WHISKY’S IN THE BAR
Get ready to celebrate the water of life
THERE’S no question that whisky is one of Scotland’s most important icons. In many respects, it typifies our character – distinct, pure, with a little bit of devilment and an abiding and deep-rooted warmth.
Uisge beatha – the water of life – has been distilled across the country for more than 500 years. Recently, however, the magical month of May has become well-known as Whisky Month.
This year promises to be no different, with a host of whisky-themed events and activities set to take place around the country.
Ahead of Whisky Month, the Inverness Whisky and Gin Festival takes place on April 18-22 and offers master classes, tastings, good music and, of course, great Highland craic.
One of Scotland’s most popular whisky events, the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival near Elgin, is returning from April 27-May 1 for a packed programme of events, tours, tastings, arts and crafts, exhibitions and much more.
Taking place in one of Scotland’s key whisky-producing regions, the festival is celebrating its 70th anniversary and is looking to set a new Guinness World Record for the fastest time to build a 190-litre barrel.
Celebrate the Stirling Whisky Festival on May 6 for access to more than 100 malts, opportunities to speak to producers, whisky tastings and more. Remember to book your tickets quickly so you don’t miss out.
Feis Ile, the Islay Festival, is a wonderful celebration of malt and music taking place on this beautiful Inner Hebridean island from May 26-June 3.
Islay is one of Scotland’s whiskyproducing hotspots, where you’ll find eight distilleries – with another due to open in 2018.
In Scotland’s capital, join in the festivities at the Edinburgh Whisky Stramash on May 27-28 at Surgeon’s Hall for an event of mystery, entertainment, comicality and madcap pioneering.
In addition to the above events, and carrying on the Whisky Month theme, May 5sees the UK launch of the new Whisky Galore! movie, starring Eddie Izzard and Gregor Fisher, pictured left.
Based on the novel by Compton Mackenzie, the remake of the 1949 film celebrates the true story of the SS Politician, which ran aground on Eriskay in 1941 with a cargo of whisky. The islanders then hid more than 250,000 bottles from customs officers.
World Whisky Day is back on May 20, with various events taking place across the globe. Why not celebrate with a tour of a nearby distillery – or simply with a dram?
Today, our national drink is enjoying healthy growth, both at home and in the export markets. As a result, new distilleries and visitor centres are opening to meet increased demand and interest.
This year alone should see a further seven open, including Borders Distillery in Hawick, the first in the region for 180 years; the Clydeside Distillery in Glasgow; and Lindores Abbey Distillery near Newburgh in Fife, an area where whisky production dates back to 1494.
Three new distilleries are scheduled to open in the Highlands; in Dornoch, on the Isle of Raasay and the Toulvaddie Distillery in Tain – the first to be founded solely by a woman, Heather Nelson. Find out more about #whiskymonth and Scotland’s national drink at: