, reputed PR firm, with a solid client base, among which you can spot a subsidiary of the French public energy operator EDF:

(Full text, here: https://sprengthomson.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Press-Release-Midhope-Castle-Distillery-22.07.20.pdf)

It would be interesting to compare 56three Architects' project with the current plans being put for public debate and found by Marple:

For some reasons, including perhaps delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the lack of potential investors, the project fell through and that company was dissolved by voluntary strike-off in August 2023. That means it was the owners and shareholders' decision to do so, mainly because the company was otherwise dormant and/or inactive, and only after dealing with any outstanding legal obligations (such as contracts or debts).

I will stop now with this first, failed project of a whisky distillery at Midhope. I bet it should provide interesting clues for the rest of the saga. But for now, I need more clarity on what is going on currently and I think I may be able to bring some.

I shall also not watermark anything. I mean, d'oh, these are public documents, FFS!

Anon curious... 2021👈

Inversión como socio ?

Investment as a partner?

Whisky

Outlander castle whisky distillery plans get the go ahead

The plans for the distillery, which is on the Hopetoun Estate, were submitted last July.

By Rosalind Erskine

Published 14th Apr 2021

Updated 16 th Apr 2021

Outlander fans know it as Jamie Fraser's home, Lallybroch, but soon Midhope Castle grounds will be home to a new whisky distillery.

As well as building a distillery, the plans include details on restoring the castle, which is currently an empty shell, to eventually include visitor accommodation.

The plans, which were approved on 13 April, show the site will include a 2850sqm distillery building, service buildings, landscaping, an access road and parking.

The Midhope Castle distillery, which will become one of a small number of single malt distilleries in the Lothians, will use barley grown on the Hopetoun Estate, which already has a long tradition of growing and supplying malting barley to the Scottish whisky trade.The distillery plans were submitted in July 2020

Speaking at the time of the plans being submitted, a spokesperson for the Midhope Castle Distillery Company said: “We will set out to design and build a distillery that makes great whisky while addressing sustainability through every element of its architecture, its construction and its operation.

“Con un enfoque innovador en todos los ámbitos, nuestro objetivo sería reducir nuestra huella de carbono de producción al mínimo absoluto, si no a cero.

“We believe that this approach goes hand in hand with producing a distinctive and characterful single malt Scotch Whisky capable of reflecting the qualities and traditions of one of Scotland’s great historic estates.”

A planning statement on behalf of Hopetoun Estates Trust said: “The benefits arising from the proposed development at this site can be delivered in a manner that enhances the setting of the Midhope Castle and surrounding area.

“The proposals provide the opportunity to provide employment within a thoughtfully designed, appropriate development and extends the tourism-offer at Midhope Castle. The development will be complementary to Hopetoun House and the Estate.”

Fans of Outlander flock to the site in their thousands, but can only currently visit the grounds to take pictures of the castle.

Once the development is complete, these visitors will be able to access the repaired parts of the castle, which are set to be revamped to include tasting, meeting and dining rooms.

Initial work is expected to be completed in 2022 with further renovation and repairs to the castle (including accommodation) to take place once the business is established.

The castle lies on the same estate as Hopetoun House with the exterior used as a backdrop in series one and two of Outlander.

#booze wars #business #Midhope distillery #fandom #shitshow

[sgiandubh]

Those documents are part of a mandatory public debate, standard legal procedure. Watermarking them is just plain ridiculous - there is nothing secret about them.

Will probably take me half an hour tops to find and download everything and about one day's work to make sense of that ''everything'.

You'd have to consider who the hell made the 'theme park' comment and then it all makes sense, too. Enough said.

Hey bcacstuff I called it yesterday without the bcacstuff watermark 😂 documents 😉 while you brought the ground breaking news that Sam had a new 🧢

And it’s satisfying to see that comments refer to a “theme park”

🙇🏻‍♀️

[sgiandubh]

Anon rebelde.

A Cait le ha costado pero ha aprendido como intentar hacer creíble su relación con Tony aunque el sigue tan poco colaborativo como se ve en el vídeo de IFTA

No hay llegada a los premios porque la ultima vez, el papel de guardabrigo de Tony a la salida del coche de Cait quedó bien patente y ese paso atrás como buen asistente ha quedado para la historia.

No hay desfile en la Red Carpet con Tony porque la velocidad de Cait para alejarse de el saben que es carne de gifs.

Las manos de Tony debajo de la mesa porque sus últimos aplausos denotaban un cierto manierismo muy poco varonil.

Cait radiante, esperando el barrido de la cámara, mientras Tony parece ajeno a lo que sucede alrededor con una sonrisa que podríamos describir como una mueca.

En resumen, la enésima puesta en escena del circo Tait. Si aún hay alguien que compre entradas para ese espectáculo es su problema, no el nuestro.

Dear, dear Anon Rebelde,

¡Te extrañé! Bienvenida de nuevo, en uno de los momentos más bajos que parece que nos gustan con tanto masoquismo, de este lado de la valla. Pero primero, la traducción:

'It did cost Cait, but she learned how to try and make her relationship to Tony look credible, even if he still doesn't seem willing to collaborate, as the IFTA clip shows us.

There is no arrival at the awards because last year, Tony's role as coat handler when leaving Cait's car was blatantly obvious and that relegation to good assistant went on record.

There is no parade on the Red Carpet with Tony because of Cait's haste in getting away from him. They know it's gif material.

Tony's hands are under the table because last year's applause denoted a certain, very unmanly, mannerism.

Cait beams, waiting for the camera to pan, while Tony seems oblivious to what is happening around him, with a smile that could rather be described as a grimace.

In short, the umpteenth staging of the Tait circus. If there is still someone who buys tickets for that show, it is their problem, not ours.'

I overall agree, as always, with your very balanced evaluation of the current state of play. But I also think tickets for that particular show will always be a hot sale in this fandom, either because it will be just up some people's alley (Mordor - I am amazed at the stupidity of their discussing the concept and some of them never heard of Tolkien: mind boggles), or because of the collective trauma/Stockholm syndrome many of us, here, still display. What I mean by that is very simple: for eight years now, we, shippers have been hostages of that Narrative and when something happens along those lines, we will surely react, giving all its toxicity renewed space and airtime. I am not judging anybody, here, because this is only human (and to many, the trauma is palpable) and there is nothing to judge. This is, however, a well-known group behavior dynamic that never fails to deliver. What she did was simply to double down on her PDA. But the experiment failed, because even five years after that Remarkable Week-end, the man still can't be arsed to show any organic enthusiasm or even involvement in his whereabouts. Cue in the SC nostalgia pic galore on shipping blogs and I have to say I am not really a fan: it just fuels that disco inferno cycle and exposes us to the same old, vile criticism, when the core of the shipping belief system is to be found elsewhere. Again, not judging anyone, just trying to understand behavior patterns, here.

Plus, I am really sorry, but he has been looking all sorts of terrible for quite a while, now. Blaming the camera angle (cortisone bloating) or the lighting systems is as mendacious and idiotic as the people circulating it. This kind of free propaganda is also known by all the interested parties and it also never fails to deliver, for many reasons it would be useless to further analyze.

Looking forward to read your witty take on things next time, darling. Siempre un placer leerte, corazon.

#anon #fandom #shitshow

[sgiandubh]

Today's apocryphal Sun Tzu quote

Some people in this fandom could easily put Soviet propaganda to shame.

#sun tzu #fandom #shitshow

[sgiandubh]

(Sorry if you get this twice my internet connection flaked out just as I hit send and I'm retyping from memory)

Your This is It anon is being dramatic. This is status quo, I don't think anyone should be surprised he showed up, that's what he does. His waxy pallor is the most shocking thing about this appearance. I hope people aren't too down, we are still in the thick of the narrative and have some time to go.

Dear Flaked Out Anon,

Anons are often dramatic, for xyz purposes: nagging around across the Great Divide, prodding the terrain, a sense of self-importance, you name it. The underground fandom shenanigans always match this particular breed of Anon.

Am I unsettled he showed up? Not really, although I admit I had not the most brilliantly relaxing of overnights (many other things played on, that being said, that have 0 to do with IFTA). Am I down? Nope, just disgusted with the obscenity across the street. Those are vile people, for sure. All of them - I take no prisoners and never did. And you are right, we are still in the thick of the narrative, here - expect regular extra helpings of it. A tasteless, tiresome affair, for sure.

#anon #fandom #shitshow

[sgiandubh]

'I’ll probably be eating my words when it becomes a huge phenomenon'. I very much doubt it will ever happen, sweetheart.

BOMB - Will it?

So, the New Batch is being let out into the light. We see them - like a poor man's copy - celebrating with cake at the Table Read - familiar ground. The character and actor share a birthday. Photo opportunity achieved. Next.

SM is beginning to up the profile of the cast and they are beginning to talk about the new Outlander, sorry, BOMB. Ms Balfe opines that we will soon forget her as the presequel is launched upon the vulnerable fans.

How long will BOMB last? We all know how it ends for ALL the characters. Will they start with the characters at a pre-pre sequel, age 5 so a Series 2 can be achieved?

I don’t know - I’m uncomfortable about the new lookalike batch. They are following an iconic show and, unlike Mr Heughan, I just can't with this show. Not yet.

I’ll probably be eating my words when it becomes a huge phenomenon and I’m feeling the story and characters. Only I won’t. Because I’m still having a temper tantrum and stamping my feet and screaming until I’m sick. I won't watch it, I won't watch it, I won't!!!

But, I probably will. At least the first episode. It’s not the actor's fault. I’m sure they are delighted to have this opportunity. They know how iconic OL is. How big Sam and Caitriona have become. How many doors this may open? So, my mean girl state of mind, my cutting off my nose to spite my face - it must stop!

I’m just not there yet!

[sgiandubh]

Hear, hear. Was it socks or a land registry drawing?

Speculation is rife. I hope he won't do it. Business model is not solid enough, as long as beer is a virtuality. Reaching break even point will take forever - if at all - and this is the kind of half-baked vanity project that could quickly transform in a money draining nightmare.

If this happens, I'll stick by those words and the ☝️. As usual, 🎯.

Midhope/Lallybroch is not Dollywood

Interesting to see speculation that Sam’s recently incorporated company will be the linchpin toward a Sassenach Spirits distillery.

Lallybroch is the home of JAMMF and by extension the Sassenach of his heart, Claire. It’s unique to DG books and the OL series.

It’s fair to say SS and its best seller The Sassenach is niche in the crowded celebrity booze market.

Establishing Lallybroch as SS distillery will take millions of pounds and time. Time that stares down a ticking clock to the completion of series eight and the end of OL, JAMMF, Claire and their daughter and grandchildren.

The draw to get bus loads through to the OL theme distillery and make it profitable is Sam and only Sam. Will his broad JAMMF shoulders be able to shoulder the burden?

That requires faith, hope and the charity of a fandom that will just have watching the series on repeat and of course Cons in perpetuity.

Could the business model be that a Glasgow Con will be in the grounds of the Lallybroch distillery?

🤔

The legend that is Dolly Parton brings patrons to her theme park, and it struggles.

Can this small niche fandom deliver in the initial stages of operation financial stability to grow and be profitable.

Ambitious goals are to be applauded. It’s the entrepreneurs of the business world who take big risks who are both rewarded and crushed.

Let’s see what the weekend delivers. Sam will have a section of his fandom literally in the palm of his hands. They will buy everything he sells.

He has titillated that he has news and going to Lallybroch with what looks like plans, well he is the ring master.

This way ladies.

[sgiandubh]

If T were a spice, he'd be Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), Anon. Unpleasantly bland by itself, but acts as a Narrative enhancer every single time he pops in.

Mordor is a party, T is the spice they need for their sauce!?

Si necesitan a una persona, que es el actor secundario mas penoso que he visto, para montarse su película, bién por ellos. Cada uno lo puede ubicar en el género que mas les guste, el drama, la comedia o el fantástico, en cualquiera de los tres tiene un hueco.😎

If they need a person, who is the most embarrassing supporting actor I have ever seen, to put together their movie, good for them. Each one can place it in the genre they like the most, drama, comedy or fantasy, in any of the three there is a place.😎

#anon #fandom #shitshow

[sgiandubh]

Fuck this shitshow...This is it.

Dear This Is It Anon,

You mean this, right?

Lest they would think as they all collectively do, with the shared single braincell they use across the street, we are hiding shite under the carpet. Not my method, Anon, off - and online.

So, ok. He was there. We were on perhaps the worst case scenario, probability-wise, on that one: 50/50, which is sort of mildly excruciating, right?

I can only encourage you to watch that clip, Anon. There are always nuances in the worst of bullshit situations. Yes, she is smiling. Briefly to T (this page founds a lie beyond ridiculous) and then to the winner:

Yes, she looks relaxed enough. But never forget she is an actress, after all, at a professional event. What did you expect her to do, sulk? I know, it happened before, when she was perhaps way less thrilled, but people change and they learn from their mistakes. Narrative wise, her being awkward around McElusive was a PR mistake that had to be corrected/properly retconned. This seems to be the case, now, with a more natural attitude.

But you can fumble around and manipulate only that much of a given situation. The giveaway, to me, in this is TMcG (the hour is solemn, no jokes around, please) - still the same unkempt, DGAF, 70s called outfit, plus looking really, really strange. Unlike many on our side, I shall not elaborate - there is no need to. Yet it is plain to see something is unwell, especially when compared to the cortisone prosperity of the last sighting. Don't get me wrong: I have no ill wish towards this person. I just can't help but notice something is amiss, in all this forced, calculated, propagandistic Joy.

I am also fully aware there are many mean eyes watching me from the shadows across the street, Anon. I mean, seriously, BIF?

Of course, that is your page and you can write what the hell you want. Choosing to quote me was a rather successful ambush. Remember, however (really LOL, always LOL): wars are not won with just tactics. Ok, you have a questionable edge on this one - a wasted battle.

Wars are won with good strategy and a synoptic, not fragmented vision (making a huge affair out of each and every single detail), of the state of play. You may be a decent tactician, perhaps, but you are a lousy strategist.

Oh, and to think you are planning a get together at the Paris Landcon, too, eh? How nice and how copy/paste of you, folks. I wonder what you expect, a fucking remake of West Side Story?

I could say good afternoon and even shake your hand anytime, BIF. But I bet you wouldn't. You're a tiny, hateful person with an overinflated ego, like that.

Sorry, Anon, for the rant. I tried to be as objective as I could, under biased circumstance and harsh scrutiny. I just hope this brought more clarity.

#anon #fandom #shitshow

[sgiandubh]

Whatever happened to Baby Jane?

This, very recently:

Dressing experiments my two feet, come on - we are (almost) all women and we have eyes and brains, too.

This screams:

I am younger.

I am classy.

I am sophisticated (B&W, French allure and the whole tralala).

Did I mention younger?

My boobs do not sag.

I am also a nice, approachable Girl Next Door, if I have to (sales boost, anyone?): come closer near the fire and I will tell you all my Dressing Tales.

Younger, ok?

Oh, and my nipples do not show through my minimalistic white dress (or is it a sweater? It's Monday, I can't decide).

Unlike anyone else (🤫😱😉😉🙃), I can has Amazing Dinners in Scotland and brag about'em on Insta. Nananère.

I am younger, baby. Youn-ger!

If I were C, I would start paying attention. Seriously.

But I am not.

Still, it sticks out a mile.

#boozewars #fandom #shitshow

[sgiandubh]

A different POV on the Landcon Cree KIltgate.

Worth sharing.

I read a lot of criticism of Steven and Duncan's behavior at Landcon, but I can't help wondering how anyone can be so harsh on these two people without having the slightest idea of the real context of what happened on stage. The Landcon can be compared to a rock concert, and you have to understand that every year the same question is asked: what's he wearing under his kilt? So he provided a direct, visual answer to that question. Steven Cree is a man of heart, and those who criticize him have never seen him jump off the stage to shake hands and hug that cancer survivor who thought she wouldn't be there with us because of her illness. You haven't heard him talk about a very moving scene he had with John Bell, and how he confided to us that he wouldn't have played it with such intensity if he hadn't been a father in real life. Duncan Lacroix, whom you all consider an alcoholic, may not know that he is fully aware of his drinking problem. But for those who don't know that alcoholism is a real disease, did you know that, in his own words, OL saved his life, because before he was on the show, he was homeless and collected cigarette butts for a living? It's not gossip, he told us. Duncan is a very shy and gentle man who is totally supported by the OL family, he has been married and is now single, his favorite place is the Isle of Skye and one of his greatest joys is meeting the fans. So all critics should buy a ticket to next year's Landcon, come and meet these people and find out for themselves who they really are. My twenty cents on that one.