The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival will return from April 29 to May 4, 2026, featuring more than 600 events across Scotland’s most concentrated whisky-producing region. The annual celebration, which contributes around £2.2million to the local economy every year, attracts thousands of visitors from over 40 countries to experience Speyside’s 51 working distilleries.
The six-day festival encompasses towns including Elgin, Forres, Keith, Aberlour, Dufftown, and Rothes.
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Speyside’s distilleries represent more than a third of Scotland’s total whisky production facilities.
Festival offerings include immersive distillery tours, tastings, coopering masterclasses, and whisky-paired dinners created by local chefs.
Visitors can meet Master Blenders and access usually closed dunnage warehouses where they can draw samples directly from casks.
The popular Dram Tram returns, transporting passengers in a Gold Carriage from Dufftown to Keith while sampling whisky along the scenic route.
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A traditional Scottish ceilidh at Craigellachie Distillery on Friday night serves as a festival highlight.
“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,” said Henry Angus, Chairman of the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival.
“Whilst we have an amazing quantity of events, the quality of them is what really shines through.”
Angus noted increasing visitor numbers and ticket sales in recent years.
“It’s wonderful to see the whole of the Speyside community getting behind it as a highlight on the calendar,” he added. “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.”
The festival launches with approximately 80 events on April 29, including an industry dinner co-hosted by Craigellachie Distillery as part of their 135th anniversary celebrations.
The four-day Whisky School returns for its tenth year, starting before the main festival.
Stagecoach will extend local bus services from Aberdeen and Inverness for day visitors.
Preview ticket sales begin at noon on February 18, with general sales opening February 24 through the Spirit of Speyside website.
