On July 5th 1969, Glenfiddich pioneered single malt whisky tourism by becoming the first distillery to open a visitor centre and welcome the public in to view the whisky production experience. Today, more than 70,000 visitors a year flock to the heart of malt whisky territory in the Scottish Highlands to see the traditional methods employed in creating the world’s most awarded single malt Scotch whisky.

In 2008, 75% of these visitors flew in from 95 different countries, including destinations as far-reaching as Japan, Russia and China, to visit the 5* Distillery Visitor Centre and bear witness to Glenfiddich’s time-honored techniques. For 2009, a guide team is currently gearing up to accept another influx of overseas and domestic visitors, with tours available in nine languages.

Glenfiddich Distillery tours offer the opportunity to see skilled craftsmen – 10 of whom have been mending and tending the casks at the distillery since the visitors centre opened 40 years ago – carefully maintaining the distinctive flavor of Glenfiddich using processes lost to most other distilleries. For UK-based visitors embracing ‘stay-cations’ this year, Glenfiddich promises a truly unique immersive experience; one that will far outlast that would-be summer tan.

With the Scottish government-backed Homecoming Scotland initiative coinciding with the Glenfiddich Distillery Visitor Centre 40th Anniversary celebrations, there has never been a better time to visit Scotland and its most famous distillery.