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Am Politician, Isle of Eriskay

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Balla, Isle of Eriskay, HS8 5JL (View on Google Map)
(01878) 720246
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The pub's name immortalises the loss of the merchant ship SS Politician, an 8000-ton cargo ship which left Liverpool on 3rd February 1941, bound for Kingston, Jamaica and New Orleans with a cargo including 264,000 bottles of whisky.

On 5th February the ship ran aground between Eriskay and South Uist (all on board survived) and before sinking a few days later much of the cargo was salvaged by the island's inhabitants.

Compton Mackenzie's 1947 novel 'Whisky Galore!' celebrated the salvage and its aftermath, which was immortalised two years later by an Ealing Comedy film of the same name.

An interesting footnote to the tale, that is not recorded in book, film nor any other online source, is that among the many and varied items of the Politician's cargo were dozens of push-bikes. For decades after WWII, these were still to be seen plying the lanes of South Uist and Eriskay!

Am Politician was bought in May 2018 from the then-proprietors of the nearby Polochar Inn by local business partners Angus MacAllister and couple Julia and Stephen Campbell. [Update 14 Jun 2026: Isle of Skye Gold and Red (not RAIB)].

Information for this venue is provided by the Highlands & Western Isles Branch of CAMRA
Previous Names
Local Authority
Na h-Eileanan an Iar
Last updated
Last surveyed
03/06/2018
Leasehold owner
unknown
Freehold owner
unknown
Pub ID
INV/229
Asset of Community Value
Monday
Noon - 9:00pm
Tuesday
Noon - 9:00pm
Wednesday
Noon - 9:00pm
Thursday
Noon - 9:00pm
Friday
Noon - 1:00am
Saturday
Noon - 1:00am
Sunday
12:30pm - 9:30pm
Monday
Noon - 8:00pm
Tuesday
Noon - 8:00pm
Wednesday
Noon - 8:00pm
Thursday
Noon - 8:00pm
Friday
Noon - 8:00pm
Saturday
Noon - 8:00pm
Sunday
Noon - 8:00pm
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Facilities
Sports TV Sports TV
Sky
Lunchtime Meals Lunchtime Meals
Evening Meals Evening Meals
Garden Garden
Family Friendly Family Friendly
children welcome until 9:00pm
Parking Parking
Dog Friendly Dog Friendly
Camping Camping
Events Events
Restaurant Restaurant
Separate conservatory area available for diners.
Wi Fi Wi Fi
Features
Quiet Quiet
Transport
Close to bus routes (500m)
Eriskay, at School
Ordnance Survey Reference
NF784118

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