Scotland launches month-long whisky festival

LONDON, May 1 (Xinhua) -- Scotland launched on Friday a month-long celebration of its famous national drink -- Scotch Whisky in May as a highlight of the Homecoming Scotland 2009 program.     Over 30 events designed for the month are expected to draw some 30,000 additional visitors both to participating distilleries and to destinations across Scotland.

    The diverse range of whisky events and experiences across Scotland is presented as part of Scotland's year-long Homecoming celebrations. Known and loved at home and around the world, Scotch Whisky is a crucial part of Scotland's tourism sector, with Scotland Whisky -- the national whisky tourism initiative -- assessing that over 20 million pounds (about 30 million U.S. dollars) is spent at whisky visitor attractions across Scotland.

    "Whisky is an ambassador for the quality and distinction of Scotland's produce and Whisky Month presents a fantastic opportunity for us to celebrate Scotland's famous national drink. With its wealth of distilleries and its scenic majesty I hope that thousands of visitors will join us for a dram this year and enjoy the spirit of Scotland in our year of Homecoming 2009," said Alex Salmon, Scotland's First Minister.

    Throughout Whisky Month some of Scotland's most popular and exclusive distilleries open their doors to visitors inviting them to discover the unique characteristics of the whisky regions of Scotland-- the highlands, lowlands, with behind-the-scenes experiences and distillery tours.

    Gavin Hewitt, Chief Executive of the Scotch Whisky Association, said, "Whisky Month in May is the perfect time to visit Scotland, the home of whisky. An exciting program of distillery and festival events awaits our visitors. They will experience the very best that Scotch Whisky has to offer and learn why this global icon embodies the spirit of Scotland."

    Marie Christie, project director of Homecoming Scotland 2009, noted that Scotch Whisky is "a unique aspect of Scotland's rich culture and heritage" which is celebrated across the world. "Showcasing it through the Homecoming festivities provides us an opportunity to promote some of the country's most distinctive communities and regions through a lively program of activity," she added.

    Homecoming Scotland 2009 aims to engage Scots at home as well as motivate people of Scottish descent and those who simply love Scotland, to take part in an inspirational celebration of the culture, heritage and some of the many great contribution Scotland has given to the world. Among them are Scotland's national poet Robert Burns, golf, whisky and Scotland's great minds and innovations.