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Step inside Holyrood Distillery for a 75-minute guided tour that reveals copper stills, foaming washbacks and the production behind Height of Arrows gin and single malt whisky. Finish in the atmospheric Cask Room with an exclusive Noir Trilogie tasting flight.
Step inside Holyrood Distillery for a 75-minute guided tour that reveals copper stills, foaming washbacks and the production behind Height of Arrows gin and single malt whisky. Finish in the atmospheric Cask Room with an exclusive Noir Trilogie tasting flight.
Book with Holyrood Distillery
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Operated by Holyrood Distillery · Edinburgh, Scotland
Holyrood Distillery at 19 St Leonard's Lane, Edinburgh, EH8 9SH, located in central Edinburgh, offers a compact, sensory city tour that makes whisky and gin-making feel immediate and local. This guided 75-minute experience walks you through copper stills and foaming washbacks, explains modern single malt techniques, and ends in a low-lit Cask Room for an exclusive tasting of the Noir Trilogie flight.
Inside the production spaces, the tour is as much about craft as it is about place. Guides show how barley, yeast and time are coaxed into whisky in copper pot stills, and how botanicals become Height of Arrows gin. Key features include the sight of bubbling stills, the rhythmic sound of washbacks foaming as fermentation peaks, and the atmospheric cask storage where spirit gains texture. The distillery markets itself as Edinburgh’s first single malt distillery in over a hundred years, a cultural note that reclaims the city’s long-forgotten role in Scotch production.
The tasting sequence is designed to educate as well as please. You’ll be offered a welcome cocktail, a gin sample, a dram of the Ambir single malt, and a focussed flight of three Noir Trilogie whiskies in the Cask Room. The tasting prompts you to compare peat, malt profile and oak influence while an expert guide cues aromas and highlights production choices that shaped each bottle. Small group sizes and sample stops throughout the route keep the pace lively and intimate.
Logistics that matter: check-in is at the distillery address above; arrive 10 minutes early and note there is no parking on site. The tour is wheelchair accessible with lift access, and guests must be 18 or older—bring original photo ID if you look under 25. Tours run in English; written translations in French, Spanish, German and Mandarin are available via QR code.
For travelers staying in Edinburgh, this short urban experience fits between walking tours, museum stops and dinner plans. It’s a smart choice for spirits fans who want to see working equipment without visiting a remote Highland site. Sustainability-minded visitors will appreciate the distillery’s modern production practices and focus on quality over quantity.
Availability varies by season and the Early 2026 Exclusive may be limited; book early to secure your slot and note the cancellation policy requires 24 hours' notice. The intimate format makes this a popular booking for visitors and for Edinburgh residents—a thoughtful gift, a post-hike reward, or a cultural evening out.
Book the Holyrood Distillery tour to watch craft in motion: the hiss of steam, the warm copper sheen of stills and the hush of the Cask Room make this more than a tasting—it’s a close-up lesson in how contemporary Scotch and gin are made in the heart of Edinburgh today.
easy.
1–1.5 hours.
Minimal fitness required; visitors should be able to stand and walk short distances on flat surfaces.
This specific ticket type is available for select tours; check the booking page for exact dates and times and any Early 2026 Exclusive restrictions.
No. This tasting-focused tour is for guests aged 18 and over only; photo ID is required if you appear under 25.
You must provide at least 24 hours notice prior to your tour start time to cancel and receive a refund.
Yes. The experience is fully wheelchair accessible and the tour route can be accessed via the distillery lift.
Tours are conducted in English; written translations are provided in French, Spanish, German and Mandarin via QR code.
No. There is no parking available on site; use public transport or nearby parking facilities.
Holyrood Distillery positions itself as Edinburgh’s first single malt distillery in over a hundred years, marking a recent revival of city-based Scotch production.
The distillery emphasizes modern, efficient production practices; visitors are encouraged to drink responsibly and dispose of waste properly to minimize impact.
Holyrood Distillery is an independent distillery in Edinburgh, Scotland, and the city's first single malt distillery in over a century. The distillery produces Height of Arrows gin and single malt whiskies, and offers a range of guided tours, tastings and bar experiences tailored to both novices and enthusiasts. Experiences include guided distillery tours, gin tastings, curated tasting flights, whisky masterclasses and special pairings such as the whisky and chocolate collaboration with The Chocolatarium. Visitors can explore the distillery floor, lab and cask room on tours that explain production methods, maturation and innovative flavour development. Sample tastings are included with many experiences, and select offerings highlight exclusive or rare expressions, including single cask pours not available elsewhere. The Distillery Bar and cosy Lounge host tasting flights, welcome cocktails and hands-on sensory challenges that introduce botanicals, tasting techniques and cocktail making. Holyrood also runs community-focused experiences such as EH Evenings offering complimentary guided tours and samples for residents alongside a paid bar. The distillery emphasises education and hospitality, guided by knowledgeable staff who present tasting notes, pairing guidance and the story behind each spirit. Practical details such as group sizes, booking requirements and accessibility are provided directly by the distillery at booking. Built around a clear commitment to craft, Holyrood Distillery blends Edinburgh whisky heritage with contemporary production to deliver memorable, flavour-led visits. Guests are encouraged to book in advance for experiences, and the distillery offers a year-round range of tasting options—from quick highlights to in-depth masterclasses and private tastings for groups.
Book with Holyrood Distillery