The 10 Distillery Tours in Scotland to Pencil In First

1.The Scotch Whisky Experience Guided Whisky Tour – An Introduction to Whisky

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,578 reviews · 50 minutes (approx.) · from $35Our pick

At Edinburgh’s Scotch Whisky Experience, a guide leads you through a lively replica distillery, whisky aromas, Scotland’s five producing regions, and one chosen dram. Under-18s receive Irn-Bru instead. You’ll also see a collection of more than 3,000 unopened bottles and receive a crystal tasting glass if you are an adult or concession ticket holder.

“Very cool experience! Never been on a distillery/winery/brewery tour like this before. A lot of interesting information presented in a variety of ways. You have to see for yourself. Highly recommend!”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Scotch Whisky Tasting & Stories — Bespoke Whisky Lounge

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 972 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $24Best value

Spend about two hours at Hot Toddy on Jeffrey Street tasting four single malt whiskies from Scotland’s main whisky regions. Guides such as Ben, Euan, Alasdair, and Angus pair whisky lessons with Scottish folklore, family tales, and humor. Alternative drinks are available, and the whisky ticket includes the tastings.

“We absolutely loved this experience. Ben—our host and the owner—was an incredible storyteller. He entertained us for two hours that flew by. Honestly, I thought a two-hour whisky talk might get a little tedious, but I was completely wrong. Ben is funny, charming, and incredibly engaging—and coming from an American, I could happily listen to that accent for even longer! I genuinely learned a few new things about whisky, and I appreciated the balance of humor and education. If we hadn’t already made dinner plans, we would’ve happily stayed afterward, trusting that part of the evening would be just as excellent as the tasting itself.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Visit a Working South Loch Gin Distillery

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 247 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $26

At 56 North in Edinburgh, you’ll descend to a working South Loch Gin distillery for a friendly 60 to 75-minute session. A host such as Neil or Hamish explains the route from botanical to bottle, then serves a G&T, three gin samples with premium mixers, and a cocktail topped with bubbly. It is strictly over 18.

“This was an awesome experience. My husband and I aren't gin people, but everyone made the afternoon super fun and I learned a lot! 100% worth it for an afternoon in Edinburgh! Great food to snack on afterwards!”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Scotch Whisky Tasting – The True Spirit of Scotland

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 91 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $52

Start at John Knox House on Edinburgh’s High Street, then join an English-speaking guide in a central whisky bar. Taste three single malts from different Scottish regions plus new make spirit, an unaged whisky, while learning how Scotch is made, how styles vary, and how Edinburgh helped shape its fame. Guides have included Marcus, Nick, David, Victoria, Richard, Carlos, and Maria.

“Nick was very knowledgeable and thorough. History was fascinating. Identified the 5 areas of whiskey distilling in Scotland and why they differ. Whiskey was good too.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Scottish Whisky Distillery & Fairytale Dunrobin Castle

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 50 reviews · 6 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $232

From Invergordon, Thistle Excursions takes you over Struie Hill, through Dornoch, to one whisky distillery and Dunrobin Castle. Expect English-speaking guides such as Mike, June, Emma, or Morag, a castle falconry display, scenic stops, and a cruise-aware return. Lunch is not included.

“I give this a 5 stars because of our tour guide Emma. She was full of information and because we were able to get started earlier than expected she added on another stop for the Outlander lover and when the tickets to the distillery were not at the time of the itinerary so we did the tasting and not the tour she added another additional stop for the Harry Potter lovers.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Clan Tour of Northern Whisky Distilleries

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 45 reviews · 6 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $213

Travel from Inverness or Invergordon with a small group of up to eight, guided by George, Sarah, Bob, or Nigel. Visit northern Highland distilleries, taste Glenmorangie, explore Dunrobin Castle and gardens when scheduled, and add scenic stops such as Highland cattle viewpoints. Distillery admission fees are extra.

“George was incredibly knowledgeable and great conversation during our whisky tour. Would highly recommend to anyone looking to explore the whisky regions Around Inverness.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Tranent: Glenkinchie Whisky Distillery Tour and Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 41 reviews · from $28

At Glenkinchie, East Lothian’s Lowland Home of Johnnie Walker, you’ll tour a working whisky distillery with an English-speaking guide such as Kirsty or John W. Expect light, sound, media, and sensory effects, followed by three whisky samples and a small cocktail. Drivers can enjoy the aromas and take the whisky home.

“Excellent! John W was a wonderful, knowledgeable guide and we enjoyed the tasting very much.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Aberdeen’s Distillery Discovery Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 37 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $47

Spend about an hour with distillers Alan and Dan at City of Aberdeen Distillery. Start with a double gin and tonic, visit working areas, learn about local distilling and botanicals, taste London Dry and fruit gins from French glass demi-johns, then browse the shop and botanical garden.

“Thoroughly enjoyable experience - local history, plenty of tastings and a really engaging tour! Highly recommend.”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Whisky Distillery Trifecta – Glenlivet-Glenallachie-Strathisla

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 31 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $892

Set out from Edinburgh at 6:30 am for a private whisky day with your own driver-guide. Visit Strathisla, GlenAllachie, and Glenlivet when reservations allow, with three tastings at each stop. Guides such as Billy, Damon, David, Euan, Chris, and Andy have made this long day especially personal, but distillery substitutions can occur.

“Euan was terrific. Good conversationalist and knowledge about not only the different distilleries but also general Scottish history.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Scottish Whisky Distillery Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 28 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $246

Spend about eight hours visiting three Scottish whisky distilleries from Glasgow, chosen from places such as Glengoyne, Deanston, Auchentoshan, Tullibardine, and Clydeside. Your local driver-guide handles the roads and shares commentary along the way. Guides including Sergio, Stef, Dario, and Johnny have led past outings, with pickup available from Glasgow Airport, Ocean Terminal, or another agreed location.

“Sergio, our guide, was AMAZING!!! We were expecting to be in a small group and lucked into it just being the two of us and Sergio. Super knowledgeable, and gave freely of his experience....shared tips and tricks that made a positive difference in the rest of our trip. Thank you Sergio! We went to Auchentoshan (Marge was AMAZING too!!), Glengoyne and Clydeside. Each different, but worthwhile in their own way. This is a very reasonable way to gain an understanding of the Scottish distilling process and enjoy a few drams without having to worry about driving after drinking, which is something taken VERY seriously here. All of the distilleries will…”

Check availability →Read our full review