THE FIRST ever Hebridean Whisky Festival has announced it will take place next month across the islands of Skye, Raasay and Harris.
Between the 21st and 25th of May, four distilleries on the Hebridean Whisky trail will feature free tours, tastings, music, casks and special events at Talisker, Torabhaig, Isle of Raasay and Harris distilleries and the Aros Centre, Portree.
The festival will begin on 21st May on Skye at Torabhaig Distillery before moving on to the oldest distillery on the trail, Talisker, on the 22nd.
Raasay Distillery is the youngest on the 115.2 mile Whisky Trail and those following the festival will be there for the launch of the exclusive new warehouse and whisky and chocolate tours on the 23rd.
The experience will take visitors to the distillery’s cask warehouse and spectacular views can be enjoyed from the warehouse terrace which looks across to the Cuillin mountains on Skye.
The self-guided whisky trail route will then take whisky connoisseurs to the Isle of Harris Distillery meanwhile in Portree the Aros Centre will showcase the distilleries at a special Hebridean Whisky Festival tasting stand for the duration of the festival.
The festival finale is the ‘Big Day at Slig’ taking place at the Sligachan Hotel on Saturday 25th May in Skye where all four distilleries will come together in one place for a day of whisky tastings, Hebridean Whisky cocktails, Distillery vehicles, cask displays, craft ales and a visit from the Isle of Skye pipe band.
The festival will offer a chance to try all the spirits, as well as other local brews from Cuillin Brewery, sweet treats from the likes of Chocolates of Glenshiel and delicacies from the Skye Smokehouse.
It will conclude in true Hebridean style with a ceilidh into the night at the Sligachan Hotel.
These events are free entry and festival-goers can or choose to experience part of the festival or follow the full trail over five days by land or sea.
