Whisky Tours · EDINBURGH
Edinburgh is the one place you can taste the whole of Scotland without a car. These 15 cover the Royal Mile experiences, the two working city distilleries, the underground vault tastings and the food pairings, with prices and how long each really takes.
At the top of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, learn how Scotch is made, follow a sensory journey through five whisky regions, and visit a glass-and-marble vault holding almost 3,500 bottles. The standard tour includes a tasting or soft drink, while Gold adds four regional single malts.
“It was great, the explanation of the greats and really enjoy it”
Walk Edinburgh’s Old Town with a cloaked English-speaking Storyteller, then descend into the Blair Street Underground Vaults for grim tales, eerie sounds, and a drink in Megget’s Cellar. Choose Ballantine’s whisky, Scottish beer, or a soft drink. Guides include Michael, Steph, Sophie, and Marina.
“A brilliant tour by the fantastic Kirsty! She knew so much about the local area and was a great ghost story teller. It was spooky, cooky and really informative with great expertise on the history of Edinburgh and what the vaults represented. I definitely felt someone stand on the back of my shoe (I was at the back of the group) whilst in the vaults, I'm assuming this was 'The Watcher'! When sat with our whiskeys, our whole bench slid forward as if being pushed but there was a wall behind us and it was only my partner and I sat there - it was a fantastic experience and we…”
Meet your English-speaking guide at Hot Toddy on Jeffrey Street, near the Royal Mile, for two hours of whisky, folklore, and Scottish history. You will sample four single malts from Scotland’s main whisky regions, with alternatives available if whisky is not your drink. Guides may include Ben, Kofi, Angus, or Eleanor.
“Amazing. Great way to learn how to taste whisky. And the guide was so friendly and really good at story telling. I was hooked for the full 2 hours haha. She also made sure everyone was apart of the coversation which was very nice. :)”
Spend 90 minutes at Johnnie Walker Princes Street learning how Scotch whisky is made through projections, performances and tastings. Your flavour quiz shapes three drinks, including non-alcoholic choices. Guides such as Paula, Anton and Leah are known for warm, lively presentations.
“Anton (not sure I’ve spelled his name correctly) is such an awesome and fun tour guide. You can tell that so much work and planning goes into this tour. The special effects, the immersive features and the history all make for a very well-done tour. I recommend this tour to anyone visiting Edinburgh, even if Whiskey is not your thing. Definitely one of the highlights of my Scotland visit.”
At Edinburgh’s Scotch Whisky Experience, a guide leads you through a theatrical distillery recreation, whisky aromas, regional flavor, and one tasting. You’ll see more than 3,000 unopened bottles and receive a crystal tasting glass if you’re an adult or concession visitor. Under-18s get Irn-Bru.
“Clear explanation and engaging videos of distilling process and varying tastes of regions in Scotland. Tasting selection was good examples of the distinct variations, Fiona was great!”
Spend about three hours walking Edinburgh’s Old Town with a local guide such as Carlos, Nyssa, Nichola, or Madge. Sample haggis with neeps and tatties, Scottish cheese, cakes, whisky, tea, and a surprise dish while hearing food stories and city folklore.
“I really enjoyed this food tour with Nyssa. There was a good variety of food and I learned some about Scotland too!”
Spend an hour touring Holyrood Distillery near Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. An English-speaking guide such as Courtney, Dave, Neil, or Thais explains gin and whisky production, experimental yeasts, and flavour design, followed by tastings and a welcome cocktail. Wheelchair access and a central location make this an easy city stop.
“Tourgide Maichelin was very entertaining, witty and the tour was highly informative ... i can recommend this tour for everybody who is interested in Whisky and Gin tasting and a very hip and innovative new Distillery in Edinburgh”
Spend about two hours at Hot Toddy, an underground-style whisky lounge on Jeffrey Street, tasting four single malts from Scotland’s major whisky regions. Guides such as Ben, Euan, Alasdair, and Max combine tasting tips, Scottish folklore, family stories, and humor. Non-whisky drinks can be arranged.
“We had Sabie as our guide. It was really fun learning about the whiskeys in the Hot Toddy, a lovely, comfortable, speak-easy atmosphere. Sabie is an amazing whiskey guide with mesmerizing stories and a deep knowledge of whiskey and scientific processes of whiskey making.”
Travel from Edinburgh in a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach with an English-speaking guide, stopping at Dunkeld, the Hermitage, Pitlochry and Queen’s View before a tour and tasting at Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery. Expect light walking, scenic roads, free time for lunch and a full 10-hour day.
“The tour was amazing if you’re looking for a quick trip to the Highlands. Stop at multiple small towns/villages and hiking locations in the Highlands. Views from the drive are incredible and look like a movie. The Dewars Distillery Tour and tasting is just an added bonus to the trip. Shea, our tour guide, was fantastic and had lots of knowledge on the areas visited including Edinburgh and shared lots of very interesting facts. She was a an amazing tour guide and super sweet!! 5 STARS!”
Travel from Edinburgh in a small minibus through Perthshire, stopping at Dunkeld, the Hermitage woodland, Pitlochry, and Queen’s View. Your English-speaking guide, such as Duncan, Graeme, or Kylie, adds Scottish stories and music before a guided Dewar’s whisky tour and tasting.
“We had a wonderful trip with our tour guide, Graeme. His enthusiasm was infectious, and he truly brought Edinburgh and Scotland to life for us. He shared a wealth of fascinating facts, captivating stories, and quirky anecdotes that added so much color and depth to our experience. Graeme’s passion for the history and culture of the region made the tour not only informative but also thoroughly enjoyable.”
Tour the Port of Leith Distillery with an English-speaking guide such as Olivia or Ellie. See the striking vertical design, fill a miniature bottle of new make spirit, and taste new make, port, sherry, and Table Whisky in the QC Lab.
“Beautiful new distillery, and the second vertical one in Europe. Our tour guide Olivia was knowledgeable and fun. We got to bottle and keep a small bottle of their "hearts" distilled spirit. The tasting was good. ***WARNING: Given it's a new distillery they have yet to release their own whisky. Thus that is not part of the tasting.***”
Spend about an hour at Holyrood Distillery, where a guide such as Diego, Brice, or Courtney introduces you to modern whisky and gin making. You will see the compact working distillery, hear how Holyrood challenges old whisky traditions, and taste several spirits in a relaxed setting.
“Great tour of this beautiful facility. Although not a gin drinker, I was fascinated by the process. Many best wishes to Holyrood Distillery.”
Spend three hours tasting Scottish classics in Edinburgh’s Old Town with guides such as Nichola, Nyssa, Craig, Madge, and Carlos. Expect haggis, Cullen Skink, cranachan, cheese, cakes, whisky, a secret dish, and plenty of food history in a group of no more than 10.
“Craig was very knowledgeable and had a great sense of humor. Really enjoyed the day!”
Meet your English-speaking guide outside John’s Coffee House & Tavern, then head below Parliament Square for four whiskies from Scotland’s main whisky regions. Guides such as Eleanor, Mark, Rosie, and Sarah mix tasting advice with colorful stories. Upgrade to rarer or top-shelf pours if you already know your Scotch.
“It was an enjoyable hour tasting whisky. Very informal and nice conversations with other participants. The setup was completely in line with my expectations. Thanks for a great experience.”
Travel from Edinburgh in a small group of up to eight with guides such as Mark, Richie, Owen, Karen, or Georgie. See Hermitage Waterfalls, Cairngorms, Loch Ness, Glencoe, Highland cows, and Loch Lomond, with one whisky dram included and an optional boat cruise.
“Mark was a fantastic guide! The drive took was through some stunning Scottish landscapes!”
Pick a region, a spirit or a way of getting there.
