10 Distillery Tours in Edinburgh That You Shouldn't Miss

January 24, 2022 Etsuko Causey

Edinburgh is Scotland’s capital city, renowned for its heritage, culture and festivals. Take a long walk around the centre to explore the World Heritage Sites of the Old Town and New Town, as well as all the area’s museums and galleries. Then stop for a delicious meal made from fresh Scottish produce before heading out to take in one of Edinburgh’s many events — including the famous summer festivals of culture, or the Winter Festivals of music, light and ceilidhs.
Restaurants in Edinburgh

1. Private Central Highlands Driving Tour

Iconic Tours
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5.0 based on 22 reviews

This private tour with a local guide allows you to see the Highlands in style at a slow pace that allows you to visit castles, take walks in the fresh to get stunning views, follow in the footsteps of Rob Roy, eat in great local places, visit Outlander locations (optional) and even visit a whisky distillery if you like. As this is a private tour we can tweak it to suit your needs no problem. You will be picked up/dropped off at your hotel/ship and you will tour in an air conditioned Mercedes Vito Tourer which sits up to 7 people comfortably.

Inclusions: All guiding fees and vehicle costs., Hotel pickup and drop-off, Local guide, Transport by air-conditioned minivan, Booster seats for up to 2 children., Transport by private vehicle

Exclusions: Entrance fees for castles/distillery, Food and drinks, Gratuities

Reviewed By shelleyk739

I had a really good afternoon. My tour guild was Gary. He was knowledgeable, engaging and friendly. As a first timer to Edinburgh I would definitely recommend. Really helped me to get my bearings as well as increase my knowledge of the old town

2. Central Scotland Driving Tour - Stirlingshire (Private)

Monarch Tours
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Discover whats beyond the city walls on your very own full day private tour of central Scotland in our Land Rover Discovery. See the castles, the lochs, the hills and even some of the filming locations that makes Scotland the stunning country it is today. All our tours can be personalised to your needs and be as action packed or relaxed as you want.

Inclusions: All guiding fees, All vehicle costs including parking (Parking at Midhope castle is not included), Hotel pickup and drop-off , Air-conditioned vehicle, Child Seats (must be pre-arranged), Land Rover Discovery for up to 6 adults, Bottled water

Exclusions: Bottled water is available in the car free of charge (all other food and drink is not included within the tour), Gratuities, Entry to the sites are not included (Castles, Distilleries etc)

Reviewed By janinaw574

we booked an online tour with Chris through Edinburgh. It was really fantastic, thank you! Chris is very knowledgeable and passionate about this beautiful city, it was almost like being there in person. Cannot recommend him enough.

3. Private Glencoe Driving Tour from Edinburgh

Iconic Tours
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5.0 based on 6 reviews

Get picked up from your hotel in Edinburgh at 8AM and travel to Glencoe in style with local guides and get stunning views away from the usual tourist trails. You will travel in an air conditioned Mercedes Vito Tourer that seats up to 7 people or a Land Rover Disovery Sport for up to 3 people and and we travel at a pace to suit your needs. We will stop at beautiful locations to get stunning views of castles, lochs, hopefully some wildlife and then the stunning views that are on offer on Glencoe.

Inclusions: Fee for guiding and all vehicle costs.

Exclusions: Food and drinks

Reviewed By FormanFive

We had such a wonderful day with Will, even with the rain! (He taught us the word "smirr" for a light rain, which I misheard as smurf rain, which I think amused him). We are a family of 5 expat Americans living in the UK, looking for a private tour during these times of Covid. He had hand sanitiser in the van and was appropriately masked up and social distanced throughout the day. Will took us to an excellent coffee shop to get us started (he has great recommendations for coffee shops in Edinburgh), then guided us through Stirling Castle. He had asked us what we hoped to see and do during the day in advance so he could plan the day out and he went out of his way to try to hunt down a Highland cow for us, despite the off season (most are tucked away in barns during the wet season). He was super flexible for when the kids got worn out at a place or the road was closed to a site. The best part was chatting about a tour we took to Stonehenge and he piped up, "Want to see some standing stones you can touch?" Not 5 minutes later he had driven us to an isolated farmers field where we got to touch these beautiful old stones, standing in the mist. He took us to a very tasty place for hot pies and chips for lunch and was great about letting us eat in the van while he took a walk in the rain, since Covid restrictions meant no eating in restaurants and the weather was not great. And he was great about pointing out when we could and could not take a bathroom break, so we didn't end up with any uncomfortable bladders. All in all, it was a great day thanks to Will's stories and enthusiasm. We wouldn't hesitate to use his services again one day.

4. Loch Ness, Glencoe and the Highlands Private Day Tour from Edinburgh

1 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh EH2 4DR, UK Ed Private Tours
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5.0 based on 8 reviews

Travel deep into the Highlands of Scotland on our monster-sized day tour. You will hear the legendary stories of the Jacobites, get a chance to spot the mythical Loch Ness Monster, as well as get lost in the beauty of Glencoe. It’s a tour packed with bewildering beauty and its perfect for those who are short on time and want to experience Scotland as much as possible. Places you explore: Callander, Loch Ba, Three Waters - waterfall, Glencoe, Laggan Locks, Fort Augustus, Loch Ness, Laggan Dam, Dalwhinney Distillery. • Full-day small group tour from Edinburgh (maximum 4 passengers) • Personalised attention, private tour (no one apart from you and your family members, friends will attend this tour) • You have more free time for sightseeing compared to similar bus tours • Enjoy privileged, personalized attention from your driver/guide on this small group tour • Mercedes V Class • Please note that tours stops and timings are flexible and for reference purposes only

Inclusions: Driver as a guide, Bottled water

Exclusions: Gratuities, Food and drinks, unless specified, Admission fees

Reviewed By meghanc746

Ed was the perfect guide for a Girl's Day Trip. We had some extenuating circumstances on a previous tour earlier in the week that precluded us from completing it. We decided to try a private tour for the end of our trip and so glad we did. We had a few ideas of what we wanted to see and he was able to help us customize a day trip to see as many of those items as we could. He was a perfect tour guide and so patient and kind when we wanted to stop and look at various things and places (hairy cows and shopping!). We never felt rushed during our trip and he was also able to guide us through several castles so we go to see everything in our allotted time. Had we toured these places by ourselves I feel like we would have missed so much. We had a great time on our day trip and I would highly recommend Ed for a private tour of Scotland and the country side.

5. The Ultimate Whisky Experience from Edinburgh

521 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2PE, UK Timberbush Tours Edinburgh - Day Tours
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4.9 based on 35 reviews

Take a trip into Whisky paradise on our 1 day Ultimate Whisky Experience tour from Edinburgh. Visit two distilleries; Dewar's and Deanston; view stunning scenery across Loch Lubnaig and enjoy a relaxing stop in the village of Killin on this Scottish Whisky trail

Inclusions: Driver/guide, Live commentary on board, Local guide

Exclusions: Gratuities, Food and drinks

Reviewed By 167mahmoudm

A fantastic day with Neil our tour guide. A PLENTY of information in attractive way. Ask to go the trip with him. You deserve a trip like this with a fantastic tour guide like Neil. We saw 7 lochs, 4 castles, and two villages. Thank you Neil

6. 2-Day Inverness and the Highlands Small Group Tour from Edinburgh

Waterloo Place, Waterloo Pl, Edinburgh, UK Heart of Scotland Tours
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4.9 based on 145 reviews

Join this small group tour for a magical two day escape to the Highlands. Traveling through spectacular scenery, this tour is the perfect way to see Scotland and many of her highlights. These include stops at Doune Castle, Glen Coe, Glenfinnan Viaduct (April - October only) and Loch Ness. Overnight is in the bustling Highland capital of Inverness followed by visits to Culloden Battlefield, prehistoric standing stones, Pitlochry (optional whisky distillery tour) and a riverside walk at Dunkeld.

Inclusions: Small-group tour - 13 passengers or less, Live commentary on board, Local guide, Driver/guide, Transport by air-conditioned Mercedes mini coach

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Gratuities, Attraction Entrance Fees, Accommodation: See the Additional Info section below to select your preferred accommodation choice

Reviewed By EmJo

23 October 2020. Almost everything is so good, but Glencoe stood out due to its natural beauty. We were on the foot of the mountains. I highly recommend this tour to everyone!! Keith was our tourguide and driver. Very professional. :)

7. Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond & Whisky Day Trip from Edinburgh

Deacon's House Cafe, 304 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2PS, UK The Hairy Coo
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4.9 based on 89 reviews

Travel through the heartland of Scotland, exploring some of the most important historical sites in Scottish history on your 1 Day Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond & Whisky tour. With more time off the bus you’ll activate all the senses, the smell of fresh Scottish air, the touch of stone on castles hundreds of years old, the sound Scottish music and stories told by your Driver Guide, and sights of some of the most spectacular landscapes in the world. This tour is a treat for fans of Game of Thrones, Outlander and Monty Python, as your stops allow you to explore the great halls and towers found in these movies and shows. If you’re looking to embrace Scottish culture and history, look no further because you’ve found your tour.

Inclusions: All taxes, fees and handling charges, Driver/guide, Live commentary onboard, Pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points, Tour takes place on a 29-seater air-conditioned mini-coach

Exclusions: Optional entrance fee to Stirling Castle (£14.50 for over-16s, £8.70 for under 16s), Optional entrance fee to Doune Castle (£9 for over 16s, £7.20 for under-16s), Optional Deanston Whisky Distillery Tour (£10 for over-18s, £5 for under-18s), Food and drinks, Gratuities, No WiFi or bathrooms onboard, although stops are every 30-60 minutes

Reviewed By iswrt

Going on this tour is one of the best decisions I have made. I was quite nervous to begin with as I usually travel alone but our tour guide John made us all feel welcome very quick. All of the stops and sights were so beautiful and like nothing I have seen before. The people on the tour were also very kind. Highly recommend!

8. 4-Day Islay and the Whisky Coast Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh

Edinburgh Bus Station, Edinburgh EH1 3DQ, UK Rabbie's
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4.9 based on 48 reviews

Visit the Isle of Islay in the Scottish Hebrides on a 4-day tour from Edinburgh, and discover its famously friendly people, stunning landscapes, and most importantly – its whisky! Having produced Scotland's finest smoky malt whiskies for more than 200 years, Islay provides the perfect base for whisky lovers and novices alike. Enjoy three nights of accommodation in the 4-star Bowmore Distillery Cottages (not available on Wednesday departures)** and discover up to six different distilleries, including big-name sites like Laphroaig and Ardbeg, with a guide. Numbers are limited to 16 on this small-group tour, ensuring you’ll see the best of Islay with personalized attention with your guide. ** (Monday and Friday departures: only B&B available; Wednesday departures only 3-star Hotel available)

Inclusions: 3 nights en-suite accommodation, Driver Guide, Transport by top of the range Mercedes mini-coach, Ferry crossings

Exclusions: Hotel pickup and drop off, Gratuities, Food and drinks, unless specified, Entrance fees to the distilleries and Kimartin House Museum

Reviewed By 464kathyi

Just returned from a lovely trip to the beautiful city of Edinburgh, can't wait to go back ???? During my stay I booked two 1 day tours with Rabbis. Firstly a huge thank you for running the tours with just the 2 of us, our stay had been planned around these days out so very grateful they went ahead. The Outlander tour with Lizzie was amazing as was Lizzie, she went out of her way to ensure we had a great day even though the weather was a bit liquidy! She was extremely knowledgeable about the Outlander series/locations and Scottish history in general, many thanks Lizzie. Our second tour was to St Andrews and the fishing villages of Fife with David who was fab, he was extremely helpful, flexible, knowledgeable and had a great sense of humour. The villages were beautiful and St Andrews was stunning, we were also fortunate enough to have lovely sunny weather. I would highly recommend both tours and guides! Kathy ☀️☔????

9. Loch Ness, Highlands and Whisky Distillery Day Tour from Edinburgh

Deacon's House Cafe, 304 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2PS, UK The Hairy Coo
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4.9 based on 460 reviews

When exploring Scotland on your 1 Day Loch Ness, Glencoe, Highlands & Whisky Tour, you will get to experience the very best of Scotland in a jam packed adventure. This tour is perfect for those who might have limited time and want to get the most for their money. With breathtaking scenery and landscapes of unspoilt nature you’ll travel the Scottish highlands, getting away from the hussle and bustle of modern life. Experience Scottish culture through the folklore of Scotland’s myths and legends, historical sites and learn about the process of making Scotch whisky - Scotland’s national drink. Every twist and turn of the winding Scottish road has a new photo opportunity, a new story to be told and a new experience to be had.

Inclusions: All taxes, fees and handling charges, Local guide, Pick-up and drop-off from designated meeting points, Air-conditioned vehicle

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Gratuities, The optional whisky distillery tour costs £10 per adult, £5 for children under 18 no whisky tasting, Optional boat cruise on Loch Ness costs £14 per adult, £9.50 for children under 16

Reviewed By iswrt

Going on this tour is one of the best decisions I have made. I was quite nervous to begin with as I usually travel alone but our tour guide John made us all feel welcome very quick. All of the stops and sights were so beautiful and like nothing I have seen before. The people on the tour were also very kind. Highly recommend!

10. Stirling Castle and Whisky Small Group Day Tour from Edinburgh

Waterloo Place, Waterloo Pl, Edinburgh, UK Heart of Scotland Tours
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4.8 based on 331 reviews

Join this small group tour (maximum 16 passengers) and follow in the footsteps of great Scottish heroes on this historic and scenic trip into the Scottish heartlands. Enjoy a day with at least 5 fabulous stops including Stirling Castle, whisky tour and tasting at the Glengoyne Distillery and a scenic drive through the Highlands to the legendary Loch Lomond.

Inclusions: Live commentary on board, Local guide, Driver/guide, Transport by air-conditioned Mercedes mini-coach

Exclusions: All entrance fees, Food and drinks, Gratuities

Reviewed By EmJo

23 October 2020. Almost everything is so good, but Glencoe stood out due to its natural beauty. We were on the foot of the mountains. I highly recommend this tour to everyone!! Keith was our tourguide and driver. Very professional. :)

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