One of the many hostelries is even called the Doctor Scotch Pub. They are all over the city centre of Yekaterinburg. 

Yes, I know. You’re thinking this is some two-bit burg in the middle of nowhere. Well, the geography lesson is partially correct. Yekaterinburg is truly in the middle of nowhere. It is located in Siberia. But here is the surprise: Although it dates back to the 18th Century, the place is a very modern city of 1.3 million inhabitants. Take a look at the picture. It is the fourth largest city in all Russia. Even in Siberia, there are cities far larger than where you live. When the old Czars of Russia sent masses of people into exile in Siberia, they went and built up cities like this one, filling it with all manner of intellectuals, industrialists, financiers, and hard working people. 

People of all stripes enjoy a good pub or bar, especially when the weather is usually frightful outside. Thus, in today’s uncertain times, deep in the frozen heart of Russia, Scotch whisky bars are thriving. Example - Gordon's Bar - is named after a Scot, Patrick Leopold Gordon of Auchleuchries, who holds a unique place in Russian military history, a soldier of fortune promoted to General by Peter the Great after saving his throne. He lived in Russia for over 30 years, settled down, and had a son who also served Russia with honor. Peter was at his death bed and went to his funeral and it's believed that he said: 'I gave you a handful of dirt, and you gave me Russia'. Gordon played a huge role in Russia's Azov campaign in 1695-1696 against the Ottoman Empire, the first major achievement of the young ruler, Perter and had a great impact on Peter as a military strategist. 

In the Siberian city of Omsk, there is Blackwood Pub where the barmen wear traditional Scotch kilts. Of course the women wear them also. This ’Scottish-style pub in Omsk is a very popular place to meet up with old friends or make new ones, set a festive mood for dances, or simply hide from the weather or the worries of the city'.

Then there is Irkutsk, (yes, if you play the board game “Risk” you know where this chunk of tundra resides) some 3,250 miles east of Moscow. This is another industrial city from the 1700’s that is now a thriving city of 600,000 souls, even while living in the deep freeze. This sunny spot finds about six weeks where the temperatures rise above freezing and where winter temperatures of -22F are considered mild, the Aberdour pub is a firm fixture on the scene, including at New Year when it hosts a Scottish-style 'Hogmanay' party. Hogmanay is a Scots celebration of the last day of the year, sobering up just in time to celebrate New Year’s. Leave it to the Scots to invent new drinking holidays that extend existing ones. 

Traditionally, Russia had relations with Ireland, but surprisingly, the historical roots of contacts between Russia and Scotland are quite deep since the bad old days of Ivan the Terrible. 

Originally, a brace of Irish pubs invaded the realm right after the end of the Cold War. Other entrepreneurs decided to provide an alternative by offering Scottish themes. The pubs remain popular despite the current economic woes linked to low oil prices.

Historically, Scots are warriors. They love to fight and they love money. Thus, they fought for those who paid them. They invented whisky and taught the world to drink, although the Irish will dispute that claim. It's a northern country, very similar to Russia. People are also quite similar - hard-faced at first sight, and the Scots drink just as much as the Russians. They are both a very spirited people.  

So, in Russia there is found lots of Scotland: kilts, whisky, ales, bagpipes - and freedom-loving people. Did you know that Scotland the only state which became a member of the United Kingdom voluntarily so they have the moral right to leave it if they want to. Haggis, is 'mince in a sheep's stomach which is actually a very common meal across Asia'.

The main ingredient for success though, is the whisky. Locals in the land of vodka have taken to whisky. Vodka and whisky are totally different drinks. Whisky is a drink that sets the mood. You can select different whiskies according to your mood.  

Patrons remarked 'The quality of vodka depends on the snacks you have with it, and the people you're drinking with. Another difference is the scent, you don't get a headache after having some whisky. Whisky is a very interesting drink.'

'Whisky is a lot more pleasant to drink than vodka. You can savor the taste and it can be very different, Vodka is pretty much the same everywhere and there is nothing exciting about it. You just drink it and have a snack with it. 

'Perhaps, whisky is partly popular because it's fashionable, it's quite new for Russia but the world has been drinking it for centuries. It's a sort of standard for a real man, whether you are a highlander or a businessman.’

When the winter nights are very long and the earth outside is deathly cold, nothing warms one like a Scots pub.