Countdown to Scotland’s Dram-Atic Weekend in the West
News release 11.05.09
Final preparations are being made for the much hyped Spirit of the West festival that takes place in Inveraray this weekend, a major event marking the midway point in Homecoming Scotland 2009’s Whisky Month programme.
The inaugural festival is expecting between 4000 and 6000 visitors across the weekend from as far as Australia, USA and Canada and as near as neighbouring towns of Oban and Dunoon. The event is set to be a global gathering that will celebrate Scotland’s west coast whisky, food and culture in the stunning grounds of Inveraray Castle.
Festival highlights include a bag-rocking opener from the Red Hot Chilli Pipers (Saturday), cooking with whisky demonstrations by celebrity chef Nick Nairn (Sunday), 16 world famous west coast whisky distilleries, an array of mouth watering local Argyll produce in the Food & Drink Marquee (sponsored by Scotland Food & Drink) and a huge cultural line up of outdoor theatre trails, music, dance, drama and family entertainment.
A whole range of whisky masterclasses, for over 18s, will also take place across the weekend, each run by whisky industry celebrities in their own right, including the entertaining Jim McEwan from Bruichladdich and the “New Kid on the Block”, Islay’s new Kilchoman Distillery.
The team behind Spirit of the West, The Whisky Coast, which is a collaboration of 16 whisky distilleries, 20 first class hotels and restaurants along the scenic west coast, marked their two year birthday last month and the festival is set to raise even more awareness of the region and the popularity of whisky tourism.
Nicky Murphy, Project Manager for The Whisky Coast and Event Manager for Spirit of the West said: “The west coast of Scotland is so dramatic and offers the most spectacular scenery. The region is incredibly rich in culture that is unavoidably absorbed when visiting. A taste of whisky goes a long way and this weekend we want to share with those who have a love for Scotland, whisky and all things west what lies behind every single malt – from its people to its food, its craftsmanship to its song.”
She added: “Preparations are going very well and building work has commenced in the castle grounds. We are looking forward to sharing our love for whisky culture in the west with people from all over.”
Join in the celebrations at Inveraray Castle on Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th May, 11am to 6pm daily and be part of Homecoming Scotland 2009’s whisky month. Visit
www.spiritofthewest.co.uk
for more information. Tickets are available to buy online at
www.seetickets.com/spiritofthewest
or by telephone on 0871 230 5580. Quote SOTWPROMO to claim 10% discount in advance. Tickets will be available to purchase on the gate.
…ends…
For more information please contact:
Pauline Foster
PR & Events Executive
Pure Shores PR
Tel: 01631 569 651
Mob & Out of Office Hours: 07791573247
Email:
pauline@pureshorespr.co.uk
Note to Editors:
· Please visit the events official website www.spiritofthewest.co.uk
· Spirit of the West’s food & drink marquee is sponsored by Scotland Food & Drink, with support from the Scottish Government. www.scotlandfoodanddrink.org.
· Ticket Information (available from www.seetickets.com/spiritofthewest): Adults: £14.50 per day; £22 for weekend; Children under 16: £10 per day; £18 for weekend; Family (two adults, two children): £45 per day; £75 for weekend; Children under eight: Free; Senior Citizens & Concessions: £10 per day, £18 for weekend
· In addition to a day or weekend ticket, whisky masterclass tickets cost £10 per head per class or £15 per head for extended classes. Tickets for masterclasses will be available for purchase on the day and is based on a first come first serve basis.
· Inveraray Castle lies on the beautiful banks of Loch Fyne in the old town of Inveraray in Argyll, 60 miles north of Glasgow with road links north and south.
· Please visit www.whiskycoast.co.uk for more information and for details of whisky coast members.
· The Whisky Coast & Spirit of the West encourages responsible drinking and supports the Drinkaware Trust which campaigns and educates to reduce alcohol misuse and minimise alcohol related harm.
· For more information on Homecoming Scotland & Whisky Month please visit www.homecomingscotland2009.com/whiskymonth.
Festival Programme:
The Marquees:
The Dram Room – 16 world famous whisky distilleries from the west
The Whisky Theatre – 12 whisky masterclasses across the weekend
Arts & Crafts – a showcase of wonderful top quality gifts, arts and crafts from the Whisky Coast.
Food & Drink – Demonstrations & a selection of local food producers, such as the Food from Argyll group, preparing freshly cooked dishes that are to die for!
Heritage & Culture – includes music, dance and drama performances, tartan fashion shows and genealogy advice.
Saturday 16th May
Whisky Masterclasses (Whisky Theatre)
11.30am – Lagavulin/Caol Ila 1pm – Ben Nevis
2pm – Arran Distillery 3pm – Springbank/Glengyle
4.20pm – Kilchoman 5.20pm – Ardbeg
Food & Drink
12pm – Isle of Eriska chef demonstration
1.30pm – The Three Chimneys chef demonstration
3pm – Crerar Hotels chef demonstration
4pm – Willie Pike, award winning Scottish Chef and member of the Federation of Chefs, Scotland, presenting 'A modern twist on Canapes and finger food'
5pm – Auchrannie (Arran) chef demonstration
Dance & Drama
11am – Red Hot Chilli Pipers open the show!
12pm – Robin Laing – whisky folk singer/song writer
1pm & 5pm – Royal Scottish Country Dance Society “The Homecoming Dance”
2pm – Norma Munro – the Islay songbird
3pm – Fashion Show – presentation of the West Coast clan tartans
4pm – Children’s workshops with The Walking Theatre Company
Outdoor
12.30pm & 4.30pm – The Drakes of Hazard – the duck herding sheep dog!
11.30am & 3.30pm – Cumberland Birds of Prey
2pm – The Walking Theatre Company trail “The Whisky Way”
Performances throughout the day – The Archie McCallister Trio
Performances throughout the day – Lindsay Ritchies
Performances throughout the day – Clann an Drumma (Pipe & Drums tribal group)
Performances throughout the day – Big Rory and his big dog Ochie!
Sunday 17th May
Whisky Masterclasses (Whisky Theatre)
11.30am – Bunnahabhain/Tobermory 1pm – Bruichladdich
2pm – Bowmore 3pm – Oban/Talisker
4.20pm – Jura 5.20pm – Laphraoig
Food & Drink
12.30pm & 5pm – Nick Nairn cooking with whisky demonstrations
3pm – Nick Nairn is joined by Shirley Spear of Skye’s The Three Chimneys restaurant
4pm – Willie Pike, award winning Scottish Chef and member of the Federation of Chefs, Scotland, presenting 'A modern twist on Canapes and finger food'
Dance & Drama
11am – Taynuilt Gaelic Choir
12pm – Norma Munro – the Islay songbird
1pm & 4pm – Fashion Show – presentation of the West Coast clan tartans
2pm – Robin Laing – whisky folk singer/song writer
2.30pm – Storytelling by Linda Strachan author of the Hamish McHaggis collection
3.30pm – Children’s workshops with The Walking Theatre Company
5pm – Inveraray Pipe Band and the Highland Dancers
Outdoor
11.30pm & 3.30pm – The Drakes of Hazard – the duck herding sheep dog!
12.30pm – The Walking Theatre Company trail “The Whisky Way”
2.30pm & 4.30pm – Cumberland Birds of Prey
Performances throughout the day – Lindsay Ritchies
Performances throughout the day – Clann an Drumma (Pipe & Drums tribal group)
Performances throughout the day – Big Rory and his big dog Ochie!
Pauline Foster
Pure Shores PR
01631 569 651
07791573247