Scotland's month long festival with whisky at its heart

May 2009 is Whisky Month,- a diverse range of unmissable Whisky events and experiences across Scotland created in honour of Scotland's famous national drink, Scotch Whisky and presented as part of Scotland's year long Homecoming celebrations.

Whisky Month invites you to explore Scotland's landscape and culture through its famous national drink in a month long programme of more than 30 events which includes the newly extended Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, the brand new Spirit of the West festival, Feis Ile - Islay's Malt and Music Festival and unique activity across Scotland's distilleries.

Throughout Whisky Month some of Scotland's most popular and exclusive distilleries open their doors to visitors and invite you to discover the unique characteristics of the whisky regions of Scotland: the Highlands, Speyside, Lowlands, Islay and Campbeltown; with behind-the-scenes experiences and distillery tours.

In Speyside the celebrations begin at the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival on the 1st May. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the festival has extended it's programme over 10 days offering specialist whisky tours, tastings and gourmet food events at distilleries. For families, activities combine whisky and leisure to create a variety of entertainment, scenic walks, golf, sport and exclusive retail opportunities. The festival finale on Saturday 9th May 'The Spirit of Speyside' embraces the music, dance and song of the region in a spectacular event on the idyllic banks of the River Spey, at Aberlour. Headlined by renowned Scottish band, Capercaille, the entertainment will come to a dramatic close with a stunning display of fireworks.

Learn more about whisky and head across to the University of Aberdeen's Word Festival 2009 for Maclean's Malt Whisky Tour of Scotland. Charles MacLean will talk about his new book MacLean's Malt Whisky Handbook and explore the flavour and character of Scotch malt whisky. In Aberdeenshire, take the opportunity to enter Ardmore Distillery, rarely open to the public, you can experience a bespoke tour and whisky tasting session.

Head up to the Highlands and visit Dewars World of Whisky, where Homecoming is celebrated with "Dewar's Signature Tour" a chance to taste some of the world's finest and rarest whiskies from Dewar's premium portfolio and a warehouse tasting of Aberfeldy Single Malt.

Incorporate whisky tasting with a weekend break. Book a Glenmorangie Whisky Weekend for fine Scottish hospitality while visiting the home of Glenmorangie in Tain, or head to Skye's Iconic Dunvegan Castle for an unforgettable evening with Talisker Distillery.

Heading further north to Orkney, Scotland's most northerly distillery, Highland Park flings open it's doors for a free, exclusive Open Weekend on the 23rd and 24th May. 

Celebrating the spirits of the Highlands, Islay and Campbeltown on the 16th - 17th May is Spirit of the West, a brand new festival which takes place in the stunning grounds of Inveraray Castle. Whisky tasting, food sampling and cookery demonstrations will run alongside historical trails, fashion shows, music, arts and crafts and golfing activities with a lively ceilidh giving you a chance to enjoy a few drams.

Continuing the Islay celebration, take part in the legendary Feis Ile - Islay's Malt & Music Festival from the 23rd- 31st May which features a week long programme of events at distilleries and venues across the island. 

In the Lowlands of Scotland there are plenty of opportunities to sample a dram and get a flavour of Whisky Month. Visit Auchentoshan's newly refurbished Visitors Centre near Glasgow and .make sure you stop at Edinburgh's Scotch Whisky Experience for 'Enthusiasm for Scotch' and The Diageo Claive Vidiz Scotch Whisky Collection - the world's largest collection of whiskies a 'must see' for Whisky fans and novices alike. 

And the celebration of this famous tipple doesn't stop there! For a full range of the whisky events taking place across Scotland throughout 2009 and for information of whisky packages, trails and itineraries go to:

                                www.homecomingscotland2009.com/whiskymonth

Gavin Hewitt, Chief Executive of The Scotch Whisky Association, said:
"Whisky Month in May is the perfect time to visit Scotland, the home of whisky.  An exciting programme of distillery and festival events awaits our visitors.  They will experience the very best that Scotch Whisky has to offer and learn why this global icon embodies the spirit of Scotland."

Marie Christie Homecoming Scotland 2009 Project Director said: "Scotch Whisky is a unique aspect of Scotland's rich culture and heritage which is celebrated across the world. Showcasing it through the Homecoming festivities provides us an opportunity to promote some of the country's most distinctive communities and regions through a lively programme of activity."

For a full listing of events in the Whisky Month programme and for further information on Homecoming Scotland 2009 go to