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Spirit of Speyside reveals 2025 schedule
After last year’s event generated more than £2.2 million (US$2.7m) for the local economy, Scotch whisky festival Spirit of Speyside will return in April with almost 500 events across 89 venues.
Described as one of the world’s largest whisky festivals, the 26th Spirit of Speyside will be held from Wednesday 30 April to Monday 5 May 2025.
Spirit of Speyside 2024 was a ‘record-breaking’ festival with sales up by 23% after more than 8,400 tickets were sold to attendees from 39 different countries.
An economic impact assessment revealed that last year’s event generated more than £2.2m for the local economy and supported approximately 20 full-time jobs.
The festival has also announced that Henry Angus, a well-respected figure in Speyside, will take over from George McNeil as chair of the 2025 festival. Angus has worked across established companies in Morayshire and Aberdeenshire and he recently joined the festival board.
“Last year was record-breaking and the spotlight was firmly on Speyside,” said Angus.
“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.”
Many of the region’s 51 distilleries will be open to attendees during the festival’s six-day run, including several that are usually closed to the public.
The event will kick off with an industry dinner on 30 April, co-hosted by Speyside Distillers followed by the annual ceilidh on 2 May for festival visitors. Both events will take place for the first time at the Macdonald Highlands Hotel in Aviemore.
The schedule of events includes the rare chance to secure a spot at the Spirit of Speyside Whisky School, a three-and-a-half-day programme where visitors can explore the history, science, and craftsmanship behind Scotch whisky.
Several distilleries will host tours including Glenfiddich (led by master blender Brian Kinsman), Benriach, The Balvenie, Dallas Dhu, GlenAllachie, and The Cabrach, Speyside’s newest distillery.
Meanwhile, The Macallan will host a six-course tasting menu in its new TimeSpirit restaurant and a guided production experience through the distillery with a tutored tasting,
Glen Moray will also host a ‘Cask Confidential’ event hosted by Fraser Campbell and a panel of guest speakers.
A preview of the events is available on the Spirit of Speyside website and tickets will go on sale at 12pm GMT on 3 February.
Looking for more spirits events in 2025? Check out our roundup of this year’s unmissable trade shows, festivals and conferences.
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