At the weekends, some people like to get out and about and enjoy fresh air in the countryside, while others prefer to visit an art gallery. In Aberlour, there’s a chance to combine both of these favourite activities by taking a walk through the world’s first outdoor whisky art gallery.
Launched by Aberlour Distillery earlier this year to mark the beginning of the annual Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, it offers a truly distinctive experience. Free to all visitors, the outdoor gallery is now a permanent year-round fixture which showcases photography from former European Wildlife Photographer of the Year Dr David Maitland.
His stunning super-micro photographs brilliantly capture the individual elements that together result in one of Scotland’s most famous exports – whisky – and reveal the hidden beauty of Aberlour’s whisky journey, from the pink granite that creates the softness of the water used in the distillation process to the special oak cask in which the spirit is transformed.
Super-macro photography allows the subject to be captured closer than ever before and, in this outdoor gallery, results in an eye-catching portfolio of unusually intricate images. Among these striking visuals are those which delve inside a grain of barley, bring to life the hidden pattern of the oak sherry cask and showcase the kaleidoscopic patterns of the crystalline structure of the spirit itself.
Dr Maitland, winner of the European Wildlife Photographer of the Year in 2008, said: “I am so pleased that the public can enjoy these images in the natural surroundings from which they were inspired, right in the heart of Scotland’s single-malt region. The whisky journey is one that relies on nature and none more so than at Aberlour, from the spring water used in the distillation process to the sherry casks in which the whisky is aged.
“These images bring all of these elements to life in a way that I have not seen done before and I hope will be enjoyed by all who see them.”
Nikki Burgess, global brand director for Aberlour, said: “David’s photos have brilliantly captured the coming together of the natural elements and the expert craftsmanship of our distillers, while also maintaining the enigma behind the award-winning taste of Aberlour.
“To show the photography in the stunning setting of the distillery and its surroundings is a real treat for visitors to the area and to see the elements of whisky in super-macro detail provides an insight into the intricacy and craft which go towards developing a premium single-malt Scotch whisky.”
WHERE: The outdoor whisky gallery can be found at the Aberlour Distillery, Aberlour, halfway between Inverness and Aberdeen. The gallery is on a walk which takes in the Linn Falls and the Lour Burn
OPEN: All year round. The walk and gallery is a permanent feature
COST: Free-of-charge to all visitors to the area. Tours of the distillery can be booked at www.aberlour.com