New whisky festival set for debut on banks of Loch Lomond

A new whisky festival will take place on the shores of Loch Lomond this Spring.

Glen Scotia has announced the first Glen Scotia Mini Malts Festival, a two-day event scheduled for May 16 and 17 at Luss Distillery.

The event will act as a smaller companion to the long-running Campbeltown Malts Festival, which has become one of Scotland’s best-known annual whisky gatherings.

Organisers say the new Luss festival is intended to offer whisky fans easier access to the experience without travelling to Campbeltown.

Visitors will be able to sample a range of Glen Scotia single malts, including this year’s festival edition bottling and a selection of limited single-cask releases previously available at the Campbeltown festival.

Two guided tasting sessions will also form part of the programme.

The festival will be held at Luss Distillery, the recently opened visitor destination operated by Loch Lomond Group, which also owns Glen Scotia, Loch Lomond Whiskies and Ben Lomond Gin.

Master Blender for Glen Scotia, Ashley Smith, said: “Glen Scotia has established itself on the global stage, but while our whisky is full of big character and big ambitions, our home and our people remain at the heart of everything we do, so it felt only right to offer a wee taste of the Campbeltown Malts Festival in our new Loch Lomond brand home.

“Across the two days, attendees will have the chance to explore this year’s Campbeltown Malts Festival limited-edition whisky, meet our small team of big characters, and enjoy an exciting flavour of the main festival’s atmosphere.”