The Whisky Coast, Scotland's west coast whisky trail, will present " Spirit of the West", a spectacular weekend event on Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th May 2009 at Inveraray Castle, Argyllshire. Spirit of the West is part of the year long Homecoming Scotland 2009 celebrations and is a key feature of its "Whisky Month" in May. The ticketed two day event will be a celebration of Scotland's west coast whisky and the rich culture and dramatic scenery in which it is created.

Spirit of the West aims to attract up to 6,000 visitors over the two days, inviting those from the UK and all over the world to take part. The event is a must for lovers of Scotland's single malts, food & drink, golf and Scottish ancestry. It is also perfect for those who simply love and want to experience Scotland's vibrancy, historic traditions and rugged scenery. Spirit of the West will cater for little ones too, with fun and educational entertainment making it a perfect family event. Inspired by the historic community cultures, tales, mysteries and theatrical scenery that lie behind every single malt, the event, which will run from 11am to 6pm each day, will be a showcase for whisky culture. Whisky tasting, food sampling and cookery demonstrations will run alongside historical trails, fashion shows, music, arts & crafts and golfing activities. This will bring all that surrounds Whisky in the west coast of Scotland to one location - the stunning grounds of Inveraray Castle.

On the Saturday evening, a traditional Scottish ceilidh will be held at the castle, giving patrons the chance to Strip the Willow, have a few glasses of gold and keep the celebrations going when the night draws in. Tickets for the ceilidh will be sold separately. Preparations for the event are now underway and ticket, entertainment line ups and activity announcements are expected to be made in early autumn. Nicky Murphy, Project Manager for Whisky Coast said: "We are delighted to announce Spirit of the West for the year of Homecoming Scotland 2009. Preparations for the event have commenced and we are very much looking forward to working with our members, partners, local producers and communities in bringing Spirit of the West to life. We look forward to sharing our passion for Whisky and celebrating the very fabric of the west coast next May with people from all over the UK and the world."

Councillor Douglas Philand, Argyll and Bute Council's Arts and Culture spokesperson, said: "Spirit of the West looks set to be a wonderful event. Not only will it showcase the excellent food and produce we have in this area but it will also help promote our unique culture and heritage. I wish the organisers every success." Paul Bush, Chief Operating Officer for EventScotland said: "Homecoming Scotland 2009 is a country wide programme of events and activities that will celebrate some of Scotland's contributions to the world: Burns, Whisky, Golf, Great Scottish Minds and Innovations and Scotland's culture and heritage. Spirit of the West is a key feature of Homecoming Scotland's Whisky Month in May 2009 and we look forward to working with the organisers to make it a great success "