SPEYSIDE’S distilleries, hotels and restaurants are looking forward to May 1st, when the region’s ever-expanding whisky festival will return to celebrate its 25th year.
Now promoted as one of the world’s largest whisky festivals, 2024’s Spirit of Speyside will involve more than 650 events at 85 venues spread across 19 villages and towns.
Celebrity chef and whisky fan Tony Singh helped launch the six-day festival by heading to The Glenlivet in Speyside for a dram.
“This is one of the best whisky festivals globally and I’m looking forward to coming back with my family in May to go to some of the events,” said Singh. “Having recently invested in a cask, I must confess, I’m head over heels for a good malt or blend, especially when it’s a delightful addition to my culinary creations.”
As the largest whisky producing region in Scotland, Speyside has no less than 51 distilleries, many of which will be opening their doors for the festival, including ones normally closed to the public.
The festival’s 25th anniversary coincides with five distilleries celebrating their 200th anniversary – The Macallan, The Glenlivet, Miltonduff, Cardhu and Balmenach. At the other end of the age scale, a brand new distillery, Dunphail, will be opening its doors to festival goers for the first time this year.
The festival provides a huge boost to the local economy, attracting thousands of visitors each year, with almost 40% of them coming from overseas, 20% from the local area and the rest from all corners of the UK, to enjoy countless tastings, tours, and ceilidhs.
Chair of The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, George McNeil, said: “It’s incredible to think this is the 25th year of the festival and it continues to grow in size and stature. The distilleries in Speyside that take part make it a truly unique festival.
“It’s a chance for visitors to immerse themselves in the whisky world with world-class experiences, behind the scenes tours, visit distilleries that don’t normally open their doors to the public and enjoy a few days in this beautiful part of the world,” said McNeil.
“I think this year will be our biggest and best yet so would encourage people to book early to avoid disappointment.”
Tickets are now on sale for the festival’s many attractions, including The Spirit of Speyside Festival Ceilidh at The Macallan; The Ultimate Whisky Flight which includes a helicopter tour with Glenfarclas; Auchroisk Distillery Through The Decades Tour; Whisky Detectives with Glenlivet Hill Trek; Speyburn After Hours; OurWhisky Foundation House Party at The Dowans Hotel; and The Beginning; Celebrating the Opening of Dunphail Distillery.
