Spirit of Speyside welcomes return of in-person festival with new chairman
George McNeil, managing director of Johnstons of Elgin retail division, has been appointed chairman designate of Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, one of the biggest festivals of it’s kind in the world ahead of the return of their in-person festival in November.
First launched in 1999, the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival is the annual celebration of Scotland's national drink. The Festival is the ultimate opportunity for travellers, whisky lovers, outdoor activity enthusiasts and the local community to explore, taste and learn about the world-famous Speyside region - home to more whisky distilleries than any other region of the world.
George McNeil will officially take over as chairman from James Campbell, who has held the position for over ten years, during the November festival. Under James’ leadership, the festival has been transformed into a six-day event with over 50 distilleries from around the region taking part.
Commenting on his new role, George McNeil said:
“I’ve lived in Speyside now for 14 years and it’s been very kind to me and my family. I’m looking forward to giving something back to this amazing region by looking after this iconic festival.
“The Spirit of Speyside is on to a winning formula by bringing together a huge variety of whisky companies with local communities and nearly 140 business members in the region and I’m really looking forward to continuing that legacy.”
James Campbell, current chairman of Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, added:
“It’s been my pleasure to act as chairman of Spirit of Speyside for the last decade and give visitors from around the world a taste of Scotland in miniature. Over the years, we’ve seen the festival grow to become an important part of the region and to help support the local economy.
“Earlier this year we brought the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival online with 688 guests from 15 countries around the world logging in but nothing beats being together to celebrate the world’s largest producing whisky region. I look forward to enjoying a dram with George at our first in-person event in two years in November when he officially becomes chairman.”
The full programme of events will be listed on www.spiritofspeyside.com and will be available for preview in late September. Tickets will go on sale online in September.
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Notes to Editors:
About the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival
First launched in 1999, the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival's annual celebration of Scotland's national drink has developed into one of the largest events of its kind anywhere in the world. The Festival is a mecca for the curious beginner and the whisky connoisseur alike. Over the past 20 years, festival events have taken place throughout Speyside, the biggest whisky producing region in Scotland, located in the Moray area in the North-East of the county between Aberdeen and Inverness. This year is the first year that the festival has adopted an online format.
Over the years, the Festival has developed close links with many Speyside businesses and communities who help to fund the festival. It is a true team effort to deliver an ever-improving range of events and services to make the Festival a truly unforgettable experience.
The company is limited by guarantee, it runs the festival with a voluntary board of directors drawn from key areas of the whisky industry along with other local businesses and tourism organisations.
For further information please visit:
Website: www.spiritofspeyside.com
Facebook: WhiskyFestival
Instagram: spirit_speyside
Twitter: spirit_speyside
