The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival returns this May for its 25th year, and we’re so excited we can’t help but start planning our itinerary. With Spirit of Speyside’s help, we’ve put together a perfect day at the festival. Read on for inspiration on how to get the most out of your time at the festival this year.
Staying the night
The Craigellachie Hotel
Not only is the Craigellachie one of Scotland’s oldest whisky hotels, it has its own collection of spirits to sample as you relax in comfort.
Book here: https://craigellachiehotel.com/
What’s for breakfast?
Breakfast at Johnstons of Elgin
Before sampling the whisky delights of Speyside, start the day with a traditional Scottish breakfast at Johnstons of Elgin. Local ingredients, hot tea or coffee, and a historic setting make for an ideal festival morning.
Book here: https://tickets.spiritofspeyside.com/sales/events/2024-festival/breakfast-at-johnstons-of-elgi
Morning activity
The Ultimate Whisky Flight
Set to be one of the high points of the festival, the Ultimate Whisky Flight will take you to see the Glenfarclas Distillery from above via helicopter. You’ll also have a tour of the distillery, and the experience is rounded off with a second flight — this time, a flight of Glenfarclas whiskies.
Book here: https://tickets.spiritofspeyside.com/sales/events/2024-festival/glenfarclas-the-ultimate-whisk
What’s for lunch?
The Dowans Hotel
The Dowans Hotel is providing a two-course lunch menu with whisky pairings, the perfect opportunity for some R&R before the next whisky experience in your schedule.
Book here: https://tickets.spiritofspeyside.com/sales/events/2024-festival/the-dowans-hotel-whisky-paired
Afternoon activities
Raise a Barrel
Time to answer the question: how does a cooper coop? Balvenie head cooper Ian MacDonald is sharing his craft with this chance to learn how to build a whisky barrel.
Book here: https://tickets.spiritofspeyside.com/sales/events/2024-festival/raise-a-barrel-at-the-balvenie
The Glenlivet: Forever Forward
Join The Glenlivet for a journey through its 200 years of history as the distillery celebrates its anniversary year. Led by the distillery’s archivist, you will travel through time while exploring the iconic Glenlivet still houses.
Read more: https://tickets.spiritofspeyside.com/sales/events/2024-festival/the-glenlivet-forever-forward
What’s for dinner?
Restaurant 88 Dining Experience
Dine in style with Restaurant 88’s five-course menu, complete with (of course) paired whiskies. Led by head chef Kieran McCallion, Restaurant 88 is known for innovating and celebrating the ingredients and flavours of Scotland.
Book here: https://tickets.spiritofspeyside.com/sales/events/2024-festival/restaurant-88-dining-experienc
Drams in the Dark with Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky
Join Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky for a true blind tasting experience. Blindfolded, you will taste whiskies from Duncan Taylor’s portfolio and discover how your senses are heightened in the dark. The evening will include a three-course meal — for which you will mercifully be permitted to remove your blindfold.
Book here: https://tickets.spiritofspeyside.com/sales/events/2024-festival/duncan-taylor-drams-in-the-dar
Evening activities
The evenings are brimming with activity at the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival. Here are a few ways to finish off your perfect day at the festival.
Traditional ceilidh
Pack your dancing shoes! We’re spoilt for choice with two ceilidh parties from the Grant Hall and the Dufftown & Mortlach Development Trust. Luckily they’re not on the same night, so we say: why not both?
Book here for the Grant Hall: https://tickets.spiritofspeyside.com/sales/events/2024-festival/the-grant-hall---traditional-s
Book here for Dufftown & Mortlach: https://tickets.spiritofspeyside.com/sales/events/2024-festival/the-dufftown--mortlach-develop
An evening at Strathisla
Gather at the tasting bar at Strathisla for a relaxed evening of drams and snacks. With a friendly atmosphere, this is the perfect way to unwind at the end of a busy day at the festival.
Book here: https://tickets.spiritofspeyside.com/sales/events/2024-festival/an-evening-at-strathisla
Tomintoul Fireside Sessions
Toasted marshmallows, (optional) cigars, and — the star of the show — Tomintoul whisky. Join master blender Iain Forteath for a hot toddy followed by drams by the fire at this intimate evening experience.
Book here: https://tickets.spiritofspeyside.com/sales/events/2024-festival/tomintoul-fireside-sessions-wi
Return of the Jedi
Star Wars meets Glen Moray on May the 4th. A follow-up to their popular event from 2019, this is set to be a memorable night.
Book here: https://tickets.spiritofspeyside.com/sales/events/2024-festival/return-of-the-jedi-glen-moray-
