Now in its 27th year, the annual celebration of Scotland’s national drink has become one of the largest events of its kind anywhere in the world, bringing thousands of visitors to the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival since 1999.
Contributing over £2.2 million annually to the local economy, the event features over 600 events across 6 days. Kicking off on Wednesday, 29th April 2026, it runs through the first May bank holiday weekend.
The festival is renowned for attracting visitors who want to discover more about whisky, in an area that boasts the greatest concentration of beloved brands. With 51 working distilleries, they make up more than a third of Scotland’s total number in Speyside alone. Peppering towns including Elgin, Forres, Keith, Aberlour, Dufftown and Rothes, the festival continues to build on its reputation as a globally recognised event, providing high-quality experiences for visitors.
So, what to expect from the line-up this year? Attendees from over 40 countries who descend on Speyside will find immersive tours and tastings as well as coopering masterclasses and chefs creating whisky-paired dinners. There is the chance to meet Master Blenders and get tours behind the closed doors of dunnage warehouses, where festival goers can draw samples from the casks themselves. Visitors can enjoy fireside drams or sipping whisky on Findhorn beach. Plus, the Dram Tram returns, where passengers can soak in the scenery in their Gold Carriage from Dufftown to Keith whilst savouring a special whisky enroute. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Scottish whisky celebration without the Friday night ceilidh, which will be held at Craigellachie Distillery and is a highlight of the 6-day calendar.
Henry Angus, Chairman of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, commented, “The festival is the perfect way to launch World Whisky Month and is all about showcasing the very best of what’s in this area. Whilst we have an amazing quantity of events, the quality of them is what really shines through. It’s wonderful to see the whole of the Speyside community getting behind it as a highlight on the calendar. We’ve seen a great increase in visitor numbers and ticket sales in the last couple of years, which tells us that we are continuing to build on how successful this international festival has become to the area.”
Speyside also boasts incredible scenery. A chance to embrace the country air with aromas from barley malted to make the whisky. There is a plethora of cosy chic hotels, self-catering pads and B&Bs to choose from. Plus, Stagecoach is extending its local bus service from Aberdeen and Inverness for day trippers.
The festival will launch with almost 80 events lined up on Wednesday 29th April, including an industry dinner, co-hosted for the first time by Craigellachie Distillery, as part of their 135th anniversary celebrations this year.
For those wanting to take a deep dive into whisky making, the 4-day Whisky School is back for its 10th year. Providing an incredible insight into the industry from a doyen of industry experts, it starts just a few days before the festival kicks off. A limited number of spaces are still available on the website.
TICKET INFORMATION
Previews for ticket sales go live at 12noon on 18th February
Launch of ticket sales is live at 12noon on 24th February
WEBSITE – https://www.spiritofspeyside.com/
