Eight Highland Distilleries are introducing a brand-new Whisky Festival to celebrate the established Highland Whisky Trail.
The Highland Whisky Festival will take place between the 10th and the 17th May 2019 and is a celebration of the region’s finest distilleries on the North Coast 500 route. Each distillery will be hosting an open day with events and tastings.
Festival coordinator Katie Waugh said, “The North Coast 500 added £9 million worth of revenue to the region alone, with an additional 29,000 visitors between 2016-17. Scotland saw a record number of 1.9 million visits to distilleries and a spend of £60.9 million (an increase of 15.6% from 2016), therefore we anticipate our inaugural Festival to be successful and well-visited. VisitScotland is delighted to support the Highland Whisky Festival, particularly with the recent accolade being given by the Lonely Planet. VisitScotland believes that with the success of the North Coast 500 and the year-on-year growth of whisky tourism, that a Highland addition to the Whisky Festival circuit will bring growth to the economy and an awareness of a much-loved region of Whisky production.”
Chris Taylor, VisitScotland’s Regional Leadership Director, said: “Whisky is one of Scotland’s most valuable commodities, attracting visitors from all over the world, with one in five visitors making a trip to a whisky distillery during their stay.
“As one of the largest whisky-producing regions in Scotland, the Highlands is a veritable paradise for lovers of a wee dram with whisky a vital part of local tourism. With all eyes on the Highlands and Islands next year – following Lonely Planet naming it Best in Travel 2019 – this new festival will be a great addition to the visitor experience and shine a spotlight on the area’s links to our iconic national drink.”
