Whisky · DISTILLERY TOURS IN SCOTLAND
Some of these run the stills while you watch and some are polished visitor centres with the production next door. These 15 say which is which, what the tasting at the end amounts to, and what a driver gets instead.
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 Glasgow’s 1877 Old Pumphouse with an English-speaking guide such as Nina, Linzi, or Madeleine. Follow the whisky-making process from mashing to distillation, admire the River Clyde from the Still House, then taste three Clydeside drams. The one-hour tour is wheelchair accessible and limited to four people.
“Our tour was amazing. Nina was a great guide, she explained everything well and made it entertaining. Don’t miss out on this experience, we loved it!”
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 !”
Visit Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery for a short film, self-guided heritage exhibits, and a guided look at whisky production and the warehouse. Your 90-minute visit ends with three whisky tastings in the lounge, with an upgrade to five. Groups are limited to eight, and drivers can request a take-away cocktail pack.
“Excellent tour with no shortage of whisky. The whole experience was fantastic with lots of interesting information. The restaurant was an additional excellent experience and a great surprise, everything was spot on.”
Spend 90 minutes at Glengoyne Distillery with an English-speaking guide such as John, Rebecca, or Cameron. Follow the whisky from mash tun to copper stills and Warehouse No. 1, then taste three Glengoyne single malts matched with Scottish chocolates. The tour is for adults 18 and over and includes free parking.
“Wonderful, Rebecca was excellent, thos was a unique experience and a very fun filled one, learnt the correct way of habing scotch☺️”
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.”
Tour Belfast’s restored Titanic Pumphouse with an English-speaking guide such as Brian, Johnny, or Dominique. Learn how the dock machinery worked, follow the building’s change into a working distillery, then taste Irish whiskey and vodka. Allow an hour, wear comfortable shoes, and check in 10 minutes early at Thompson Dock.
“I loved it! Really interesting to not only learn about the distillery process, but also the history of the building and dock area, something I wasn't expecting but thoroughly enjoyed. The guide was excellent, knowledgeable and friendly. I'd definitely recommend.”
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