Holyrood Distillery (19 St Leonard’s Lane) is the first distillery in Edinburgh to produce single malt whisky since 1925, housed in the century-old Engine Shed just south of the Royal Mile. The one-hour tour walks you through the founders’ vision – Rob and Kelly Carpenter, alongside former Macallan master distiller David Robertson – and the full process of making whisky, from mash to cask.
Visitors taste four different drams across the tour, ranging from new-make spirit to the distillery’s more mature bottlings, the latter launched in October 2023. Its Old Town setting makes it one of the easiest working distilleries to reach without leaving the city centre.
Location & Getting There
Holyrood Distillery sits on St Leonard’s Lane, a quiet side street a few minutes’ walk south of the Royal Mile and Holyrood Park. It is roughly a 10-minute walk from the Scottish Parliament and Dynamic Earth, and about 15 minutes on foot from Waverley Station. The surrounding St Leonard’s area is calm and residential, so it slots in neatly before or after a climb up Arthur’s Seat, which rises just to the east. Buses along Clerk Street and the Pleasance stop nearby, and while there is some street parking, most visitors arrive on foot.
Tours & Tastings
The core experience is a one-hour guided distillery tour through the restored Engine Shed. Guides explain the founders’ story and the science behind malting, fermentation and distillation, and the tour ends with a tasting of four drams that usually span new-make spirit through to aged single malt. Because Holyrood also distils gin and experiments heavily with different yeasts and grains, the tasting tends to be more varied than at a traditional single-malt house. Anyone drinking must be 18 or over and carry proof of age.
Who It Suits
This is a strong pick for visitors who want a genuine working distillery without a day trip out of Edinburgh, and for whisky fans curious about a modern, experimental producer rather than a centuries-old brand. Mixed groups are welcome, though the tour is pitched at adults. If you would rather see a larger, glossier attraction, the Johnnie Walker Princes Street tour or the Scotch Whisky Experience on the Royal Mile are better fits.
Practical Tips
- Book ahead – tours are small and sell out, especially at weekends.
- Bring photo ID; anyone tasting must prove they are 18 or over.
- Allow extra time for the shop, where you can buy bottles not widely sold elsewhere.
- Combine it with a walk up Arthur’s Seat or through Holyrood Park nearby.
- Use the St Leonard’s Lane entrance – this is the distillery, not Holyrood Palace.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Holyrood Distillery tour?
The standard guided tour lasts about one hour and includes a tasting of four drams. Allow extra time to browse the shop and bar afterwards.
Is Holyrood Distillery walkable from the city centre?
Yes. It is on St Leonard’s Lane, roughly a 10 to 15 minute walk south of the Royal Mile and Waverley Station, so no transport is needed.
