Distillery Tours in Edinburgh: 6 That Live Up to the Photographs

1.Edinburgh Food Tour with Scotch, Haggis, a Secret Dish & More

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,172 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $134Our pick

Spend about three hours walking Edinburgh’s Old Town with a small group of up to 10. Guides such as Carlos, Nichola, Craig, Nyssa, Joanne, and Madge combine haggis, neeps and tatties, Scottish cheese, cakes, whisky, and a secret dish with stories about the Royal Mile, Grassmarket, and local food traditions.

“Fun day in old town Edinburgh. Food was super tasty and our guide, Joanne, was so fun! I liked the variety of places chosen”

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2.Holyrood Distillery Whisky and Gin Tour & Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 533 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $37Best value

At Holyrood Distillery, you get a one-hour guided look at whisky and gin production, followed by several tastings. Guides such as Diego, Brice, Chris, and Neil are known for clear, friendly presentations. The tour covers Holyrood’s experimental approach, with a bar and shop waiting at the end.

“Not very interesting quite far from old town.the distillery itself is quite small and as the group was small it got even more boring”

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3.Stirling Castle and Whisky Very Small Group Tour from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 386 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $95

Travel from Edinburgh in a Mercedes mini-coach with about 12 people, visiting Stirling Castle, Aberfoyle, Loch Lomond, and Glengoyne Distillery. Your driver-guide may be Angela, Keith, Alan, Paul, or another local guide. Expect Scottish stories, scenic roads, a short Loch Lomond walk, and whisky tasting, with admission fees and food extra.

“This was such a great day trip out of the city center that really allows you to experience beautiful picturesque Scotland. Keith was a great guide and story teller that had the right balance of sharing knowledge, humor and quiet time. I would definitely take another tour with this company with Keith as a guide!”

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4.90min Underground Whisky Tasting in Edinburgh’s Old Town

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 350 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $55

Meet at John's Coffee House in Parliament Square for a 90-minute tasting in The Lost Close, an underground Old Town venue. A guide such as Mark, Dan, Haley, or Nicky introduces four whiskies from Scotland's main regions, explains how they are made, and shows you how to taste them. Intermediate and high-end options are also available.

“My husband and I loved this experience! Neither of us are that into whiskey, but we wanted to experience authentic Scottish whiskey, and we enjoyed Dan's explanations and humor. The group we were with was good fun as well. The setting in a basement made the experience feel a bit more historical and dramatic. Highly recommend!”

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5.Ultimate Whisky Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 305 reviews · 10 hours · from $80

Travel from Edinburgh in a small group to Dewar’s Aberfeldy and Glenturret, Scotland’s oldest working distillery. Expect guided tours, optional tastings, Highland views, a lunch stop, and lively commentary from guides such as Ash, Adam, Mark, and Graham. Distillery admissions and samples cost extra, so budget accordingly.

“Perfect whisky trip with possibilities to taste and see a bit of Scotland. Special thanks to Andrew T. - great tour guide with a lot of knowledge and humor.”

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6.4 Day Islay Whisky Tour from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 148 reviews · 4 days (approx.) · from $1,520

Travel from Edinburgh to Islay in a small group of up to 16, with three nights in Bowmore, ferry crossings, and tastings at Bunnahabhain, Kilchoman, Bruichladdich, Bowmore, Lagavulin, Ardbeg, and Laphroaig. Guides such as Moray, Jamie, Stefan, and Murray are praised for their humor, local insight, and careful timing.

“This was well worth the cost to have all the details taken care of in advance. Moray was a great guide, and the quantity/variety/pace of the experiences at the various distilleries (and the Whisky Vault) was pretty perfect. (But when they tell you you need dinner reservations in Bowmore, you really do - even for 1.)”

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