distillery tours around edinburgh

The best whisky distilleries to visit in and around Edinburgh

When visiting the capital it can be very tempting to only stay within its walls, even for a whisky fan..

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What with the educational fun of the Scotch Whisky Experience, the inviting atmospheres of the bars and the knowledgeable and friendly shops selling bottles galore.

And now with Holyrood Distillery opened to the public , all of your whisky whims are catered for.

However, should you venture outside of the city, there are a few of the country's top distilleries that are within a couple of hours drive from the capital.

Here is a list of the closest distilleries to Edinburgh that you can visit - so grab your designated driver and go see some whisky making.

The city centre...

Holyrood distillery  .

(15 minute walk from the Royal Mile - 19 St Leonard's Ln, Edinburgh EH8 9SH)

The first single malt whisky distillery in the city centre in almost a century has just opened to the public.

Though this exciting modern distillery doesn't have its own whisky (yet) it does have its own gin and a variety of tours including a masterclass with head distiller Jack Mayo, a gin experience and a walking tour led by Justine Hazlehurst, founder of Kask Whisky and Fife Whisky Festival.

You can browse the Holyrood Distillery range here .

Tours: Basic - £8 per person, gin and whisky experiences £22 per person and whisky masterclass £80 per person. 

• READ MORE: Holyrood Distillery: First look inside Edinburgh's newest whisky distillery

Within 40 minutes..., glenkinchie distillery .

(40 minutes from Edinburgh, Pencaitland, Trenant, EH 34 5ET)

Picture: Diageo

Only 15 miles from the capital lies Edinburgh's unofficial distillery, home of the 'Edinburgh malt' and one of the best equipped in the country for tours.

With an incredible scale model to show the process involved in whisky making, a state of the art visitor centre and an intimate tour, it's well worth checking out.

Best of all, they even offer a shuttle service from the centre of Edinburgh to Glenkinchie twice a day, 7 days a week, which you can book by calling the distillery.

You can browse the Glenkinchie range here .

Tours: £10 per person

• read more:  glenkinchie distillery in east lothian opens the doors to its newly extended visitor centre, within an hour or so..., deanston distillery .

(One hour and 10 minutes from Edinburgh, Doune, FK16 6AG)

Deanston Distillery and River Teith. Picture: Colin Smith\Geograph

Having played a starring role in the Ken Loach film, The Angels' Share, (well for the interior shots) Deanston distillery isn't too far to get to by car from Edinburgh, and is another exciting example of whisky making in action.

Though it's not the prettiest of the distilleries on this list, be in no doubt that it produces some tasty liquid, while also sporting some excellent visitor facilities - which show how the distillery grew from a cotton mill to a modern day production site.

You can browse the Deanston range here .

Tours: £9 (basic) to £35 per person

Clydeside distillery .

(One hour and 12 mins from Edinburgh, 100 Stobcross Rd, Glasgow G3 8QQ)

Picture: Trip Advisor

Let's face it, Glasgow is only an hour from the capital and though the two cities are like chalk and cheese, they both know whisky and in the Clydeside Distillery, the first in Scotland's biggest city with a fully functioning visitor centre (Glasgow Distillery being the first to produce single malt) they have a cracking excuse to make your way there for a day trip.

Learn all about the whisky barons and Glasgow's rich history of shipbuilding and sea trade, before finding all about how this pretty distillery is making its first ever single malt which should be available in a few years or so.

It's within walking distance from the city centre and also has an incredible whisky shop and cafe that are both worth visiting if you make your way there.

You can buy a bottle of Clydeside's first release, Stobcross, by clicking this link .

Tours: £15 (basic) to £150 per person 

• read more:  spirit flows on the clyde as glasgow’s clydeside distillery officially opens, lindores abbey distillery, (abbey rd, newburgh, cupar ky14 6hh).

The spiritual home of Scotch whisky is also not far from the capital, it was here, that in 1494 that King James IV sent a commission to a friar living at the Abbey to make for him aqua vitae.

This would be the first recorded (in written form) reference to (whisky) spirit making in the country, nowadays what was once home to Friar John (the original spirit maker) is now home to one of Scotland's new distilleries, and perhaps rather aptly, Aqua Vitae is being made there once again.

Enjoy a tour around the fledgeling distillery and learn all about the history of the Abbey and the production site itself before enjoying an Aqua Vitae .

You can browse and buy the Lindores range here .

Tours: £12.50 per person (basic) to £75

Within an hour and a half..., kingsbarns distillery , (kingsbarns, st andrews ky16 8qe).

Picture: Kingsbarns

This shiny new distillery is part of the resurgence of whisky making in the kingdom of Fife and is another great production site doing things their own way.

Check out one of their excellent tours before relaxing with a  soup, coffee or a sandwich on the south-east facing cafe and terrace. Don't worry, if you have a larger group and want to stay for dinner, there are no less than two impressive rooms you can rent out for private dining.

Check out the Kingsbarn range here .

And should you want to try something other than whisky, why not check Kingsbarns sister distillery, Darnley's, where the exciting Darnley's gin is made.

Tours: Three different tours ranging from £10 (basic) -£50 per person with gin tours also available

The scotsman, get in touch.

9 of the Best Whisky Tours from Edinburgh 2024

Have you been wondering about the best whisky tours from edinburgh i’ve got you covered.

I’ve been living in Europe for a few years now and I can’t help but be drawn to Scotland’s whisky culture. From touring the distilleries to learning about the fascinating history that makes Scotch whisky so unique, nothing beats spending time in Edinburgh. After talking with so many fellow travelers looking to take a whisky tour from Edinburgh, I started to realize that there is simply too much choice out there. With all of these different operators offering tours, it can be hard to know which one is right for you. That’s why I’m here to help! Having spent a lot of time researching and taking Whisky Tours from Edinburgh, I’m confident that I can offer valuable advice on which tours are worth your time and money. So if you’re looking for an amazing whisky experience – look no further! Through this article you’ll find everything you need to choose the perfect whisky tour from Edinburgh, whether it’s a single malt tasting or a distillery tour with friends. Enjoy!

Table of Contents

My Top 3 Picks: Best Whisky Tours from Edinburgh

Introduction To Whisky

• Old Town Edinburgh
• Four drams of whisky Included

Discover Malt Whisky Day Tour

• Tour two distilleries
• Small group tour

Speyside Whisky Tour From Edinburgh

• Entry – 5 Distilleries
• Accomodation included

9 of the Best Whisky Tours from Edinburgh

1. 90-minute introduction to whisky in the old town of edinburgh.

⭐️ RATING: 5/5  | ⏳ LENGTH: 1 hour 30 minutes| ✅ Book it!

Scotland is known for its long history of whisky, and if you’re planning a trip to Edinburgh, going on a Whisky tasting tour is a must-try. In this 90-minute introduction to Whisky tour, you will be visiting an underground space in the Old Town of Edinburgh where you will be tasting four drams of Whisky. 

The whiskeys included in this tour come from different regional distilleries. During the tour, you will also walk through Edinburgh streets to learn how these drinks are made. 

“Really enjoyed the chance to sample whiskies I’ve never tried before. Our tasting guide was very knowledgeable about all the whiskies and what differentiated each from the rest. I’ve been a Scotch lover for over 50 years, and still learned a few new things about scotch and found a couple of new labels to add to my collection.” -Dennis_M

This is just one among the many whisky-tasting Edinburgh offers. But what makes this an ideal tour is that it gives a quick introduction to the world of whisky, including its creation process and how Scotch whisky is one of the finest in the world. 

When you arrive at the underground space where the tasting tour will take place, you will be welcomed by your guide and a whisky expert who will let you taste four different whiskies. These 4 drams of Whisky run on different levels, each offering a different experience. 

Important details 

• Start Time (and location): Time Varies at the Code Pod – The Court (Parliament Square Edinburgh)
• Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Includes: Alcoholic Beverages, Experienced Local Guide

🤩 Check Prices and Availability!

2. Discover Malt Whisky Day Tour From Edinburgh Including Admissions

⭐️ RATING: 4.5/5   | ⏳ LENGTH: 9 hours  | ✅ Book it!

Enjoy a day in Scottland as you treat yourself to a full-day Whisky tasting tour from Edinburgh. This 9-hour Malt Whisky Day tour will take you to the Scottish lowlands, where the whisky-producing region is. You will visit known distilleries such as the Glengoyne Distillery and Deanston Distillery. 

At these distilleries, you will enjoy informative tasting sessions and tours. This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about Scottish whisky production while admiring Loch Lomond’s beauty. 

This small group tour lets you have a more personalised experience and be away from the crowd. 

“We wanted to get out of the city a little and this was perfect! We got some tidbits of the area history, 2 Distilleries and a great stop at Oak Tree Inn for a beautiful lunch. Andrew was an amazing host, answering all our questions. Thank you!” -Kayte_E

Among the many Malt Whisky Day Tours from Edinburgh, this tour focuses on two famous distilleries in the Scottish lowlands. After meeting your guide in Edinburgh city centre, you will travel west. During the ride, your guide will also share information about Scotland’s most famous drink. 

The first stop of this tour will be at Glengoyne Distillery in Dumgoyne. This distillery is known for its distillation process, as it is one of the slowest in the world. They believe that this makes the art of whisky-making better. Here, you’ll tour their grounds and learn about their complex production process from the expert.

The next stop will be at the Trossachs National Park, where you’ll see scenic forest-covered terrain and dramatic mountains. This is near Loch Lomond, where a hearty pub is located (you can get lunch here at your own expense). 

Afterwards, you will head to Deanston Distillery, a converted cotton mill in River Teith. This is the most environmentally friendly distillery in Scotland. Here, you can enjoy two types of single malt whiskies and have fun discovering the hints of different flavours. 

• Start Time (and location): 9:30 AM at Edinburgh Bus Station 
• Duration: 9 hours
• Includes:  Admission fees – Tour and Whisky tastings at Glengoyne and Deanston Distilleries included, Small Group Tour (maximum 16 passengers), Top range 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach, The stories and services of an English-speaking driver-guide

3. 3-Day Speyside Whisky Tour From Edinburgh Including Admissions

⭐️ RATING: 5/5  | ⏳ LENGTH: 3 days | ✅ Book it!

Get to be part of the ultimate whisky experience from Edinburgh when you join this 3-day Speyside Whisky Tour. This whisky tour, in particular, lets you experience the best of Scotland’s central whisky-producing region while you visit four renowned distilleries. 

As you wind through the scenic Cairngorm National Park, your small group tour will visit Londores Abbey, Dalwhinne and Cardhu Distillery. You will learn about their unique process of creating Scotch whine at each distillery and taste their own version of malt whisky. 

Since you will be travelling and going on distillery tours from Edinburgh for three days, accommodation in the quaint village of Grantown-on-Spey is already included in the tour. 

“The tour was everything I hoped it would be! Dan Young, our guide, was excellent – knowledgeable alike on the history of Scotland as on the history of Scotch. Well-spoken, and great stories. Wonderful driving scenery; and excellently-chosen distilleries for the stops – each unique in its offerings of tours, whisky-making philosophy and lore. Highly recommended!”-Ramuh_H

This 3-day adventure begins in Edinburgh, where you will meet your guide and a small group of whiskey lovers. After setting off in the morning, you will head to Speyside, Scotland, home to more than 40 distilleries. 

Along the way, you can enjoy learning about single malt whisky and Scotland from your tour guide. There will also be scenic roads before you reach your first stop of the day – Lindores Abbey Distillery.

The tour and tasting in this distillery are already included in the tour, so all you have to do here is enjoy tasting a sample of a dram while learning about the drink’s history.

The next stop of the day is at the Royal Lochnagar Distillery, where you can sample the delights of the Royal Lochnagar Distillery. On your second day, you will explore Speyside, including a visit to Glen Moray Distillery, Speyside Cooperage Visitor Centre and Cardhu Distillery. 

The last day of this 3-day  distillery tour from Edinburgh features a visit to Dalwhinnie Distillery and Cairngorms National Park, the tour’s previous stop. Here, you can have your lunch and get up close to nature while you walk in a fantastic woodland amidst the tallest trees in Britain. 

• Start Time (and location): 8:45 AM at Edinburgh Bus Station 
• Duration: 3 days 
• Includes:  Admission Fees: Includes entry to 5 Distilleries, two nights overnight accommodation, breakfast, and private facilities. Small Group Tour (maximum 16 passengers), Top range 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach, The stories and services of an English-speaking driver-guide

4. Holyrood Distillery Tour

⭐️ RATING: 5/5   | ⏳ LENGTH: 1 hour | ✅ Book it!

If you’re short on time and still want to experience Scotland’s distillery tours, this Holyrood Distillery tour is something you can consider. Holyrood Distillery is well-known in Scotland and is even an award-winning distillery and Scottish Attraction.

You can enjoy a guided flavour-forward experience here as you learn how gin and whiskey are made. Whether it may be through the traditional or innovative method, Holyrood Distillery will show you how their craft has made them one of the best distilleries in Scotland. 

“Marcos gave a thoughtful and engaging presentation on the young distillery’s approach. Along the way we got multiple tasty samples. Only wish we could get their Funky gin in the US!”-Neil_B

This Holyrood Distillery Tour only lasts for an hour, so it’s great for those who are short in time but want to go on a whiskey-tasting trip from Edinburgh. This tour already includes a guided experiential tour in a three-floored gin and whisky distillery and a tasting bar experience at the end of the tour. 

You will also have the chance to look around the distillery’s shop and have the option to get your bottle of gin or whiskey to enjoy back home. 

• Start Time (and location): Time varies at Holyrood Distillery 
• Duration: 1 hour
• Includes:  Alcoholic Beverages

5. Whisky And Folklore In Edinburgh Including Four Single Malt Scotch Whiskies

⭐️ RATING: 5/5  | ⏳ LENGTH: 2 hours | ✅ Book it!

Discover a bespoke whiskey lounge built by Scottish locals just for tourists to experience what it’s like to be part of an intimate whisky-tasting event in Edinburgh.

During this Single scotch whisky experience, you will be sampling four single malt whiskies from four different whisky-producing regions of Scotland while seated in the comfort of a lounge. 

Aside from the whisky tasting, your hosts will also make the experience more engaging by sharing the stories and secrets of Scotch whisky-making.

Plus, this whisky and folklore tour highlights the chance to taste the difference between Scottish highland and lowland whisky with your taste buds and the help of an expert guide. 

“We had a wonderful time during this whisky tasting and folklore. Our guide, Ben, was fabulous. He was funny, knowledgeable about whisky and truly brought the folklore to life through his talented story telling. Definitely recommend this tour if you are in Edinburgh!!!” – Batsheva_K 

Before heading to the bespoke whiskey lounge, you will first have a short walk through the city before entering the bar reserved just for your group. Once you enter the bespoke lounge, you will have the place all to your own, which lets you experience an intimate whiskey tasting trip. 

During the duration of the tour, you will be learning from an expert all about Scottland’s whiskey while also trying four outstanding Single Malt Scotch from the major whisky-producing regions of the country. 

The whiskies you try will range from the relatively delicate and subtle flavours from the lowlands to Islay’s robust and bold tastes. The highlight of this tour includes the storytelling tradition that centres around the idea of people coming together while enjoying good whisky in a cosy place. 

• Start Time (and location): Time varies at Hot Toddy 
• Duration: 2 hours
• Includes: Expert guide, whisky enthusiast and storyteller, Drink alternatives are available upon request for those who do not drink whisky, Alcoholic Beverages  

6. The Scotch Whisky Experience Guided Whisky Tour – An Introduction To Whisky

⭐️ RATING: 4.5/5  | ⏳ LENGTH: 50 minutes | ✅ Book it!

For a comprehensive introduction to Whisky in Scotland, this guided whisky walking tour in Edinburgh is an ideal choice if you first want to get an overview of Scotland’s national drink. Compared to the other whisky tours from Edinburgh, this tour highlights lessons and sharing whisky information. 

Learn about how Scotland’s regions come to create the Scottish drink and how the weather affects the flavour of your glasses.

During a guided tasting session, you will also view one of the world’s largest Scotch whisky collections inside the Scotch Whisky Experience. This is a family-friendly experience, as 18-year-olds and under are still welcome to join.

“I enjoy this tour. It covered a lot of information about whiskey that I didn’t know. I loved the interactive experience with the scratch and sniff cards to find which type of whiskey I would prefer. They did a very good job putting together a informative experience tour.”-Kathleen_E

This tour will take place at the Scotch Whisky Experience beside Edinburgh Castle. Inside the area, you will be guided through and introduced to the world of whiskey. 

A guide will share information and stories about the process of making and the history of Whiskey while you tour around to view an extensive collection of Whiskey in the area. Throughout the tour, you can also learn about the five whisky-producing regions and secrets of single-malt Scotch production. 

This tour also includes a tasting of Scotch whisky (or non-alcoholic beverages for non-drinkers) at the end of the tour. No worries because audio guides of at least 20 languages are available, and at the end, you will be given a gift of a crystal whisky-tasting glass as your souvenir. 

• Start Time (and location): Time varies at The Scotch Whisky Experience
• Duration: 50 minutes 
• Includes: Dram of Scotch whisky, audio guides in 20 languages, Expert whisky guide, Crystal Whisky Glass souvenir

7. Highland Lochs, Glens & Whisky Day Tour Including Admission

⭐️ RATING: 5/5  | ⏳ LENGTH: 10 hours | ✅ Book it!

Get away from Edinburgh and travel to Scotland’s rugged countryside to enjoy a whisky tour with a small group. You will be visiting the hilly lowlands and forested highlands of Scotland, where you’ll find the best distilleries in the country.

This tour also lets you see and admire the beauty of nature as you pass by and make time to visit waterfalls, rivers and lochs. You will then proceed with the whisky tour in quaint towns where you can enjoy tastings and discover distilleries while soaking up the stunning Scottish landscape.  

“A lovely full day. Really kind and informative guide (such a treat to be driven everywhere and learn and laugh along the way). The Scottish scenery was beyond beautiful. We really enjoyed our lunch in the small town of Pitlochry and the distillery, Aberfeldy, was also an awesome experience.” – Teva_H 

The full-day excursion starts at Edinburgh, where you will meet your guide and fellow tour joiners. You will then travel through the countryside and cross the Forth Road Bridge, one of the longest cantilever bridges. 

As you make your way through the lowlands and highlands, you can enjoy the scenic landscapes of Scotland while your guide shares exciting stories. You’ll mainly be traversing through mountains, thick forests, and farmland before you reach your first destination. 

The first stop is at the Hermitage Woodland Walk, where you will walk through the dense woodland to see the waterfalls. After your nature walks, you will head to the Queen’s View, the favourite queen’s view. 

Afterwards, you will visit Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery or Glenturret Distillery, where you will learn more about whisky. Your guide will share the process of making whisky and how this distillery has a different method. 

• Start Time (and location):  9:00 AM at Edinburgh Bus Station
• Duration: 10 hours 
• Includes:  Admission Fee: Tour & Tasting at Dewar’s Aberfeldy, Distillery Small Group Tour (maximum 16 passengers), Top range 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach, The stories and services of an English-speaking driver-guide

8. The Ultimate Whisky Experience From Edinburgh

⭐️ RATING: 4.5/5  | ⏳ LENGTH: 10 hours| ✅ Book it !

Another ultimate whisky experience from Edinburgh you can join is this 10-hour whisky distillery Edinburgh tour. You will travel to the Scottish Highlands from the city centre to get a taste of Scotch whiskies and have the whole day learning about the famous drink. 

This tour proudly offers a visit to unique destinations often missed by tourists. Between each distillery visit, you will also be making a side trip to see and explore the nature and landscape of Scotland. 

“This was a great day trip – gorgeous countryside, excellent distillery tour’s and tastings and all very informative. Our guide prepped us with background on Scottish whiskey and also Scottish history. Definitely recommend.”-Victor_P

This tour is ideal if you want to spend your day in Edinburgh and explore the countryside while tasting good whisky. As you make your way to the highlands, you will enjoy a commentary from your guide in the minibus and see the scenic route you will be taking.

Before reaching the first Distillery you will visit, you will pass by South Queensferry, where you can take great photos of the famous bridge.

Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery will be the first stop of this full-day tour, a renowned crafted whisky producer since 1898. You will have a full time of their warehouse and interactive heritage exhibition, plus a taste of Aberfeldy’s 12-year-old single malt whisky. 

You will also head to Glenturret Distillery in the afternoon, just outside Crieff. This is the oldest working distillery in Scotland and is still hand-crafting whisky using the last remaining hand-operated mash tun. 

• Start Time (and location): 8:45 AM at Lawnmarket
• Duration: 10 hours
• Includes:  Driver/guide, Live commentary on board, Local guide, Air-conditioned vehicle

9. Whisky And Highland Waterfalls Day Trip From Edinburgh

⭐️ RATING: 4.5/5   | ⏳ LENGTH: 9 hours | ✅ Book it!

This tour combines two must-try experiences in Edinburgh, Scotland – a whisky tour experience and a highland waterfall day trip. During the journey, you will traverse the Scottish Highlands to enjoy a day at a distillery and marvel at the majesty of Loch Lomong and Trossachs National Park. 

Meanwhile, at the Glenturret Distillery, you will tour their warehouse, learn about their whisky-making process, and sample some of their malt whiskies. The tour ends with a visit to the Hermitage forest and the village of Dunkeld. 

“Dusty was a great guide. We had a wonderful time. He was very informative and gave us recommendations on places to eat. Our trip to the distillery was just the right amount of time. The waterfall was less than impressive but the walk in nature was very nice.”-Lenora_S

The trip begins with an early meet-up at Edinburgh with your small group tour and guide. From there, you will head to the National Wallace Monument, passing by spectacular views and landmarks such as the Stirling Castle.  

You will also be heading to admire the natural and cultural sights like Loch Earn and Loch Lomond and then make your way to visit Trossachs National Park.

The next stop of the tour is at the famous Glenturret whisky distillery. Here, you can sample a dram of whisky straight from its cask and learn about its traditional methods to produce single malt. 

The trip continues to the Hermitage, where you will stroll through lined paths and see the Braan River and Black Linn Falls. You’ll end the tour with a walk in nature, heading to the village of Dunkeld, where the famous Dunkeld Cathedral is located.  

• Start Time (and location): Time varies at Edinburgh Bus Station 
• Includes: Local Scottish English Speaking Guide, Air-conditioned vehicle

FAQs About whiskey tours from edinburgh

How long is the whisky tour in edinburgh.

A whisky tour in Edinburgh typically lasts around 1-3 hours, but can vary depending on the length of the guided part of the tour.

Visitors can expect to sample a variety of different whiskies, learn about their history and production process, and even find out more about Scotland’s whisky culture.

Of course, guests will also have plenty of opportunity to purchase bottles and other whisky-related merchandise while on the tour.

what is the most famous distillery in edinburgh?

Edinburgh is home to several renowned whisky distilleries, but the most famous of all is undoubtedly the Glenkinchie Distillery.

Located in Pencaitland, just outside of Edinburgh, it is one of only six distilleries in Scotland that make Scotch whisky.

The unique pale malt used in their whisky gives it a distinctive flavour and the distillery offers tours every day so you can learn more about how Scotch whisky is made.

So if you’re looking for the most famous distillery in Edinburgh, look no further than Glenkinchie!

is edinburgh known for whiskey?

Edinburgh is known for its whiskey, in particular Scotch whisky. The city has a long-standing tradition of whisky distilling and there are several whisky distilleries in the area.

Even within the city itself, there are several pubs and bars that serve Scotch whiskies from around Scotland. Edinburgh is a great place to visit for anyone looking to sample some of Scotland’s top tipple!

What is the best whisky distillery tour in Scotland

Whisky distilleries in Scotland offer some of the most interesting, unique, and educational tours in the world.

Some of the best whisky distillery tours in Scotland are offered by Edradour Distillery in Pitlochry, Glenkinchie Distillery near Edinburgh, The Macallan Distillery in Speyside, and The Oban Distillery on the west coast.

Each of these distilleries offers a variety of tour options for whisky enthusiasts to gain an insight into how traditional Scotch whisky is made. From a guided tour of the production facilities to an exclusive tasting with a master distiller, there is something for everyone.

Visitors can also buy bottles from the gift shop or sample their own blend after visiting one of these incredible distilleries.

No matter which distillery you choose to visit, you will be sure to have a memorable experience that will ignite your passion for whisky even further.

So if you’re looking for an unforgettable day out exploring Scotland’s rich whisky heritage then any one of these four fantastic whisky distilleries is sure to provide it!

Final Thoughts: whisky tours in edinburgh

Whisky tours from Edinburgh are an exciting and unique way to experience Scotland. From the Highlands to Lowlands, you can visit a variety of distilleries and be immersed in the culture and history behind Scotland’s national drink.

So why not make the most of your time here and book one of these amazing whisky tours? With knowledgeable local guides, you’ll get to sample some of the finest whisky Scotland has to offer!

• Isle of Skye & West Highlands – 4 Day tour with Rabbie’s
• Plan an itinerary for 7 days in Scotland
• 12 of the Coolest Castles in Scotland
• Where to stay in Edinburgh
• 15 Things to do in Edinburgh – Tourist Guide
• 48 hours in Edinburgh – 2 Day Itinerary

Luxury Travel Guide to Edinburgh

• Ultimate Travel Guide to Edinburgh

Sam, a seasoned traveler across four continents and 49 countries, is a leading authority in travel planning. Her website, Travelling King, offers tailored itineraries and expert guides for seamless trips. Sam's expertise in luxury travel, fast travel, and destination guides keeps her at the forefront of the travel community.

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Experience world famous whisky

Welcome to The Scotch Whisky Experience, a five star visitor attraction at the top of Edinburgh's Royal Mile, where we've been inspiring visitors to Edinburgh about the joys of Scotch whisky for over 30 years.

Plan your visit

To see our FAQs page click here.

Welcome to The Scotch Whisky Experience, Ceud Mile Fàilte  (A hundred thousand welcomes in Gaelic)

Whether you take a tour, visit our shop and restaurant, or enjoy an event or tasting here, we guarantee you a sensational experience.

Our Experiences

The perfect journey through the world of Scotch whisky. We are storytellers; passionate about sharing with you our love for Scotch whisky and Scotland. Take one of our tours to widen your knowledge, explore flavours and create whisky memories.

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The Collection

The latest content from Scotch whisky's Edinburgh home.

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Visit Holyrood Distillery

Please be aware that our Gift Cards are redeemable against our tours and experiences. They cannot be used to purchase products in store or online.

Gift Cards are non-transferable and have no monetary value.

Journey to whisky tour

An in-depth and intermediate tour – ideal for whisky enthusiasts! Conversational and tasting-led, your tour takes you through the detailed processes of our single malt whisky production. Learn how we push the boundaries of what it means to be a modern whisky producer with our experimental approach to flavour, with samples provided throughout. 

Forever Edinburgh x Holyrood: The Eras Experience

Supporting Forever Edinburgh’s “Taylored Taste Trail”, we are hosting two special experiences on the 7th & 8th of June. 

Join us for * Holyrood’s Version * – taking inspiration from the Eras Tour, we’ve curated a gorgeous evening of cocktail making where your drinks have been masterminded to incorporate some Swiftie magic…

Over 18s only.

1.5hr / £35pp

STILLS & STAVES

Short on time, or just want to see the main event? Our Stills & Staves experience is the perfect choice for those on a tight itinerary, or if you are simply looking to see Holyrood’s highlights.

Get to know our production area by enjoying 15 minutes with one of our expert guides in our still room, followed by a 15 minute tutored tasting of 4 samples which perfectly capture the Holyrood spirit. 

Please note this experience does not include a full distillery tour – guests are welcome to continue their afternoon in our distillery bar and shop.

Behind the Cask: Whisky Tasting Experience

Holyrood distillery tour.

The perfect introduction to Holyrood Distillery. Our signature guided tour will take you through our gin and whisky production spaces, explaining the processes behind our award winning Height of Arrows gin and our single malt whiskies. Get to know our spirits with sample tastings throughout your tour.

charmed circle walking tour

Learn more about our city’s brewing and distilling heritage as you explore the forgotten breweries of Edinburgh’s Southside. Discover how the brewing industry has shaped our city by walking through history, and hearing stories about the infamous ‘Charmed Circle’.

1hr 45min/ £20-£30pp.

Self Guided Tasting Flight - DAILY

Sit back and relax in our cosy distillery bar with a tasting flight of 4 spirits – perfect for those just looking to try a few drams! Let our bartenders be your guide as you taste your way through our spirits! Choose between our Gin Flight with our award-winning Height of Arrows gin range, or our Whisky Flight which takes you through the different stages of whisky making at Holyrood.

eh evenings

As a thank you to Edinburgh residents for sharing the city we call home, we have introduced our weekly ‘EH Evenings’. Free to attend for anyone with an EH postcode – you’ll get a fully guided complimentary tour of our distillery, lab and cask room –  plus free samples of our Height of Arrows Gin and single malt whisky. You’ll then have exclusive access to our paid bar to enjoy some delicious drinks, live music, and food available to order from our Southside neighbours. 

Free for Edinburgh Residents

holyrood GIN TASTING EXPERIENCe

Sip your way through our award winning Height of Arrows Gin range with our relaxed, interactive and conversational Gin Tasting Experience!

Go behind the scenes with your guide and get to know the story of our gin production journey. Learn to mix, make and shake your very own cocktail; taste samples of our gin range plus some exciting future projects accompanied by delicious Gin Chocolate Truffles; and create your own perfect serve Gin & Tonic with a range of garnishes and premium mixers. 

Over 18s Only.

1.5hrs/£28pp

Discover our urban distillery in the heart of Edinburgh…

Holyrood Distillery is situated in the city’s Southside district – under the shadow of the magnificent Salisbury Crags, and a short walk from the historic old town. Taking inspiration from our surroundings, and from Edinburgh’s brewing and distilling heritage, we produce the city’s only single malt whisky and an award-winning range of gin.

Whether you are visiting a distillery for the first time, want to learn something new about modern whisky production, or simply try some of our delicious spirits – come and discover how we make our spirit with our range of tours and tastings, with experiences available for all levels of knowledge and interest.

We are a short 15-minute walk from the Royal Mile, located right next to Holyrood Park.

The Lothian Buses Number 14 stops on Rankeillor Street a 2-minute walk to our front door and many other services stop nearby, please visit lothian buses for details.

We don’t provide public parking, however blue badge holders/registered disabled vehicles can pick up and drop off in the courtyard area.

We have several bike racks on site, allocated on a first come first serve basis.

All ages are welcome on the ‘Holyrood Distillery Tour’ – under 5s go free and children aged 5-17 are offered a discounted ticket. We have baby changing facilities on site if required.

All other tours and experiences are 18+. 

The samples on our tour are complimentary therefore the price reflects the experience only. If you wish, you can take your samples to enjoy later or we’ll provide a non-alcoholic alternative.

THE 10 BEST Edinburgh Distilleries

Distilleries in edinburgh.

• Distillery Tours
• Beer Tastings & Tours
• Wine Tours & Tastings
• Cooking Classes
• Distilleries
• Coffee & Tea Tours
• Farmers Markets
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• Southside & Holyrood
• Princes Street and Gardens
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Good for Couples
• Good for Big Groups
• Budget-friendly
• Hidden Gems
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• Adventurous
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. The Scotch Whisky Experience

2. Edinburgh Gin Distillery

3. Johnnie Walker Princes Street

4. Summerhall Distillery

5. Lind & Lime Gin Distillery

6. Holyrood Distillery

7. Sip Antics

8. 56 North Distillery

9. House Of Boe Shop

10. Edinburgh Scotland

11. Kask Whisky

12. Port of Leith Distillery

What travelers are saying

Whisky distillery tours near Edinburgh – 9 to explore

Scotland and whisky just go together so well but if you’re short on time you might not have the capacity to explore the Highlands and Islands that are famed for having LOTS of distilleries.

So if you’re based in the capital, and want to visit some whisky distilleries near Edinburgh what are your choices?

This part of Scotland is where I grew up and it’s very easy to get around here with good roads, so even if you have to explore beyond Edinburgh you can do so easily.

Even though this isn’t classic whisky country you still have so much to explore, and as any whisky lover knows the different water and land around the distillery is what can change the taste. So let’s try something a bit different!

These tours are based around the south of Scotland near Edinburgh, down to the Borders and up as far as Perthshire. Of course, there’s a lot more to discover if whisky is your passion, especially in the Highlands and near Inverness .

This article probably contains affiliate links. This means that if you buy or book after clicking, I may get a commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks!

A note from the writer: Hey! I’m Kirsty and I’m a UK travel expert – while I grew up in Scotland, as an adult I now return to visit almost every year – there’s so much to see! Shout (or comment below) if you have any questions about your next trip and I’ll get back to you ASAP.

Whisky tours from Edinburgh

You might be visiting Scotland and not have transport to get you around – if so a whisky tour from Edinburgh city centre might be just the thing to explore further afield, be able to enjoy a wee dram and get someone else to do the driving!

• Ultimate Whisky Experience from Edinburgh
• Loch Lomond, Stirling and Whisky tour from Edinburgh

Are these tours good for families?

We have, in the past, taken our kids on these tours and have found them really educational for them. Not all tours will accept children, some will have a reduced price (as they’ll not get the taster), some will let them visit for free. If they are allowed it’s almost always on the basic tours, not more specialised ones.

If you have kids it’s always worth checking beforehand that you can bring them along.

Scotch, whiskey, whisky or whiskie? Which is right? The proper Scottish term is whisky without the ‘e’. If the ‘e’ is present then it’s likely to be an Irish spirit.

9 Whisky Distilleries and Tours near Edinburgh

Some of these tours are in the city of Edinburgh itself and so perfect if you’re just visiting the capital and have no time to explore.

Others are a short drive away – I’ve kept the distance to under 2 hours drive away from Edinburgh which is perfect for a day trip to explore some other parts of Scotland. One is in Scotland’s other great city, Glasgow, and can be reached by train easily.

If you need to rent a car to get to some of these sites then I recommend checking out Discover Cars .

Scotch Whisky Experience

Location: Royal Mile, Edinburgh Old Town

The Scotch Whisky Experience is located on the Royal Mile and is, essentially, a tourist attraction based around the drink rather than a distillery itself. It doesn’t make whisky here but you can do some tours and learn about the drink, it’s history and how it’s made.

They do a number of tours and experiences including having a restaurant where you can combine a meal with tasting whisky.

There’s also an impressive whisky collection that you can see which houses over 3,500 bottles of the spirit!

Tour cost : Many different tours from £19 – Get tickets here Family friendly? The Silver Tour is the only one suitable for families

Holyrood Distillery

Location: Edinburgh, just south of the Royal Mile

This is a new operation in the city of Edinburgh and a good one for you if you don’t want to leave the city but do want to see a distillery. Very different from some more traditional distilleries though.

Holyrood Distillery run guided tours and if you like gin you can combine and see how that’s made there too. They also do a walking tour which takes you around the old town.

Tour cost : From £18 Family friendly? No

Johnnie Walker Princes Street

Location: Princes Street , (West end of Princes Street Gardens)

Similar to the Scotch Whisky Experience, Johnnie Walker’s is another ‘attraction’ based on whisky in the city. If you’re a fan and don’t have time to explore you can do some tastings and attend events here too.

They do some whisky tours which allow you to taste and learn about the whisky as well as some more premium experiences.

Tour Cost: From £15 Family friendly? No

Glenkinchie Distillery

Location: Pencaitland, East Lothian

Distance from Edinburgh: 16 miles

Known as the Edinburgh Malt, this is the closes distillery that isn’t in the city itself. It was founded in 1825

Glenkinchie is also a component of the Johnnie Walker label and so owned by the same company.

There’s a shop and some guided tours you can take which range from simple to more in depth showing different parts of the distillery. They also run events that are worth keeping an eye on.

Tour cost : from £19 Family friendly? yes – children aged 8 and over can go on the Glenkinchie Flavour Journey tour. Cost is £9.50 per child.

Deanston Distillery

Location: Doune, Near Stirling

Distance from Edinburgh: Approx 45 miles, 1.5 hour drive

In the heart of Scotland and near Stirling, Deanston Distillery is a good one to discover alongside a trip to Doune Castle (an Outlander and prolific movie location) or Stirling Castle.

It’s another non-traditional distillery and even though the buildings date back to the 1500s (as a cotton mill) the drink has been distilled here only since the 1960s.

They run a number of tours and whisky tastings throughout the day.

Tour cost : from £15 Family friendly? Yes – children over 12 allowed on Classic and Morning Tour. Cost is £6 per child.

Clydesdale Distillery

Location: Glasgow

Distance from Edinburgh: 52 miles, 1 hour 25 min drive. Also can be reached easily by public transport.

Located in Scotland’s second city but within easy reach from Edinburgh is the Clydesdale Distillery . This is good one to consider if you don’t have your own car but want to see a distillery in action. It’s easily reached by train from Edinburgh. (I use Trainline to check times and buy tickets)

They have a cafe on site, shop and you can do a number of different tours. Some are simple and others are much more catered to whisky enthusiasts!

Tour cost : From £17.50 Family friendly? Yes, free for under 8s. £5 for 8-17 year olds

Kingsbarns Distillery

Location: Kingsbarns, Fife. Just south of St Andrews

Distance from Edinburgh: 55 miles – 1 and 3/4 hour drive

This is probably the furthest whisky distillery from Edinburgh on this page but could be worth adding in to a day out to discover St Andrews or the delights of Fife (where I grew up!). You’ll also see the Forth Bridges on the way which is always a highlight!

Kingsbarns Distillery runs some different tours that will either introduce you to how Scotch Whisky is made or tutor you in more in depth tasting. There’s also a shop for buying souvenirs at the end.

Tour cost : From £12 Family friendly? Yes – it’s £4 for 8-17 year olds. Over 8s only.

The Borders Distillery

Location: Hawick, in Scottish Borders

Distance from Edinburgh: 56 miles, just over 1 and a half hours drive

The Borders Distillery is another fairly new operation, although whisky had been made in the area in the past, this is the first one since 1837.

The Scottish Borders is a wonderful place to explore and is so different to much of Scotland – definitely recommended. If you like history I can suggest the Borders Abbeys alongside the distillery!

This distillery runs a single type of tour but its closed from late October to late March so only good if you’re visiting in Spring , Summer or early Autumn

Tour cost : £15 Family friendly? Yes, children free to come on a tour accompanied by an adult

The Glenturret Distillery

Location: Near Crieff, Perthshire

Distance from Edinburgh: 55 miles, just over 1 and a half hours drive

Finally we head a little north into Perthshire and to the Glenturret Distillery , one of those more traditional types!

Glenturret is one of the oldest working distilleries in Scotland having been founded in 1763.

This is a great one for those who are looking to find special reserves of whisky to bring back as souvenirs. They have a shop with all manner of spirits to suit all budgets. And if you’ve done a tour you’ll get a £5 voucher to spend there.

They do a few different tours from a basic introduction one to more in depth whisky making!

Tour cost : From £15 Family friendly? Yes, 8 and under are free. 9-17 year olds are £10

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🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland Travel FAQ 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Do I need insurance for traveling to Scotland?

YES! I always recommend people take travel insurance when exploring the world!

Check Travel Insurance Master for quote comparisons from different providers.

Do I need a car for visiting Scotland?

YES – If you’re wanting to explore Scotland fully then a car is worthwhile. It will get you to all the best sights and on your own timetable

I recommend DiscoverCars to compare car rental prices in Scotland

How to book accommodation in Scotland?

For hotels I recommend Booking.com

For apartments and cottages check out VRBO

Will my phone work in Scotland?

Perhaps – it depends if you have roaming enabled and beware this can be an expensive way to use your phone.

If you need a SIM for use in Scotland I recommend GiffGaff which you can get and set up before traveling.

What to pack for Scotland

Keep yourself dry be prepared for any weather is my motto for Scotland! A rain jacket and comfy shoes are a must.

See my post about what to pack for Scotland

Do I need midge spray for Scotland?

YES – if you’re traveling in the summer months to any of the west coast, highlands, islands or lochs it’s recommended.

Locals swear by Avon’s Skin So Soft !

If you’re sticking to the cities or traveling in winter, early spring or late fall then you likely won’t need it.

What’s the best guidebook for Scotland?

I really like the Lonely Planet Guidebooks

Where to get flights for Scotland

Skyscanner is my first port of call for finding cheap flights to Scotland.

Do I need a visa for Scotland?

Many countries don’t need a visa for visiting Scotland as tourists (USA, Canada, Aus, NZ and Europe) – it’s always best to check first though .

Kirsty Bartholomew

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6 Best Distillery Tours & Whisky Experiences in Edinburgh

Home > Blog > 6 Best Distillery Tours & Whisky Experiences in Edinburgh

“ What whisky will not cure, there is no cure for ” – Irish proverb

Our Irish neighbours have always had a way with words and we Scots couldn’t agree more about the restorative powers of whisky. The faith Scots have in the spirit can even be seen in the word’s etymology – the Gaelic word ‘usquebaugh’ (meaning ‘water of life’) is where ‘whisky’ comes from.

Whisky has been lovingly distilled in Scotland for centuries, with the earliest reference of the drink coming from 1494 – only two years after the Americas were discovered.

So when you visit Scotland, it almost seems sacrilegious not to sample the local fayre, and where better to do this than in the capital city of Edinburgh?

Absolute Escapes have specialised in self-drive holidays in Scotland since 2004, and from a brief scroll through our website, you might have noticed that we offer whisky-themed itineraries . These are perfect for whisky devotees who can think of nothing better than to plan their entire holiday around their favourite drink.

However, we know that circumstances don’t always allow for a full-blown week of whisky, but there’s no need to worry! Located in Edinburgh, each member of our team prides themselves on knowing the city inside out and we thought we’d share some recommendations for experiences that are sure to quench your thirst.

Read on for our recommendations of the best whisky experiences in and around Edinburgh.

Holyrood Distillery

Set in a very convenient location, Holyrood Distillery is worryingly easy to stumble into after braving Arthur’s Seat. The difficult part is stumbling out again!

This distillery takes inspiration from the beautiful city it is rooted in, echoing Edinburgh’s energy and spirit (pun intended!) when making their signature drinks. Their tours focus on the city’s compelling distilling history which they argue is not talked about enough, and they even created a smoky cask offering inspired by Edinburgh’s affectionate nickname, Auld Reekie (Old Smoky).

The distillery opened in 2019 so it isn’t steeped in history or shackled by tradition, allowing its owners the creative freedom to create a unique, interactive experience for their visitors.

You’ll be pleased to hear that the Holyrood Distillery offers an abundance of tours. For example, they run daily Gin and Whisky Tours as well as purely Whisky Tours and Tastings if you don’t want to be distracted by gin.

If you would like something a little different, on certain dates they run a walking tour focusing on Edinburgh’s brewing and distilling past and includes tastings.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Holyrood Distillery (@holyrooddistillery)

Scotch Whisky Experience

Located at the top of the historic Royal Mile, the Scotch Whisky Experience takes pride in its ability to bring the story of whisky to life.

Its renowned barrel ride gently guides you from relaxing Gladiator-style fields of barley to the maturation of the whisky in oak casks. Taking you through every step of the process of making whisky, their barrel ride is relaxing, fun and informative – what more could you want?

After stepping back into the real world, your tour guide will explain the differences between Scotland’s distinct whisky regions and help you choose a dram that is perfect for your tastes.

I think the most captivating part of the experience is the unparalleled collection of over 3,300 whiskies. Visitors should not overlook the opportunity to visit such an influential collection of Scotch whiskies.

They offer different tours to fit exactly what you are looking for in a whisky experience. For example, their three-hour ‘A Taste of Scotland’ tour includes a tutored tasting of five different whiskies and a delicious tasting menu. On the other end of the spectrum, their ‘Silver Tour’ includes one tasting and lasts nearly an hour, so it’s perfect for visitors on a tighter schedule.

We recommend this experience so much that we include tickets for the Scotch Whisky Experience in our Highlands & Islands Malt Whisky Trail – so you won’t even have to book it yourself!

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by The Scotch Whisky Experience (@scotchwhiskyexp)

Johnnie Walker Princes Street

If you would prefer an experience which isn’t just interactive but immersive, the newly-opened Johnnie Walker Princes Street experience is for you!

The unbridled creativity of their tours creates a self-proclaimed ‘flavour-filled celebration’ which is designed to be memorable. However, the Johnnie Walker Experience may not be the best choice for die-hard whisky connoisseurs who might be put off by the ‘flashy’ presentation of their favourite drink.

Their daily Johnnie Walker Journey of Flavour includes whisky drinks that are personalised to your preferences. This experience is an excellent option for groups with members who don’t enjoy pure whisky, as they can try cocktails instead of drams and the tour itself is quite a spectacle.

As well as tours, they offer events such as ‘Funk, Jazz & Soul Sundays’. Tickets for this event include live music and a two-course lunch paired with drinks. It is always worth checking their website to see what exciting events they have planned next.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Double Take Projections (@doubletakeprojections)

Whisky & Folklore Tour

If you would prefer a more sedentary whisky experience, this Whisky and Folklore Tour provides a fun, aural journey through Scotland’s distilling history.

These tours take place in a cosy, historic pub in Edinburgh city centre. Enjoy and compare four different whiskies from different whisky regions of Scotland whilst listening to the fascinating stories your guide entertains you with.

Some argue that storytelling and whisky form the backbone of Scottish culture so it is only right that they have been combined into one engaging tour.

To allow for complete flexibility, you can book a private tour for a time that suits you perfectly. Otherwise, these tours take place daily at 17.00 and take approximately two hours.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Little Fish Tours (@littlefishtours)

Summerhall Drinks Lab

If sitting back and relaxing isn’t quite your style, and your favourite way to enjoy whisky is with a snack, you may be more interested in Summerhall Drinks Lab’s regular events.

Another conveniently-located venue, Summerhall offers a Whisky and Vegan Cheese experience and prides itself on the unique pairing experience it has created.

The experience begins with shaking your own whisky cocktail, which you can savour whilst your guide introduces you to three different single malt whiskies paired with locally-made vegan cheeses.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Summerhall Drinks Lab (@shdrinkslab)

Glenkinchie Distillery

On arrival at Glenkinchie Distillery , whisky-lovers are greeted by relaxing music, honey-coloured wood and gentle, enticing scents. This distillery perfectly walks the line between friendly and professional. You can tell that the tour guides take pride in Glenkinchie’s offering and they are prepared to answer any questions you may have.

This distillery is the Lowland home of Johnnie Walker and tours delve into the rich tradition of creating whisky as visitors learn about the distillery’s history.

Most of the tour is centred around the process of making their whisky. Believe me, when your guide explains how to create such a variety of flavours from the same three ingredients you’ll start to believe that Harry Potter isn’t the only magical thing about Scotland!

Before tasting the whisky, immerse yourself in their sensory theatre whilst you listen to the differences between the spirits made in the five whisky regions of Scotland – Campbeltown, Speyside, Islay, Lowland and Highland.

This is a fully operational distillery and they offer a selection of tours and tastings including a Journey of Flavour Tour, a Flavour and Cask Experience, and a Behind the Scenes Tour and Tasting.

This distillery is a 30-minute drive from the centre of Edinburgh, although we would recommend booking a taxi that will take you directly from the city centre to their doorstep so no one needs to suffer as a designated driver – just remember to book it first!

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by lettyp1 (@lettyp1)

Whisky Pubs

Perhaps even after reading through our suggestions, you’d prefer to experience whisky the way it was originally meant to be enjoyed – in a pub. In that case, these are some recommendations for our favourite whisky bars around Edinburgh.

• Whiski Rooms : Here you can appreciate a wide range of whiskies whilst looking out over the city. With over 300 whiskies, even those unconvinced by the spirit will be able to find something they like. This bar also has a shop so if you try anything you like you can take a bottle home with you.
• Teuchters Landing : Enjoy this bar’s beautiful waterside setting in Leith with a drink in hand as you explore their range of whiskies.
• The Scottish Malt Whisky Society : Although this is primarily a member’s society, the Scottish Malt Whisky Society’s Kaleidoscope Bar on Queen Street is open to non-members six days a week. This prestigious venue has everything you need for an unforgettable whisky experience. It has even been recognised as the Icons of Whisky Global Bar of the Year in Whisky Magazine’s World Whisky Awards 2022.
• Usquabae : With well-informed, welcoming staff and a cosy atmosphere, the bartenders at Usquabae are well-equipped to recommend whiskies that will suit you perfectly.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Whiski Rooms (@whiskirooms)

Sample Scotland’s Whisky Trails with Absolute Escapes

So there you have it, although I have barely scratched the surface of what Edinburgh has to offer, this guide shows that the city has a whisky experience for everyone.

For an excellent way to experience Scotland, why not take a look at our award-winning self-drive holidays ? However, if one whisky experience isn’t enough for you, perhaps one of our Whisky Trails will satisfy you!

For those people who are still unconvinced by whisky, if there was ever a place to be converted, it’s here!

Tessa Kilpatrick

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Best Distillery Tours Near Edinburgh

Last Updated:  May 15, 2024

If you want to visit an Edinburgh whisky distillery but unsure where to go, you must read our Best Distillery Tours Near Edinburgh Guide. We have done the research and have come up with the optimal strategy, whether you are self-driving, catching public transport, or would like to have someone else organise it for you. For the best distillery tours near Edinburgh, read on!

General Information

COVID-19 has caused significant changes to many distilleries' operation and tour schedules and nearly all now require advanced bookings, even for tastings. We endeavour to ensure the information on this website is accurate; however, due to the unpredictable nature of COVID outbreaks, information may change at short notice. Please check the distillery's website before you go as (see links in the distillery profiles below).

Even in 'normal' times, we recommend that you book in advance to avoid disappointment or avoid long wait times. The booking links and phone numbers for each distillery are below. While you can sometimes drop in, distilleries are becoming increasingly popular as a tourist destination, and tours often sell out days in advance.

Please check the distillery's website for opening hours and tour times as they change throughout the year. The times listed below were accurate at the time of writing.

Dogs, Children and Distillery Tours

Dogs are generally not allowed in distillery restaurants/cafes, visitor centres or in production areas, so don’t plan to bring your dog on a distillery tour, with the exception of Lindores Abbey Distillery who "welcome well behaved dog owners along with their four legged friends". Guide dogs and special assistance dogs are permitted, although they may not be allowed in some production areas, so please check with the distillery before you book a tour.

Each distillery has a different policy on the age or number of children that can be taken on a distillery tour or be present during a tasting; please check the distillery's website or call ahead to confirm whether your child/children can join you. A quick summary for distilleries near Edinburgh:

• Glenturret Distillery , Holyrood Distillery , Lindores Abbey and The Clydeside Distillery  do permit children to accompany their parents on a distillery tour
• Tullibardine Distillery  do not permit children under the age of 5 years on tours | Children over 5 years old only .
• Glenkinchie Distillery and Kingsbarns Distillery do not permit children under the age of 8 years on tours | Children over 8 years old only.
• Deanston Distillery  do not  allow children under 12 (including infants) on tours | Children over 12 years old can go on tours
• Edinburgh Gin Distillery do not  permit children under the age of 16 years to be on the premises | Children over 16 years old only .

For a list of distilleries that are suitable for children, see our guide to  50 Distillery Tours In Scotland Your Kids Can Actually Go On .

50 Distillery Tours In Scotland Your Kids Can Actually Go On

Accessibility / wheelchair access.

Most distillery tours near Edinburgh are at least partially wheelchair accessible/suitable for those with mobility impairments, as they are generally in newer buildings (unlike most distilleries in the rest of Scotland). Contact the distillery directly if you have any questions. Also have a look at Euan's Guide - a purpose built website that makes it easier for disabled people to find great places to go.

• Lindores Abbey , Glenkinchie Distillery , Kingsbarns Distillery , The Clydeside Distillery  and Holyrood Distillery are wheelchair accessible and have accessible toilets on site.
• Glenturret Distillery is partially wheelchair accessible (the mash tun and tun room are via stairs), with an accessible toilet and disabled parking spaces - see Glenturret's Euan's Guide profile for more information.
• Tullibardine Distillery and Edinburgh Gin Distillery are not wheelchair accessible.

But I Don’t Want to (or can’t) Drive!

All of the following distilleries are accessible by public transport (bus or train) from Edinburgh, and the journey is roughly 90 minutes (each way). While there are other distilleries accessible by public transport (Glengoyne and Auchentoshan for instance – see The Best Distillery Tours Near Glasgow ) the time to reach them by public transport is over 2 hours each way.

Deanston Distillery

• The Clydeside Distillery (Glasgow)

Edinburgh Gin Distillery

Glenkinchie distillery, lindores abbey distillery, holyrood distillery.

Port of Leith Distillery

• The Scotch Whisky Experience (not a distillery)
• The Johnnie Walker Experience (not a distillery)

Tickets to the Scotch Whisky Experience can be purchased individually or as part of an Edinburgh Digital Pass - the pass includes a silver or gold experience at the Scotch Whisky Experience, a Guided Walking Tour of Edinburgh, which includes entry to Edinburgh Castle, and a tour of the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Glenkinchie Distillery offer a shuttle bus service from Edinburgh to the distillery for £20 (return) in addition to the tour price. The shuttle service is currently only available for the 3pm Glenkinchie Flavour Journey Tour and can be booked online when you book your tour. The time is approximately 45 minutes each way on the shuttle bus.

Click on the Public Transport Distillery Tours Map below to open in Google Maps – from google maps you can utilise the public transport directions feature from your exact location. Alternately you can import the whole map into Google My Maps (for information on how to do that, click here).

Organised Whisky Distillery Tours

If it all seems too hard, Rabbie’s Tours offer a number of organised group tours to various distilleries in Scotland.

Discover Malt Whisky - One Day Tour

Edinburgh to Glengoyne Distillery , Deanston Distillery and Loch Lomond National Park (one of our favourite parts of Scotland).

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Highland Lochs, Glens & Whisky - One Day Tour

Edinburgh to Dunkeld, Pitlochry, Loch Tay, Kenmore and Dewar's Aberfeldy Distillery.

Whiskies & Gins of East Lothian - One Day Tour

Edinburgh to Glenkinchie Distillery , NB Gin Distillery , and visit the seaside town of New Berwick. 

Speyside Whisky Trail - Three Day Tour

Edinburgh to Royal Lochnagar Distillery , Glen Moray , Dalwhinnie Distillery , Cardhu Distillery , Speyside Cooperage, Lindores Abbey Distillery

Islay & the Whisky Coast - Four Day Tour

Edinburgh to the famous whisky isle of Islay to visit Bowmore Distillery ,  Ardnahoe Distillery and Kilchoman Distillery (day 2) and Ardbeg, Laphroaig and Lagavulin (day 3), then home again via Oban and the Oban Distillery . This is the ultimate whisky distillery adventure.

Road Trip! Self-Drive Whisky Tour

Oh, the freedom of the open road! You have your pick of distillery tours near Edinburgh and quite a few options for how to get there. These maps are designed to be interactive – click on the square frame icon top right of the map to open it in a new browser (‘view larger map’). Modifying the routes is easiest on your computer, not your mobile phone, however, if you’ve only got a mobile device, you can import the destination pins into Google Maps and use the directions features to get the best routes. For more information on how to use the maps on this page see our Scotland Whisky Distillery Map .

We’ve chosen the following two routes from Edinburgh as all of the distilleries are open seven days with regular tours, but please keep in mind it is generally now essential to pre-book your visit times at least a day or two in advance. Tours often book out, especially on weekends and during peak holiday times, and you don’t want to drive all that way and miss out. We've included the online booking and phone booking information in each distillery profile below.

There are only so many distillery tours you can do in a day. I recommend you pick your favourite TWO.

You can certainly stop by other distilleries, have a look, do a tasting or grab yourself a bottle to take home, but if you’re trying to do more than two distillery tours, you’re going to be pushing for time. The routes below are 3 hours and 4 hours of driving excluding all other activities . If you allow two tours, you’re already at 5-6 hours for today minimum. Many distilleries run tours between 10 am and 4 pm (last tour at 4 pm), but this varies depending on the time of year (most close earlier Nov – Mar) and some of the smaller distilleries may only offer one or two tours a day. Remember to consider this when you’re picking your destinations.

If you like long lunches, you’ll probably need to skip a tour. You don’t need to do a tour to visit the distillery and do a tasting.

Hot Tip For the Designated Driver: most distilleries will permit you to ‘take away’ your tasting dram.

Many distilleries provide glass bottle miniatures for this purpose and some will provide little plastic containers. Always ask and see if you can do ‘take away’ or ‘take home’ samples. In case they don’t have any suitable ‘take away’ vessels, stop by a pharmacy/chemist shop and see if you can buy a ‘sample’ container. Yes, it’s a urine/specimen sample container! Don’t worry as they’ll be sterile and the screw top lids are perfect for keeping whisky safe because they don’t leak.

Another option is to buy some glass screw top containers before you go - the glass wont react with the alcohol, although, being glass, it is more susceptible to being broken if dropped or knocked.

Distilleries with green pins are open to the publi c, and you can visit without an appointment. However, we highly recommend you book in advance if you plan on doing a tour - a lot of distillery tours now require advanced bookings - partly because of COVID restrictions, but mostly due to popularity.

Visits to distilleries with map pins shown in orange are by appointment only - call/email well in advance, they may/may not offer a tour.

Map pins shown in black are distilleries not open to the public . They’re on the map as you might want to take a photo if you’re going past. Keep in mind though that some are simply massive industrial ‘whisky factories’ and might not be worth the trip. A quick google image search should give you a good indication of what to expect. Yellow distilleries are either being built or undergoing renovations.

Not A Distillery:  There are a number of ‘not a distillery’ points of interest on the maps. These are by no means exhaustive, just some key attractions you may wish to visit while on your spirited adventures. If you are looking to visit a few abbeys and castles, you might be interested in the Historic Scotland Explorer Pass , as one ticket will get you entry into 20 Historic Scotland venues.

Edinburgh St Andrews Distillery Tours

Kingsbarns Distillery

Edinburgh stirling distillery tours.

Glenturret Distillery

Tullibardine Distillery

Whisky distillery profiles.

Abbey Rd, Newburgh, Fife, KY14 6HH . Telephone +44 (0) 1337 842547

David Earl of Huntingdon founded Lindores Abbey in 1191. The monks who built and lived at the Abbey were Benedictines from the Order of Tiron, France (Tironensians).  Lindores Abbey Distillery is a new facility constructed on an old site – the original Abbey is considered the birthplace of Scotch Whisky.  The earliest written reference to distilled spirits in Scotland appears in the Exchequer Roll of 1495 and notes that Friar John Cor, a Lindores monk, received eight bolls of malt with which he would make Aqua Vitae for King James IV . The monks were well known for their alchemy skills, distillation being one of them.

A farmsteading adjacent to the old Abbey was enlarged and converted in 2016 (using stone from the original Abbey) to form the new distillery. There are three stills - one wash and two spirit stills. Production commenced at the end of 2017, and the first whisky has been released .

The Apothecary and Visitor Centre are all on one level, with disabled toilets. Disabled parking is available 5 metres from their entrance, and there is a  lift available to the second floor and the Legacy Bar. For more information on disability access,  read the Lindores Abbey profile on Euan's Guide and the Visit Us section of the Distillery's website.

Lindores Abbey Distillery are open 7 days a week (Monday to Sunday) from  March to October from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, with distillery tours available at 10:00 am, 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm . 

From November to March the distillery is only open Wednesdays to Sundays , with tours available at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm only.

Distillery Tour and Tasting

Lindores Abbey Distillery Tours cost £12.50 per person and include a tasting of two drams . Food is available on-site however it should be pre-booked. Lindores Abbey distillery tours must be booked in advance. Maximum 12 persons per tour. Online bookings are available , otherwise call 01337 842547 or email [email protected] to book a tour. Children and dogs are allowed on the tour as long as they're well behaved. Tickets are free for persons under 18 years old (0-17).

Group Tours

Private group tours are available and can operate throughout the day at times to suit the group. Lindores Abbey can tailor the tour to your group’s specific interests and even create a bespoke VIP Tour upon request, including French, German, Spanish and Mandarin. Lindores Abbey has an 8-seater minibus which they can use to transport visitors to the distillery for group or corporate tours (ideal if no one wants to be the designated driver). For more information, email  [email protected]

1A Rutland Place, Edinburgh, EH1 2AD . Telephone +44 (0) 131 656 2810

Edinburgh Gin Distillery  is open seven days a week from 9:45 am to 4:45 pm. The popularity of gin and the distillery's extremely convenient location for tourists in the heart of Edinburgh's West End ensures that the Edinburgh Gin Distillery frequently ranks in the Top 20 of Edinburgh Visitor Attractions on Tripadvisor (alongside The Scotch Whisky Experience).

The Edinburgh Gin Distilery only offer tours  pre-booked via their website and cannot accommodate walk-ins on the day. If the date online is already fully booked they are unable to take any additional bookings. They do not take bookings via telephone.

Due to the historical nature of the building there is no wheelchair access. There are 16 steps leading into the distillery. Once inside, the tasting experience is seated and there are no steps.

Distillery Tasting Experience

£25 per person, duration 60 minutes.  A tasting of five gins and gin liqueurs from their award-winning range including a history of gin in the UK and in Edinburgh, with a talk through the Edinburgh Gin distillation and production processes. The experience will take place in a large space at the distillery bar in view of the stills ‘Caledonia’ and ‘Flora’. Preparation of drinks and tasting vessels will be carried out by staff in PPE and all drinks will be served from closed bottles, poured by visitors themselves. You will receive a 10% discount on purchases.

No children permitted – 18+ only. Advanced online booking is essential (online bookings in groups of 2 only) or email [email protected] if you'd like to book for 1, 3 or 5 persons. If you are unable to select a date in the online portal it means they are fully booked and cannot take any additional bookings on that date.

East Newhall Farm, Kingsbarns, Fife, KY16 8QE . Telephone +44 (0)1333 451300

Kingsbarns Distillery and Visitor Centre opened in 2014 in a converted Georgian farm-steading. The farm-steading was built around 1800 and was part of East Newhall Farm owned by Thomas Erskine, the ninth Earl of Kellie. One of the most striking architectural features at Kingsbarns Distillery looks like a miniature fortified tower but is a former doocot/dovecot. The dovecot housed the nesting boxes of pigeons/doves, the birds providing a regular supply of meat and eggs to neighbouring Cambo House and Estate . Over 600 terracotta ‘doo boxes’ have been conserved.

Kingsbarns Distillery has an on-site cafe and is open seven days a week.

Kingsbarns Distillery is fully accessible to wheelchair users (with the exception of the doocot in the exhibition area which can be viewed from the doocot entrance). There is step-free access at the entrance and on the ground and first floors, and there are platform lift in the distillery production area and up to the first floor tasting rooms. There are accessible toilets and disabled parking bays on site. Also see Kingsbarns Distillery's profile on Euan's Guide

For more information on Kingsbarns Distillery watch this great interview between Ralfy.com and distillery manager Peter Holroyd or check out the Kingsbarns Distillery YouTube Channel .

Tours are not available to children under the age of 8 years . Tours can be booked online or by telephone +44 (0) 1333 451300 or email  [email protected]

Whisky Tours – Kingsbarns Tour

£12 per person, approximately 60 minutes duration . Visit the Kingsbarns exhibition and receive a guided tour of the distillery. Tasting of Kingsbarns' award-winning single malt 'Dream to Dram'  are available. Tickets are  £4 for children aged 8 - 17 years (children under 8 years are not permitted on tours).

There are  two other whisky tours also available.

Gin Tours – Discover Darnley’s

£12 per person, approximately 60 minutes duration. Guided tour of the new Darnley’s Gin Distillery and includes a tasting of Darnley’s Gin

Online gin tour bookings are available

Pencaitland, Tranent EH34 5ET . Telephone +44 (0) 1875 342012

Glenkinchie Distillery underwent a substantial renovation to their visitor expierience in 2020, and is now considered the Lowland Home of Johnnie Walker . Per the press release , "the new visitor experience has been created in the distillery’s beautiful red brick Victorian warehouses, in which guests are taken on a magical journey through Glenkinchie’s rich heritage, its generations of passionate whisky makers and its intricate and unique flavour creation process."

The new visitor centre is centred around a 35,000 sq. ft. garden " inspired by East Lothian’s abundant lands, full of wildflowers and local wildlife ". The bar serves tasting platters, whisky highballs and a selection of dram flights .

In addition to being the Lowland Home of Johnnie Walker, Glenkinchie Distillery is worth a visit to see the tallest wash stills in Scotland .

Glenkinchie Distillery run a  shuttle bus service to transport people from Edinburgh city centre directly to the distillery, departing 9am and 1pm daily. The shuttle bus ticket may be added to your cart when you book your tours online.

Children under 8 are not permitted on tours, however they are welcome in the shop and in certain exhibitions.

There are four disabled parking spaces available at the distillery. All floors at Glenkinchie are accessible via a lift, with the exception of the Tun Room, which is an older part of the building - during this part of the tour they will show any visitors who cannot access the Tun Room a video of the room and fermentation on an iPad so they do not miss anything. Accessible toilets are available within the Visitor Centre on each floor. Guide and assistance dogs are welcome at Glenkinchie, however, due to health & safety regulations animals are not permitted in the production areas of the distillery.

Glenkinchie does not allow photography in production areas.

Glenkinchie Flavour Journey Tasting Experience

£19 per person, 1.5 hours duration

Hear the story of Glenkinchie's rich heritage, filled with passionate people and a quest to capture the essence of East Lothian through their flavourful field-to-glass whisky process. Your full-sensory tour culminates in a tutored whisky tasting of 3 drams and a wee cocktail in the new tasting room. Chilren over 8 years old are welcome to accompany their parents on a tour - chilren's tickets are £9.50.

Click here to book your Glenkinchie Flavour Journey

Glenkinchie Distillery also offer a shuttle bus service from Edinburgh to the distillery for £20 (return). The shuttle bus service is available for the 3pm tour only. The time is approximately 45 minutes each way on the shuttle bus. The shuttle bus service can be added on when you book your tour tickets online .

4 Grierson Dr, Deanston, Doune FK16 6BA . Telephone +44 (0) 1786 843 010

Deanston Distillery began life as a cotton mill in 1785. The mill's success led to an increased need for labour and housing, and in 1808 the owners built accommodation for 300 workers, creating a self-contained village that still forms the centre of modern-day Deanston. So self-contained was the town that they also had their own currency - "Deanstons" were only redeemable in the village stores [ref] .

The value of the UK cotton industry had declined severely by the mid-1960s resulting in the Mill's closure in 1965. However, the doors were re-opened in 1974, with the building converted into what is now the Deanston Distillery. The River Teith had previously been utilised to power the Spinning Mill and Weaving Shed machinery; the original lade now directs the water to the distillery for use in production and powering the turbines.

There is a cafe on site – The Coffee Bothy is currently open from 10:00 - 16:00 Wednesday to Sunday (closed Monday Tuesday).  The Visitor Centre has accessible parking, with ramped access to the visitor centre which is level throughout and has an adapted toilet; however, the production areas of the distillery are not accessible.

Why is it one of the best distillery tours near Edinburgh? They have an open-topped mash tun!!

Children 12 years old or under are not permitted to join the distillery tour and/or warehouse experiences.

Tasting  and Tour  tickets includes a £5 voucher redeemable on a 70cl purchase of whisky in the Deanston Distillery shop.  Tastings and tours should be booked in advance .

Deanston Distillery Production Tour

The Deanston Tour is at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm and costs £ 25 per person  ( £ 6 for children aged 5-17 years) , is approximately 45 minutes duration and includes three (3) tastings (3x 15ml)  - the Deanston 12 year old and two other Deanston whiskies. Chilren must be aged over 5 years old to go on this tour.

Online advanced bookings are highly recommended due to the limited number of persons permitted per tour.

Deanston Family Tasting

A tasting of Deanston 12 year old, Deanston Virgin Oak and Deanston 18 year old.  £20.00 per person, approx 45 mins .  Online advanced bookings  are highly recommended.

Deanston Highlands & Islands Tasting

Sample the Deanston core range and explore whiskies from sister distilleries Bunnahabhain and Tobermory. This tasting includes Deanston 12yo, Bunnahabhain 12yo, Tobermory 12yo and Ledaig 10yo.  £25.00 per person, approx 45 mins . Online advanced bookings  are highly recommended.

Warehouse 4 Tasting

A an exclusive whisky tasting of Deanston Distillery exclusives that have been extracted directly from the cask in Warehouse 4. Includes three (3) cask-strength drams and the opportunity to purchase a bottle from your favourite casks in the distillery shop. £35.00 per person, approx 45 mins. Online advanced bookings   are highly recommended.  Adults only (18 years and older).

The Glenturret Distillery

The Hosh, Crieff PH7 4HA . Telephone +44 (0) 1764 65 65 65

Glenturret Distillery is likely the oldest distillery still operating in Scotland.  Rental documents from 1763 refer to Thurot Distillery, the earliest known name for Glenturret  [ref]. Glenturret has been known by several names over the years, including The Hosh Distillery (1814 to 1873). It was promoted as 'The Famous Grouse Experience' until the distillery changed ownership in 2019. It is now back to being simply Glenturret Distillery.

Why is it one of the best distillery tours near Edinburgh? You will get to see one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland, and they have Tullibardine’s old open-topped HAND STIRRED mash tun. I’d stop by just to see that, but then, I do love my open-topped mash tuns.

There is an on-site restaurant/cafe : the Glenturret Restaurant is open Wednesday to Sunday (closed Monday Tuesday) for Whisky Flights , Bar Lunch , Afternoon Tea and Dinner however reservations must be made in advance .

Glenturret Distillery is open seven days. Summer Season Opening Hours are Monday – Sunday 10am until 6pm (Last Tour 90 minutes before closing) and Winter Season Opening Hours are Monday – Sunday 10am until 5pm (Last Tour 90 minutes before closing). Tours can be booked online up to 48 hours in advance. Tours and tastings are in English. However, translation sheets are available if requested.

Children are allowed to accompany their parents on distillery tours, with the condition (per Glenturret's FAQ section ) that "if children are disruptive on tour, we will kindly ask that they and their family step out of the experience. We additionally cannot allow prams and pushchairs through the production areas, however, we can look after these in our reception area for you to collect after your tour. The shop and restaurant areas of the distillery are all accessible for prams and pushchairs." Tours are free for children under the age of 8 years.

For online bookings click here  or email [email protected] or telephone +44 (0) 1764 65 65 65 . For information on disability access, read Glenturret Distillery's profile on Euan's Guide .

Distillery Tour and Tasting Experience

Includes a guided tour of the distillery and one dram of Glenturret Whisky. £15.00 per person, duration 45 minutes.  Maximum 16 persons per tour.  Book your Glenturret Distillery Tour and Tasting Experience Online

Distillery Tour and Whisky Flight

Includes a guided tour of the distillery and a f light of three (3) Glenturret Whiskies in the Lalique Bar or Salon. £45.00 per person, duration 60 minutes.  Maximum 16 persons per tour.  Book your Glenturret Distillery Tour and Whisky Flight Online

Blackford, Perthshire PH4 1QG . Telephone +44 (0) 1764 661 809

The Tullibardine site was a brewery in 1400s, and acquired a Royal Charter in 1503 to provision King James IV with beer (the same chap who was getting Lindores Abbey to distill Aqua Vitae). The Tullibardine distillery was established much more recently, in 1949 by famous distillery designer William Delme-Evans . It was the first distillery built in Scotland since 1900. Tullibardine underwent a refit in the late 1950s, and Glenturret Distillery purchased their original 1949 mash tun and washbacks. ( 1 )

Tullibardine is a modern distillery in a convenient location for tourist groups, and as such, they often book out, so make sure you book your tour well in advance. They are open seven days from 10 am to 5 pm. All tours must be pre-booked via email or phone; email [email protected] or phone +44 (0) 1764 661 809 .  Tour numbers are currently limited to 8-10 persons.

Classic Tour

£12 per person and lasts 45 minutes. Includes a guided tour of Tullibardine Distillery and two tastings of Tullibardine Whisky at the end of the tour.

Bonded Tour

£35 per person and lasts 90 minutes.  A detailed walk through the Tullibardine Distillery process, with an additional visit to the bonded warehouse where you will have the opportunity to nose selected casks. At the dramming bar you will have a tasting of three single malts including Tullibardine 20 Year Old. You will also get to take home a Tullibardine gift bag.

The Clydeside Distillery

100 Stobcross Rd, Glasgow G3 8QQ Telephone +44 (0) 141 212 1401

Clydeside Distillery  laid their first casks down in December 2019 and Clydeside whisky is now available .

Clydeside Distillery is wheelchair accessible with accessible toilets on the ground and first levels and lifts between each level available. They also offer carer admissions free of charge with an adult/concession ticket -  get in touch with Clydeside Distillery  to book this with your standard entry. They have a comprehensive  Accessibility Guide (pdf) available from their website .

Children are welcome in the distillery and on tours as long as an adult accompanies them at all times. Ticket prices for children aged 8 to 17 years is £5, and infants (0-7 years) are free.

Clydeside Tour

£15 per person and lasts 60 minutes.  This 3-part tour includes a "Discover the Dockside Story" self guided educational experience, a professionally guided distillery tour and three tastings at the end of the distillery tour including Clydeside's own new-make spirit. Designated drivers will be provided with Drivers Drams to take away and enjoy at home.  Book the Clydeside Tour here.

Chocolate and Whisky Tour

£30 per person and lasts 90 minutes.  This tour includes the self guided "Discover the Dockside Story", a professionally guided tour of the distillery, and a tasting of five single malt whiskies paired with artisan chocolates, while overlooking some stunning views of the River Clyde. Book your Clydeside Chocolate and Whisky Tasting Tour here.

19 St Leonard's Ln, Edinburgh EH8 9SH, United Kingdom Telephone +44 131 285 8977

Holyrood Distillery opened in the centre of Edinburgh in 2019; a 15 minute walk from the Royal Mile. Holyrood's whisky is still maturing, however, Holyrood's new make spirit, rum and gin are available .

There is no public parking, however Blue badge holders/registered disabled vehicles can pick up and drop off in the courtyard area. Holyrood Distillery is fully accessible for those with mobility requirements. There is an on-site wheelchair which can be used for the duration of the tour, and, they have induction loops available throughout the building. For more information on disability access, see Holyrood Distillery's profile on Euan's Guide .

Children over 5 years old are welcome on tours (tickets are £15 for persons aged 5 - 17 years).

Gin And Whisky Distillery Tour

A guided flavour-forward experience, you will learn how gin and whisky are made, and about both the traditions and innovative new methods in craft distilling employed at Holyrood Distillery. This is a hands-on sensory experience, taking in Holyrood's gin and whisky distilleries, with opportunities for tasting and nosing throughout. From £20 per adult or £30.00 (with 4 additional spirit samples) , approx 60 mins duration, book your Holyrood Gin and Whisky Tour here.

Whisky Tour And Tasting

An expert-led guided tour through the Holyrood Distillery - learning about the heritage and traditions of scotch whisky production, as well as Holyrood's innovative approach in creating a new and unique whisky 'Made by Edinburgh'. Finish off your tour with a tasting of 4 drams of Holyrood's new make spirit. From  £25 per adult, approx 60 mins duration, book your Holyrood Whisky Tour and Tasting here.

Edinburgh Accommodation

Edinburgh has a lot of fantastic accommodation options available ; however, we recommend you consider the following due to their close proximity to whisky:

The Balmoral Hotel

As one TripAdvisor fan puts it, the Balmoral Hotel is "beautifully decorated and comfortable and grand as well as conveniently located for everywhere". They're a short walk to the Royal Mile, near the pick-up location for Rabbies Tours , and the Balmoral's Whisky Bar contains over 500 bottles of whisky. Click here to see rates for The Balmoral Hotel.

Sonder Royal Garden Apartments

Modern and stylish apartments with a range of studio, 1 and 2 bedroom options in New Town’s Queen Street. Nearby, you'll find the the Scotch Malt Whisky Society Bar + Dining Room (non-members welcome), with over 200 rare single malts for you to try. Each unit comes with a fully equipped kitchen (including a microwave and a coffee machine), a dining table, a flat-screen TV with cable channels and a private bathroom with bath or shower.  Click here to see rates for Sonder Royal Garden Apartments.

Ocean Mist Leith

The Ocean Mist was built as a mine sweeper for the Admiralty in 1919 (but never used as such) and converted to "a gentleman's pleasure yacht" in 1921, but repossessed by the Admiralty during WW2. She was named the Ocean Mist in 1959 when acquired by Joseph Hobbs of Inverness – a businessman and whisky distiller who ran whisky from Scotland to California during prohibition. The Ocean Mist underwent extensive renovations in 2018, resulting in seventeen (17) beautifully appointed rooms, a bar and a lounge area, and she's docked only a few hundred metres from the  Scotch Malt Whisky Society Vaults  (members only),  Teuchters Landing  whisky bar, and our favourite brunch spot in Edinburgh,  Roseleaf Cafe .   Click here to see rates for the Ocean Mist Leith.

Other Activities In Edinburgh

As the biggest city in Scotland, there are countless other tours and attractions to visit while you're in Edinburgh.

About the author

Amanda is an Australian-born photographer, digital nomad and whisky lover. Her passion for travel and whisky lead her to Islay, where she fell in love with an Ileach (an Islay native). Amanda and Roddy now share their Spirited Adventures.

Related Posts

Best distillery tours near inverness, scotland whisky distillery map.

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• The Unofficial Edinburgh Guide

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Whisky Tours From Edinburgh: 1-4 Day Options

This article has links to products and services we love, which we may make commission from.

Discover more about Scotland’s water of life by booking one of the following whisky tours from Edinburgh. Set off from the Old Town on a journey along winding roads, through lush landscapes, visit working distilleries, and sample some drams while an expert guide reveals why scotch has such a hold on the Scots and its visitors.

Note: In Scotland, whisky is spelt without an “e”. Whiskey is how our Celtic cousins, the Irish, refer to their liquid gold.

Distillery Tours From Edinburgh

1-day perthshire whisky day tour.

This whisky day tour is the most popular, according to its number of reviews.

Leaving Edinburgh in the morning by coach, the group tour travels over the iconic Queensferry Bridge at the Forth Bridges in South Queensferry .

Then it heads to its first stops in Dunkeld, The Hermitage trail, Black Linn Waterfall, Pitlochry, and the Queen’s View, overlooking the vast Loch Tummel, a popular spot for autumn foliage.

After sightseeing in the very picturesque Perthshire, a whisky expert takes you on a tour of the 1890s Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery, where you also get the chance to try a dram of whisky!

Although the day is long, the route is divided up by many tourist stops, so the longest you spend on the bus is around 1.5 hours, according to reviews.

• Duration: 9.5 hours, with lots of stops
• Travel: By coach
• Number of Distilleries: 1

Reserve a spot here .

1-Day West Coast and Stirling Tour

This 10-hour tour leaves Edinburgh early morning, heading west to Glasgow’s Clydeside Distillery, which is set on the River Clyde.

Here, guests can pay an additional fee to tour the copper stills and learn about the scotch-making process, go for a walk along the Clyde, or visit the Riverside Museum.

The next stop is Trossachs National Park and its bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.

The remainder of the afternoon is spent at Stirling Castle, learning about William Wallace and Braveheart (additional fee) or visiting the city of Stirling.

• Duration: 10 hours
• Travel: By bus

1-Day Whisky Tour of Two Distilleries

Why visit one distillery when you can explore two?

The Ultimate Whisky Experience from Edinburgh tours Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery and The Glenturret Distillery (Crieff), Scotland’s oldest working distillery, meaning that whisky aficionados can compare experiences and drinks.

A lunch stop in Aberfeldy is sandwiched between the distillery visits.

The price does not include the guided distillery tours.

• Number of Distilleries: 2

1-Day Kelpies and Whisky Day Tour

Learn about the whisky-making process at the 1775 Glenturret Distillery during this 1-day bus tour .

The bus trip leaves Edinburgh for Falkirk to see the magnificent 100ft Kelpies before the guided distillery tour.

The afternoon itinerary features the town of Dunkeld and the nature spot, The Hermitage.

• Duration: 9 hours, with lots of stops

1-Day Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond Walk & Whisky Tour

Similar to previous options, this 1-day tour leaves Edinburgh for Stirling Castle, where Mary Queen of Scots was crowned at nine months old; this part of the trip also features the River Forth at the meeting point between the Lowlands and Highlands.

After Stirling, the bus drives to Loch Lomond at the Trossachs National Park before visitors taste the “water of life” at Glengoyne Distillery.

The tour ends with a visit to the Kelpies before disembarking in Edinburgh.

Reserve a spot via GetYourGuide or Viator .

You may also enjoy our guide to 1-day tours leaving from Edinburgh that feature a mix of history, culture, and landscapes.

1-Day The Whiskies & Liqueurs of East Lothian Tour

While East Lothian is known for its dreamy coast and summer holiday towns, a lesser-known fact is that it produces a number of liqueurs that can be toured during this small group trip .

The trip kicks off at Glenkinchie, a whisky distillery near Edinburgh, which is one of Johnnie Walker’s Four Corners of Scotland.

Here, you’ll tour the copper stills and casks, learn about the field-to-glass whisky process, and taste the produce too.

A lunch stop is provided in a very cute town called North Berwick, which is home to vast stretches of beaches and Bass Rock.

The last stop before returning to Edinburgh is Buck & Birch Distillery, a fresh face in the brewing and distilling industry where artisan spirits such as sipping rum, Scottish spritz, and elderberry liqueur are produced.

• Duration: 8 hours
• Travel: 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach

Half Day Whisky Tour

If you are a little short on time and don’t want to devote a full day, this 4.5-hour option might be right for you.

The day plans a visit to two distilleries: the 1949 family-owned Tullibardine Distillery, which is located close to the scenic Ochil Hills, and Lindores Abbey Distillery in the Kingdom of Fife.

Distillery tours are not included in the price.

• Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes

3-Day Speyside Whisky Trail

If you want to visit the region that produces two of the most popular single malts in the world, consider the Speyside whisky tours from Edinburgh, which are suited for visitors with a keen interest in the distilling process.

Day one visits Fife’s Lindores Abbey Distillery, the first recorded distiller in the country, before lunch in the Aberdeenshire village, Braemar.

The second distillery stop is at the Royal Lochnagar Distillery (Abergeldie Estate), near Balmoral Castle in Royal Deeside, then it’s a scenic drive through Cairngorms National Park to Grantown-on-Spey where your accommodation is located.

Day two is jam-packed, or should I say mash-packed, with stops along the Speyside Trail, a tour of Glen Moray, Speyside Cooperage, lunch in Aberlour, and then the final day’s tour at Cardhu Distillery.

Day three starts at Scotland’s highest distillery, Dalwhinnie, departing the Highlands for a lunch stop in Pitlochry in Perthshire before returning to Edinburgh over the Queensferry Crossing and the Firth of Forth.

• Duration: 3 days
• Number of Distilleries: 6

Reserve a spot at GetYourGuide and Viator .

4-Day Islay Whisky Tours From Edinburgh

Visit Islay Queen of the Hebrides , sampling peaty whiskies at several distilleries.

Day one starts with a trip through the Trossachs National Park to Oban before hopping aboard the 2-hour ferry to Islay, pronounced eye-luh.

Day two’s itinerary is a mix of beaches, such as Saligo Bay and Machair Bay, and distillery visits to Bowmore Distillery, Ardnahoe Distillery, Bruichladdich or Bruichladdich Distillery for tours and samples.

Day three explores the southern side of Islay and world-renowned distilleries Laphroaig, Lagavulin, and Ardbeg, as well as some historical landmarks like the ruins of Kildalton church and Dunyvaig Castle.

Day four, the final day, departs Islay via ferry, then through the West Highlands, stopping by Inveraray and Loch Fyne, then Scotalnd’s largest body of water, Loch Lomond, before heading back to Edinburgh.

The tour includes an expert guide, transport, ferry and bridge tolls, and accommodation.

Distillery entrance fees, food, and drink are not included.

• Duration: 4 days
• Travel: Luxury mini-coach

Reserve a spot on GetYourGuide or Viator .

Final Words

In summary, there are many options to explore Scotland’s whisky heritage on tours from Edinburgh, with most combining the country’s biggest tourist landmarks and serene scenery!

Which tour will you choose? Tell us in the comments below.

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6 Of The Best Whisky Distilleries In Or Near Edinburgh

With a colourful history spanning over 1000 years, whisky plays an important part of our cultural identity here in Scotland. Also know as Scotch or the ‘water of life’, our national drink is lovingly crafted in over 100 distilleries throughout 5 regions and distributed across the globe for a worldwide audience to enjoy. The good news is that you don’t have to travel that far to taste the nation's biggest export, as some of the best whisky distilleries are located right here in Edinburgh and the surrounding area. Each distillery is accessible by public transport and within a two hour journey from the capital. You will enjoy fascinating tours, witness the production process and learn all about each whisky’s history, unique flavours and distinct character. Take the stress out of your journey and travel by public transport, sample a dram or two along the way and discover the perfect Scotch to suit your palette!

Distilleries in or near Edinburgh

Holyrood Distillery

Set within a 180-year-old building next to Holyrood Park and within easy walking distance of the city centre, Holyrood Distillery opened its doors to the public for the first time in July 2019.

As Edinburgh’s first new malt distillery for almost 100 years, the ‘Holyrood Whisky Experience’ tour lasts just 60 minutes and will introduce you to the world of single malt whisky. Although it doesn’t have its own whisky (yet), the distillery does brew its own gin and gin liqueurs and there are a number of whisky tours and masterclasses to choose from.

Holyrood Distillery Tour : £14 per person, 1hr St Leonard's Lane, Edinburgh, EH8 9SH | t: 0131 285 897719

Visit website

Glenkinchie Distillery

Situated just 15 miles from the capital in the rolling farmland of East Lothian lies Edinburgh’s unofficial distillery, home of the ‘Edinburgh Malt’.

Glenkinchie Distillery houses a museum about malt whisky production and features an illicit still, a large scale model of a distillery and various other whisky-related displays to grab your attention.

After the tour you’ll get to sample a glass of the Glenkinchie 12yr old and enjoy a spot of shopping in their well stocked shop.

Best of all, they operate a shuttle service from the centre of Edinburgh to Glenkinchie twice a day, 7 days a week although the advice is to call to book this service.

Glenkinchie Tour : £10 per person, 1hr 15m Glenkinchie Distillery, Pencaitland, Tranent, EH34 5ET | t: 01875 342012

‍ Visit website

Deanston Distillery

Eight miles from the historic town of Stirling lies the Deanston Distillery, on the banks of the River Teith.

This historical Highland Single Malt combines locally grown crops and skilled craftsmanship to produce the fresh, honeyed, sweet taste it is so well known for.

Visitors can enjoy a journey through time, from Deanston’s beginnings as a cotton mill, to their modern-day distillery.

The warehouse tour gives the opportunity to purchase and label your own bottle to take home.

Warehouse Experience : £35 per person, 1 hr Standard tour : £9 per person, 50 minutes Deanston Distillery Near Doune, Perthshire, FK16 6AG | t: 01786 843 010

Clydeside Distillery

Hop on the train to Glasgow and immerse yourself in an interactive whisky tour at the Clydeside Distillery. Visitors can make their way through 140 years of Dockside history brought to life through pictures, films and words.

Located within the Pumphouse building, the distillery began its first distillation in November 2018 so its inaugural whisky will be matured and ready for release in 2020.

The distillery offers a Clydeside ‘tour of three parts and 3 Wee Drams’ featuring a self-guided walk around the Dockside Story, a guided tour of the distillery and an expert-led nosing and tasting experience. Children needn’t feel left out as they are offered a taste of Scotland’s other national drink…Irn Bru.

Clydeside Tour : £15 per person, 1hr Chocolate and Whisky Tour : £28 per person, 1hr 30m The Clydeside Distillery, The Old Pump House, Queen's Dock, 100 Stobcross Road, Glasgow, G3 8QQ | t: 0141 212 1401

Tullibardine Distillery

Tullibardine Distillery is located in the Perthshire town of Blackford - the gateway to the Scottish Highlands.

The Danny Burn that provides the distillery with fresh, clean water is fed with water that comes from the surrounding Ochil Hills. Once distilled, the whisky is matured in American or European oak casks and produces a smooth, fruity flavour.

Tours are available 7 days a week and include the classic 45 minute tour of the whisky process from start to finish. Alternatively why not try the 90 minute whisky and chocolate tour, where each of the four whiskies you taste is paired with a chocolate truffle.

Classic Tour : £9 per person, 45m Whisky and Chocolate Tour : £25 per person, 90m Tullibardine Ltd, Blackford, Perthshire, PH4 1QG | t: 01764 661809

Glenturret Distillery

Glenturret is one of Scotland’s oldest working distilleries, based in the heart of Perthshire on the banks of the Turret River. The distillery employs a number of traditional production techniques including a hand operated mash tun and Douglas fir wash backs. An unusually long fermentation time of up to 100 hours helps to give the Glenturret its distinctive fruity characteristics.

The ‘Distillery and Tasting Experience’ brings to life the history and heritage of this iconic brand, or why not experience the Warehouse Tour with a guided nosing and tasting session in a specially built sample room.

Distillery and Tasting Experience : from £10 per person Warehouse Experience : from £40 per person Glenturret Distillery, The Host, Crieff, Perthshire, PH7 4HA | t: 01764 656565

This is a just a selection of some of the distilleries which can be accessed from central Edinburgh. Perhaps you have already visited one of them or ventured further afield to a distillery not included on our list? Tell us about your experience in the comments section below.

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The best Whisky Experience in Edinburgh

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• Join a local whisky connoisseur to sample some of the finest Scottish whiskies
• Visit a whisky cellar to taste a few wee drams
• Stroll through the Old Town and learn a little about the city’s whisky history
• Visit a neighborhood pub that’s a local favourite to sample another Scotch
• Learn about the different types of whisky and the elements that make them unique as you sip some of the best!

Sip your way around Edinburgh’s Old Town with a fellow whisky lover, tasting a few of the finest malt whiskies and learning a little about how they’re made along the way. You’ll be on your way to being a Scotch connoisseur in no time!

Book this experience here to get a deal for doing online.

Your local host will take you to a whisky cellar as well as a neighborhood pub that’s loved by locals. Sample a few wee drams; from peaty to oaky, single malts to blended Scotch whiskies. Spend time getting to know your host and get some insider recommendations of the most authentic places to eat and drink on the rest of your trip.

Pass by the well-known pubs, markets and stores, and go with your host to discover the places, things and stories that you won’t find in a guidebook and that make the city unique.

What’s Included

• Private and personalized experience
• 3 hours with a Local Host
• Walking experience (other transport can be arranged at an additional cost)
• 4 whisky tastings per person

What’s Not Included

• Food and drinks in addition to those included above
• Tickets to any attractions
• Transportation costs
• Gratuities (optional)

Meeting point

Your meeting point is flexible, and to be agreed with your Local Host. Meet-up at your hotel or accommodation can be requested, or your Local Host will meet you at a convenient location close to the start of your experience.

Easy cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund

Know before you go

This experience is for guests aged 21 and over only.

• Price From £68 per person
• Listing categories Amateur
• Location / Region Lowlands

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Edinburgh offers a fantastic range of tours, including walking, ghost and history tours around the city centre.

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There are many things Edinburgh is famous for like its world-famous summer festivals, and amazing Hogmanay celebrations. It's also recognised for its literary heritage, and incredible Old and New Town history through UNESCO.

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Edinburgh is linked to by an extensive network of roads, rail services and flights which makes travel to the city possible from every corner of the world, while the city's compact size makes exploring easy.

Getting around

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There are many frequent and affordable bus services that travel from various main cities to Edinburgh daily. Most buses to Edinburgh arrive at the Edinburgh Bus Station that is located on St Andrew Square in the city centre.

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Edinburgh Airport is directly linked through the west of the city, into the city centre and north and east down to Leith and Newhaven via a quick and convenient tram network.

Pre-book your tram ticket online via the Edinburgh Tram Ticket website so you’re ready to go as soon as you arrive. You can access lots of offers and money saving discounts by showing your Edinburgh Ticket at a range of attractions too.

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There are fast and frequent services to Edinburgh from major UK cities. LNER trains run along the east coast from London, York and Newcastle, while Avanti West Coast run along the west coast from London, Birmingham, Milton Keynes and Carlisle. Transpennine Express run from Manchester to Edinburgh.

There are two stations - Edinburgh Haymarket to the west of the city centre, and Edinburgh Waverley sits at the east end of Princes Street.

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ScotRail provides an express rail service direct to Edinburgh from many major Scottish cities.

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Edinburgh Airport is situated only 5 miles (8 km) to the west of Edinburgh. You can travel from the airport to the city centre in around 30 minutes by bus, tram, taxi or car.

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Edinburgh is well linked to the rest of Scotland and UK through an extensive road network, making access to the capital easy by car.

• From Newcastle - 2.5 hours
• From Manchester - 4 hours
• From Birmingham - 6 hours

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Edinburgh is easily explored on foot with most key attractions within walking distance of each other. Attractions beyond the city centre can be reached cost effectively by public transport and again explored further by foot.

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Lothian Buses run a service across the city 24 hours a day, while First Buses connect Edinburgh with towns and villages in the Lothians.

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New self-driving bus route to Fife

Sit back and take in the views across the Firth of Forth on a self-driving bus! Having launched in 2023, you can travel between two transport exchanges across the Forth Road Bridge.

It’s the most ambitious and complex autonomous bus pilot in the world!

Find out more and book your journey

Trams run from Newhaven through Leith to York Place in the city centre and onto Edinburgh Airport which takes just under an hour.

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Book a tour and hear from a knowledgeable local tour guide as they highlight points of interest, stop off at the best hidden gems and visit the iconic landmarks you’ve heard all about.

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It's really simple to take time out of Edinburgh and explore the nearby Lothians. Head to the beach or forest parks, discover more about the heritage of the area, or enjoy some incredible outdoor activities.

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Edinburgh & The Lothians is surrouned by other interesting regions. Head to the coastal towns of Fife, explore the colourful history of the Scottish Borders, or enjoy the scenery around Loch Lomond & The Trossachs. You can easily pop over to Glasgow, Scotland's largest city too.

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The Georgian House

Fancy a spot of time travel? Visit The Georgian House and join an expert guide through the sumptuous 18th century interiors reminiscent of Jane Austen novels. Use the dressing up box to get into Regency character, too! A fascinating gem.

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NEWHAVEN HARBOUR

Ocean terminal & whisky quay, the royal yacht britannia, inside the royal yacht britannia, scottish parliament, royal botanic garden edinburgh, victoria swing bridge, palace of holyroodhouse, the shore, leith.

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Edinburgh Bus Tours operates all year round daily

The full tour lasts around 80 minutes. Please note timetables are subject to change.

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Download the Edinburgh Bus Tours App for live bus times, information on discounts and attractions. Available free for iPhone and Android

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The Regal Tour features a multi-lingual commentary in 9 languages. Headphones are provided on the bus and display screens on the lower deck show subtitled commentary.

Tour Description

The Regal Tour heads north of Edinburgh's city centre towards the port of Leith with highlights including Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, The Royal Yacht Britannia and the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Accessibility

All of our tour buses have ramped access.

A Class 2 mobility scooter is welcome on board if a wheelchair accessible space is available. Please note that legally wheelchair users have priority over the use of these spaces. Alternatively, Mobility Scooters can be folded and stored as luggage.

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The 21 best things to do in Edinburgh

E dinburgh has become synonymous with the annual Fringe Festival, which sees thousands of attendees flock to the city every August. But there are plenty of other amazing sights and attractions that pull in visitors all year round. From whisky tastings, to exploring Japanese gardens and 300-year-old underground passages, this is how you can get to know the Scottish capital.

Read on for all our expert tips, plus here's what you can do for  free in the Scottish capital . We can also help you plan a  weekend in Edinburgh , alongside our dedicated guides covering the best  hotels ,  restaurants ,  bars & pubs ,  nightlife  and  independent shops . 

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• Out of town

Immerse yourself in the world's biggest arts festival

More than 60 years ago the International Festival’s founders set out to bring art, culture, colour and prosperity to a gritty and grey post-war Edinburgh. Now there are seven festivals in August, including the Fringe, Book and Comedy Festivals. Every year Edinburghers fall in love with it all over again as Auld Reekie becomes, quite literally, the city that never sleeps. 

Insider's tip:  It’s worth planning well ahead as hotels and restaurants book up early and headline shows sell out, but if you haven’t, don’t despair; there’s somehow always a room, tent or even a sofa somewhere, and always another free show.

Contact:   eif.co.uk  

Price:  £-£££

Visit the city's goriest museum

You’ll need a strong stomach and a morbid sense of humour to enjoy the fascinating Surgeons' Hall Museums. There are life-sized tableaux, tools of the surgical and dental trade that will make your toes curl (there’s probably a device for that), gruesome photographs, and pickled and preserved body parts. The unnervingly extensive collections include pathology and histories of surgery and dentistry.

Insider's tip: One of the more disturbing objects on display is a notebook bound in the skin of William Burke – one of the well-known Edinburgh bodysnatchers. It's possibly not the most family-friendly destination, unless your last name is Addams.

Contact:   museum.rcsed.ac.uk

Price:  £

Take your taste buds for a stroll around town

An Eat, Walk Edinburgh tour will provide you with an excellent gourmet introduction to the city. You’ll try 'starter-sized' taster dishes and samples of whisky, wine and beer along the way, but don't expect all the food to be Scottish – this is about all the variety Edinburgh has to offer.

Insider's tip: Plan this activity for day one, as you finish the tour with lots of useful information and a discount card for participating bars and restaurants. You'll also benefit from a lovely glow from the exercise (and the nips of malt whisky along the way).

Contact:  eatwalkedinburgh.co.uk

Explore the Queen's Scottish home

A tour of the Palace of Holyroodhouse – Queen Elizabeth II's official gaff in Scotland –  will show you more tapestries, portraits, and plasterwork than you can shake a sceptre at. You'll also be able to see Mary, Queen of Scots' chambers, where her courtier Rizzio was stabbed 56 times and then thrown down the stairs by her jealous husband. There are free audio tours, a gift shop and a smart courtyard café.

Insider's tip: In summer, take a guided tour of the hauntingly beautiful ruins of the nearby abbey, but keep in mind that the star attraction is the Queen’s Gallery with its fabulous exhibitions of the best art from the Royal Collections.

Contact:  royalcollection.org.uk

Price:  ££

See Scotland’s Stone of Destiny

Edinburgh Castle, the city’s most famous landmark, broods over Edinburgh – an elephantine presence on its dramatic volcanic rock. Home to the oldest crown jewels in Britain, Mons Meg and the Stone of Destiny, not to mention the  military tattoo, it’s more than a monument – it’s part of the city’s every day life. In fact, locals have been setting their watches by the one o’clock gun since 1861.

Insider's tip: There are complimentary guided tours to help you make sense of it all, or you can pay for an audio guide. Give the crowds a miss by purchasing tickets and downloading audio guides in advance online and visiting early in the day.

Contact:  edinburghcastle.gov.uk

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Take part in a literary-themed pub crawl

As the first Unesco City of Literature, Edinburgh has a long – and sometimes dishonourable – literary history. It's cleverly brought to life on the Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour by two professional actors who focus on writers from the past. Tours start at 7.30pm in the Grassmarket and tickets can be bought online, at the meeting point, or from the Visit Scotland Information Centre in the Waverley Mall.

Insider's tip: The tour makes stops in several pubs where you can have a drink while you enjoy the guides' performance, or if you’re more of a misanthrope there’s a self-guided tour app on the website (but it’s more fun with the live guides).

Contact:   edinburghliterarypubtour.co.uk

Take a whisky masterclass

You may not be sure about the plastic barrel ride at the start, but there are worse ways to learn how whisky is made. The tour leaders at The Scotch Whisky Experience are brilliant and the Gold Tour upgrade is a revelation. Aficionados should opt for the Morning Masterclass, and gourmands should consider the Taste of Scotland Whisky and Food Tour, which includes a three-course meal in the Amber Restaurant.

Insider's tip: After the tour, visit the bar to find 300 whiskies and great views. It also offers Scotland’s other national drink – Irn-Bru – for teetotallers. If you have a cold, ask for a restorative hot toddy.

Contact:  scotchwhiskyexperience.co.uk

Go ghost hunting

You can’t throw a haggis on the Royal Mile without hitting a ghost tour, but if you’re looking for one grounded in history, The Real Mary King's Close is the tour for you. You’ll explore hidden 17th-century streets – long considered to be haunted by plague victims who were walled up alive. The odd murder and a healthy population of other ghosts adds further interest.

Insider's tip: Bear in mind there are 58 steps down and 38 up to be negotiated, so it’s not suitable for pushchairs, wheelchairs, the claustrophobic, or those with limited mobility. Children under five will not be admitted at all.

Contact:   realmarykingsclose.com

Price:  ££

Step into a world of optical illusions

Even in a high-tech world, a simple pin-hole camera that can project razor sharp moving images from distances that defeat modern cameras feels like magic. Children will love Camera Obscura and World of Illusions, and enjoy learning how to make do-it-yourself spyware using a cardboard box, tin foil and a blanket. There are optical illusions, games and a dizzying holographic exhibit that will delight visitors of all ages, too.

Insider's tip: It’s a great way to spend time on a wet day or revive tired children, and the 360-degree view from the roof is one of the best perspectives on the city – no matter what kind of camera you use.

Contact:   camera-obscura.co.uk

Experience life in 17th-century Edinburgh

Should you find yourself wandering down the Royal Mile, wondering what it was like to live in a towering tenement 300 hundred years ago, you can find out on a visit to Gladstone's Land. The National Trust has meticulously restored this wealthy Edinburgh merchant’s house to provide a fascinating recreation of the cramped conditions – even for the wealthy – in 17th-century Edinburgh. And there’s a good ice cream parlour, too. Try ‘The Butcher’: vanilla ice cream, candied bacon and whisky sauce.

Insider's tip:  You’ll see the kitchen and a pretty panelled parlour, but don’t miss the Painted Chamber. This bedroom contains what is considered the best original wall and ceiling decoration in Scotland.

Contact:  nts.org.uk

Price:  £

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

No one can fail to be stirred by this anachronistic but irresistible spectacle. Perhaps it’s the vibrating beat of hundreds of drums accompanying perfectly drilled marching bands, or the skirl of pipes (or twirl of kilts)? Or the sheer scale of it, under the towering walls of Edinburgh Castle, bursting fireworks overhead making the pulse beat faster. It certainly takes a heart of stone not to feel the pathos of the lone piper’s lament calling from high on the ramparts. Every festival-goer should go at least once (there’s a different theme each year). Just remember to take a handkerchief.

Contact:   edintattoo.co.uk

Tour the city in an open-top bus

You’ll find several sightseeing tours operating under the Edinburgh Bus Tours banner, but The City Sightseeing Tour offers a useful overview of the major attractions, operates all year round and is particularly good for children – the choice of audio commentaries includes a 'Horrible Histories' version for young ones.

Insider's tip:  A Royal Edinburgh ticket will give you 48 hours of access to all three of the available tours plus free entry to Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace and the Royal Yacht Britannia.

Contact:   edinburghtour.com

Dress up like 18th-century landed gentry

A visit to The Georgian House (a National Trust property) on the enduringly fashionable Charlotte Square is an absorbing way to get a sense of what life was like in a prosperous 18th-century household in the New Town – both for the family and those below stairs. The house was designed by Scottish neoclassical architect Robert Adam, and is a particularly fine example of Georgian architecture that's been beautifully and accurately furnished.

Insider's tip:  Do talk to the guides in each room who like to show off their detailed knowledge and if your children aren’t inspired by antiques, they can dress up in the period costumes available in the activity room.

Learn to cook Scottish fare

Gourmands can get to grip with local ingredients on a full-day cookery course. The well-regarded Edinburgh New Town Cookery School runs small one-day courses that are both professional and fun. Use the best Scottish ingredients in the Fish and Shellfish Workshop, or learn how to cook with game in a masterclass of meat. Those with a sweet tooth will enjoy mastering the indulgent creations in the patisserie workshop and at the end of the experience, you’ll get to try your hard work with a glass or two of wine in an elegant dining room with views all the way to the Firth of Forth.

Insider's tip: Book early as courses fill up quickly.

Contact:   entcs.co.uk

Visit Edinburgh's 'other castle'

Locals like to take visitors to this charming alternative to Edinburgh Castle. Craigmillar Castle is one of best examples of the medieval variety in Scotland and much of the structure is in remarkably good order. Explore from the top of the tower house to the gloomy basement where a skeleton was found walled up in the early 19th century. Mary, Queen of Scots stayed here twice – the area is still called Petit France.

Insider's tip:  Wood from ancient yew trees in the inner courtyard is said to have been used for making bows, which is an interesting fact for inspiring children’s imaginations in a place where they are positively encouraged to run wild.

Contact:   historicenvironment.scot

Tee up for outstanding city vistas

The Gentleman Golfers of Leith established the 'rules of golfing' on Leith Links in 1744, arguably making Edinburgh the home of golf. While you can no longer play in Leith, the 18-holes at the Edinburgh City Council-run Braid Hills Golf Course is a bargain. The layout itself is vertically challenging and is a Par 71 course. You can hire clubs and trolleys if you haven’t brought your own.

Insider's tip: It's worth a round even if you’re not a golfer, if only for the glorious views across the city to the Firth of Forth. Also be sure to look out for the gorse bushes – an unusually painful hazard.

Contact:   edinburghleisure.co.uk

Climb aboard a floating royal residence

The Royal Yacht Britannia was apparently frozen in time long before she was decommissioned. Look out for the various props found inside – there's everything from well-used board games in the sun lounge to toothbrushes in tumblers in the crew quarters. Together, the items bring Britannia, and the Queen’s fascinating frugality, to chintz-upholstered, brass-polished life. The comprehensive tour proceeds at a leisurely pace set by handheld recorded information delivered in suitably plummy tones.

Insider's tip:  Do plan to pause in the Royal Deck Tea Room for remarkably good simple lunches or a slap-up tea. Don’t miss the gift shop either, which is amusingly filled with stuffed corgis. 

Contact:  royalyachtbritannia.co.uk

Take in a unique distillery

There are any number of distilleries in Edinburgh, from micro to maxi, but the Port of Leith distillery is the first vertical distillery in Scotland, already a local landmark and just a hop from the Ocean Terminal tram stop. It’s a striking building and a fascinating tour; the guides lively, well-informed and engaging – although it’s worth going just for the views from the bar at the top. In fact, consider booking a table for a few cocktails and perhaps the steak pie or the Clava brie tartiflette. There’s a shop as well selling Port of Leith white port and Olorosa sherry as well as blended whisky.

Contact: leithdistillery.com

Out of Town

Discover the city on two wheels.

You can take a gentle three-hour guided ride around The Royal Mile, New Town, Holyrood Park and Portobello with Edinburgh Bike Tours, or hire by the day for your own tour on Edinburgh’s extensive system of cycle routes; tagalongs, trailers and bikes for children are available. You’ll need to be fit, but not Tour de France standard.

Insider's tip: Catch the sea breeze on a full-day tour along the coast, which takes in historic Cramond, Queensferry and the Forth Bridges. You’ll escape the city traffic and see fascinating areas other tours don’t touch.

Contact:   edinburghbiketours.co.uk

Explore underground coves

Many locals don’t know about Gilmerton Cove, and it is certainly one of the city's more obscure attractions. Even archaeologists can’t explain the 300-year-old underground passages and rock-furnished rooms, hand carved from sandstone and hidden underneath the streets of this quiet suburb; but there are plenty of theories, as the enthusiastic guides will tell you. Maybe it was a meeting place for the Hellfire Club, a hiding place for Covenanters, or a drinkers’ den? Make up your own mind when you visit.

Insider's tip: Tours must be pre-booked and are unsuitable for wheelchair users and children under five. Steep steps and rough (sometimes wet) floors require sturdy shoes. Remember to take a torch for solo exploring.

Contact:   gilmertoncove.org.uk

Amble through a Japanese garden

Lauriston Castle is a 16th-century tower house with Victorian extensions. The building overlooks the Firth and is surrounded by woodlands and a Japanese garden. Inside, it's home to an impressive collection of fine furniture and ceramics, as well as the personal belongings of its wealthy owners. Look for the newspaper in the sitting room reporting the sinking of the Titanic. 

Insider's tip: Take a pleasing 15-minute stroll to the Boardwalk Beach Club café. It sits right on shores of the Firth and has a huge outdoor seating area with blankets, great views and yummy soups, sandwiches and scones. Children and dogs are looked after, too.

Contact: edinburghmuseums.org.uk

Price: £; the grounds are free

How we choose

Every attraction and activity in this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets and styles, from world-class museums to family-friendly theme parks – to best suit every type of traveller. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up to date recommendations.

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