"Angels share "

 
We finally made it to the Cambus Pool nature reserve near Alloa this afternoon though the sat nav had it wrong yet again and wanted us to go somewhere completely different only this time I was ready for it .We stopped and asked locals once in the area.
 
All I can say it’s not easy to find. Was it worth it? Yes, only next time I will go in the summer when the wildlife may be more visible.
 
One thing puzzled me- why were the paths, trees and surrounding buildings covered in a black soot-like substance?
 
A local man walking his dogs explained. 
“It’s angels share fungus.  It’s caused during the maturation process of whisky.”
 
 Those huge mysterious blackened buildings we could see were in fact bonded whisky warehouses housing billions of pounds worth of the “water of life” or “uisge beath” to give it its Gaelic name. (See extra).
 
Locals have campaigned unsuccessfully for compensation for their homes covered in it but have got nowhere. They would have been up against American lawyers.
 
What is angels share? According to the Glenlivet blog it’s:
“ When whisky is slowly maturing in its cask, a small amount of whisky evaporates through the wood and into the atmosphere. ... By giving the angels their share, we ensure the whisky is the best it can possibly be when it's bottled.
 
Unfortunately there is a much more prosaic explanation. It’s a fungus that thrives on alcohol given off by distilleries.