The Cabrach Trust
William ‘Dod’ McWilliams was born in 1932 at Ballochford, on the western edge of the Cabrach. He was an only child but the McWilliams were a large family. Dod’s father Gordon was one of eighteen children who were all born and grew up at Ballochford. Dod was named after his great grandfather William, who came from Aldivalloch in the upper Cabrach. William was known for his part in the illicit distilling of whisky in the Cabrach.
Dod spent his early years in the Cabrach and later moved to live with his granny in Dufftown. He had many jobs during his life in the Cabrach. He worked on different farms and also ‘on the roads’ as a maintenance man. Dod was great friends with Jimmy McHardy who came from Badchier. They would often be seen out together in the Cabrach on their motorbikes.
Dod passed away in December 2024 at the age of ninety two.
Listen to Dod talk about his memories of poaching with his pal Jimmy McHardy and his grandfather’s role in smuggling whisky across the Cabrach.
Dod as a young man, cutting at the peat bank in the Cabrach sometime in the 1950s. Peat was traditionally important as a fuel for heating in homes but also in the whisky making process. Different tools were used for each stage of peat cutting and would have been made by the local blacksmith. Jimmy Kellas was the blacksmith in the Cabrach at Bridgend.
The houses at Ballochford still stand by the side of the road into the Cabrach. This part of the Cabrach was once made up of many thriving small farms and crofts. Visit the Places section of the website to explore more about Dod’s home at Ballochford.
The Cabrach Trust
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