In 2023 The Glen Grant Distillery produced Glen Grant Devotion, an exquisite 70-Year-Old Single Malt whisky, the oldest whisky ever released by the distillery. Only seven beautiful, hand-blown decanters were created, each representing a decade of Queen Elizabeth’s reign.
At the time the distillery said “inspired by the remarkable reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, this release is a tribute to seventy years of resolute service and a lifelong devotion to nature. These commitments, shared by forefather James ‘The Major’ Grant and Master Distiller Dennis Malcolm OBE, lies at the very core of The Glen Grant.”
Incredibly generously, the Campari Group auctioned Decanter Number One, and donated the proceeds to the Royal Scottish Forestry Society. Samantha Leotta, Global Director of Scotch Whisky at Campari Group said "It is a true testament to the skill and mastery of all those who contributed to this historic release, from The Glen Grant's founding to today. We are incredibly grateful to the successful bidder for this meaningful contribution to the Royal Scottish Forestry Society, which will be used to replant and restore woodland in Speyside."
Decanter one features the Queen Elizabeth rose, named for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and engraved in gold as a one-of-a-kind tribute. Credit: Glen Grant Distillery
Then President, Wilma Harper explained “The funds will be used to create a new native woodland on the burn beside the Glen Grant distillery, creating a direct link back to the 1876 passion of James "The Major" Grant in protecting the banks of the Back Burn and sustaining the quality of its water. We are grateful to The Glen Grant for this support for our Society, of which Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was the patron, in its continuing work nurturing future generations of foresters, passing knowledge and craftsmanship on to future generations."
Former RSFS President Simon MacGillivray was instrumental in progressing the project. He discovered that the Ordnance Survey of the Back Burn and the distillery in 1871 showed very little woodland and trees in the area. However by 1905 the situation was very different – the land in the ownership of Major Grant is now shown as wooded. Simon's proposal was to extend the woodland on the banks of Back Burn towards the start of Glen Grant itself.
Simon explained the benefits a new riparian woodland would bring to the surrounding environment: “Riparian woodland using native trees are important because of their ability to regulate natural process and mitigate extreme events such as flooding. They help regulate the water temperature by providing shade and also the roots of the species such as alder will root deeply into the river banks to help prevent erosion and lock up nitrogen.”
Fast-forward to the start of 2026 when heavy snow and frozen ground caused a tricky start to the beginning of the woodland creation. The first stage involved ground preparation, scrub clearance, stone removal, and the installation of a deer fence.
Ground preparation and fence installation works take place, with plenty of bracken to be removed before planting could begin.
Following this, planting began with 3000 trees being added. The trees are a mixture of native species - Alder, Silver Birch, Downy Birch, Hazel, Scot's Pine, Sessile Oak and Rowan. Cross-Cut will revisit the site regularly to beat back the bracken whilst the trees become established. Lead forester, David Pelly, said the project has been “a delight to work on."
Planting of 3000 native trees complete
Thanks again to all involved in the creation of this woodland – Campari, Glen Grant Distillery, the landowner, RSFS colleagues and the team at Cross-Cut. We look forward to watching it grow over the next 70 years and beyond.