Whisky Festival given thumbs up – now for Autumn event

Roaring success - now plans laid for Autumn event in Elgin.
Roaring success – now plans laid for Autumn event in Elgin.

NEW RECORDS HAVE been set in ticket sales for the Spirit of Speyside Festival which came to a close on Monday – and organisers are now planning for a new Autumn event.

Festival chairman James Campbell has said that this year’s gathering in whisky’s spiritual home was one of the best on record.

“It will take us a little bit of time to find out what the overall numbers were, but the area was extremely busy for the full five days and, most importantly, everyone I saw and spoke to had nothing but great things to say,” Mr Campbell said.

He added: “To see people at these events thoroughly enjoying themselves makes worthwhile all the planning and hard work of our volunteer directors, of the Festival manager and of all the other people who give up their own time to ensure the Festival is a success.

“Knowing visitors will leave the area with very special memories is hugely rewarding for all of us. I personally met visitors from over a dozen different countries – some who have been coming for years and others who were visiting for the first time – and it was really special to see all these visitors having such a great time side by side with local people.

“I think visitors are always surprised by the huge range of different events, and the fact that they can have access to the people who are involved in the very heart of our whisky industry. I don’t think any other whisky festival in the world can offer what we can.”

Now attention is being turned to the new Autumn event – Spirit of Speyside Distilled – taking place in the Elgin Town Hall from September 9 to 11. That will bring together Speyside’s whisky producers under one roof on their own doorstep for the very first time.

The event will also include local gin and craft beer, along with a wide range of food producers, showing off the huge extent of Speyside’s larder. Spirit of Speyside – Distilled will be split into four sessions over the three days, with tickets being sold for each session.

It is hoped that the event will initially attract a more local audience, but in time Spirit of Speyside – Distilled will also become a destination for the many international visitors who attend the main event in May.

Mr Campbell said: ”The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival has grown to become a phenomenal event, but we felt that it was time to add a second event which did not require visitors to undertake a great deal of itinerary planning.

“We chose Elgin for the location because it is the transport hub for the area, with excellent rail and road links. People can come for one session or the whole weekend, but still enjoy the spirit – and welcome – for which Speyside is famous.”

Tickets for Spirit of Speyside – Distilled will go on sale within the next couple of weeks via the website www.spiritofspeyside.com.