Tomatin

This article is about a village. For the whisky distillery of the same name, see Tomatin (whisky distillery). For the alkaloid found in tomatoes, see Tomatine.

Tomatin (Scottish Gaelic: Tom Aitinn) is a small village on the River Findhorn in Strathdearn in the Scottish Highlands about 16 miles (26 km) south of the city of Inverness. The name derives from the Scottish Gaelic name Tom Aitinn (hill of juniper). The river Findhorn rises at Coignafearn, a large game estate near Tomatin, and then passes through Tomatin village itself. The village has a shop, school and village hall and is most known for its whisky distillery.

File:Tomatin railway viaduct 01.jpg

The River Findhorn is crossed by the Highland Main Line railway and the A9 road just east of Tomatin

At the last census in 2001 Tomatin had a population of 183. Many of the inhabitants are employed by local farms and estates, while others commute to Inverness and surrounding towns.

Tomatin has been bypassed by A9 since 1976

As part of the Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey constituency it is represented in the UK Parliament by Danny Alexander MP (Liberal Democrat); in the Scottish Parliament it is in the constituency of Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, represented by Fergus Ewing MSP (Scottish National Party).

The Tomatin Distillery

Main article: Tomatin (whisky distillery)

Tomatin is perhaps best known for being the home of Tomatin whisky which, with its 23 stills, was the largest malt distillery in Scotland during the 1970s. Although it is thought that whisky has been distilled on the site since the 16th century, when cattle drovers would buy from a local still, the distillery was not established until 1897 under the name of Tomatin Spey Distillery Co Ltd. In 1986 it was taken over by Japanese conglomerate Takara Shuzo and was renamed The Tomatin Distillery Co Ltd. The number of stills have since been reduced to 12 and recently it was the first distillery in Scotland to install a wood pellet boiler, in 2012.

Local Facilities

Facilities in the village include the Tomatin Country Store - the local village shop, a primary school and a village hall that is used for a number of social activities. Local estates generate a significant income by attracting wealthy businessmen to take part in grouse shooting; the shooting season begins on 12 August of each year, which is known as the Glorious Twelfth. A new housing development (8 houses) including a new Pub and Shop have now obtained full planning consent on the site of the original Tomatin Country Inn and this two phase development it is hoped will start late in 2012.

The community now has a £185,000 community sports centre which was officially opened by local resident and shinty legend, Kevin Thain in late 2010.

Tomatin United

Tomatin United were formed by a group of local boys and play in the Strathspey and Badenoch Welfare football association . The team is made up of local lads from 15 years and up . The team is well supported by the local community and receives sponsorship from a local business. Season 2014 has seen the team do really well and is likely to see the team finish with there highest points tally to date.

External links

• Map sources for Tomatin

• Strathdearn community website