Amusic festival like no other and a brand-new food court celebrating the best of Scotland’s food and drink will form part of Whisky Month events in Moray and Speyside in May.
Some 70,000 people are expected to get involved with the Whisky Month, which runs from May 1-31 throughout Scotland and includes 19 funded events showcasing the best of Scotland’s food, drink, music and culture as part of the Year of Homecoming.
Among these, and now a well-established favourite, is The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival (May 1-5), which is now in its 15th year.
It’s going to be bigger and better than ever and promises an impressive lineup of first-rate traditional music acts, comedians and ceilidhs which will take place across the region, popping up in distilleries, church halls and pubs.
The programme has more than 700 events ranging from whisky tasting to walking, food and folklore, while music and malt will come together in The Spirit of Speyside Sessions, a world-class music event celebrating the area’s rich traditional music heritage.
On Sunday, May 18, as part of Whisky Month, the popular Gordon Castle Highland Games, at Fochabers, will create a brand-new food court celebrating Scotland’s larder, with a specific focus on the vast range of world-beating whiskies produced in the Speyside region.
Other festivities during Whisky Month will include a programme of concerts combining the very best in jazz with the tastiest of whisky at Jazz and Dram, part of the Isle of Bute Jazz Festival (May 3-4) and a pop-up Culture and Cocktails event in Aberdeen on May 3 which celebrates the best in African food, drink and entertainment.
Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said: “Whisky is one of Scotland’s most iconic products, one which is enjoyed here at home and across the world in more than 170 countries, and our second Year of Homecoming is the ideal time to encourage more visitors, both international and domestic, to enjoy the very best Scotland has to offer.
“Homecoming Whisky Month is the perfect opportunity to celebrate and shine a light on the quality, provenance, traditions and innovations that go into our national drink and I look forward to raising a glass to Scotland’s finest during May’s festivities.”
Visit www.homecoming scotland.com/whiskymonth