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Walk on the wild side to explore whisky’s roots


By Lorna Thompson

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MALT whisky enthusiasts can go back to source in an earthy new tour which takes visitors a walk through Moray barley fields.

A collaboration between a Spey Bay farmer and a local Scottish Tourist Guides Association (STGA) registered Green Badge tour guide will take visitors on a journey from Grain to Glass in the making of malt whisky.

Byres Farm in Spey Bay, which supplies grain to The Glenlivet, has teamed up with Speyside Escapes to offer the tour, the first of its kind and tailored to offer a new visitor experience in the growing whisky tourism market.

Enjoying privileged access to the farm, visitors will walk the fields in the company of the farmer, gaining insider knowledge into malting barley varieties and the farming year, while also discovering how mustard, livestock and the latest technologies are woven together to create the perfect dram.

Tour participants then follow the transformation of barley into whisky through distillery tours and tastings at many of the local distilleries.

Linda Bruce, from Speyside Escapes, with Bill Smith, from Byres Farm, Spey Bay.
Linda Bruce, from Speyside Escapes, with Bill Smith, from Byres Farm, Spey Bay.

Bill Smith, from Byres Farm, said: "We look forward to offering an authentic experience where we will walk the barley fields, delve into the machinery and give a real sense of what it takes to produce the essence of Speyside’s famous tipple – barley.

"With Speyside Escapes we will provide guests with farm memories to savour with their dram."

Linda Bruce, from Speyside Escapes, said: "The Grain to Glass whisky tour is very close to my heart. With a family background in malting barley, I'm delighted to partner with Byres Farm to offer this unique insider experience at the start of the whisky journey."

Laurie Piper, operations manager for Moray Speyside Tourism, emphasised the importance of tourism businesses adapting their offering to meet the demands of this growing market.

He said: "With visits to Scottish whisky distilleries increasing by 56% since 2010, the opportunity for Moray Speyside tourism businesses to take advantage of this is clear.

"With the recent investment in visitor experiences in the central belt, such as the new Jonnie Walker experience, it is even more important to ensure that Moray Speyside maintains its position as the home of malt whisky.

"Moray Speyside Tourism were delighted to advise and assist both Bill and Linda in the development of this exciting visitor experience."

The Grain to Glass tour is available all year round. For more information visit www.speysideescapes.com/grain-to-glass-tour.


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