Get into the Scottish spirit this May. Whisky Month is just one of the many reasons head up to Scotland for Homecoming this year. Whisky Month is a diverse range of more than 30 unmissable events and experiences happening across Scotland this May, held in honour of Scotland’s famous national drink as part of the year-long Homecoming 2009 celebrations.

Homecoming Scotland is a year-long celebration marking Scotland’s major contributions to the world stretching from Burns Night to St Andrews Day 2009. Discover the unique characteristics of the whisky regions of Scotland: the Highlands, Speyside, Lowlands, Islay and Campbeltown. The ‘water of life’ will be celebrated across these regions with three major festivals, special tours and tastings, exclusive access to rarely opened distilleries and a look at the world’s largest collection of whiskies. Into this mix goes a generous measure of music, dance and song, feasts of fabulous food, a game or two of golf and the chance to explore the great outdoors.

Weekends away
Take a break and head to the Highlands for a Glenmorangie Whisky Weekend for fine Scottish hospitality while visiting the home of Glenmorangie in Tain, or head to Skye’s Iconic Dunvegan Castle for an unforgettable evening with Talisker Distillery.

Festivals
Celebrations begin at the Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival on the 1st May. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the festival has extended its programme over 10 days offering specialist whisky tours, tastings and gourmet food events at distilleries. For families, activities combine whisky and leisure to create a variety of entertainment, scenic walks, golf, sport and shopping. The festival finale headlined by renowned Scottish band, Capercaille on Saturday 9th May embraces the music, dance and song of the region in a spectacular event on the idyllic banks of the River Spey.

On the 16th – 17th May is Spirit of the West, a brand new festival which takes place in the stunning grounds of Inveraray Castle. Whisky tasting, food sampling and cookery demonstrations will run alongside historical trails, fashion shows, music, arts and crafts and golfing activities and a lively ceilidh. Continuing the Islay celebration, is the legendary Feis Ile – Islay Malt & Music Festival from the 23rd- 31st May which features a week long programme of events at Islay’s distilleries