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Edinburgh Whiskey tours

Our most recommended Edinburgh Whiskey tours

Edinburgh: The Scotch Whisky Experience Tour and Tasting

1. Edinburgh: The Scotch Whisky Experience Tour and Tasting

Take a guided whisky tour and learn the story of Scotland’s most famous product. Visit one of the world’s largest collections of Scotch whisky, with almost 3,500 individual bottles. Begin your tour with the story of the production and maturation process of single malt Scotch whisky. Then enjoy a sensory journey across Scotland, including an introduction to the five Scotch whisky-producing regions and an insight into their unique aromas and characteristics. Next, discover the art of blending, in the Blenders' Sample Room, learning the secrets of how the world-famous blends are created. Enjoy the chance to explore "one of the seven wonders of the Scotch whisky world", the glass vault containing one of the world’s largest collections of Scotch whisky (guests under 18 years of age will be given Irn Bru, a Scottish soft drink). Take home your crystal tasting glass as a souvenir. When you select the Gold Tour option, after enjoying a full guided Silver Tour, you'll then compare and contrast four regional single malts, while relaxing in the McIntyre Gallery. Assisted by experienced guides, and provided with tasting notes, you'll be able to sip like a true connoisseur.

Edinburgh: Holyrood Distillery Whisky and Gin Guided Tour

2. Edinburgh: Holyrood Distillery Whisky and Gin Guided Tour

A modern distillery in the heart of historic Edinburgh, Holyrood Distillery is inspired by its surroundings, never afraid to experiment, and dedicated to shaping the spirit of tomorrow. Our guided experience allows you to discover how gin and whisky are created, as well as the traditions and innovative new methods in craft distilling. This is a hands-on sensory experience, taking in the sights of the gin and whisky distillery, with opportunities for tasting and nosing throughout. At the conclusion of the tour, you have the opportunity to purchase additional spirits to enjoy at your leisure, with a full introduction by a member of the distillery's passionate team.

Edinburgh: Whisky Tasting with History and Storytelling

3. Edinburgh: Whisky Tasting with History and Storytelling

Enjoy an evening of whisky appreciation on a whisky-tasting experience on Edinburgh's famous Royal Mile. Taste four single malt scotch whiskies and enjoy storytelling from your guide. If you want to avoid alcohol, you can join the tour and choose to book the option without whisky tastings. Meet your guide on the iconic Royal Mile for a short walk to one of the supplier's outstanding whisky venues. Over the next two hours, drink 4 outstanding single malt scotch whiskies taken from the 4 major whisky-producing regions of Scotland. Taste whiskies which range from the relatively delicate and subtle flavors of the Lowlands to the bold and robust tastes of Islay. You will also be given tasting cards giving notes on each of the whiskies that you sample. During the tour, experience some traditional storytelling and explore the significance of whisky to the Scottish identity. The entire upper floor of the venue is reserved, so there is plenty of space and privacy to conduct the story-orientated evening.

Edinburgh: Full-Day Highland Lochs, Glens and Whisky Tour

4. Edinburgh: Full-Day Highland Lochs, Glens and Whisky Tour

Enjoy a full-day tour of the Scottish Heartlands departing Edinburgh and traveling in small groups for a more intimate experience. Take a scenic drive through Perthshire, looking at the lochs and glens of the Highlands. Cross the Forth Road Bridge, passing one of Scotland's great engineering wonders, and continue into the Kingdom of Fife. Pass Loch Leven Castle, where Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned. Pass Perth, before crossing the Highland Boundary Fault line. Surrounded by beautiful scenery, on the banks of the River Tay, visit the cathedral town of Dunkeld and the Hermitage, to take a fantastic woodland walk up to the Black Linn Falls. Stop at the Victorian resort town of Pitlochry, and visit the great shops and restaurants, or take a stroll down towards Loch Faskally. See the unmistakable peak of Schiehallion, and beyond to the mountains of Glencoe.  Continue alongside Loch Tummel, and head past the spectacular 16th-century Castle Menzies towards the town of Aberfeldy and Dewar's Aberfeldy Whisky Distillery. After enjoying a dram of the "water of life," return to the lowlands and back to Edinburgh.

Edinburgh: Rosslyn Chapel, Borders & Glenkinchie Distillery

5. Edinburgh: Rosslyn Chapel, Borders & Glenkinchie Distillery

Travel through the Scottish Lowlands and Borders on an enjoyable day-tour. See the varied natural wonders that make this section of Scotland famous. See historic sites and sample real Scottish whisky as you travel with a friendly and knowledgeable guide! Your tour will head out from Edinburgh Castle to the lovely village of Roslin. There, you will have the opportunity to visit Rosslyn Chapel. Dating back to 1445, the chapel gained worldwide fame thanks to the increasing interest in Freemasonry and the Knights Templar. See the intricate “musical” boxes and green men carved throughout the chapel. Leave Roslin and continue your journey into the heart of the Scottish Borders in the eastern part of the Scottish Uplands. This area is rich in hills, valleys, rivers, and moorland, and is also the traditional home of Scottish rugby. Travel to the historic town of Melrose, the birthplace of the game of Rugby Sevens and home to of Melrose Abbey. The Abbey, founded in 1136, is one of the most beautiful religious ruins in the United Kingdom, containing many intricate carved sculptures. It is also said to be the burial place of the embalmed heart of Robert the Bruce. Enjoy a tasty lunch in Melrose and have plenty of free time to explore the town and the abbey. Before heading back to Edinburgh you will have to option to explore the lowland distillery of Glenkinchie, now owned by Johnnie Walker. Join a tour to learn how whisky is made and taste some of their most popular single malt.

Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond & Whisky Tour from Edinburgh

6. Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond & Whisky Tour from Edinburgh

As you drive north from Edinburgh on this 9-hour excursion you’ll get chance to marvel at the engineering miracle of the Kelpies sculptures as you pass. Then, as you travel through Stirlingshire, your guide will bring to life the turbulent times of William Wallace, dramatized in the film Braveheart, and explain his link to the area you're passing through. Your first stop is the city of Stirling, where you'll have ample time to visit the stunning castle (admission not included) or enjoy a walk along the atmospheric, ancient streets that surround it. Then, journey to Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park, and make a stop on the shore of Scotland's biggest loch: Loch Lomond. You will have a chance to take in the views and stroll along the shores of the loch. Take the opportunity to visit one of Scotland's best-known distilleries, where you’ll learn how they make their whisky and get a dram of their Single Malt Whisky (optional extra).

From Edinburgh: Speyside Whisky Trail 3-Day Small Group Tour

7. From Edinburgh: Speyside Whisky Trail 3-Day Small Group Tour

A warm welcome awaits you in Speyside, home to more than half of Scotland's malt whiskey distilleries. Sample local whiskey and enjoy the scenery of Cairngorm, Speyside, and Royal Deeside on a tasting trip from Edinburgh. Day 1: Head north through the Kingdom of Fife to Lindores Abbey Distillery. This modern Scottish distillery is built on the site of the first-ever recorded distillery in the country.  After lunch in Braemar, you can sample the delights of the Royal Lochnagar Distillery. The outstanding flavor of its whisky was appreciated by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert on one of many visits to their summer residence, Balmoral Castle.  If your tour departs between November 1, 2022, and March 31, 2023, you'll visit the Whisky Castle instead of the Royal Lochnagar Distillery. At this whisky specialist shop, you can enjoy a tasting of 3 drams. At the end of your first day, continue through the Cairngorms National Park before reaching Grantown on Spey, your base for 2 nights (accommodation included). Day 2: Enjoy a whole day exploring Scotland’s most famous whiskey region. After a scenic drive towards the coast, make your first stop of the day at Glen Moray Distillery, where you can try whisky matured in a wide selection of casks.  Travel back up the Spey River to Craigellachie for a visit to the Speyside Cooperage (Monday and Wednesday tours only). At this location, discover another aspect of the whiskey-making process. After lunch in nearby Aberlour, visit Cardhu Distillery, which is the first distillery pioneered by a woman, Helen Cumming. Today, Cardhu is the most important whisky in Johnnie Walker Black Label. From here, travel back to Grantown on Spey. Day 3: In the morning visit Scotland's highest distillery at Dalwhinnie, set in splendid mountain scenery at the heart of the Cairngorm National Park. Then, enjoy the majesty of Royal Deeside. Pass by Balmoral Castle, and stop in the village of Braemar in the heart of the National Park. From here, the route south passes over Scotland’s highest mountain pass, through Perthshire, and back to Edinburgh.

From Edinburgh: Islay and The Whisky Coast 4-Day Tour

8. From Edinburgh: Islay and The Whisky Coast 4-Day Tour

Explore Islay and become a whisky expert on this unique 4-day tour. Sit back and enjoy the action-packed itinerary as you are driven in style in a luxury minicoach. And learn about the long history and traditions of this special Island. Discover everything Islay has to offer, from stunning sandy beaches to fascinating wildlife and a vibrant local culture. And try the famous Islay whiskies, renowned for their strong peaty flavors and nurtured by the salty sea air. Day 1 On day 1 you’ll travel through Loch Lomond National Park, with visits to Inveraray, Loch Fyne and the Kingdom of Dalriada. Here you can see the Kilmartin standing stones and community museum before catching the ferry to Islay for 3 nights in Bowmore. Day 2 Day 2 gives you the flexibility to visit the lovely sandy bays of Islay’s west coast, Saligo Bay, Kilchoman Distillery, Machair Bay, the tiny harbor village of Portnahaven, Bruichladdich Distillery, Ardnahoe Distillery, and the Islay Museum. Day 3 On day 3 you’ll explore the south side of Islay followed by a tour, tasting and lunch with local produce at Ardbeg. Other options include the ruins of Kildalton church or a visit to the community craft producers at Islay House Square and the woodlands along the River Sorn. Day 4 On day 4 you’ll take the ferry back to Argyll and the ancient Kingdom of Dalriada. Lunch will be at Kilmartin, home to 350 pre-historic monuments and stone circles, with some free time in Oban before returning to Edinburgh via Glasgow.

Edinburgh: Ultimate Whisky Experience

9. Edinburgh: Ultimate Whisky Experience

Depart from Edinburgh and journey north to South Queensferry, where you will enjoy a photo stop of the Queensferry Bridges. Continue on to Dewar's Aberfeldy Distillery for the first whisky-themed stop of the day. Spend 2 hours here for their Whisky and Chocolate tasting tour priced at £19.55 per person. Head on to Loch Lubnaig, and then to the Glenturret distillery. Located on the Turret River, just outside of Crieff, Glenturret Distillery is Scotland's oldest working distillery and still hand-crafts its whisky using the last remaining hand-operated mash tun in Scotland. Here, enjoy a tour and tasting at a cost of £15.

From Edinburgh: Discovering Malt Whisky Distillery Day Tour

10. From Edinburgh: Discovering Malt Whisky Distillery Day Tour

Get better acquainted with Scottish whiskey on this day trip by van from Edinburgh. Explore the distilleries of Glengoyne and Deanston (entry and tastings included after April 1, 2023) and go for a drive along the shores of the famed Loch Lomond.  Depart from Edinburgh in the morning aboard a climate-controlled van and relax on the drive west past Stirling castle. Arrive at Glengoyne Distillery and be introduced to the simple but magical process of turning barley, water, and yeast into whisky. Enjoy a tour and two dram tastings (included after April 1, 2023). Unwind with a scenic drive to the shores of Loch Lomond. Stop at a pub where you can purchase a hearty lunch and some local beer (cost not included). After lunch, have the option to go for a short walk to the viewpoint overlooking the loch. Later, make your way to Deanston Distillery where you can take a tour and enjoy a whisky tasting experience (included from April 1, 2023). Explore the features of this distillery that was converted from a cotton mill on the banks of the Teith River. Find out how the distillery produces some unique whisky flavors before returning to Edinburgh with the stories and flavors of single malt whisky fresh in your mind.

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What people are saying about Edinburgh

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 3,683 reviews

This was an informative and educational tour. The presenter is personable as well as professional. After the tour I can better understand and appreciate the nuances that goes into making whiskey. Great way to kickoff your whiskey journey.

The guide was very knowledgeable about the history and whisky regions and blended it nicely with his presentation. The venue was beautiful as well and added to the overall experience.

While I would have loved a little more history of Edinburgh and the vaults, the tour was spooky, our guide was so nice and very entertaining, and we really enjoyed the experience.

Super knowledgeable guide. Charles was friendly and fun. Delicious whiskey in good setting made the night. I was happy and I am grateful for the experience.

Great experience lead by Conor. As someone isn’t a whisky drinker, still worth going!