THE INAUGURAL Highland Beer, Gin & Whisky Festival is set to take place in Inverness over the Platinum Jubilee weekend, June 3 – 5, 2022, in aid of local charities.
The event will bring together the best beer, gin, and whisky from across the Scottish Highlands, as well hosting local food trucks.
The grounds of the Highland Rugby Football Club (Highland RFC) at Canal Park, Inverness will host the festival, with all proceeds benefiting Mikeysline, Alzheimer Scotland, My Name’5 Doddie and Highland RFC.
The festival will be held in conjunction with Inverness City 7s, a two-day rugby 7s competition with tournaments for elite men’s, social women’s and men’s and a full programme for junior boys, girls and young adults.
The weekend of events kicks off on the afternoon of Friday June 3 at 3pm with a Mini’s and Micro’s Festival of Rugby.
The Beer, Gin & Whisky Festival opening ceremony is at 6pm followed by a XV aside Invitation Rugby Match and a free to enter Feis Rois Highland Ceilidh.
Following the rugby qualifying tournament on Saturday there will be music from the Electric Cherries until late.
Sunday June 5th is finals day for the rugby tournaments and a DJ will be playing throughout the afternoon and evening.
This will be the first time that a Rugby 7s tournament has been held in Inverness since 2013. Teams will come to the Highland capital from all over Scotland with invitation sides Spearheads and Crusaders already signed to the Elite event and strong interest from senior National League clubs and local sides for the social tournaments.
Roy Dinnes, vice president at Highland RFC, said: “After being delayed twice due to Covid, we are so excited to finally be able to put tickets for the inaugural Highland Beer, Gin & Whisky Festival and Inverness City 7s on sale.
“It looks set to be a fantastic weekend of food and drink from the Highlands, great music and, of course, Rugby 7s. The weekend will be a highlight of Highland RFC’s centenary year events, but we hope it will provide a legacy lasting well beyond our 100th year.
“The Highland Beer, Gin & Whisky Festival and Inverness City 7s will also bring in funds for the club’s dedicated charities, Mikeysline, Alzheimer Scotland and My Name’5 Doddie, as well as Highland RFC to help us continue to promote and deliver rugby to communities across the Highlands.”
The Highland Beer, Gin & Whisky Festival will host drinks producers from across the Highlands, including beer from Black Isle Brewery, Cairngorm Brewery, Cromarty Brewing Co, Loch Ness Brewery, Windswept Brewing Co and Dog Falls Brewing Company.
Gin will come from Red Door Gin, Badachro Distillery, GlenWyvis Distillery and Loch Ness Spirits; as well as whisky from Badachro Distillery, Benromach Distillery and Tomatin Distillery, plus more to be confirmed.
