The 11 Best Distillery Day Trips from Edinburgh

1.Holyrood Distillery Whisky and Gin Tour & Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 533 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $37Our pick

Spend about an hour touring Holyrood Distillery with guides such as Brice, Diego, Chris, or Neil. See how this young Edinburgh distillery approaches whisky and gin, then taste several products in a relaxed setting. The tour suits both whisky fans and gin drinkers.

“One of my favourite places in Edi when it comes to learning (and tasting). Quick tour where you learn a lot about whiskey and gin making and taste some of the products. Now when they have a proper (non New Make) stuff you can actually see what is the final product :).”

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2.Stirling, Highlands & Distillery in Spanish

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 297 reviews · from $76

Spend about 12 hours exploring central Scotland in Spanish with a group of no more than eight. The route joins forest walks, Queen’s View, Loch Tay, Stirling, the Kelpies, and Blair Athol Distillery. Guides such as Ruth and Jonny are praised for clear storytelling, humor, and thoughtful local advice.

“Jonny was our guide on this excursion, and he was incredible! He took us to tons of places and did everything in Spanish. He recommended an incredible restaurant with traditional food, and it was amazing! Highly recommended and one of the best tours we've taken!”

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3.Visit a Working South Loch Gin Distillery

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

At 56 North in Edinburgh, your gin host explains how South Loch Gin moves from botanical to bottle in a working micro-distillery. You’ll start with a G&T, taste three gins with premium mixers, and finish with a gin cocktail topped with bubbly. Hosts may include Neil or Hamish.

“Vi var jättenöjda med vår vistelse på destilleriet. Vi hade en guide som var rolig, kunnig och väldigt engagerad. Vår grupp på 6 personer var eniga om att ginen smakade riktig gott. I denna upplevelsen fick vi väldigt mycket för pengarna. Vi alla är så nöjda och glada att vi hittade denna upplevelse att göra under vår weekend i Edinburgh. Jag rekommenderar den starkt för alla som gillar Gin och har ett intresse av hur tillverknings processen ser ut. Allt gott // Astrid”

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4.Rosslyn Chapel, the Borders & Glenkinchie Distillery

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 173 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $66

Travel from Edinburgh to Rosslyn Chapel, Melrose, and Glenkinchie Distillery in a small group of up to 32 people. Expect live commentary, scenic Borders roads, free time for lunch, chapel carvings, and an optional whisky tasting. Guides such as Alistair, Eric, and Lorna are known for lively storytelling.

“Very good day with our excellent driver, Eric. The Rosslyn Chapel was beautiful, a knowledgeable guide gave us the history of the chapel and the family. Melrose is a nice small town with several places to choose from to eat. The Abby is under restoration so we could only walk around the grounds. The visit to Glenkinchie distillery was very interesting and informative with a great guide Tony. A marvelous day in all.”

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5.4 Day Islay Whisky Tour from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 148 reviews · 4 days (approx.) · from $1,520

Travel from Edinburgh to Islay with a driver-guide and a maximum of 16 people. Visit Bunnahabhain, Kilchoman, Bruichladdich, Bowmore, Lagavulin, Ardbeg, and Laphroaig, with tastings, ferries, three nights’ accommodation, and breakfast included.

“This was well worth the cost to have all the details taken care of in advance. Moray was a great guide, and the quantity/variety/pace of the experiences at the various distilleries (and the Whisky Vault) was pretty perfect. (But when they tell you you need dinner reservations in Bowmore, you really do - even for 1.)”

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6.Holyrood Distillery ‘Journey to Whisky’ Tour & Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 126 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $43

At Holyrood Distillery, guides such as Brice, Dave, Henry, and Finn explain Scotch production, the old brewing traditions of the building, and Holyrood’s modern methods. You’ll taste four samples showing different stages of the spirit, including new make, aged spirit, and a peated expression.

“All in all very interesting. Learned about the scotch making experience. I little expensive for what you get. Would probably have made out better with a whiskey tasting rather than a whiskey making experience.”

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7.3-Day Speyside Whisky Tour from Edinburgh Including Admissions

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 114 reviews · 3 days (approx.) · from $809

Travel from Edinburgh to Grantown-on-Spey in a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach with an English-speaking driver-guide. Visit Lindores Abbey, Glenlivet, Cardhu, Dalwhinnie, and Speyside Cooperage, with tastings, whisky history, Highland scenery, and two B&B nights included.

“This was an extremely well run tour with a fabulous, knowledgeable and full of dry humor, Keith the tour guide. It didn't hurt that we had unseasonably fantastic weather for sure but this would have been a great tour in any weather. The Scottish history lessons during the drive between distilleries was also a nice touch along with some scottish tunes mixed in here and there. I can't wait to come back for the Islay tour!!”

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8.4-Day Islay & Whisky Tour Including Admissions from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 81 reviews · 4 days (approx.) · from $1,351

Travel from Edinburgh to Islay in a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach, with ferry crossings, six possible distillery visits, and three nights at Bowmore Distillery Cottages. Guides such as Adam, Andy, Emily, and Duncan have led recent departures, blending whisky, Scottish history, music, and local stops.

“Wonderful, Wonderful tour!!! Not just about the distilleries. Also about Scotland and the history of this wonderful country. So many amazing sights to see!!! Would highly recommend. Gayle our tour guide made her love of Scotland our love!!!”

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9.Speyside Whisky Trail 3-Day Group Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 80 reviews · 3 days · from $721

Travel from Edinburgh in a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach through Fife, Cairngorms National Park, and Speyside. Visit Lindores Abbey, Glenlivet, Cardhu, Dalwhinnie, and the Speyside Cooperage, with two nights in Grantown-on-Spey, whisky tastings, and an English-speaking guide.

“Very good selection of distilleries. The journey between each was just right”

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10.Islay and The Whisky Coast 4-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 55 reviews · 4 days · from $1,205

Travel from Edinburgh to Islay with a professional driver-guide, staying three nights in Bowmore. Taste smoky malts at Ardbeg, Laphroaig, Lagavulin, and Bowmore, visit Kilchoman, and see beaches, castles, standing stones, Loch Lomond, and the Paps of Jura.

“We had a wonderful time. Gav took us to so many gorgeous places and told some very engaging stories.”

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11.Tranent: Glenkinchie Whisky Distillery Tour and Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 41 reviews · from $28

At Glenkinchie Distillery in Tranent, your English-speaking guide leads you through a working whisky site with light, music, media, and special effects. You’ll learn about East Lothian’s field-to-glass process, then taste three whiskies and a small cocktail. Guides such as Kirsty and John W have led especially engaging tours.

“Excellent tour, very informative. Kirsty was an excellent guide, very knowledgeable.”

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