Best Of The Fest

With more than 500 events, there's something for every dram lover at this year's Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival

- EUAN DUGUID

IT'S home to some of the most famous whisky brands on the planet.

And extraordinary Scotch will abound at this year's Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival, running from April 26 to May 1.

Yet behind the prestige is a hard-working army of volunteers, whose potent blend of passion and no-nonsense drive is the very spark in the spectacular.

"Events like this don't just happen - the community comes together and welcomes the world to Speyside," says Spirit stalwart and long-serving festival board member Linda Mellis.

First launched in 1999, the annual celebration has now developed into one of the largest uisge beatha showcases of its kind, anywhere in the world.

With a programme of more than 500 events over six days, thousands of guests - from 35 countries will experience all the magic of the nation's most prolific malt-producing region.

Now retired, Linda worked in the whisky industry for 43 years, starting out in 1972. Ascending through the ranks, she finished her career in marketing for distillery visitor centres, brand homes and community support for malt distilling at major drinks firm Diageo.

Today, Linda has maintained a reputation for laser focus and making things happen.