Whisky · EDINBURGH WHISKY TOURS
Nearly everything here is walkable from the Royal Mile, which is the whole argument for drinking whisky in Edinburgh rather than driving to it. These 15 cover the big visitor attractions, the vault tastings and the two young distilleries in town.
At the top of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, learn how Scotch is made, compare aromas from five whisky regions, and visit a glass and marble vault holding nearly 3,500 bottles. The English-guided tour lasts 50 to 75 minutes, with audio guides in many languages. Choose Silver for one tutored dram or Gold for four extra single malts.
“Would’ve been nice to tey at least 2-3 whiskeys ez”
Meet at Mercat Cross for a two-hour English-language walk through Edinburgh’s grim Old Town stories and Blair Street Underground Vaults. Cloaked Storytellers such as Michael, Steph, Sophie, and Jack use TourTalk audio devices to keep every tale clear. Finish with Ballantine’s whisky, Scottish beer, or a soft drink in Megget’s Cellar.
“We had the most amazing time on this tour! Marina was absolutely fantastic, an incredible story teller, I could listen to her stories all day long. The history was incredible to listen to, and the interaction with the group was really fun. The whisky at the end was amazing too!! Great value for money, I can’t recommend this tour enough.”
Meet your English-speaking guide at Hot Toddy, just off Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, for two hours of Scottish whisky and storytelling. You’ll taste four single malts from Scotland’s main whisky regions, learn how to taste them, and hear tales of kings, smugglers, outlaws, and local folklore. Alternatives are available if whisky is not your drink.
“Great tour, we had Ben who was very engaging and new his stuff. Well worth going.”
At Johnnie Walker Princes Street, you’ll take a flavour quiz, follow a 90-minute English-led tour through the brand’s story, and enjoy three personalised cocktails. Expect projections, music, live performances, and sensory effects rather than a traditional distillery visit. Guides such as Paula, Anton, Leah, and Lorna have earned praise for making the experience lively and clear.
“It was a great visit, very lively and a unique experience. On the other hand, it's a bit more about show than authenticity, but that seemed logical :) I'd definitely recommend it!”
At Edinburgh’s Scotch Whisky Experience, a guide leads you through whisky production, regional aromas, and a tasting of your chosen Scotch. You’ll see one of the world’s largest whisky collections and receive a crystal tasting glass. Under-18s get Irn Bru, making this a useful family stop beside Edinburgh Castle.
“The Scottish Whiskey Experience was really fantastic. They used impressive visuals, great commentary to tell a compelling story of how Scottish Whiskey is made. Even though I like Whiskey, I really started to appreciate it more after experiencing the tour. Even if you don't really like Whiskey, it's still a great tour to understand and appreciate Scotland as well!”
Spend about three hours walking from St Giles’ Cathedral through Edinburgh’s Old Town, stopping for haggis, neeps and tatties, Scottish cheese, cakes, whisky, tea, and a secret dish. Guides such as Carlos, Nyssa, Nichola, Madge, and Craig mix food with local stories. Expect hills, shared plates, and a full stomach.
“Don't eat breakfast. If you are lucky you'll get Madge as a guide. She was knowledgeable and delightful.”
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”
Spend about two hours at Hot Toddy on Jeffrey Street with a whisky guide and storyteller. Taste four single malts from Scotland’s main whisky regions, compare Highland and Lowland styles, and hear folklore, family tales, and Edinburgh whisky history. Non-whisky drink alternatives are available on request.
“Do this tour- so fascinating and educational and not cheesy or weird. I was concerned at first but our storyteller was so engaging and entertaining the time flew by and we walked away with such good history and awareness of this great city-- I never do dinner attached to a tour and it seemed those that did were not happy but the actual whiskey tasting and story telling was 5 stars!”
Spend about 10 hours travelling from Edinburgh into the Highlands in a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach. Walk through the Hermitage, pause in Dunkeld and Pitlochry, admire Queen’s View over Loch Tummel, and tour Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery with whisky tasting. Guides such as Shea, Rhys, and William add local stories, music, and practical help.
“David was very entertaining and informative. His stories and history of the land was outstanding. It made the experience even better.”
Travel from Edinburgh into Highland Perthshire with an English-speaking guide, stopping in Dunkeld, the Hermitage, Pitlochry, and at Queen’s View. Walk to Black Linn Falls, see Britain’s tallest tree, then tour Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery and taste Scottish whisky. Guides such as Duncan, Graeme, Mac, and Kylie are praised for lively stories and music.
“The guide was the best !! William is a gem of a person .. also the Dewar tour was really nice”
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.”
Spend three hours walking Edinburgh’s Old Town and sampling Scottish classics with a local guide such as Nichola, Nyssa, Craig, or Carlos. Expect haggis with neeps and tatties, Cullen Skink, cheese, cakes, cranachan, fudge, tea, water, and a Lowland single malt. Small groups are capped at 10, with dietary options available if arranged ahead.
“Great food, great guide Nyssa. I really appreciated how much she knew about whisky!”
Meet your guide outside John’s Coffee House & Tavern, just behind St Giles Cathedral, then head into The Lost Close, a newly uncovered underground venue. Over 1.5 hours, taste four Scotch whiskies from Scotland’s main whisky regions while hearing stories about the industry. Upgrade to intermediate or high-end drams if you want rarer bottles.
“Absolutely loved the tasting! Lydia was awesome, very personable and kept us laughing. Had a great time!”
Travel in a small group of up to eight with an English-speaking guide from Edinburgh to Hermitage Waterfalls, the Cairngorms, Loch Ness, Glencoe, and Loch Lomond. You get one whisky dram, a guided waterfall walk, time for lunch, and an optional Loch Ness cruise. Guides may include Andrew, Georgie, Mark, Owen, Richie, or Karen.
“Great experience, with some details that make this tour stands out among the many similar ones out there: - small number, which means confortable van instead of big bus and more interaction; - some stops (Heritage scenic walk, whisky distillery) not present in other most common tours; - super nice, passionate and knowledgeable guides (shoutout to Pete & Mark). easy 5/5.”
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