Second annual spirits festival to take place in Campbeltown in April
One of Scotland’s most famous whisky towns will switch its focus to gin next month when the Gintyre festival returns to Campbeltown.
Organised jointly by local distiller Beinn an Tuirc, producer of Kintyre Gin, non-profit organisation Explore Campbeltown and local venue Campbeltown Town Hall, the second annual festival – on Saturday April 13 – will feature gins from 12 different Scottish producers.
In addition to Kintyre Gin and other local brand Old Raj (bottled in Campbeltown by Cadenhead’s), the event will include gins from names including Moray Distillery; Linlithgow Distillers; Lost Loch Distillery; Lussa Gin; and McLean’s Gin.
Speaking to SLTN, Gintyre co-organiser Kate Watt of Explore Campbeltown said this year’s exhibitor list (curated by Beinn an Tuirc director Niall Macalister Hall) represents a wider spread of Scottish distillers than last year’s event, which focused mainly on producers from the west coast of Scotland.
“We’ve tried to get different exhibitors from last year, just so we’re introducing people to different ones,” said Watt.
“We just try to get a nice variety of styles, but it’s very much the smaller craft distillers rather than the big guys.”
Watt said last year’s inaugural event attracted around 250 attendees, with between 250 and 300 expected this year.
We try to get a variety of styles, but it’s very much the smaller craft distilleries.
In addition to the exhibition stands, the event will also include ‘meet the maker’ breakout sessions.
Local businesses have also been encouraged to embrace the festival and fringe events include a gin pairing dinner at Campbeltown’s Ardshiel Hotel on Friday April 12 and a special screening of Breakfast at Tiffany’s – with accompanying gin and tonics – at the Campbeltown Picture House on Sunday April 14.
Beinn an Tuirc will also be throwing open its doors, with free tours offered throughout the weekend.
“The idea is to get other local establishments, whether it’s pubs or licensed premises, putting on fringe events,” said Watt.
The Gintyre Festival of Scottish Gin takes place between 1pm and 5pm at Campbeltown Town Hall on Saturday, April 13. Tickets cost £20 per person and include samples of each gin, a gin cocktail, a perfect serve gin and tonic and a commemorative glass.
