PLANNING is well underway for the return of Clackmannanshire's Whisky Festival in 2023.

Tickets are available for three sessions taking place between Friday, March 31, and Saturday, April 1, at Alloa Town Hall.

With an unparalleled and fascinating history of distilling in the Wee County, the event will focus on a mix of heritage, mental health and wellbeing as well as whisky appreciation.

Indeed, the journey started in the 1720s with the founding of Kennetpans distillery by the highly regarded Stein family.

Alloa was also the birthplace of industry-giant John Jameson, founder of the world's best-selling Irish whiskey brand.

Jameson was originally a lawyer in the town before founding his eponymous distillery in Dublin in 1780 and his final resting place is but a 10-minute walk from the festival's venue.

More recently, distilleries at Carsebridge and Cambus were the leading producers of single grain whisky before closing in the 1980s and 1990s.

And the Wee County continues to be a global player in whisky production with Diageo having its European Technical Centre and Whisky Archive in the town of Menstrie, its cooperage operations at Cambus village and warehouse facilities at neighbouring Blackgrange, incidentally the largest warehouse complex in Europe with more than three million casks held in bond.

Following in the footsteps of a successful inaugural festival held in 2022, organisers SlanjEvents are promising to deliver an exciting collection of the best whiskies from around Scotland and the world.

There will be interactive coopering demonstrations; a heritage exhibition; exhibits from Clackmannanshire's whisky producing past; old, rare, and exclusive bottlings; special guests; meet the maker masterclasses; and much more.

Serena Lindsay, events director at SlanjEvents, said: “We are incredibly grateful to our festival sponsors, Alloa First and O-I for their continued support to Clackmannanshire's premier social event of the year and now one of the best whisky festivals on the circuit.

“The SlanjEvents team look forward to seeing you to the Alloa Town Hall on March 31 and April 1.

“A dram or two and warm welcome awaits you.”

The weekend programme will include three, three-hour sessions across two days, each including showcases from more than 30 exhibitors.

The immersive whisky festival experience involves receiving a branded Glencairn glass on arrival, plenty of free sampling, a series of specialist masterclasses, live barrel making demonstrations from local coopers, food provision, a fully stocked bar, and an on-site shop.

The event also caters for me non-whisky drinkers with a selection of other spirits available to sample including, gin, rum, vodka and liqueurs.

Mental health and wellbeing will also be at the heart of the festival with the Neil's Hugs Foundation announced as its charity partner.

Visit slanj.events/clackmannanshires-whisky-festival for tickets and more details.