Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival

• What: Tasting and learning about Scotch in a region that is home to more than half of Scotland's Malt Distilleries.
• When: Early May
• Where: Towns and distilleries along the River Spey
• Admission: £5 for the Festival buses, various prices for events, many free.
• Website

More than half of Scotland's Malt Whiskey Distilleries are clustered along the banks of the Spey. This festival, in around Aviemore, Glenlivet, Rothes, Craigellachie and other nearby towns, includes visits to distilleries not usually open to the public, master classes and tastings, concerts, whisky dinners and lunches, country walks and more.

There are concerts, art exhibitions, chocolate and whisky tastings, visits to cashmere mills - with discount purchases, tours of a cooperage (where they make those all important whisky barrels), and tours of towns known for their 18th century smugglers. This one is a real treat for whisky lovers and friends.