The River Spey: One of the Last Sanctuaries for Atlantic Salmon

A proud symbol of Scotland, The River Spey weaves its way through the heart of Speyside and The Macallan Estate. These waters form a key part of our whisky-making process, as well as providing everlasting inspiration to always hold close and value the nature that surrounds us. 

The Macallan Estate is situated within Scottish countryside classified as an “Area of Great Landscape Value” (GLV), and the legendary River Spey that runs through our Estate is also designated as being a ‘Designated Special Area of Conservation' (SAC); it is essential that we both preserve and nurture this place.

Not only has the river been a popular salmon fishing beat for hundreds of years, we also source the water for our new-make spirit from spring water boreholes nearby. Sustaining and protecting this source has always been at the heart of what we do, and all fishing on the Estate is, and always will be, catch and release.

When building our new Distillery we took safeguarding measures and extreme caution to ensure that the site’s close proximity to the River Spey did not pollute the water or its surrounding area during construction. We engaged an ecologist who worked closely with our Environmental Specialist throughout the construction process to ensure wildlife was protected during the build.

Inspired by the remarkable experience offered by the Spey, The Macallan Whisky Maker, Steven Bremner, created  Edition No. 6 by choosing five cask styles that embody unique stories related to the river and its unparalleled natural landscape.

Home to the largest Atlantic salmon population in Scotland, in recent years the famous Wild Atlantic salmon have become endangered. As one of the guardians of this important sanctuary, we have launched a new charitable partnership with The Atlantic Salmon Trust to help to conserve this at-risk species, whose numbers have declined so rapidly in recent years.

The Atlantic Salmon Trust is protecting wild salmon and sea trout across the world wherever they roam, and especially in unique places such as the River Spey, by tracking their migration across thousands of miles across rivers and oceans.

Through the partnership, The Macallan is supporting The Trust’s vital conservation work in the River Spey and beyond. The funding is being used for the Moray Firth Tracking Project, which aims to find out where and why Atlantic salmon are dying in their oceanic migration, as well as for other international outreach projects.