Holyrood Distillery Behind the Scenes

Tour Edinburgh's first working distillery in 40 years, opened in 2019. See pot stills producing whisky from malting to maturation, then taste new-make spirit and their gin. The distillery sits on St Leonard's Lane in Holyrood with modern production technology alongside traditional methods. Best for whisky production enthusiasts and innovation seekers. This is a easy activity lasting 1.5 hours. Group size: 2-25. You meet at Holyrood Distillery, St Leonard's Lane. Key highlights: First working distillery in Edinburgh for 40 years, Modern facility with traditional pot stills, Tasting new-make spirit fresh from production.

Price: £25

Duration: 1.5 hours

Difficulty: easy

Group size: 2-25

Minimum age: 16+ (under 18 with guardian, no alcohol tasting)

Best for: whisky production enthusiasts and innovation seekers

Best time: Mornings (10am-12pm) quieter than afternoons. Weekdays less crowded than weekends. Tours run year-round with no seasonal variation.

Meeting point: Holyrood Distillery, St Leonard's Lane

Languages: English

Here is how the experience unfolds:

0-10 min Welcome and orientation - Arrive at the distillery entrance, collect a visitor guide, and learn about Holyrood's founding and Edinburgh's whisky history.

10-35 min Production floor tour - See the malting floor, copper pot stills, fermentation vessels, and cask warehouse. Guide explains how water from the Pentland Hills and Scottish barley create their spirit.

35-50 min New-make spirit tasting - Taste the clear spirit fresh from the still before cask maturation, typically 63-70% ABV with spicy grain notes.

50-65 min Gin and finish tasting - Taste their gin (also produced on-site) and discuss botanical differences between whisky and gin production.

65-90 min Shop and departure - Browse bottles of gin and new-make spirit. Staff answer production questions. Exit onto St Leonard's Lane.

The whole experience takes 1.5 hours. Difficulty: easy. You meet at Holyrood Distillery, St Leonard's Lane.

• First working distillery in Edinburgh for 40 years
• Modern facility with traditional pot stills
• Tasting new-make spirit fresh from production
• Whisky and gin production on one site
• Future bottles will age in their on-site warehouse
• Accessibility: Production floor is ground level but includes steps between sections. Concrete floors and industrial noise. Not fully wheelchair accessible but staff assist where possible. Advance notice helps.

What is included: Guided production floor tour, New-make whisky spirit tasting, Gin tasting, Visitor guide and production notes, Access to distillery retail shop.

Not included: Food or snacks, Bottle to take home, Non-alcoholic alternative tastings. You will need to arrange these yourself.

What to bring: Photo ID if 16-18 years old (required), Comfortable shoes for standing on production floor, Sensitivity to grain dust if you have respiratory sensitivities. Having these with you makes the experience smoother.

Best time to go: Mornings (10am-12pm) quieter than afternoons. Weekdays less crowded than weekends. Tours run year-round with no seasonal variation..

Tip: Still maturing whisky so focuses on process

Tip: Includes gin and new make spirit tastings

Accessibility: Production floor is ground level but includes steps between sections. Concrete floors and industrial noise. Not fully wheelchair accessible but staff assist where possible. Advance notice helps..

Operator: Holyrood Distillery | Book directly (opens in new tab) | Phone: +44 131 516 4029

After this activity, these are within easy reach:

• Palace of Holyroodhouse (5 min walk)
• Arthur's Seat (8 min walk)
• National Museum of Scotland (12 min walk)

This activity is run by Holyrood Distillery.

Book directly at their website (opens in new tab).

Cancellation policy: Free cancellation 72 hours before. 48-72 hours receives £12.50 refund. Within 48 hours non-refundable..

Accessibility: Production floor is ground level but includes steps between sections. Concrete floors and industrial noise. Not fully wheelchair accessible but staff assist where possible. Advance notice helps..

Best time to go: Mornings (10am-12pm) quieter than afternoons. Weekdays less crowded than weekends. Tours run year-round with no seasonal variation..

When will Holyrood's whisky be available to purchase?

Holyrood's first single malt whisky is expected around 2027-2028 after minimum three years of cask maturation. Currently you can buy their gin and new-make spirit. They release limited cask batches and single casks periodically.

What makes new-make spirit different from finished whisky?

New-make is colourless spirit fresh from the still at 63-70% ABV with sharp grain and spice notes. Finished whisky spends years in oak casks, gaining colour, smoothness, and complex flavours. Tasting both shows how cask maturation transforms the spirit.

Can under-16s visit the distillery?

Children under 16 cannot attend the tour due to health and safety on the production floor. Those 16-17 can attend with a guardian but do not receive alcoholic tastings. Non-alcoholic alternative not offered.