Inverness and beyond
We look at the region of Speyside round about Inverness
Every whisky enthusiast knows the importance of the Speyside region to the production of Scotch single malt whisky. And even quite casual whisky drinkers know of the iconic distilleries at The Glenlivet, Glenfiddich and The Macallan.
But Speyside can be a funny place. Itâs served by different airports at each end, and the terrain and geography plus a degree of local rivalry mean that it splits in to two halves.
Could you name the whisky capital of Speyside? Well donât worry because the locals have a problem too, and the answer depends on who you ask and where you ask them. The region even has two competing whisky festivals.
There are other peculiarities too. Only a handful of the regionâs distilleries welcome guests. Many of them only produce single malt whisky for bottling. And there are oddball distilleries littered around the region, too. Glen Garioch, for instance, a sister distillery to Bowmore on Islay and to Auchentoshan in Glasgow, is the closest distillery to Aberdeen and has a dinky and pleasant visitor centre at Meldrum. But it doesnât feel like itâs in Speyside.
And the Speyside Distillery â youâd think the name was a clue wouldnât you? â is not on the Spey but out on a limb on a tributary and a considerable drive from Speysideâs heart.
More than that, fly in to Inverness rather than Aberdeen and youâre in a more rugged and Highland terrain altogether, and if youâre visiting with family this is where you want to be. There are great wal.....
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By Rob Allanson
Section : Visitor Guides
Page number : 34
