Moray’s Spirit of Speyside whisky festival has been labelled a huge success by the boss of VisitScotland
The five-day festival held at the start of the month had a record 431 events. Tickets sales via the website alone exceeding £130,000 and the final total is predicted to be considerably higher.
Mike Cantlay, chairman of VisitScotland, said: “It’s one of Scotland’s best-loved whisky festivals, and this year’s line-up also boasted some of the finest traditional music acts, comedians and ceilidhs.”
The festival’s chairman, James Campbell, stated that visitors had arrived at the festival from at least 31 different countries.
He said: “Our part of the world is known the world over for its warmth of welcome and hospitality.
“I have to pay tribute to all our great whisky companies and their dedicated, passionate staff who acted as ambassadors for Speyside as well as all the businesses who took part in the 15th annual Spirit of Speyside.
“They delivered a programme of whisky, food and music events which will stay long in the memories of our visitors.”
Last year’s event generated £1.65m for the local economy. Calculations are currently being made to total up how much was contributed this year.