North Hop, the popular Scottish festival showcasing home-grown craft microbreweries, small-batch distilleries and food producers, will visit Aviemore for the first time next February.
The event will take place at the Macdonald Aviemore Resort in the Cairngorms National Park on Saturday, 25 February and will have an après-ski theme inspired by its mountain setting.
North Hop Aviemore will transform the resort’s Osprey Arena into what organisers describe as a “combination of beer hall meets cocktail lounge meets barn dance”, complete with live music and DJ sets.
North Hop was founded by Gairloch-based Michelle Russell in 2014. The first event took place in Inverness that year, and has since travelled to Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.
Michelle said, “We are really excited to be able to bring North Hop to the mountain resort of Aviemore.
“We’re passionate about introducing new tastes to new audiences and Scotland has so much to offer in terms of its food and drink.
“North Hop is constantly evolving and trying out new things and for North Hop Aviemore, we’re excited to be bringing a host of local and Scotland-wise producers to the party.”
The North Hop Aviemore will run over one afternoon and one evening session. As well as showcasing top local products, a special Festival Brew, Festival Cider and Festival Gin will also be on offer, and intimate tasting sessions dubbed The Hop Sessions.
Breweries taking part include Nairn-based Wooha Brewing Co, Dunbar’s Thistly Cross Cider and the St Andrews Brewing Co, alongside distilleries like Caithness’ Dunnet Bay Distillers, who produce Rock Rose Gin and Holy Grass Vodka, and the nearby Tomatin Distillery. There will also be a pop-up whisky cocktail bar hosted by Inverness bar specialists Bars R.
Food stalls include Edinburgh-based ShrimpWreck, Aye Love Real Food from Kilwinning and Inverness tapas bar, La Tortilla Asesina.
Michelle added, “We also have teppanyaki from Macdonald Aviemore Resort and salads, fritters, cakes and gluten free treats from Aviemore’s Mountain Cafe. Folk can also pick up goodies from the likes of Linton & Co, Buddy Bear Designs, Loch Ness Gin and Caithness Chocolate throughout the festival sessions.”
Tickets cost £17.50 plus booking fee per session. Each session lasts five hours. Ticket price includes a North Hop glass, festival programme, and one Festival Brew token.
Dates and times are as follows:
Saturday 25 February 2017 – Afternoon Session – 12pm till 5pm
Saturday 25 February 2017 – Evening Session – 7pm till 12am