Press Release
STEP BACK IN TIME WITH THE GLENLIVET SMUGGLERS’ TRAILS
29 August 2007
The Crown Estate and the Glenlivet distillery in Speyside are taking a step back in time to launch three historic walks in the beautiful surroundings of the Glenlivet valley to give visitors a flavour of its illicit whisky smuggling past.
The launch of the Glenlivet smugglers’ trails is the second phase in a journey to rediscover the heritage of Scotch whisky and that of its most famous glen. It follows on from last year’s historic licensing of the first illicit ‘sma’ still’ in Glenlivet for nearly 180 years.
Launched in partnership with the Glenlivet Distillery, keen walkers can follow in the footsteps of famous whisky smugglers like the legendary Robbie MacPherson, who distilled whisky in the remote climate and terrain of Glenlivet away from the prying eyes of excise men, before smuggling it out of the glen. Robbie MacPherson was not alone and at one time there were over 200 illicit stills operating in the glen due to economic hardship and a series of whisky taxes imposed by the British government.
The whisky produced by the illicit distillers of Glenlivet became the most sought after in the land and was renowned throughout for its fruity, sweet ‘pineapple’ taste and gentleness. Convoys of ponies carrying casks of the outlawed spirit followed the smugglers’ trails out of the glen to major cities like Perth and beyond. The smugglers trails were often treacherous and impassable due to snow or flooding.
Visitors can choose from three walks in the Glenlivet valley of varying length, from a family walk, to a one day hike to explore the secret smuggling paths of days gone by. The trails include: the 6km George Smith smugglers trail, the 11km Robbie MacPherson smugglers trail or the 10.5km Malcolm Gillespie smugglers trail. Each trail is clearly sign-posted and has its own accompanying leaflet available from the visitors centre at the distillery to bring its history to life.
Andrew Wells, Countryside & Forestry Manager for The Crown Estate said: “The Glenlivet estate has a fascinating history much of which is associated with its past connection to illicit whisky distilling. This history, combined with a picturesque landscape of wide open spaces and rolling hills make it a truly memorable place to visit. The Crown Estate has made a considerable investment by providing footpaths and trails to help visitors explore and enjoy the Glenlivet countryside. This project has added to the already extensive network of walking trails and we look forward to welcoming more visitors who wish to experience not only the whisky but also to learn more about the people and places that make the area so popular.”
The Glenlivet smugglers’ trails are the perfect way to enjoy the beautiful remote Scottish scenery and the great outdoors. By following in the footsteps of the whisky smugglers visitors can explore the untamed beauty of Glenlivet and relive its spirited past.
Such was the quality and reputation of the Glenlivet spirit, that during a visit to Scotland in 1822, King George IV requested a dram of the illegal Glenlivet and then is reported to have said he would drink nothing else from then on.
Amongst those suspected to have used the trails to smuggle illicit whisky out of Glenlivet was George Smith, a tenant farmer on what was then the Duke of Gordon’s estate. When, in 1823, a new Excise Act enabled small distillers to operate legally, George Smith was granted the first licence for Glenlivet. Determined to improve on the already acclaimed whisky of the ‘sma’ stills’, he founded the Glenlivet distillery and created his original single malt.
Alan Winchester, Chivas Brothers malt distilleries manager said: “We are delighted to launch the Glenlivet smugglers’ trails and we are keen to encourage visitors to try out the walks to get a taste of The Glenlivet’s smuggling history and enjoy the fantastic scenery. These newly created trails enable visitors to Glenlivet to experience how whisky was transported by the illicit distillers of old.”
“The smuggling community made a huge impact on Scottish single malt whisky production and we have learnt a lot from their original methods of distillation. To this day The Glenlivet retains the fruity, pineapple notes and unique softness first associated with illegal Glenlivet spirit of the 19th century.”
Further Information
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