Your visit to Edinburgh isn’t complete without sampling some whisky, uisge beatha in Gaelic, “the water of life”. The Scotch Whisky Experience isn’t a distillery, but it’s an excellent place to start if you want to learn about the different styles of Scotch and how they are made. For a tasting in a traditional bar, try our whisky tour with an expert guide.
Tours and prices
| Experience | Price | Duration and departures |
|---|---|---|
| Silver Tour | Adults £25; over 60s and students £23; children 6–17 £11.50; under 6s free | 50 minutes; every 20 minutes |
| Gold Tour | £39.75; over 18s only | 75 minutes; every 30 minutes |
| Taste of Scotland | £95; over 18s only | About 3 hours; check available times |
Exact times depend on the day and availability. Student discounts require valid ID.
Silver Tour
The Silver Tour is a guided, immersive experience on how whisky is made, with audiovisual content and an introduction to its aromas and regions.
You’ll discover the differences between Scotland’s whisky regions and choose a single malt or a blend to taste. Adults and concession ticket holders take home a souvenir tasting glass (a dram is a measure of whisky, not the name of the glass!). Children get Irn Bru, Scotland’s favourite soft drink, instead.
The tour finishes with one of the largest collections of Scotch whisky in the world, a room filled with thousands of bottles. There’s also a shop with a huge selection of bottles and accessories.
Gold Tour
The Gold Tour includes the Silver Tour plus an extra tasting of four regional whiskies, one from each of Scotland’s main whisky regions: five whiskies in total. It also includes membership of the Scotch Whisky Appreciation Society and discounts in the shop.
Taste of Scotland
Taste of Scotland combines the Gold Tour with a three-course tasting menu at the Amber restaurant, with seven Scottish dishes to try, plus an extra whisky with dessert: six whiskies in total.
It isn’t a distillery, but the Scotch Whisky Experience is a great way to discover how whisky is made without leaving Edinburgh, with very complete virtual content and tastings led by expert guides. For more whisky, see our guide to the best whisky bars in Edinburgh.
Location
The Scotch Whisky Experience is on Castlehill, at the top of the Royal Mile, in the first building on the right as you walk down from the Castle Esplanade.
Get directions to the Scotch Whisky Experience.