OUTLANDER star Sam Heughan has faced a backlash from fans after an Instagram post of him riding a motorbike while holding a bottle of whisky.
Heughan, who also runs the drinks firm Sassenach Spirits, had posed on a custom-made cycle from Triumph.
He was appearing at the Scottish Motorcycle Show, which was held at Edinburgh’s Royal Highland Centre over the weekend.
Alongside an image of him at the show holding a bottle of his whisky and sitting on the bike, Heughan wrote: “‘Sassenach Scrambler’. So fun unveiling my new custom bike at #scottishbikeshow.
“Huge thank you to the amazing team for building the bike of my dreams!
@westcoasttriumphglasgow @westcoastharley @hurleycustomseats and Gavin for the incredible @sassenachspirits paint job.”
However, fans raised concerns about the connection between drinking and being in control of a vehicle.
“Is a motorcycle really the best place to be holding up a bottle of whisky? What are you thinking?” one user wrote, adding that dui (driving under the influence) “kills”.
“It is an amazing bike. And I know it is all about image. But alcohol and driving is a really big NO for me,” another wrote.
And a third said: “In The Netherlands we don’t promote ‘drink and drive’. We find that a dangerous combination …
“What would you think of a picture of a little baby and a cigarette in the same picture? Even if the person says ‘don’t smoke near the baby’. That’s my point, you just don’t promote that!”
Later, Heughan responded to the criticism by adding to his post: “Don’t drink and ride. Enjoy a dram after your ride!”
But others defended the Outlander star. One wrote: “Of course neither Sam nor Triumph are promoting drinking and driving! People need to chill.
“They simply designed a stunning, tricked-out bike in the same colors as his Sassenach Spirits label. It’s called branding. Gorgeous Bike Sam! It’s a beauty. Happy trails!”
