First ever whisky festival comes to Falkland

The Falkland Whisky Festival will bring together whisky producers, independent bottlers and drinks businesses from across Scotland for a celebration of the country’s national drink in one of its most historically significant settings.

It will take place at Falkland Community Hall and will feature two sessions, from 1-4pm and 5-8pm, offering visitors the opportunity to discover a wide range of Scottish whiskies and spirits and meet the people behind some of

the country’s most distinctive producers and brands.

Businesses from across Scotland will be represented at the festival, with exhibitors travelling from as far north as Orkney to take part in the inaugural event.

The confirmed line-up includes Inchdairnie, Moffat, Saltire Rare Malt, Inchaffray, Lochlea, Buck & Birch, Angus Alchemy, Kirkwall Harbour, Limited Whisky, Kingsbarns, Spey, Seolta Spirits and Spirits of the Glen, bringing together established producers, independent bottlers and specialist spirits businesses.

The event has particular significance given Falkland’s unique place in the history of Scotch whisky. In 1494, an entry in the Scottish Exchequer Roll recorded an order for eight bolls of malt to be provided to Friar John Cor to make aqua vitae. The entry, made during the reign of King James IV, is widely recognised as the earliest written reference to Scotch whisky.

More than five centuries later, the Falkland Whisky Festival will celebrate that historic connection while showcasing the breadth and diversity of Scotland’s modern whisky industry.

Willie Rennie MSP said: “Whisky in Fife has a tradition going back hundreds of years, originating in Falkland and spreading across the region and the country.

“This festival will be a celebration of this rich history, with an eclectic mix of spirits from across Scotland. If you have a passion for whisky, this is an event you will not want to miss.”

The festival’s main sponsor, Saltire Rare Malt, based in Falkland, is supporting the event with a number of exclusive offerings for attendees.

Every ticket holder will receive a free, exclusive Falkland Whisky Festival branded whisky glass to take home as a memento of the inaugural festival. Saltire is also producing a limited-edition Falkland Whisky Festival whisky, specially created and branded for the event.

Produced in limited numbers, the whisky will be available to purchase exclusively at the festival, giving attendees the opportunity to take home a unique memento of the first Falkland Whisky Festival.

Keith Rennie, Director and co-founder of Saltire Rare Malt, said: “We are delighted to be the main sponsor of the inaugural Falkland Whisky Festival and to play a part in bringing this event to the village.

“Falkland has an extraordinary connection with the history of Scotch whisky, and we wanted our involvement to reflect that. Providing every attendee with an exclusive festival glass, alongside producing a limited-edition whisky specifically for the event, gives visitors something tangible to remember the first festival by.

“We hope the event will establish itself as a major fixture in the Scottish whisky calendar and, importantly, that its success will continue to benefit the Falkland community for many years to come.”

Alongside celebrating the village’s historic connection with whisky, the event has been established with a clear commitment to the local community. Profits from the festival will be returned to the community, helping to support local causes and initiatives.

Alex Simpson, part of the festival’s organising team, added: “The idea behind the Falkland Whisky Festival was to create something that celebrates both Scotland’s incredible whisky industry and Falkland itself.

“We are incredibly proud to have businesses travelling from all over Scotland, including from as far afield as Orkney, to be part of the very first festival.

“Falkland has an extraordinary connection to the history of Scotch whisky, and we wanted to build on that history by creating a modern event that brings people together, attracts visitors to the village and ultimately gives something back to the community.

“We hope this first festival will be the beginning of something that can grow year after year and become an important event in both Falkland’s calendar and Scotland’s whisky calendar.”

The Falkland Whisky Festival will provide visitors with the opportunity to sample and purchase a broad range of whiskies and spirits, speak directly with producers and exhibitors, and discover more about the people and businesses contributing to Scotland’s whisky industry.

Tickets for the inaugural Falkland Whisky Festival are available through Ticket Tailor. Links can also be found on the festival’s Facebook and Instagram channels.