By place · DISTILLERY TOURS IN EDINBURGH
The 10 best distillery tours in Edinburgh you can book today, with what each one pours, how long it runs and what it costs a head. Number one is top for a reason; start there.
Tour Holyrood Distillery in central Edinburgh with an English-speaking guide such as Courtney, Dave, or Callum. Start with a seasonal cocktail, visit the gin lab and whisky floor, then taste gin and single malt whisky while learning about yeasts, oak, and modern Scotch production.
“We loved our tour with Thais! She was knowledgeable , fun and had a great sense of humor. Would highly reccomended :)”
Explore the Port of Leith Distillery with an English-speaking guide such as Olivia or Ellie. See its unusual vertical design, fill a miniature bottle of new make spirit, and taste new make, port, sherry, and table whisky in the QC LAB. The distillery bar requires a separate booking.
“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.***”
At Holyrood Distillery, you’ll tour a young Edinburgh whisky and gin maker, see its experimental approach, and taste several spirits. Guides such as Diego, Brice, Courtney, and Neil bring their own style to the hour-long visit, which ends at the bar and shop.
“Very interesting and good experience! A guide who was passionate about whisky and was very good at explaining and creating a feel-good ambiance.”
At 56 North Distillery, learn how South Loch Gin is made, from botanicals and copper stills to bottling. Your English-speaking guide leads a G&T, three guided samples, and a final cocktail. The tour also includes Scotland’s oldest dedicated gin bar and its extensive spirit collection.
“Very informative and fun! Our lovely guide Abby made the whole experience very interesting and the atmosphere was very cozy. Liked it a lot (including the tastes of the gins) - totally recommend it ✌️”
Travel from Edinburgh to Rosslyn Chapel, Melrose, and Glenkinchie Distillery with an English-speaking driver-guide. Expect scenic Lowland roads, carved medieval stonework, free time for lunch, and an optional whisky tour and tasting. Guides vary, with Eric, Stuart, Marty, and Neil among the names praised for lively commentary.
“Stuart was very informative and we really enjoyed the excursion. Melrose chapel was under construction so we couldn't go in but got a couple pictures from the outside. Rosslyn was beautiful and really worth the trip. Our guide at Glenkinchen, a gentleman who's name I didn't get, was awesome! He brought us through each stage of making Whisky and you could tell he really loves what he does.”
Spend 90 minutes exploring the UK’s first vertical distillery with an English-speaking guide such as Isobel, Leo, Rocky, or Simon. Follow whisky production from spirit to maturation, fill a miniature bottle of new make, and taste new make, port, sherry, and table whisky.
“Guide (Rocky) was funny & knowledgeable on the tour. Bar food and service was fantastic.”
Spend one hour at Pickering’s Gin in Summerhall with an English-speaking guide such as Jamie, Alyssa, or Max. See the stills, learn the distilling process, taste four gins with different mixers, enjoy a G&T, and leave with a 5cl bottle.
“Our tour was basically a private tour! It was my husband and I with our tour guilds Alissa (I think that’s how she spells it). She still took the time to go over every aspect of the history and distilling process at Pickering’s distillery! My husband is very interested in making his own gin so this “private” tour was excellent for us because he was able to get answers to his questions and have a front row view of their process. We enjoyed their gin so much we bought quite a few bottles for ourselves and friends back home! I love that we got to dip seal our own bottles,…”
At Edinburgh Gin Distillery at The Arches, your English-speaking guide leads a 70-minute tour through gin history, the Flavour Arch, and the Stillhouse. You taste several gins and liqueurs with mixers and garnishes, then finish with a drink in the Distillery Bar. Guests must be 18 or older.
“Our guide was friendly and knowledgeable, just the right amount of alcohol with her so nobody consumed too much. It was very interesting to learn about the botanicals that went into the final product.”
At Glenkinchie, guide-led rooms, sound, scent, light, and special effects explain how East Lothian grain becomes Lowland single malt. You will taste three whiskies and a small cocktail, with guides such as Pascal, Kirsty, and John Walsh bringing the Johnnie Walker connection to life.
“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.”
Spend 90 minutes inside Lind & Lime’s working Edinburgh distillery with guides such as Asha, Erin, Neil, and Stuart. Start with a G&T, learn about Leith gin-making, handle botanicals, bottle a mini-gin, make a Gimlet, then finish with port and sherry.
“Stuart our guide was awesome, and the tour was amazing value for money 🥰”
Pick a bottle and see where it is poured properly.
