Of John Coutts, one of four brothers connected with the house, Sir William records how he was "more correct in his conduct than the others; so much so, that Sir William _never but once_ saw him in the counting-house disguised with liquor, and incapable of transacting business." In the Highlands this sort of feeling extended to an almost incredible extent, even so much as to obscure the moral and religious sentiments.
Of this a striking proof was afforded in a circumstance which took place in my own church soon after I came into it.

One of our Gaelic clergy had so far forgotten himself as to appear in the church somewhat the worse of liquor.

This having happened so often as to come to the ears of the bishop, he suspended him from the performance of divine service.

Against this decision the people were a little disposed to rebel, because, according to their Highland notions, "a gentleman was no the waur for being able to tak' a gude glass o' whisky." These were the notions of a people in whose eyes the power of swallowing whisky conferred distinction, and with whom inability to take the fitting quantity was a mark of a mean and futile character.

Sad to tell, the funeral rites of Highland chieftains were not supposed to have been duly celebrated except there was an immoderate and often fatal consumption of whisky.