Festivals Return to Stirling, Bringing in £200k to local economy
The Stirling Gin and Whisky Festivals concluded this weekend, bringing over 1100 visitors to Stirling’s city centre. The festivals, run by the Stirling Spirit Co., were hotly anticipated by attendees after being re-scheduled in 2020. Guests travelled from all over the UK to attend these annual events that celebrate the best in Scottish spirits. Held on back to back weekends, guests had access to a wide range of spirits, enjoyed special discounts and were the first to try new products.
Whisky enthusiasts travelled from locations including Newcastle and Leeds to attend the popular festival at Stirling’s Highland Hotel on Saturday 30th October. With brands including Glengoyne, Tullibardine, Fallen, Lindores, Murray McDavid, Urban, Dronach, Kilchoman, Wolfburn, Sons of Scotland, Callander drinks company, Old Pulteney, Balblair, Glendronach, Lindores Abbey, popular Swedish Mackmyra, Douglas Laing’s, Arran, and Clydeside distillery, guests stayed until the sun had long set, loaded with Christmas gifts and slightly lighter in the pocket.
For gin fans, the festival on 6th November at the Golden Lion Hotel in central Stirling, gave them the opportunity to meet the makers of over 20 gins, purchasing directly from the distilleries, with lots of special offers available on the day. Some of the brands attending the event were: Downpour, Ginti Gin, Devils Staircase, Stirling Gin, Pentlands Hill, Fassfern, Tayport, Tulchan Gin from Indi brands, Biggar Gin, Dundee, Ogilvy Vodka, Avva, Kilty, Colonsay, Ellis and Pilgrims, with NSD and Fever-tree as event sponsors.
Cocktail masterclasses were run by Stirling Distillery staff, giving guests the chance to make a cocktail from Stirling’s award winning Tropical Triumph gin liqueur. Guests walked away with their own copa glass, a delicious drink and some new cocktail making (and shaking) skills.
Event organiser June McCann spoke of the events; “We were so pleased to be back hosting festivals in Stirling again. It’s a great opportunity for Scottish brands to promote their products as well as encourage visitors to explore local Stirling businesses as they descend on our beautiful, historic city”.
Finlay Geekie, owner of Wild Thyme Spirits who brought Colonsay gin to this year’s gin festival said “We had an absolute blast at the event - great venue - well attended - the gin drinkers of Stirling were very generous in their praise for our products and purchased accordingly! We sold out of three of the gins we brought along despite thinking we’d over stocked! We would highly recommend this event to both gin consumers and gin producers alike!”.
Stirling is bidding to become UK City of Culture in 2025. As the solo Scottish bid, the city wants to put culture at the heart of the area’s regeneration and growth ambitions. Vice Convener, Cllr Scott Farmer said: “Culture is a key priority for Stirling and can act as a catalyst for the regeneration of the area, attracting investment and tourism, bringing people together and reaffirming a sense of place and pride”. Stirling Spirit Co.’s annual gin and whisky festivals are a key driver to increasing footfall and tourism in the city.
If you would like to be an exhibitor at these sell out festivals in 2022 or if you’re a local business and would like to be included in the festival brochure, please email enquiries@sws.scot. Visit the Your Stirling website with local tips and places to visit in the city.