Whisky rarity set to boost Hospice charity auction
A very rare whisky donated by Lovat Estates will be one of the sought-after items at a special Dingwall auction to raise funds for Highland Hospice.
Only 777 bottles of The Old Fox spirit were made by Ben Nevis Distillery for Simon Fraser Lord Lovat’s private whisky collection.
It commemorates the life of the 11th Lord Lovat, nicknamed the ‘Old Fox’, who was beheaded after the Battle of Culloden for his Jacobite allegiance.
An identical bottle from the estate’s small batch sold for £1200 in February.
Dingwall and Highland Auction Mart is hosting the event free of charge at 11 am on November 27, with whisky aficionados and the general public invited to take part online.
Mart managing director Grant Macpherson said: “It is very rare. Lovat Estate had a limited number produced specially for the family by Ben Nevis Distillery and they aren’t available to the general public.
“Over the years, we’ve supported Highland Hospice and, with Covid-19, just now they are under-funded.
“They have been advertising for whisky donations from the general public and bottles are still coming in.”
Hospice fundraiser Fiona Stoddart was delighted by the generosity of contributors.
She said: “We can’t thank the auction mart and Lovat Estates enough. We’re hopeful of a successful and enjoyable day to raise valuable funds for the hospice.”
Among many whiskies auctioned will be a 1966 ‘Queen’s Award’ celebration bottle of Glen Grant donated by distiller Gordon and MacPhail, which is expected to raise upwards of £4000.
A web link to the auction will be available at https://bid..dingwallhighlandmarts.com/?sale-reg=45