Top 11 Gin Distillery Tours in Scotland

1.Holyrood Distillery Whisky and Gin Tour & Tasting

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

Spend about an hour inside Edinburgh’s Holyrood Distillery, where a guide explains the making of gin and single malt whisky before you taste several products. The small, modern distillery focuses on experimentation rather than old traditions. Guides such as Diego, Brice, Chris, and Neil have earned praise for clear, friendly presentations.

“Very cool building, many great photo opportunities. Tour guide was very knowledgeable, fun, and engaging personality. Had both whiskey & gin drinkers in my group and everyone enjoyed the tasting.”

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2.Visit a Working South Loch Gin Distillery

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

At 56 North in Edinburgh, a gin host such as Neil or Hamish guides you through South Loch Gin production, from botanicals to bottle. You’ll receive a G&T, three gin tastings with premium mixers, and a final gin cocktail topped with bubbly. The 60 to 75 minute session takes place in a working distillery beneath one of Scotland’s oldest gin bars.

“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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3.Distill a bottle of Gin on mini copper stills

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 185 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $125

At Sip Antics in Edinburgh, Neil or Gary guides you through gin styles, botanical tastings, and recipe design before you distill a 500ml bottle on your own mini copper still. You will taste a cocktail during the process, then name, label, wax-seal, and take home your finished gin.

“What an experience, Neil is an absolute legend! He explained the intricacies so well and still allowed individual interpretation. Would highly recommend this and the small size of the group just added to the fun!”

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4.Eden Mill Edinburgh Love Gin Cocktail Masterclass

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 88 reviews · from $41

At 1a Rutland Street, learn the story and botanicals behind Eden Mill Love Gin, sample two cocktails made by mixologists, then make a third with professional bar tools. Hosts including Andre, Robert, Olivia, and Isaac lead small groups of up to 10 in an atmospheric Edinburgh vault, with macarons and marshmallows served alongside the drinks.

“It was an informative presentation on the Love Gin. I greatly enjoyed making the cocktail and enjoyed the comardery presence of the others who joined the presentation. It was really cool being in the underground vaults. Andre was very welcoming and knowledgeable. He deserves a raise!”

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5.Glasgow Gin Tea Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 84 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $69

Settle into a decorated vintage Routemaster bus for 90 minutes of afternoon tea while touring Glasgow. Expect warm scones, sandwiches, quiche, petit fours, and unlimited tea or coffee. Alcoholic drinks are available to buy, but gin is not included. The bus returns to Shuttle Street.

“This should have been a fantastic experience. However, there was no commentary along the ride due to staffing shortages. The poor girl who served us did her best and we truly felt sorry for her as she seemed overwhelmed. Beyond this, the food was poor at best. The burnt scone was particularly shameful. Also, the bus clearly needs work, especially mechanically as the brakes are horrible sounding. Until this operator gets their house in order, I would spend my money elsewhere!”

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6.Evolution of Gin and Underground Gin Tasting in Edinburgh | 1hr

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 59 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $37

Meet at John’s Coffee House & Tavern in Parliament Square, then follow a guide such as Sara or Dan into The Lost Close, a recently uncovered underground venue. In one hour, you’ll trace gin from Aqua Vitae and Dutch genever to modern Scottish styles while tasting four gins mixed to suit your preferences.

“If in Edinburgh check this experience out. You won’t regret it. Sarah was wonderfully brilliant and knowledgeable. Thank you for a great time!”

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7.Loch Ness, Culloden, Clava and whisky/gin tour from Inverness.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 36 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

This private 4.5-hour tour from Inverness combines Loch Ness, Beauly, Culloden Battlefield, Clava Cairns, Inverness, whisky tasting at The Singleton, and Scottish gin at Great Glen Distillery. Your guide, often Niall, Neil, or Donald, can adjust the route for weather, timing, and special requests. Pickup is available, with vehicles for small groups.

“Great experience across the board. Our guide was so knowledgeable and customized to our unique requests. Great sense of humor and we loved the whole thing.”

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8.Gin Tasting Experience with a Perfect Serve

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 28 reviews · 1 hour (approx.)

Meet your host at Heads & Tales Gin Bar in central Edinburgh for a classic Original Gin and tonic, then taste Original Gin, Love Gin, and Golf Gin. Learn about coastal botanicals, choose a favorite, and build a perfect serve, including a sweet, smoky option featuring an unreleased product. Olivia may lead your tasting.

“Excellent Eden Mills Gin tasting! Olivia was very friendly and knowledgeable. I’ll also say it was a great value. Welcome cocktail, 3 different gins and then a closing cocktail of your choice. Plus the location was super cool. Highly recommend!”

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9.2 hour Gin School Experience in Aberdeen

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 19 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $192

At City of Aberdeen Distillery, the Head Distiller guides you through gin’s origins, botanicals, and small-scale distilling. You’ll select ingredients from more than 100 options, use a copper alembic mini-still, taste Aberdeen Gins, enjoy several G&Ts and a cocktail, then take home your own 70cl bottle.

“Generous tasting. A true education about gin. A chance to develop your nose and make some deliciousness.”

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10.Gin Tasting Masterclass in Aberdeen

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $108

Spend two hours at City of Aberdeen Distillery with the head distiller and the Dan and Alan team. Taste single botanicals, build your own gin, identify a mystery ingredient, sample Aberdeen Gin expressions, and finish with a G&T chosen to suit you.

“One of the best things I have had the pleasure of booking. Dan & Alan are the perfect team and their passion shows. I had an absolute ball. The group was small and we all chatted and laughed. There was a good selection of things to purchase, especially for long haul travel. Thoroughly recommend”

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11.Holyrood Distillery Gin Tasting Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 11 reviews · from $42

Join Holyrood Distillery in Edinburgh for a 75-minute evening tasting led by a host such as Dave. Try an arrival cocktail and four gins, test your senses in the Spirits Lab, learn about Scottish juniper and the Height of Arrows story, then choose a cocktail with mixers and garnishes that suit your taste.

“The experience was excellent! We had a small enough group that everyone had time to ask questions. David was very knowledgeable and made the evening enjoyable!”

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