Where better to kick off World Whisky Month than in glorious Strathspey?

The picturesque area has the highest concentration of distilleries of any whisky-producing region in Scotland and has been playing host to its annual whisky festival since 1999.

Since its launch, the event has grown close links with local businesses and communities to expand the number and range of happenings and services for visitors, an increasing number of whom come from overseas.

Spanning five days, the festival is now one of Scotland's most popular events to celebrate the water of life and draws around 27,000 visits.

A packed programme includes includes tours, trips, tastings and workshops.

Events new for this year include The Great Speyside Bake Off. Tapping into the nation's other current obsession - cake - The Whisky Shop Dufftown has set the challenge to find the best Speyside whisky-inspired muffin or cupcake.

The culinary theme continues with a series of Cooking with Malt Whisky demonstrations at the Oakwood Cookery School. The "Queen of the Still" and Master of The Quaich, Martine Nouet shows you how.

Also new, is the Whisky Cocktail Master Class at the Dowans Hotel, Aberlour, which allows to sample a range before trying your hand at creating and naming your own.

Take a break from all the political debate with Question Time with the Glenlivet Master Distiller, Alan Winchester, who will answer questions and serve some delicious drams of the single malt that started it all.

In 1824 George Smith founded the Glenlivet distillery on the River Livet. It was the perfect spot as it gave access to the river but was also an excellent vantage point from which to spot an excise man approaching from afar. Many other distilleries sprang up in the area which was home to around 200 when distilling whisky was still a crime.

Also new on the programme this year is the chance to peek inside Speyside Distillery, near Kingussie, which has been producing whisky since 1990, having been a barley mill which dates back to the eighteenth century.

The small distillery opens its doors to the public for the first time as part of the festival. Visitors may recognise it as the fictional Lagganmore Distillery from the BBC series Monarch of the Glen.

Launched last year, the music-themed events entitled Spirit of Speyside Sessions are now a permanent addition to the programme.

Staged at venues across the region, from distilleries and bars to quaint village halls and a vintage steam train, they include traditional music acts, comedians and ceilidhs.

One piece of advice: book now as the most popular events are often sold out.

*The Spirit of Speyside Festival runs from April 30 to May 4, www.spiritofspeyside.com