At SPEY we’re extremely fortunate to work with diverse clients, from food and drink, education, to whisky and gin festivals, but it’s safe to say that most, if not all our clients, are touched in some way by tourism. Tourism is fundamental to our little corner of Scotland and Speyside would not be the booming centre of whisky and famous brands (e.g Walkers Shortbread, Johnstons of Elgin) if it weren't for the footfall that comes every year from near and far to explore what Moray Speyside has to offer.

Despite covid-19’s challenges, the tourism industry is bouncing back as travel restrictions ease and social distancing becomes less prevalent, and on this World Tourism Day we’d like to give a shout out to some of our wonderful clients that boost, promote, and celebrate the tourism industry within Moray Speyside.

Visit Moray Speyside

Kicking off our list, and rightly so, is Visit Moray Speyside; this is the Tourism Business Improvement District (BID) Company for the Moray and Speyside area of Scotland. We’ve worked with Visit Moray Speyside since its conception, aiding its campaign to become a T-BID and, currently, its successful promotion of the region’s businesses.

What do they do?

Visit Moray Speyside facilitates many things, but first and foremost it markets Moray Speyside as an attractive destination, engaging tourists, consumers and international travel to view Moray as a world-class destination and a place worth visiting! Secondly, VMS supports local businesses in the region, whether that’s through training, digital skills, or other opportunities that appear. Finally, VMS ensures that all visitors to Speyside and Moray have an inspirational trip and a top class experience, providing them with local knowledge, informative links, and points of contact when planning a trip to the region.

If you’re looking to plan a trip to Moray Speyside, do visit their website for helpful information.

The Malt Whisky Trail

Next on our list is The Malt Whisky Trail; a Trail that is said to provide the ultimate Scotch experience. The Trail is a partnership of nine whisky destinations, all of them based in the heart of malt whisky country in Speyside. These partner organisations range from active distilleries like Benromach, Glen Grant, Glen Moray, Glenfiddich, The Glenlivet and Strathisla, to historic distilleries like Dallas Dhu, and The Speyside Cooperage, where a great deal of Scotland’s whisky casks are processed. As one of our first clients, SPEY was asked to help reawaken this sleeping giant and we did just. By refreshing their website and increasing The Trail’s media profile through integrated PR and social media campaigns, we raised The Trail’s profile at home and abroad.

So, what do they do?

Firstly, The Malt Whisky Trail captures an essence of the distilleries in Speyside, giving you a literal road-map of potential ways to explore and navigate the largest concentration of Scotch malt whisky distilleries in the world. If you’re looking for distillery opening times, frequently asked questions, admission costs and the likes, The Malt Whisky Trail provides this information for their nine sites on their easily accessible website.

The Malt Whisky Trail also provides detailed itineraries for ways to spend your time in Speyside to ensure you get the most out of your stay. Be it travelling to the coast, exploring Speyside’s history, or visiting dog-friendly sites, The Malt Whisky Trail website provides the information and itineraries you need.

Finally, if you sign up to The Malt Whisky Trail’s newsletters, you will get regular updates on local news, what’s happening at individual distilleries along The Trail and any upcoming events. Did we mention The Malt Whisky Trail also has a world-leading podcast that provides deeper insight into the world of Speyside’s craftspeople?

If you’re looking to learn more about The Trail, sign up for its newsletter, listen to its podcast, or plan your visit to Malt Whisky Country, then visit The Malt Whisky Trail website here.

The Craigellachie Hotel

Last but not least on our list is The Craigellachie Hotel. A cosy 26-room hotel located in the heart of Speyside, The Craigellachie Hotel provides easy access to over half of Scotland’s distilleries. Our job is pretty specific; to target premium lifestyle and travel media and make The Craigellachie a hit-list destination through PR and instagram - our track record says we do this successfully.

What makes them unique?

Not only is it located amongst world renowned distilleries, The Craigellachie provides a luxury home-from-home experience and is considered by many to have the best whisky bar in the world -The Quaich. Within the hotel, you will have the chance to rub shoulders with locals, learning of whisky legends and local tales that will give you a true taste of Speyside. Did we mention it is dog-friendly too?

If you find yourself getting peckish, The Craigellachie’s Copper Dog pub offers classic home-made meals, with produce sourced locally from Speyside where possible. With a menu crafted by famous chef, Will Halsall, known for his work at The Ivy and other leading London restaurants, you’ll be in for a night of fire-side comfort and local cuisine.

Interested in making yourself at home at The Craigellachie Hotel? Visit their website for more information on how to book a stay.

And there we have it...a few of our wonderful tourism boosting clients who all add a little spark to the Moray Speyside region.

Happy World Tourism Day!

If you want to find out more about how SPEY can help you to promote your business, get in touch at hello@spey.scot.