Take a sip of fine history at the 6 best distillery tours in Edinburgh!
As a true Edinburgh local, I’ll take whisky over any other tipple—it’s my liquid gold. With so much history behind it, it’s impossible not to feel a sense of pride every time I sip.
What’s even better is how Edinburgh’s distilleries are sharing this craft with whisky lovers around the globe. Distillery tours have become an essential part of any Edinburgh travel bucket list, and I couldn’t be more thrilled about it.
So, if you’re in Auld Reekie and keen to deepen your knowledge of this iconic drink, here are the best distillery tours in the city that I highly recommend!
The Scotland Whisky Trail by On The Go Tours
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Tour Duration: 3 days and 2 nights
Tour Fee: Starting from £693 per person
No trip to Edinburgh is complete without savouring the whisky heritage of Auld Reekie!
Embark on a 3-day adventure with On The Go Tours’ Scotland Whisky Trail, visiting Lindores Abbey Distillery, Speyside’s whisky haven, and the majestic Royal Deeside.
Stay in Edinburgh’s vibrant centre, with Scotland’s stunning national parks nearby. Enjoy whisky tastings, hearty feasts, and breathtaking views of rolling hills, rivers, and charming villages. Slàinte to a truly unforgettable journey!
Tips:
- The package pricing is designed for groups of 16, so smaller groups may incur slightly higher costs. To make the most of your budget, consider inviting more friends to fill the group. That said, if you prefer a more intimate experience, the tour can be booked for just two people as well!
- Keep in mind that this trip is tailored for adults, as it includes whisky tastings and distillery tours. Children under 18 aren’t permitted, so it’s ideal for a group of grown-ups. For context, the legal drinking age in Scotland is 18!
Holyrood Distillery Tour
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Address: 19 St Leonard’s Lane
Contact Details: +44 131 285 8977
Operating Hours:
Monday, 11:15 am to 7:00 pm
Tuesday, 11:15 am to 3:30 pm
Wednesday, 12:30 pm to 7:00 pm
Thursday to Saturday, 11:15 am to 8:00 pm
Sunday, 11:15 am to 7:00 pm
Tour Duration: 1 hour
Tour Fee: Starts at £25 per person
Holyrood Distillery is the pride of Edinburgh, bringing the craft of whisky-making back to the city centre after more than a century. For us locals, its opening was a bit of a game-changer—no more long drives to get a proper distillery experience.
The Holyrood Distillery Tour is the favourite for a well-rounded introduction, but if you’re pressed for time, the Stills and Staves tour offers a quick peek into the still room.
For those keen to savour the full story, the Journey to Whisky experience dives into the craft, complete with tastings of four distinct spirits. It’s pure Edinburgh charm, served with a dram!
Tips:
- If you want to explore what else the distillery produces, they also offer gin tours. They last for an hour and give you the chance to create your own gin and tonic mixture at the very end of the tour! Learn more about it here.
- Children between the ages of 8 and 17 are welcome to join the Holyrood Distillery Tour. However, younger children are not allowed on the tours due to health and safety regulations in the production area. Infants who are carried in arms may attend the tour without requiring a ticket.
Summerhall Distillery
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Address: 1 Summerhall Square, Newington
Contact Details: +44 131 290 2901
Operating Hours:
Monday to Wednesday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Thursday to Sunday, 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
Tour Duration: 1 hour
Tour Fee: Starts at £15 per person and up to £50 per person
Tours at Summerhall Distillery are packed with options, which is why it’s one of my top spots to bring friends for a proper whisky experience. Whether you’re a whisky newbie or a connoisseur, they offer tours and tastings to suit every budget and knowledge level.
Their most popular tours are the Pickering’s Gin Jolly Tour and the Whisky Tasting: Flavours and Folklore Tour. The former showcases the distillery’s process of making their Pickering’s Gin and the latter blends Scottish culture and tradition to the tour.
Tips:
- At the Pickering’s Gin distillery section, you can now refill your empty bottles of their Gin, Navy Strength, Original 1947, and Scottish Botanicals Gin straight from their refill tank. Not only do you get a 15% discount, but after five refills, you’ll score a brand-new bottle with a fresh label! Pretty sweet deal, right?
- Note that if you’re planning to purchase bottles of gin and whisky at the distillery, prepare your cards or digital wallets. They are a cashless establishment and will not accept cash when you pay for tickets, produce, or merchandise.
Glenkinchie Distillery
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Address: Pencaitland, Tranent, East Lothian
Contact Details: +44 187 534 2012
Operating Hours:
Monday to Sunday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Tour Duration: 2 hours to 3 hours
Tour Fee: Ranges between £25 and £150 per person
Tucked away in the rolling East Lothian hills, you’ll find Glenkinchie Distillery, the home of the iconic Edinburgh Malt. The distillery offers a fascinating look at the history of whisky-making, complete with an illicit still and plenty of other whisky-related exhibits.
You’ll have the chance to sample the Glenkinchie 12-year-old, a must-try dram, and explore their well-stocked shop to pick up a bottle or two. Their tours are towards the pricier end, but they last an average of 2.5 hours, so you get what you pay for!
Tips:
- Dogs are generally prohibited in any distillery tour, but Glenkinchie can make exceptions for guide and assistance dogs. Just a wee heads-up, though: health and safety rules mean dogs can’t go into the production areas. Let the team know of any special needs when you’re booking, and they’ll do their best to tweak the tour so you and your pup have a safe and enjoyable visit.
- The distillery often closes during the winter months to ensure the quality of its whisky. Some closures are given at short notice, but you can rely on updates from their Instagram page for any closures when winter comes around!
Johnnie Walker Princes Street Tour
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Address: 145 Princes St
Contact Details: +44 131 376 9494
Operating Hours:
Monday to Saturday, 10:00 am to 9:00 pm
Sunday, 11:00 am to 8:00 pm
Tour Duration: 2 hours to 3 hours
Tour Fee: Ranges between £30 and £65 per person
There’s no denying that when you think of Scotch whisky, Johnnie Walker comes to mind. If you’re a major fan of the brand, you can witness how the distillery creates the iconic liquor inside the Johnnie Walker Princes Street Tour.
You’ll learn about the story of Johnnie Walker himself, from his humble beginnings as a young farmer to becoming a whisky trailblazer. You’ll also be immersed in the distillery’s multiple exhibits featuring sound, music, light, and aroma.
Tips:
- Before starting the Johnnie Walker experience, you’ll fill out a quick online quiz to suss out your flavour profile. This clever detail means your whisky cocktails during the tour will be tailored just for you. Talk about a personalised treat! Just ask the tour guide or staff members for assistance in case you’re new to the whole whisky craze.
- If English isn’t your first language, no worries! For the Journey of Flavour Experience, audio guides are available in Spanish, German, French, and Mandarin, and they’re included in your ticket price. Handy, eh?
Deanston Distillery Tour
– Media from deanstonmalt
Address: Teith Rd, Deanston, Doune
Contact Details: +44 178 684 3010
Operating Hours:
Monday to Sunday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Tour Duration: 45 minutes to 1 hour
Tour Fee: Around £25 per person
Deanston Distillery is a bit of a drive from the city centre, but if you’re keen to see how real craftsmanship comes together, I recommend taking a tour here. This place takes pride in its sustainable practices, its peculiar beginnings as a cotton mill, and its tastings.
There’s nothing like tasting whisky straight from the barrel to appreciate all the unique flavours it picks up. You’ll finish your tour on a high note with a two or three-dram tasting in their cosy tasting room, featuring a selection of Deanston’s finest.
Tips:
- Every tour at Deanston comes with a £5 gift voucher, which you can use towards any 70 cl bottle of whisky on the day of your visit. Perfect excuse to pick up a bottle or two of their finest to take home (just make sure not to forget to redeem your voucher before leaving).
- Make sure to wear fully enclosed shoes for the tour. Cycling shoes are a no-go as well. If your footwear isn’t up to scratch, staff won’t be able to let you on the tour, and unfortunately, they won’t be issuing refunds either. Best to come prepared!