A travelling festival showcasing the pick of Scotland’s craft microbreweries, artisan distilleries and food producers is heading to Aviemore next February.
North Hop Aviemore will take place at the Macdonald Aviemore Resort in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park on Saturday February 25.
The special destination-led North Hop will also include an après-ski theme.
For one day only, the resort’s Osprey Arena will be transformed into a quirky combination of beer hall meets cocktail lounge meets barn dance, complete with live music and DJ sets.
What is North Hop?
North Hop is the brainchild of Gairloch-based Michelle Russell, who dreamt up the concept in early 2014. She was inspired by the numerous craft beer festivals and gin festivals in the US and the south-east of England.
Since the first North Hop took place in Inverness in the summer of 2014, the travelling festival has set up its stall in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.
Founder Michelle Russell.
North Hop Aviemore
The North Hop Aviemore action will kick off with an eve-of-festival taster event on the Friday in the resort’s Spey Burger bar.
There will be two Saturday sessions for foodies including one in the afternoon and one in the evening. They can even partake of a special Festival Brew, Festival Cider or Festival Gin.
Another element of North Hop Aviemore is The Hop Sessions, which will see short tastings delivered for small groups held during the main festival sessions in an additional room.
Michelle said: “We are really excited to be able to bring North Hop to the mountain resort of Aviemore.
“We’re passionate about introducing new tastes to new audiences and Scotland has so much to offer in terms of its food and drink.
“North Hop is constantly evolving and trying out new things and for North Hop Aviemore, we’re excited to be bringing a host of local and Scotland-wise producers to the party.
“There will be breweries such as the Nairn-based Wooha Brewing Co, Dunbar’s own Thistly Cross Cider and the St Andrews Brewing Co.
“On the distillery side, there are Dunnet Bay Distillers, of Caithness, which produces Rock Rose Gin and Holy Grass Vodka, and Tomatin Distillery, which is based just a stone’s throw away from Aviemore with a pop-up whisky cocktail bar hosted by Inverness bar specialists Bars R Us, and more still to be announced.
“It’s not all about sampling the new drinks. We go all out to bring the finest food to the North Hop table.
“On the North Hop Aviemore menu is Edinburgh-based ShrimpWreck, who make wonderful fish tacos, Aye Love Real Food from Kilwinning with tasty Scotch eggs, sausage rolls and hot dogs, paella from Inverness tapas bar, La Tortilla Asesina.
“Then we have teppanyaki from Macdonald Aviemore Resort and salads, fritters, cakes and gluten-free treats from Aviemore’s Mountain Cafe. Folk can also pick up goodies from the likes of Linton & Co, Buddy Bear Designs, Loch Ness Gin and Caithness Chocolate throughout the festival sessions.”
Tickets are£17.50 + booking fee per session (full price). Strictly over 18s only.
See North Hop.