Dornoch Whisky Festival back 'in full force' this weekend
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The Dornoch Whisky Festival returns this weekend as part of a series of food and drink events and activities in Caithness and Sutherland being supported by Venture North.
The whisky festival runs from Friday to Sunday, October 28- 30, and includes whisky masterclasses, and tastings as well as whisky paired dinners.
Lou Rollason, from the festival, said: “We’re so excited that the Dornoch Whisky Festival is coming back in full force for 2022.
“This year we’ll be continuing to work with some fantastic brands and do some great collaborations between them and our local businesses.
“It is such a delightful wee festival emphasising knowledge and learning, regardless of someone’s experience in whisky.
“Since October is such a beautiful time of year in the Highland, we love that we play a small part in the Highland calendar to encourage people to visit outside of the summer rush.”
Other food and drink events coming up include the Taste North Festival on Sunday, November 6, at the East Caithness Community Facility in Wick and the new Far North Spirits and Beer Festival, taking place throughout November.
Venture North is the destination management organisation that promotes responsible tourism in the far north. It is working with more than 250 tourism and hospitality businesses, community groups and industry partners to help extend the season and bring business to local visitor economies over the quieter autumn and winter months.
The initiative is being geared towards promoting reasons to visit and explore Caithness and Sutherland from October to March, showcasing areas that are less affected by over-tourism and can accommodate visitors in the quieter season.
Venture North board director Ellie Lamont said: “Venture North is delighted to be able to host the return of Taste North in Wick on November 6.
"We’re looking forward to seeing all our past exhibitors and visitors, as well as being able to welcome new businesses and entice a growing number of attendees to the much-anticipated festival of the best the north has to offer.
“We’re delighted to be bringing our own local chefs to the stage to cook up some delicious meals and our programme is packed with cookery and cocktail demonstrations, as well as our Taste North challenge competition and family activities.”
Cathy Earnshaw is destination strategy manager for Venture North and leads the Tourism Recovery Strategy for Caithness and Sutherland.
She said: “One of the key focus areas in our Tourism Destination Recovery Strategy is to support and develop events and festivals that encourage people to enjoy and visit Caithness and Sutherland outwith the main summer season, and to encourage visitors to explore less populated parts of the region.
“We have been building a range of themed visitor itineraries to showcase the region over the autumn and winter. At this time of year, we have some globally recognised food and drink events to enjoy, including the Dornoch Whisky Festival in October and Taste North in November.
“We’re also excited to be supporting the inaugural Far North Spirits and Beer Festival throughout November, which is a locally led initiative to showcase the up-and-coming spirits and beer products and experiences in Caithness and the far north.
“I’m delighted to see that the far north is now firmly establishing itself as a world-class leader for spirits and beer that’s worth celebrating.”
Venture North is leading the development and delivery of the Tourism Destination Recovery Strategy (2021-23). Core funding is provided by Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd and other funding partners.
The organisation is continuing to work in partnership with local development trusts, communities and representative bodies and tourism businesses "to ensure collective ownership and delivery of the strategy at regional level". Venture North also supports member businesses and communities across the region through effective collaboration to maximise the benefits of the visitor economy.
Venture North has devised a series of suggested themed itineraries to help visitors explore Caithness and Sutherland over the autumn and winter months, which are now available on the Venture North website.
It has also launched a series of five short films to showcase Caithness and Sutherland to visitors across the UK and beyond this autumn and winter, including "Venture North to Caithness and Sutherland".
For more information about the Dornoch Whisky Festival and for tickets, visit https://dornochwhiskyfestival.com
More information about Taste North and the Far North Spirits and Beer Festival can be found at www.venture-north.co.uk/taste-north
