Apparently, today is Blue Monday.
The third Monday in January is said to be the most miserable day in the year due to a combination of Christmas credit card bills, winter weather and the reality of the post-festive back to work grind.
Obviously, it’s a crock of nonsense which was invented by a travel company that wanted to flog holidays.
The 5pm Dining blog no more believes in Blue Monday than it believes in Father Christmas, the tooth fairy or the possibility of an orderly Brexit.
New festival
However, if anyone does need a little encouragement to struggle through the day, we will point you in the direction of the West Coast Whisky Feis, a new whisky festival taking place in July in Oban.
Running from noon to 6pm on Saturday 22nd July, the West Coast Whisky Feis is the brainchild of Oban Whisky and Fine Wines.
Euan Finlayson, proprietor of Oban Whisky and Fine Wines, said, ‘We wanted to create an event that shows off the incredible whiskies that the West Coast has to offer. The aim is to offer a range of whiskies and masterclasses that can appeal to newcomers and aficionados alike’.
From Springbank and Kilkerran to Glengoyne and Loch Lomond, seventeen distillers and bottlers have been announced and further attendees are in the pipeline.
The main venue for the event will be Skipinnish Ceilidh House. This will have stalls from distillers all along the west coast of Scotland.
Ticket holders will be given their own dram glass and will be able to take samples from all of the exhibitors. Water will be available and there will also be spittoons for those who want to try the different whiskies without ending up worse for wear.
Local food producers
In addition, Oban Distillery will be holding masterclasses in their own premises. These will be based around their world famous whiskies. Other masterclasses will be available on the day.
Local food producers will be selling their wares in the Ceilidh House should anyone get a bit peckish after a few drams.
There will also be a nosing competition where attendees can attempt to identify various whiskies by smell alone. The entrant who is closest to being correct will win a bottle of single malt whisky.