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Bladnoch will
once again join forces with the Wigtown
Book Festival as the celebrated literary
event enters its 27th year.
Bladnoch, Scotland’s oldest privately
owned Scotch whisky distillery, will
once again join forces with the Wigtown
Book Festival as the celebrated literary
event enters its 27th year.
Running from 26 September to 5 October
2025, the ten-day festival takes place
in Wigtown, Scotland’s National Book
Town and home to the 208-year-old
Bladnoch Distillery. Since its founding
in 1999, Wigtown Book Festival has grown
into one of the UK’s leading literary
showcases, hosting more than 200 events
spanning literature, music, theatre,
food, visual arts, and featuring a
distinguished roster of authors.
As part of its partnership, Bladnoch
will sponsor the festival’s volunteer
team of more than 100 people—the driving
force behind its continued
success—ensuring they receive the
training, recognition, and support they
deserve.
This collaboration highlights the shared
values of resilience, regeneration, and
community between two organisations
deeply rooted in Dumfries & Galloway.
Together, they strengthen cultural
tourism, deepen community ties, and
demonstrate how grassroots dedication
and enterprise can transform a rural
economy.
Bladnoch itself embodies these values.
Rescued from closure in 2015 by
Australian entrepreneur David Prior, the
distillery has become a key local
employer and a hub for cultural events
and whisky tourism. Its commitment to
renewal aligns closely with the spirit
of Wigtown Book Festival, which was
founded to revitalise Galloway during a
period of economic and industrial
decline. Today, the festival attracts
more than 11,000 visitors annually,
generating significant economic impact
while inspiring pride across the region.
As part of the 2025 programme, Bladnoch
will host Bold Spirit: Tales of
Galloway, an exclusive storytelling
evening at the distillery on Thursday 2
October at 7:30pm. The event will be led
by Scottish storyteller, author, and
travel influencer Graeme Johncock, known
for @scotlands_stories, and will
celebrate the region’s unique identity,
humour, and bold spirit.
That same evening, the festival will
also see the launch of Loch Maberry:
Stories of Bladnoch, Chapter 2, the
latest release in a limited-edition
series chosen by individuals with a
special connection to Bladnoch whiskies.
Guests will be the first to taste the
new single malt alongside Bladnoch’s
master distiller, Dr. Nick Savage, and
the character who inspired its creation.
Loch Maberry Chapter 2 will be available
for purchase exclusively at Bladnoch
Distillery and via Bladnoch’s online
shop starting 2 October—offering whisky
enthusiasts a rare opportunity to secure
the release at its debut.
Dr Nick Savage, Master Distiller at
Bladnoch Distillery, said: "We're proud
to be working with the 27th annual
Wigtown Book Festival to support the
event’s team of dedicated volunteers.
Together, we have forged a meaningful
partnership rooted in community
regeneration and cultural enrichment.
"At Bladnoch, our commitment to crafting
our bold Galloway spirit is at the heart
of all that we do. Bold Galloway spirit
is exactly what the festival’s
volunteers bring – courage, warmth and a
passion that fuels Wigtown Book Festival
year after year."
Adrian Turpin, Wigtown Book Festival's
artistic director, said: "Bladnoch
Distillery and Wigtown Book Festival
have each played a central role in the
regeneration of Wigtown over many years,
which makes this a very special
partnership.
"While, sadly, we can't actually bottle
the bold Galloway spirit of our
volunteers, Bladnoch Distillery’s
generosity will enable us to better
support them and acknowledge the
irreplaceable contribution they make to
the success of the festival."
Dating back to 1817, Bladnoch Distillery
is one of the oldest single malt Scotch
whisky producers in the world and is
enjoying a bold and powerful revival
driven by the quality of its whisky
range which you will find available from specialist online whisky
shops such as
The Whisky Exchange
and
Master of Malt
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