Whisky Tours in Edinburgh (2026): 24 Tastings, Stills & Trips

You do not need to leave the Scottish capital to taste Scotland’s national drink properly. Edinburgh has two working sites making single malt in the city, the big visitor attraction on Castlehill, the flagship Johnnie Walker building on Princes Street, hidden tasting rooms under the Old Town and pubs with hundreds of bottles on the gantry. Glenkinchie, the nearest country distillery, is under an hour away in East Lothian, and small-group coaches run to Highland distilleries.

We checked 24 Scotch whisky experiences against official websites: what each one costs, how long it lasts, how many whiskies you taste and who can join. The table below gives the quick comparison; the sections after it explain what you actually do at each place, where to find it and how to get there. Four of the venues have their own page on this site with more detail, linked in each card.

We list facts the venues publish themselves. Where a price was not shown online, we say so: confirm it when you reserve.

Updated 4 November 2026. Prices, lengths and opening times come from each venue’s or operator’s own website on that date. They change with the season, so confirm everything when you book.

All 24 Whisky Experiences at a Glance

Lowest adult prices shown on official websites on 4 November 2026; a fee may be added at checkout. Where the table says “See website”, confirm the price when booking. For coach tours, distillery visits are optional extras paid on top of the fare unless stated. Longer trip prices exclude accommodation and vary by departure date.

What You See on a Scotch Whisky Tour

Every distillery tour follows the same journey from grain to glass, so it helps to know the steps before you visit. Malt whisky starts as malted barley, which is milled and mashed with hot water to release sugars. The liquid ferments with yeast, and copper pot stills turn it into new make spirit. That spirit is clear; the colour comes from the cask. By law, Scotch must then mature for at least three years in oak casks in Scotland before it can be called whisky. Grain whisky made from other cereals is blended with malt to make blended Scotch such as Johnnie Walker.

In the city, a tour at Holyrood or Port of Leith shows the stills at work. The Scotch Whisky Experience and Johnnie Walker Princes Street are visitor attractions without production, where the tour explains the whisky regions of Scotland and how flavour is built. Out of town, Glenkinchie is a classic Lowland distillery, and coach tours visit Highland sites such as Deanston, Glengoyne, Glenturret and Dewar’s Aberfeldy.

Whisky Attractions and Distilleries in the City

Four big names cover most first visits. Two are polished visitor centres run by the Scotch whisky industry, and two are working sites where you see new spirit being made. All four are walkable or a short tram ride from the centre, and together they are the core of the Edinburgh whisky scene.

The Scotch Whisky Experience

At the top of the Royal Mile, a few steps from the Edinburgh Castle esplanade, this attraction has been introducing visitors to Scotch whisky since 1988 and was named Scotland’s best visitor attraction for 2024. The tour runs in 21 languages, while the guided tasting itself is in English only.

The Silver Tour (£25, 50 min) is the short introduction with one whisky and is family friendly. The Gold Tour (£39.75, 75 min) adds a tasting of five whiskies, one from each of the five whisky-producing regions of Scotland, and is for over-18s with ID. A Taste of Scotland (£95, 3 hrs) runs four times a day and adds six whiskies and a three-course meal in the Amber restaurant, which specialises in Scottish produce. Every visit passes the Diageo Claive Vidiz collection: 3,384 bottles, described by the venue as one of the world’s largest. You can reschedule up to 48 hours ahead. Read our full Scotch Whisky Experience guide before you go.

Key details: From £25 · 354 Castlehill, EH1 2NE · open 10am–8pm · scotchwhiskyexperience.co.uk

Johnnie Walker Princes Street

Diageo opened its global Johnnie Walker whisky experience in the former House of Fraser building in the West End on 6 September 2021. It suits mixed groups well, since non-alcoholic options are available.

Journey of Flavour (from £25, 1.5 hrs) is the main tour; it explores your flavour preferences and includes three drinks matched to your taste. For a sit-down session there is the Johnnie Walker Collection guided tasting (£45, 1 hr, six Scotch whiskies), a whisky and chocolate pairing with four whiskies and four Scottish chocolates by Iain Burnett (£75, 1 hr), and the Luxury Cask Draw Tasting (£150, 1.5 hrs). The building also has the 1820 Rooftop Bar and the Explorers’ Bothy Bar; check rooftop opening when you plan your visit. Our Johnnie Walker Princes Street guide covers the building floor by floor.

Key details: From £25 · 145 Princes Street, EH2 4BL · Mon–Sat 10am–midnight, Sun 10am–8.30pm · johnniewalker.com

Holyrood Distillery

Opened in 2019 in a former railway goods shed from the 1830s, Holyrood was the first single malt distillery in the city centre in almost a century. It was founded by Rob and Kelly Carpenter with David Robertson, a former master distiller at The Macallan, and it also makes Height of Arrows gin.

Journey to Whisky is the main guided tour of the stills, about an hour, from £30 plus a fee. Distillery After Dark is a longer evening session (1.5 hrs, £35). If you only want to taste, the daily Tasting Flight (from £22, 1 hr, four spirits, no tour) is the cheapest seated whisky session we found in the city. All sessions here are for over-18s. Locals with an EH postcode can join the free weekly EH Evenings tour. Some older listings still show online, so confirm the price at checkout. More in our Holyrood Distillery guide.

Key details: From £22 · 19 St Leonard’s Lane, EH8 9SH · 15-min walk from the Royal Mile, bus 14 · holyrooddistillery.co.uk

Port of Leith Distillery

A vertical distillery on the Leith waterfront that calls itself the tallest whisky distillery in the world. Whisky production is stacked up through the building, and the bar sits on the 8th floor.

The standard tour, Distillery Tour + Tasting (£30, 90 min), follows the process floor by floor; at the end you fill and label your own miniature bottle of new make spirit. The Distiller’s Tasting Experience (£25, 1 hr) is four whiskies with no tour. Tours run Wednesday to Sunday, and some bar tables are kept for walk-ins. Wear flat, closed shoes: high heels, cleated cycling shoes and open-toe shoes are not suitable for the plated walkways. Our Port of Leith Distillery guide has more, and our Leith and Newhaven guide fills the rest of the day.

Key details: From £25 · 11 Whisky Quay, EH6 6FH · tram to Ocean Terminal; free parking at Ocean Terminal · leithdistillery.com

Tasting Rooms, Underground Tastings and Walks

For whisky lovers who would rather sit down with a host and compare whisky styles from different regions of Scotland, these are the guided whisky tastings we could confirm. All are for adults only.

The Lost Close

A close rediscovered in 2019 during renovation work at CoDE The Court on Parliament Square, now a candlelit tasting room for Scottish whisky, gin and beer. Whisky 101 is the beginners’ introduction to Scotch, followed by Intermediate and High-End levels, and Cocoa & Cask pairs whisky with sweet treats. Gin (£29) and beer (£23) tastings run too. There is no food, but tasters get 10% off at John’s Coffee House & Tavern upstairs.

Key details: From £37 per person; Cocoa & Cask £42–£95, confirm price when booking · 1 Barrie’s Close, EH1 1RF · thelostclose.com

Mercat Tours: Underground Whisky Tour & Tasting

A guided walking tour of about two hours, starting at the Mercat Cross on the High Street and finishing underground in Megget’s Cellar for the tasting, where you taste four Scotch whiskies from different Scottish regions. It runs at 4pm on Saturdays and Sundays, for adults only.

Key details: Price shown on the website · Mercat Cross, High Street · mercattours.com

Whiski Rooms

A restaurant, bar and whisky shop on the Mound, just off the Royal Mile, with a whisky tasting programme every day. Introduction to Whisky (£40) pours four whiskies; the Scottish cheese pairing and the whisky and chocolate pairing (four single malts with four local chocolates) are £45 each; premium tastings start at £80. Distillery representatives host occasional special tastings.

Key details: From £40 · 4–7 North Bank Street, EH1 2LP · 0131 225 1532 · whiskirooms.co.uk

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society

The Society bottles single cask Scotch whisky and has two venues in Edinburgh: 28 Queen Street in the New Town and The Vaults in Leith. Both are closed on Mondays. Queen Street hosts its Cheese & Whisky tasting every Tuesday, with four Society whiskies (£35–£40). Check the events page for current dates.

Key details: £35–£40 for Tuesday tastings · 28 Queen Street, EH2 1JX; The Vaults, 87 Giles Street, EH6 6BZ · smws.com

Kask Whisky: Leith Whisky Trail

A guided walking tour of Leith run by the independent Kask Whisky. The walking part lasts about an hour and covers 1–2 miles; on ticketed dates a tasting of about an hour follows. Whisky trail dates are limited, so check the calendar.

Key details: Price shown on the website · Leith · kaskwhisky.com

Glenkinchie: The Nearest Country Distillery

Glenkinchie, the Lowland home of Johnnie Walker, sits in farmland near Pencaitland, around 30 minutes from the city according to Diageo. It is one of the closest major whisky distilleries to the Scottish capital.

Glenkinchie Distillery

Glenkinchie offers a good look at Lowland single malt Scotch. The Flavour Journey (1.5 hrs, from £25) is the standard tour and tasting. Flavour & Cask (2 hrs, £65) goes deeper, From Cask to Glass (1 hr, £45) is a seated session, and the Hidden Lowland Tour & Tasting (2.5 hrs, £150) is the top tier. Visit from Tuesday to Saturday: from October to March it opens 10am–5pm; from April to September until 6pm. Parking is free. Without a car, take the X7 from Waterloo Place to Haddington and change to the Eve Coaches 123 (Monday to Saturday); the trip takes around 1h15 and a County Plus day ticket costs under £10. If you drive, remember the Scottish drink-drive limit is lower than in England: 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood.

Key details: From £25 · Pencaitland, Tranent, EH34 5ET · 01875 342 012 · malts.com

Scottish Whisky Trips by Coach

To taste Scotch whisky at the source in the Scottish Highlands without driving, take one of these coach tours from Edinburgh. The fare covers transport and a driver guide; distillery entry is an optional extra unless stated. See our day tours guide for all 32 routes we compared.

Rabbie’s: Discover Malt Whisky

Glengoyne and Deanston, two Highland whisky distilleries, in one day, with tours you can add at both, plus lunch at Balmaha on Loch Lomond. Leaves at 9.30am and returns at about 6.15pm, in a mini coach for no more than 16 people with a driver guide.

Key details: From £58 · Edinburgh Bus Station, Gate J/K, EH1 3DQ · rabbies.com

Rabbie’s: Highland Lochs, Glens & Whisky

North into Perthshire for a walk at the Hermitage near Dunkeld, time in Pitlochry and a visit to Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery, where a cask tasting is optional. Leaves at 9am, back at about 6.30pm.

Key details: From £72 · Edinburgh Bus Station, EH1 3DQ · rabbies.com

Timberbush: The Ultimate Whisky Experience

Glenturret, described by Timberbush as the oldest working distillery in Scotland, and Dewar’s on one trip. At Dewar’s a whisky pairing with sweets costs £27.50. From October 2026 to April 2027 it runs on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, leaving at 8.45am for 9¼ hours.

Key details: From £58 · Castle Terrace, EH1 2EW · timberbush-tours.co.uk

Timberbush: Rosslyn Chapel, Scottish Borders & Glenkinchie

The cheapest tour fare here, mixing southern Scotland sightseeing with a stop at Glenkinchie (entry £14). Rosslyn costs £12 and Melrose Abbey £8.50 extra. Runs on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8.30am.

Key details: From £43 · Castle Terrace, EH1 2EW · timberbush-tours.co.uk

Highland Experience: Glenkinchie Distillery & Whisky Experience

An afternoon tour by coach to Glenkinchie, leaving at noon and back at 5pm. Minimum age 8.

Key details: Fare: confirm when booking · Caffè Nero, 1 Parliament Square, EH1 1RE · highlandexperience.com

The Hairy Coo: Highland Views & Hairy Coos

A shorter tour of 6½ hours from 10.30am. Choose Deanston Distillery (£19.50, ages 8 and over, Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays) or Blackness Castle, then drive through the Trossachs.

Key details: From £43 · Burns Monument, Regent Road · thehairycoo.com

Longer Whisky Trips to the Big Regions

Two Rabbie’s itineraries go to the best-known whisky regions of Scotland. Accommodation, food and distillery entry are not included in the fare, and prices change by departure date.

Rabbie’s: The Speyside Whisky Trail (3 days)

Pick-up at 8.45am. The route visits Lindores Abbey in Fife, Dalwhinnie, the highest distillery in Scotland, then Glenlivet, Cardhu and the Speyside Cooperage, each bookable as an optional extra.

Key details: From £219 · Edinburgh Bus Station · rabbies.com

Rabbie’s: Islay & the Whisky Coast (4 days)

Via Loch Lomond and Oban to the evening ferry at Kennacraig (ferry included) for Islay, off the west coast of Scotland. Optional visits include Bowmore, Kilchoman, Ardbeg, Laphroaig and Bunnahabhain, plus Lagavulin on Monday departures.

Key details: From £399 · Edinburgh Bus Station · rabbies.com

Whisky Bars for a Dram on Your Own

No reservation, no script: these Scottish pubs are known for their whisky lists, and the staff will help you choose a whisky.

The Bow Bar

A small Old Town pub with more than 400 single malts listed by CAMRA, plus real ale. Open daily from noon to midnight.

Key details: 80 West Bow, EH1 2HH · thebowbar.co.uk

Athletic Arms (The Diggers)

A Gorgie pub with more than 700 whiskies and 22 taps, named Whisky Bar of the Year at the 2025 Scottish Bar and Pub Awards.

Key details: 1–3 Angle Park Terrace, EH11 2JX · athleticarms.co.uk

The Black Cat

An independent pub on Rose Street with over 250 single malts and live folk music.

Key details: 168 Rose Street, EH2 4BA · theblackcatbar.com

Teuchters Landing

A freehouse on the Shore in Leith serving malt whisky, Scottish beer and food, close to Port of Leith Distillery and The Vaults.

Key details: 1a–1c Dock Place, EH6 6LU · teuchtersbar.co.uk

Which Whisky Tour Should You Choose?

Your choice of whisky tour depends on how much you know, who is with you and whether you can visit only one place. As a rough guide:

• First time, mixed group or children: the Silver Tour on Castlehill (all ages) or Journey of Flavour on Princes Street, which has non-alcoholic options.
• See spirit being made: Holyrood Distillery or Port of Leith Distillery in town, or Glenkinchie in East Lothian.
• Whisky lovers comparing regions: the Gold Tour, a Lost Close session, Whiski Rooms or a Tuesday evening at the Society.
• Atmosphere: the candlelit vault at the end of the Mercat walk, or the 8th-floor bar in Leith at sunset.
• Highland whisky without a car: a Rabbie’s, Timberbush or Hairy Coo coach tour, or three days on the Rabbie’s whisky trail to Speyside.

Tips Before You Go

• Bring photo ID. Every tasting is 18+, and venues ask for proof of age. The Scotch Whisky Experience asks for physical photo ID.
• Reserve early in summer and December. Group sizes are small at both stills sites and the Lost Close; check opening days before you visit, as Port of Leith tours only run Wednesday to Sunday.
• Pace yourself. Four to six whisky samples add up. Eat first, drink water, and do not plan two whisky tastings back to back.
• Driving? The legal limit in Scotland is 22 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath, lower than in England, so a single dram can put you over.
• What makes it Scotch? By law it must mature for at least three years in oak casks in Scotland, so a new distillery must wait at least that long before it can sell its own spirit as Scotch whisky.
• Prefer a different spirit? Edinburgh Gin’s Classic Tour & Tasting at The Arches (65 min, £28 plus fee, max 12) and Summerhall Distillery, home of Pickering’s, both offer a tour in the city.

Using a Marketplace

Some visitors prefer to keep all reservations in one app. GetYourGuide lists whisky tours in Edinburgh, including several of the experiences above, with its own cancellation terms on each listing. Prices can differ from the official websites, so compare before you pay. For trips further afield, see our list of distillery trips, and for an evening plan our guide to Edinburgh at night.