IN A stunning example of thinking well ahead. the Fettercairn Distillery has been busy planting young oak trees nearby, with the intention that at least some of them will provide the raw materials for whisky barrels in centuries to come.

Set in the foothills of the Cairngorm mountains, the Fettercairn Distillery recently revealed its land management vision for the next 200 years, with over 13,000 oak trees – Quercus petraea and Quercus robur – planted close to the distillery on the historic 8500-acre Fasque Estate, underpinning its plan to produce its own malt whiskies matured in single estate Scottish oak.

The project has been 10 years in the making and is led by whisky maker Gregg Glass, who has conducted numerous trials with wind-felled and responsibly sourced Scottish oak as well as extensive tests and experimentation in collaboration with a variety of experts across different industries.

The Distillery has already laid down whiskies in different types of Scottish Oak cask and plans to release the first commercially available Fettercairn Scottish Oak bottling next year. It is committed to establishing a series of new whiskies over the coming decades.

Whilst nature takes its course, the landmark initiative is to be marked by the creation of a new sculpture from acclaimed environmental artist Rob Mulholland, famed for his mirrored statues and futuristic landscape installations. Inspired by the story of Fettercairn's re-imagined forest, he has visualised an artwork to be installed in September 2021.

“The thought of this forest emerging from the ground over the next century in this beautiful setting – one of the most fertile areas of Scotland – is incredibly exciting, particularly when you consider all the tangible benefits that will come with the creation of a thriving, wildlife rich environment – from sustainable land management to the clear impact such a beautiful place can have on people’s physical and mental wellbeing," said Mr Mulholland.

"My aim is to deepen the emotional connection between the people and this captivating land and create something that will still have relevance in 200 years when these trees will stand proud and tall – a legacy that can stand for even longer.".

Fettercairn Distillery manager, Stewart Walker, added: “The Fettercairn Forest Project is the start of something extremely special – we are literally laying down roots for our future whisky making which continues our well-established Fettercairn philosophy of exploration, innovation and breaking through conventions in search of standout whiskies. We call it ‘entire craft’ and it takes us to a point where the water source, the barley and the Scottish oak are all visible from the Distillery.

“But it goes beyond whisky to support wide ranging objectives across environmental responsibility and land management, as well as forging deeper connections with the local community and supporting both the rural and skills economies in the region. It’s also the very reason we are so excited to mark the vision with someone as inspirational and committed as Rob – knowing his work will grace the land in 200 years from now, surrounded by the presence of an indigenous Scottish oak forest excites everyone at Fettercairn and across the region we proudly call home," he said.