Whisky · DISTILLERY TOURS IN EDINBURGH
Good distillery tours in Edinburgh fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Spend one hour touring Holyrood Distillery near the Royal Mile and Holyrood Palace. Guides such as Courtney, Dave, Neil, and Thais explain Edinburgh’s brewing past, experimental gin-making, and single malt production. You’ll taste gin, whisky, and a seasonal welcome cocktail, with an optional single-cask dram at the bar.
“Diego's knowledge about whiskey and gin was very good”
Explore Edinburgh’s Port of Leith Distillery on a 90-minute English tour with guides such as Olivia and Ellie. See the unusual vertical design, fill a miniature bottle of new make spirit, and taste samples from new make to port, sherry, and table whisky. Your own bottle is included, but the distillery bar costs extra.
“Beautiful new distillery, and the second vertical one in Europe. Our tour guide Olivia was knowledgeable and fun. We got to bottle and keep a small bottle of their "hearts" distilled spirit. The tasting was good. ***WARNING: Given it's a new distillery they have yet to release their own whisky. Thus that is not part of the tasting.***”
Spend about an hour inside Edinburgh’s Holyrood Distillery, where a guide such as Brice, Diego, Courtney, or Chris explains the making of gin and single malt whisky. You’ll see a young, experimental operation, sample several drinks, and finish near the tasting bar and shop. The experience is in English and groups are limited to 22.
“Great tour especially if you don't have a lot of time to explore outside of Edinburgh. I learned a lot about gin and the flavor was great.”
At 56 North, guides such as James, Abi, Gary, and Neil lead you through South Loch Gin’s story, production methods, botanicals, and copper stills. You’ll receive a gin and tonic, three guided samples, and a final cocktail, with time afterward to explore Scotland’s oldest dedicated gin bar.
“A must do for all gin lovers, guide was excellent and the drinks matched !”
Travel from Edinburgh in a small group of up to eight with a Spanish-speaking guide such as Jonny, Ruth, or Javi. Walk to a waterfall at The Hermitage, pause at Queen’s View and Loch Tay, see Stirling Castle from outside, visit The Kelpies, and finish at Blair Athol Distillery. Lunch is not included.
Travel from Edinburgh to Rosslyn Chapel, Melrose, and Glenkinchie Distillery with a driver-guide such as Eric, Stuart, or Neil. Expect Scottish history, Da Vinci Code lore, abbey ruins, Borders scenery, lunch time in Melrose, and an optional whisky tour and tasting. The $64 fare covers transport and commentary, but admission fees may be extra.
“Great trip. guide was very knowledgeable of Scotland it's people, places and events.”
At 56 North in Edinburgh, your gin host explains the journey from botanical to bottle beside the working stills. You receive a welcome G&T, three South Loch Gin tastings with premium mixers, and a final gin cocktail topped with bubbly. Hosts such as Neil and Hamish bring humor and clear explanations to this small-group, adults-only visit.
“This is such a gem and a must for your next trip to Edinburgh. Nestled a short walk from the Royal Mile and the University of Edinburgh is this bar that has over 100+ gins by the glass, and when you book the Gin tour, you’ll descend into the basement where the tour begins. Host was super friendly and on hand to make your experience as informative and fun as possible. Great value for money considering you got 2x G&Ts and wee tasters of each Gin neat! Great for groups - we were a stag do of 8, and had no issue whatsoever.”
Spend one hour at Edinburgh’s Holyrood Distillery with an English-speaking guide such as Dave, Brice, or Matthew. See the Spirits Lab, production floor, and Cask Room, then taste four samples across the whisky-making process, from unaged spirit to matured single malt. This is an adult-only, wheelchair-accessible tour.
“Matthew was a great tour guide! so knowledgeable, didn't speak too fast, AND was so patient with answering questions”
Spend 90 minutes inside Edinburgh’s UK-first vertical distillery with an English-speaking guide such as Isobel, Leo, or Rocky. Learn how whisky is made, taste new make spirit, port, sherry, and table whisky, then fill a miniature bottle to take home. Finish with striking Leith views from the top-floor bar.
“A wonderful experience! Our guide, Isobel, was incredibly knowledgeable and friendly. We learned so much about whiskey and truly enjoyed every moment of the tour.”
Spend about 75 minutes at Lind & Lime’s Leith distillery with guides such as Annabel, Adeline, Isobel, Olivia, or Erin. Learn how London Dry gin is made, taste the botanicals, enjoy a double gin and tonic, bottle your own miniature, then make and drink a Gimlet. The tour runs in English for up to 20 people.
Travel from Edinburgh to Rosslyn Chapel, Melrose and Glenkinchie Distillery in a small group of up to 32. Expect live commentary from guides such as Alistair, Eric, Lorna and Graham, scenic Borders roads, chapel carvings, abbey ruins and an optional whisky tasting. Lunch and entry tickets cost extra.
“Excellent tours. Great guide. Outstanding opportunity to get out of Edinburgh and see the borders. Only issue we had was feeling rushed in some of the areas - trying to stay on a tight schedule. Lorna from Timberbush was a delight.”
Spend one hour at Pickering’s Gin Distillery in Summerhall with guides such as Jamie, Max, Alyssa, or Emma. Start with a gin and tonic, see the distilling room and stills Gertrude and Emily, then taste four gins and take home a 5cl miniature. The tour is for ages 18 and over and involves standing.
“Great fun! We learned so much. It was impressive to see that this small shop does such a big business.”
Spend 75 minutes at Edinburgh Gin Distillery in the Old Town, learning how botanicals shape each spirit and how gin is made. Your English-speaking guide leads you through the Flavour Arch and Stillhouse before a tasting of several gins and liqueurs with mixers and garnishes. Finish with a drink in the Distillery Bar. Adults only.
“Sam was a great guide. Many thanks for all your insights. We had a great time 🤩”
At Holyrood Distillery, an English-speaking guide such as Brice, Dave, Dan, Henry, or Finn leads you through whisky production, Edinburgh brewing history, and four guided samples at different stages of maturation. The one-hour tour suits beginners and curious whisky drinkers, though the lineup may include peated spirit, so flavors can vary.
“Connor gave us a very good tour and was open to questions and conversation. Loved the tour and would highly recommend it to others.”
At Glenkinchie Distillery in East Lothian, you’ll follow a sensory, media-led tour through the Lowland home of Johnnie Walker. Guides such as Pascal, John Walsh, and Kirsty explain the distillery’s story and whisky-making process before a tasting of three whiskies and a small cocktail. English-language, wheelchair-accessible, and unsuitable for children under eight.
“It was just first class my guests enjoyed it all so very much. The setting is just beautiful the guide was super and informative and made it personal by referring and remembering everyone’s name. Everything was in hand, after tour shop staff informative, catering and food excellent and weather perfect so were able to enjoy outside seating and lovely surroundings. A real 5 star experience.”
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