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Historic Whisky Bars Walking Tour - practical travel guide with honest advice.
Walk through Old Town and Grassmarket stopping at four established whisky bars with combined collections exceeding 1,500 bottles. Your guide explains each bar's history (some dating to the 1700s), whisky regions, and tasting notes. Approximately six drams included across the venues - enough to learn without excess. Best for experienced whisky drinkers and pub culture enthusiasts. This is a moderate activity lasting 3 hours. Group size: 2-12. You meet at Deacon Brodie Tavern, Lawnmarket. Key highlights: Four bars with 1,500+ combined whisky bottles, Bars dating back to 1700s-1890s with original interiors, Six whisky drams across different styles and regions.
Price: £45
Duration: 3 hours
Difficulty: moderate
Group size: 2-12
Minimum age: 18+
Best for: experienced whisky drinkers and pub culture enthusiasts
Best time: Evening tours (6pm-9pm) avoid daytime crowds and match Edinburgh bar culture. Winter midweek quieter than summer weekends.
Meeting point: Deacon Brodie Tavern, Lawnmarket
Languages: English
Here is how the experience unfolds:
0-15 min Meet at Deacon Brodie Tavern - Your guide collects tickets, explains the tour itinerary, and shares a brief history of the venues you'll visit.
15-50 min Visit Bar One: Bow Bar - Tour the whisky selection (over 400 bottles), taste a Highland malt, learn about the bar's 1890s origins and sawdust floor.
50-90 min Visit Bar Two: Bennets Bar - Sample an Islay whisky in this Victorian bar with original tilework. Discuss peatiness and coastal flavours.
90-140 min Visit Bars Three and Four - Two additional historic bars with selections of Speyside and blended malts. Walking covers Grassmarket and closes Lawnmarket.
140-180 min Informal chat and conclusion - Final location allows time for questions, recommendations on how to continue exploring, and optional dinner nearby.
The whole experience takes 3 hours. Difficulty: moderate. You meet at Deacon Brodie Tavern, Lawnmarket.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Price | £45 |
| Duration | 3 hours |
| Difficulty | moderate |
| Group size | 2-12 |
| Minimum age | 18+ |
| Meeting point | Deacon Brodie Tavern, Lawnmarket |
| Languages | English |
| Cancellation | Free cancellation 48 hours before. Within 48 hours, £22.50 charge. No-show forfeits full payment. |
| Accessibility | Moderate fitness required. Route is 1.5 miles with cobblestones, stairs, and uneven pavements. Not wheelchair accessible. Historic bar interiors may have tight seating. |
What is included: Guided tour of four bars, Approximately six whisky tastings, Professional guide with distillery knowledge, Tasting notes and whisky education.
Not included: Food or meals, Drinks beyond included drams, Gratuity (though appreciated), Hotel pickup. You will need to arrange these yourself.
What to bring: Photo ID (required, will be checked), Comfortable walking shoes for cobblestones, Jacket for outdoor walking between venues, Water bottle to hydrate between tastings. Having these with you makes the experience smoother.
Best time to go: Evening tours (6pm-9pm) avoid daytime crowds and match Edinburgh bar culture. Winter midweek quieter than summer weekends..
Tip: Includes approximately six drams total
Tip: Must be 18+ with ID
Accessibility: Moderate fitness required. Route is 1.5 miles with cobblestones, stairs, and uneven pavements. Not wheelchair accessible. Historic bar interiors may have tight seating..
Operator: Edinburgh Whisky Walks | Book directly (opens in new tab) | Phone: +44 131 225 1745
After this activity, these are within easy reach:
This activity is run by Edinburgh Whisky Walks.
Book directly at their website (opens in new tab).
Cancellation policy: Free cancellation 48 hours before. Within 48 hours, £22.50 charge. No-show forfeits full payment..
Accessibility: Moderate fitness required. Route is 1.5 miles with cobblestones, stairs, and uneven pavements. Not wheelchair accessible. Historic bar interiors may have tight seating..
Best time to go: Evening tours (6pm-9pm) avoid daytime crowds and match Edinburgh bar culture. Winter midweek quieter than summer weekends..
No. Six drams across three hours equals roughly two drams per hour in different venues. That's 1.5-2 ounces total, meant for tasting, not intoxication. Your guide paces drinks with walking and food time.
Tell your guide immediately. They can suggest an alternative bar or skip that venue. Some groups have dietary or personal reasons. Your guide accommodates within the three-hour timeframe.
Yes. Private group tours for 6-12 people can be arranged. Contact Edinburgh Whisky Walks directly at the phone number provided with dates. Pricing typically runs £45 per person with minimum group sizes.
No. Six drams across three hours equals roughly two drams per hour in different venues. That's 1.5-2 ounces total, meant for tasting, not intoxication. Your guide paces drinks with walking and food time.
Tell your guide immediately. They can suggest an alternative bar or skip that venue. Some groups have dietary or personal reasons. Your guide accommodates within the three-hour timeframe.
Yes. Private group tours for 6-12 people can be arranged. Contact Edinburgh Whisky Walks directly at the phone number provided with dates. Pricing typically runs £45 per person with minimum group sizes.
Best for: gin enthusiasts and craft spirit lovers
Best for: whisky beginners and families
Best for: whisky production enthusiasts and innovation seekers
Live availability from our partner Viator