The 11 Best 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, learning how its gin and single malt whisky are made. Guides such as Diego, Brice, Courtney, and Neil explain the process, followed by tastings. The small group has up to 22 people, and the visit ends at the distillery bar and shop.

“It was an interesting experience. My husband enjoyed very much the testing part. Our tour guide was knowledgeable and answered all our questions.”

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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 Distillery, you’ll learn how South Loch Gin goes from botanicals to bottle, taste three gins with premium mixers, and enjoy a welcome G&T plus a final cocktail. Guides including Neil and Hamish bring humor and clear explanations to this 60 to 75 minute, adults-only session.

“So glad we were able to book this "tour". It was so interesting to learn about the gin making process and to taste several of the examples. Ended up bringing home a bottle of my favorite!”

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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, recipe design, and hands-on distilling. You will make a 500ml bottle on your own mini copper still, then name, label, taste, and wax-seal it. The session lasts about three hours and allows no more than two participants.

“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

Meet at Eden Mill’s Edinburgh venue for a one-hour Love Gin session led by hosts such as Andre, Robert, Olivia, or Isaac. Learn about gin botanicals, taste two cocktails made by the bar team, then use professional tools to make your own, often a Bramble, with macarons and marshmallows.

“Fabulous Eden gin cocktail making class. Olivia made it such fun, cocktails were yummy. A good way to spend an hour with friends in lovely vault in Edinburgh”

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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’s major sights. Expect warm scones, sandwiches, petit fours, quiche, unlimited tea and coffee, and friendly hosts who can share local tips. Alcohol is available to purchase, but gin is not always included.

“We had such a great time on this tea tour! The treats were delicious and the crew extremely friendly! Highly recommend!!”

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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 Sara, Sarah, or Dan at John’s Coffee House in Parliament Square, then head below Edinburgh’s Old Town for a one-hour tasting. You’ll sample four very different gins, mixed to your preferences, while learning how aqua vitae, genever, distillation, and modern Scottish gin connect.

“Sarah was so nice and informative! We had an amazing time learning about the history of the building, the city, and the gin. We had such an amazing time and would highly recommend to anyone, even if they’re not gin fans!”

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

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

Build your own four-and-a-half-hour Highland outing from Inverness with a local guide such as Niall, Neil, or Donald. Visit Loch Ness, Culloden Battlefield, Clava Cairns, Beauly, and two distilleries, including a gin tasting at Great Glen. Pickup is offered, and private groups keep the day flexible.

“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 Olivia or another Eden Mill host at Heads & Tales in central Edinburgh for a one-hour tasting of Original Gin, Love Gin, and Golf Gin. You’ll begin with a classic gin and tonic, learn about coastal botanicals, then choose a favorite gin for a tailored serve, including a sweet and smoky option.

“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 Aberdeen Distillery, the Head Distiller guides you through gin’s origins, botanicals, and small-batch distilling. Choose from more than 100 ingredients, make a bottle with a copper alembic mini-still, taste the house range, enjoy several G&Ts and a cocktail, then take home your labeled 70cl gin.

“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

At City of Aberdeen Distillery, Dan and Alan guide you through single botanicals, Aberdeen Gin samples, and a hands-on blending challenge. Start with a double G&T, test your palate with a mystery botanical, then choose a final G&T. The English-language class runs about two hours for up to 20 people.

“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

At Holyrood Distillery in Edinburgh, your host leads a 75-minute tasting of four gins, a sensory challenge, garnish and mixer experiments, and a cocktail you choose. You’ll also hear about Height of Arrows and Holyrood’s work with Scottish juniper.

“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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