Scotch Whisky Experience, Edinburgh: Things to Do

Summary

The Scotch Whisky Experience is located a short distance from Edinburgh Castle esplanade on The Royal Mile.

The attraction takes visitors on a tour of Scotland’s whisky industry with an interactive whisky barrel ride, a guided tour of the world’s largest whisky collection, and bespoke whisky tastings.

Discover The Scotch Whisky Experience with this guide which features an overview, handy visiting tips, and useful tourist information.

The highlights

1: The ride in the whisky barrel is brilliant and it’s the highlight of the attraction in my opinion. It’s not exactly a rollercoaster hair-whitening ride but it’s good family fun and even has a wee educational element to it.

2: The whisky tasting sessions are very informative and you’ll get a good overview of what makes Scotch whisky such a renowned spirit. The guides are very knowledgeable and they’ll be only too happy to answer any questions you have about Scotch whisky.

3: Before you head to the castle, grab a bite to eat in the Scotch Whisky Experience restaurant. The food is absolutely delicious and if you’re intent on trying haggis while you’re visiting Edinburgh you may as well go all-out and enjoy it alongside a whisky or two.

Visiting tips

1: The whisky selection in the shop is fantastic – one of the best in Edinburgh in fact – but you’ll find cheaper prices in the whisky shops beyond The Royal Mile.

2: If you have children with you they might get fidgety after the barrel ride is over when the tour moves on to the whisky tastings. Cheer them up by taking them to the Camera Obscura World of Illusions attraction which is directly opposite.

3: The Scotch Whisky Experience has a good selection of single malts, but the Scotch Malt Whisky Society is a step above.

If you want to try the best whisky in Scotland I seriously recommend you get a membership. Become a member for exclusive access to the world’s biggest selection of single cask whisky.

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Overview

If you’re embarking on a visit to Edinburgh then your trip won’t be complete without a visit to The Scotch Whisky Experience, located just a short walk from Edinburgh Castle Esplanade on The Royal Mile.

This attraction comprises several tours and whisky tasting sessions along with a very enjoyable journey through the history of one of Scotland’s most famous exports, brought to you by one of the Whisky Experience’s very own resident ghostly tour guides!

Whisky is as Scottish as a tartan-wrapped haggis and the history of the spirit is just as interesting as any tour around the nearby castle, and even if you’re not a fan of the stuff (apparently some people aren’t) I guarantee you’ll enjoy a visit to this attraction.

The highlight of the Scotch Whisky Experience has to be being taken through the history of whisky – from its humble origins in the 15th century to the massive distilleries of today – by one of the resident experts who’ll be only too glad to impart their expertise during a tasting session.

There are several tours to choose from and they’re all enjoyable with each one offering a slightly different experience lasting from around one to three hours.

If you just want an introduction I recommend the silver tour which takes you through the main exhibits and finishes with a tasting session in the world’s largest collection of Scotch whisky.

The Scotch Whisky Experience has done a good job of making the attraction accessible for all ages (kids can sample Irn-Bru instead of whisky) but it’s the adults who’ll get the most out of a visit especially if they take part in the tasting sessions.

As it’s so close to Edinburgh Castle the attraction gets very busy during the peak tourist season but I think you’ll enjoy it whatever time of year you visit.

The only thing I’d suggest is that you give it a miss if you don’t actually like whisky. The last time I joined a tour, half the tourists in my group admitted they didn’t like the taste of whisky when they were offered a sample.

Bit of a strange choice of attractions to choose to visit then…

Discover more places to visit in Edinburgh with: The Best Places to Visit in Edinburgh – Ultimate Visitor Guide.

Tourist information

Tours range from an informal hour-long introductory session to a three-hour experience that includes Scottish cuisine in the on-site restaurant, but all include an automated ride through the production of Scotch whisky and a viewing of the world’s largest whisky collection.

During the ride, you sit inside a barrel-shaped carriage that transports you back in time on a journey through a replica distillery, and as you move through each section stories about whisky are told by the ghosts of the people who used to work there.

It’s good fun and will probably be the highlight for children, but adults have a lot more to enjoy on the tour.

At the end of the ride you’re directed out to meet your very-much-alive guide for a tasting session, during which you’re told about the history of whisky production from its very first beginnings to the multi-billion pound industry that it is today.

The high point of the tours has to be viewing the whisky collection room which has the record of being the world’s largest, housing an incredible 3,384 bottles.

The entire collection took over 35 years to build and walking around the collection is truly mesmerizing.

You’ll hardly believe so many types of whisky were ever created. At this point you’ll also be able to sample a dram of the golden liquid which is the perfect end to a fascinating voyage of whisky discovery.

In addition to the barrel ride there’s a very good restaurant where you can sample some of Scotland’s finest traditional food (haggis included, of course), a whisky bar where you can sample a range of spirits from all over Scotland, and an extremely well-stocked shop which sells just about every variety of whisky imaginable.

If you love a good dram then a visit to this attraction will be right up your street and even though the tickets are a little on the pricey side I think they’re worth it, especially considering you get a whisky sample and a tasting glass to take home.

You might also like The Out About Scotland Guide to the Scotch Whisky Regions.

The Scotch Whisky Experience can be found at the upper end of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, just a few yards down from the entrance to the castle.

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Things to do nearby

Edinburgh Castle. Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NG. 2-minute walk. Scotland’s most-visited tourist attraction. This 11th-century castle and barracks house the Scottish crown jewels and is the location for the National War Museum.

It also features popular attractions like the Mons Meg cannon, the Argyll Battery, and the One O’Clock gun.

Camera Obscura and World of Illusions. Castlehill, Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH1 2ND. 1-minute walk. A Victorian tourist attraction that displays a collection of optical illusions across multiple floors including the ‘Camera Obscura’. There is a gift shop on site.

Gladstone’s Land. 477B Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2NT. 2-minute walk. Historic restored house dating from the 1600s. A guided tour takes you through the history of Edinburgh and shows visitors how people lived in the days of ‘Auld Reekie’.

Tartan Weaving Mill and Exhibition. 555 Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2ND. 1-minute walk. A multi-floor shop that specialises in Scottish cashmere and tartan gifts. The lower level features an exhibition about cloth milling with original mill machinery.

Princes Street Gardens. Princes St, Edinburgh EH1 2EU. 1-minute walk. Extensive landscaped gardens that border Princes Street. The gardens feature a number of attractions including the Ross Fountain, the Ross Bandstand and the Scott Monument.

The Scottish National Galleries are located between the east and west gardens.

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Frequently asked questions