What: The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival
When: 30th April 2025 to 5th May 2025
Where: Speyside, Scotland
Why: Now celebrating its 26th year, the Spirit of Speyside organises some of the world’s premier whisky events, welcoming visitors to the beauty of Speyside from across the globe each year. The Festival is a true mecca for the curious beginner and the whisky connoisseur alike. Festival events take place throughout Speyside, the biggest whisky producing region in Scotland, located in the Moray area in the North-East of the county between Aberdeen and Inverness.
With 28 villages and towns in Moray Speyside, many of the 51 distilleries will throw open their doors including a number that are usually closed to the public. Characterised by rolling patchwork hills, a terrain that epitomises the whisky produced and the meandering River Spey that lends its waters to making some of the world’s finest whisky, this Festival has it all.
The event will kick off with an industry dinner on Wed 30th April, co-hosted by Speyside Distillers Ltd followed by the annual ceilidh on 2nd May for visitors to the Festival. Both events will take place for the first time at the Macdonald Highlands Hotel, in Aviemore.
SSWF 2025 Event Listing Imagery - Dallas Dhu Distillery: Drams from the Archives
Cabrach Land of the Wild
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A Selection Of Events
Spirit of Speyside Whisky School – a 3-and-a-half-day programme where visitors can explore the history, science, and craftsmanship behind Scotch whisky.
Whisky & Waves – join Murray McDavid at their beach huts in Findhorn where you can paint the scenery and sip on drams.
The Cabrach Land of The Wild Spirit – Speyside’s newest distillery for an intimate tour.
The Malt Master Tour hosted by Brian Kinsman – tour the Glenfiddich Distillery with Brian and enjoy a tutored master class with the man himself.
The Mastery of the Macallan – six-course tasting menu served in the new TimeSpirit restaurant and a guided production experience through the distillery with a tutored tasting.
Cask Confidential – an exclusive Glen Moray & Whisky Talks Experience – hosted by Fraser Campbell with a panel of special guest speakers. Find out about new releases.
Henry Angus, Chair of the year’s festival said, “Last year was record-breaking and the spotlight was firmly on Speyside. This is the most populous whisky region with the greatest array of distilleries at any festival globally. It brings together whisky fans, distillers and visitors that love this beautiful part of the world. From masterclasses to music, from quizzes to fireside gatherings, from culture to history the calendar is full of opportunities to share the water of life with fellow whisky lovers, aficionados and people that just enjoy a dram.”
Tickets for the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival 2025
The Festival runs from 30th April 2025 to 5th May 2025 and is ticket only.
You can apply here for tickets to the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival 2025