Morning sun over the River Avon at Tomintoul in the foothils of the Cairngorm mountains SCO 5493
The Glenlivet Estate consists of the lower valley of the River Avon (pronounced A'an locally) together with its main tributary, the Livet, which rises to the East in the Ladder Hills. The area is high (for the UK!) and winter snows can last late into the spring, but the high Cairngorms to the South West intercept much of the rain and the area is in fact one of the drier areas of Scotland (hard to believe in 2002!!). This is farming country, principally sheep and beef cattle, but the area is better known for the most successful industry - whisky distilling. The secluded hills provided many secure sites for producing illicit spirit, while the tracks provided quiet routes out of the Glen for a product whose quality drew a steady, if illegal, demand. When distilling was legalised in 1823, George Smith a local farmer, obtained the first licence to set up a distillery on his farm near Minmore. Today the successor of his original distillery has the sole right to call its product "The Glenlivet" and the reputation of whisky produced in the glen extends world-wide.
Size: 5620px × 3733px
Location: Tomintoul Ballindalloch Morayshire Scotland
Photo credit: © David Gowans / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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