Tomintoul Distillery has released a new short film, Spirit of the Cairngorms, to celebrate the fourth year of its partnership with the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team (CMRT). The film premiered at Tomintoul House earlier this week, bringing together contributors, CMRT volunteers, local partners and community representatives.
Produced by Tomintoul in partnership with the CMRT, the film features members of the Tomintoul team and CMRT volunteers sharing personal accounts of living and working in the region.
Their stories reveal common ground between the two teams. These range from respect for the landscape to a commitment to craftsmanship, community and place.
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READ THE STORYThe film offers a behind-the-scenes look at the work of CMRT’s volunteers, alongside the people behind Tomintoul whisky.
The premiere event included an evening of storytelling, whisky and a celebration of the partnership.
Robert Fleming, master distiller at Tomintoul Distillery, said: “Tomintoul is deeply rooted in the Cairngorms. The landscape shapes our whisky but it is the people who live, work and care for this incredible place who truly bring its spirit to life.”
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Fleming added: “As we enter our fourth year as the Official Spirit of the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team, we wanted to tell the story of what this partnership really means. Spirit of the Cairngorms brings those stories together, giving us an opportunity to introduce people to the remarkable individuals behind both organisations and the shared connection that has grown between us.”
“CMRT volunteers put themselves in extraordinary situations to protect others and we’re incredibly proud to stand alongside them and share a little of their story through this film,” he said.
Tomintoul’s support helps the CMRT maintain its equipment, training and operational readiness. The funding supports volunteers as they respond to incidents across the region.
Willie Anderson, deputy team leader at Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team, said: “Mountain rescue is ultimately about people – the people who volunteer, the people we go out to help and the communities that support us. This film gives people a chance to see another side of what we do but also to understand the strong connection we have with the landscape and the communities around us.”
Anderson continued: “Working with Tomintoul over the past three years has shown how much we have in common. We may have very different roles but there is a shared pride in the Cairngorms and a real sense of responsibility for looking after this place and the people who enjoy it.”
The CMRT has around 40 trained volunteers. They respond to callouts across the Northern Cairngorms, Ben Alder and the Monadhliath Mountains, relying heavily on donations and grants.
Tomintoul Distillery, established in 1964 in the heart of Speyside, is owned by Angus Dundee Distillers. The brand markets itself as “the gentle dram.”
The trailer for Spirit of the Cairngorms is available online.
