2020
Year of Coasts & Waters
In 2020, Scotland celebrates its Coasts and Waters with a year-long programme of events and activities which will shine a spotlight on the impact our waters have had on Scotland, organised by VisitScotland. Join the conversation at #YCW2020
The waters surrounding Lindores Abbey, the River Tay leading to the North Sea, and the Holy Burn, are responsible for shaping our very history, influencing our culture, our stories, and our way of life. The founder of the Abbey, King William had vowed to build a church in his brothers name if he ever returned from the Crusades, so when his brother the Earl of Huntingdon’s ship ran aground at Dundee on his return, he granted those lands and that of Lindores to the Earl of so that he could build a monastery. The monks crossed the River Tay and travelled as far as Lindores before finding the perfect spot and indeed Lindores means ‘Church by the Water’.
For the monks that founded Lindores Abbey the waters and coastline surrounding the monastery also made for a unique and abundant natural larder as well as providing valuable income and resources that could be traded as far away as Europe. Salmon from the Tay, wool and fruit were exchanged for money, tapestries and silks.
Reddinche Island – In 1198, the Pope granted to the monks of Lindores Abbey ‘Redinche Island’ (now Mugdrum Island) to allow them to start planting reed beds. These reed beds became the largest in the UK, possibly even Europe. We would love to one day be able to use some Tay reeds to seal our casks as currently the industry uses reeds from Holland
Salmon Fishing – When the Pope granted Redinche Island to the monks he also granted them the whole of the fishings around it. This charter contains some of the earliest references to fishing by “yares” in Scotland. This salmon fishing became vitally important to the monastery as the monks were able to use the salmon as currency whilst trading with Flanders. We are currently developing our own Aqua Vitae Cured Salmon with our Chef, which we hope to be able to sell to the public in 2020.
Annual Burning of the Bear Ceremony, September 2020
CANCELLATION OF BEAR BURNING CEREMONY 2020 – It is with immense regret that after various discussions with the local authority, we have taken the sad decision to cancel the Bear Burning Ceremony for 2020. This is not a decision that we have taken lightly and we are aware that some of you had made plans to join us in September after the initial postponement from earlier this year. Naturally we shall be offering complete refunds for your tickets and if you wouldn’t mind contacting either Jane or myself on helen@lindoresabbeydistillery / jane@lindoresabbeydistillery or calling us on 01337 842 547, then we will arrange this for you immediately.
Unfortunately we feel that it is unlikely that we shall be able to host a gathering of in excess of 300 people in the near future but we shall keep you all informed of the new date for 2021, let’s keep everything crossed that an effective and safe vaccine is on the way.
We do understand how disappointing this is for all of you loyal Lindores supporters and we are really sad not to be hosting the event this year. As you know it is one of our absolute highlights and Drew and I, the family and the entire team will miss your presence this year. We truly appreciate the support you all show to the distillery and we very much look forward to seeing you all very soon.
Thank you so much for your understanding.
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In 2020 we will once again celebrate by lighting the 300 foot bear which is carved out on the hill above our distillery and hosting a ceilidh to mark the occasion on Saturday 2nd May 2020, 8pm – Midnight.
The bear and ragged staff was carved into the hill to commemorate the links between the Earl of Warwick and the first Abbot of Lindores Abbey, Guido who was a cadet of the Earl. The lighting of the bear is a truly spectacular sight and the ancient wee town of Newburgh comes to a standstill to witness it.
With drams a plenty from the Legacy Bar and our delicious Aqua Vitae serves and cocktails on offer there will be something for everyone. The evening starts at 8pm and concludes at midnight.
As well as a welcome drink we will also have delicious food, with vegetarian options available, followed by a Ceilidh and the Burning of the Bear ceremony, with a dram of Aqua Vitae for during the ceremony.
Tickets
1494 Members – 2 Free tickets per member for the VIP Legacy Bar, must RSVP by 30th October 2019 | General Admission Tickets – £20 per person
BOOKING TICKETS:
General admission tickets will NOT have access to Lindores Abbey Distillery or the VIP Legacy Bar. There are only 200 tickets available, so grab them while you can!
TERMS & CONDITIONS
Tickets are strictly limited to no more than 10 tickets per person | Strictly over 18 years old | No pets allowed | Tickets will be sold on a first come, first served basis | Tickets will be posted out so please supply the delivery address that you wish the tickets to be sent to | Entry to the Ceremony or Abbey Ruins will only be allowed upon presentation of the tickets | Membership discount cannot be applied to these tickets | No coupon may be used to buy these tickets.
ACCOMMODATION: Nearby accomodation is listed on our ACCOMMODATION page
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Christmas Wreath Workshops 2020, 9th & 10th December 2020, 10am-12.30pm
Get in the Christmas spirit at one of our Christmas Wreath workshops by the wonderful Bramble & Thyme Flowers. Held in our Refectory and starting at 10am (arrival for 9.45am) the workshops last 2.5 hours. You will be served coffee/tea and homemade shortbread on arrival and after the wreath making we will warm you up again with more coffee, mulled Aqua Vitae cider cups and mince pies.
Tickets are priced at £55 per head, for tickets please contact jane@lindoresabbeydistillery.com | Classes are limited to 12 places and must be booked and paid for in advance.
If you would like to stay on for lunch we can offer soup and charcuterie/cheese platters in the Legacy Bar but these are £15 per head and need to be pre-booked as they are not part of the workshop price.
2020 WAS SOLD OUT!
Fife Whisky Festival Opening Dinner, TBC 2021 at 6:30 PM – 10:30 PM
On arrival at Lindores Abbey Distillery for the Opening Dinner of the Fife Whisky Festival , you will be greeted with a delicious Aqua Vitae cocktail and will then have the opportunity to mingle with the other guests, including some well known names of the whisky industry in the Legacy Bar and Still Room before taking your seat for the banquet style dinner in The Cloister.
Each of the three courses, prepared by Lindores’ award winning chef Andrew Wilkie, will be paired with a carefully selected whisky introduced by those who made the whisky. There will also be wine to accompany your meal
Transport to and from Cupar or St Andrews will aos be included.
Photo copyright Dan Mosley. All Rights Reserved.
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