Lyle from Dallas wrote:@EMDEE
The naming of "Mull of Kintyre" anything is controversial and far-from well-agreed. Just look at the previous posts in this and other threads about what and where the Mull of Kintyre is. Never mind making the cheese in Ayrshire, is it "dishonest and misleading" to make the cheese in the urban setting of Campbeltown, a good 10-15 miles from what might be called 'the true Mull of Kintyre". It suited the Beatle, for purposes of rhythm and scansion, to call his song "Mull of Kintyre". Prior to that I had never heard of anywhere north of the lighthouse being referred to as the Mull of Kintyre. So should it really be Kintyre cheese, rather than Mull of ..?
Making something locally from local ingredients may be an admirable goal in these days of sustainability and environmental concern. But that is far from being sufficient grounds to acquire any protected status. Even if the EU did grant Kintyre PDO or PGI status how would that influence what is done in Kintyre? Are there really so many fake "Mull of Kintyre" products out there that the creamery/distillery/bakery/whatever suffers losses because of misrepresentation on the part of others? Or do they already sell all they can make? Who would Kintyre be getting protection (the P part of PDO and PGI) from? I think you'd have a very hard job convincing anyone in authority that the biggest threat to commercial success in any Kintyre undertaking comes from impostors.
L f D
What is controversial or “far from well-agreed” about the naming of a product “Mull of Kintyre”? Where is the controversy and who exactly needs to agree to it?
There is no dispute about the geographical location of the Mull of Kintyre. There is, however a widespread misconception on the part of some outwith the peninsula that the “Mull of Kintyre” refers to the whole peninsula from the isthmus at Tarbert to the Mull itself. Contrary to what you say about McCartney’s song, this misconception did, in fact exist prior to 1977, McCartney merely reinforced it. To put this in perspective, let’s not forget that Kintyre has been around for much longer than Paul McCartney, and will be around long after he is gone.
One fact that is indisputable is that the Mull of Kintyre is part of the peninsula of Kintyre, and as such there is nothing wrong with the use of the name for the promotion of local products and events. Probably to a large extent through McCartney’s song, the name “Mull of Kintyre” rather than simply “Kintyre” on local products or events may have more resonance to some outwith the peninsula. This however does not amount to an acceptance or even an implication that the whole peninsula has come to be known as “Mull of Kintyre”, nor is it misleading to the wider public. It has become an iconic local place name, and has come to be representative of the area of which Campbeltown is the main settlement.
I have not stated anywhere on this thread that I think that any Kintyre products should apply for, nor that I think that they would qualify for, any form of protected status. I am aware that it takes a lot more than subjective territorial pride in the produce of an area to gain protection. I have, however, said that the use of the name “Kintyre” or “Mull of Kintyre” would be misleading if adopted for the promotion of products sourced and processed furth of the peninsula, and I don’t see how there can be any dispute about this.
Merda taurorum animas conturbit. Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum videtur
Sorry but I've never heard that Grain is a region associated with whisky. SBPete is correct in saying there are five. 
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