Fettercairn Distillery – set in the rolling foothills of the Cairngorm mountains – has embarked on rather special project to replant an ancient forest, realising a land management vision for the next 200 years and beginning a new journey as it sets its sights on producing its own single estate Scottish oak matured single malt whiskies.

With over 13,000 Quercus petraea and Quercus robur trees planted close to the distillery on the historic 8,500-acre Fasque Estate, The Fettercairn Forest embraces all that this rich land in the heart of the Garden of Scotland has to offer.

While nature takes its course, the landmark initiative will also be marked this autumn with a major new sculpture from acclaimed Glasgow-born environmental artist Rob Mulholland.

The project has been 10 years in the making and is led by whisky maker Gregg Glass, who has conducted numerous trials with wind-felled and responsibly sourced Scottish oak as well as extensive tests and experimentation in collaboration with a variety of experts across different industries.

Fettercairn has already laid down whiskies in different types of Scottish oak cask at its home in the Highlands and plans to release the first commercially available Fettercairn Scottish Oak bottling next year. It is committed to establishing a series of new whiskies over the coming decades.

Distillery manager Stewart Walker says: “The Fettercairn Forest project is the start of something extremely special – we are literally laying down roots for our future whisky-making which continues our well-established Fettercairn philosophy of exploration, innovation and breaking through conventions in search of standout whiskies.

“We call it ‘entire craft’ and it takes us to a point where the water source, the barley and the Scottish oak are all visible from the distillery.

“But it goes beyond whisky to support wide-ranging objectives across environmental responsibility and land management, as well as forging deeper connections with the local community and supporting both the rural and skills economies in the region.

“It’s also the very reason we are so excited to mark the vision with someone as inspirational and committed as Rob. Knowing his work will grace the land 200 years from now, surrounded by the presence of an indigenous Scottish oak forest excites, everyone at Fettercairn and across the region we proudly call home.” 

The aim of the sculpture project is to develop further installations across the forest and estate as the initiative evolves and integrate the site of the new oak forest into the visitor experience. 

“The thought of this forest emerging from the ground over the next century in this beautiful setting – one of the most fertile areas of Scotland – is incredibly exciting, particularly when you consider all the tangible benefits that will come with the creation of a thriving, wildlife rich environment – from sustainable land management to the clear impact such a beautiful place can have on people’s physical and mental wellbeing,” says sculptor Rob.

“My aim is to deepen the emotional connection between the people and this captivating land, and create something that will still have relevance in 200 years when these trees will stand proud and tall – a legacy that can stand for even longer.”

www.fettercairnwhisky.com