WATCH: Whisky festival returns for “biggest ever” Inverness gig
Hundreds of whisky lovers and neophytes flocked to Eden Court to celebrate Scotland’s National Drink.
Returning for its third edition to the Highland capital, the Inverness date of the Scottish National Whisky Festival was the biggest yet, with almost 30 stalls representing distilleries and independent bottlers and introducing an after-party at Uilebheist for festivalgoers.
Festival co-ordinator, Gareth Croll, said it was amazing to return to the “heartland” of whisky culture.
He said: “The atmosphere today speaks for itself!
“We want to bring a vision, a view of what modern and contemporary Scotch whisky, arts, music, and overall general culture can be – and this is the biggest that it’s ever been here in Inverness.
”In terms of consumers and guests, we have multiple nationalities here today, across Europe and the Americas, and in terms of whisky exhibitors, every single type of whisky is represented here.
“In terms of the music offering, it’s critical and amazing today. If you ask me, today has be en one of my favourites.”
He said that the event has doubled in size each year, with a full room this weekend, and they are looking to expand it further in the future.
“This is the heartland of whisky culture,” he said. “The city itself is alive and busy. For me, this is an absolute hub for culture at the minute, and the city needs something to show that off.
“Personally speaking, my father lives in Alness, so I feel a very close affinity to the region, and I want to be here and return in the coming years, going bigger and bigger.
“I would like to see the venue doubled in size and starting to feature the culinary elements of up in the Highlands, with a much larger food offering available here.
“Compared to our other events, this is hunger, and it’s working, it’s got it’s own identity, it’s home-grown. Inverness may be my favourite!”
