Hundreds of drinks enthusiasts gathered in Elgin at the weekend to sample some of the region’s most alluring beers and spirits.
The first of what organisers plan to be many Spirit of Speyside: Distilled events ran from Friday until last night.
The proceedings were designed to capture the essence of the annual Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, which has taken place at venues across Moray every spring for the past 17 years.
Local whisky, gin, rum and ale manufacturers congregated to showcase their cream of the crop at Elgin Town Hall.
Festival chairman, James Campbell, yesterday raised a glass to the success of the weekend, and outlined his hopes it could become a staple of the region’s calendar.
Mr Campbell said: “The numbers have exceeded expectations and there has been a terrific buzz with people all having a good time.
“We wanted to gather all of Moray’s most famous producers in one place, and we’ve had visitors come specially for it from the USA, Canada and France.
“We want this to become as much of a tradition as the Spirit of Speyside.”
Whisky stalwart, Dennis Malcolm OBE, master distiller at the Glen Grant distillery in Rothes, gave a talk about the popular malt on Saturday.
Visitors were presented with tokens upon entry, which they were able to exchange for drinks – and everybody left with a Glencairn whisky glass bearing the festival logo.
Lord Lieutenant of Moray, Grenville Johnston, said he was heartened to see local companies rubbing shoulders with industry heavyweights such as Walkers, Baxters and Johnstons of Elgin.
He added: “This was a great opportunity to discover how many new businesses we are starting up, and to learn about them.
“Moray is considered the garden on Scotland, and it’s right that its produce is the best in the country.”
Hopeman couple David and Lara Beach reported huge interest in the rum distillery which they have recently set up on the Moray coast.
Elgin City South councillor Graham Leadbitter attended the event on Friday evening and then volunteered at a session on Saturday night.
Mr Leadbitter said he had received “brilliant” feedback on the gathering, and congratulated the team behind it.
