Scottish gin tours & tastings

Scotland is most famous for its whiskies, but our history is intimately linked with that of gin. Scotland has a long history with gin, when the Leith port in Edinburgh made it easy for the import and export of products needed for gin production. Today this area boasts three distilleries, Lind and Lime Gin Distillery, Shore Distillery, and Port of Leith Distillery.

Scottish gin accounts for around 70% of all UK production. In fact, alongside small-batch craft gins, three of the world's best-selling gins are made in Scotland: Hendrick's, Gordon’s and Tanqueray.

Gin tours and experiences

With over 100 distilleries and gin crafting schools dotted around the country, you will never have to go far to find a gin experience in Scotland! Tour a distillery, sample their finest spirit and take part in all things gin on your next adventure in Scotland.

Here is a taste of the distilleries you can tour in Scotland:

Edinburgh & The Lothians: Edinburgh Gin, Pickering’s, 56 North, Summerhall Distillery

South of Scotland: 1881 Distillery, The Borders Distillery, The Galloway Distillery, Dark Art Distillery

Glasgow & the west: The Glasgow Distillery, Ben Lomond Gin, Hendrick’s Gin Palace

Perthshire, Fife, Angus & Stirlingshire: Persie Distillery, The Stirling Distillery, Kingsbarns Distillery, Gin Bothy, Verdant Spirits, Arbikie

Highlands: Dunnet Bay Distillers, Great Glen Distillery, North Point Distillery

Speyside: Caorunn Gin, Avva Scottish Gin

The Islands: Isle of Harris Distillery, Bruichladdich (Islay), Isle of Barra Distillers, Lussa Gin (Jura), Tobermory Distillery (Mull)

Find more gin tours & experiences in Scotland

From fascinating figures to intriguing innovation, here are a few facts you can use to impress your friends next time you're sipping on a delectable Scottish G&T.

1. The Botanist at Bruichladdich make gin using 22 island botanicals

The name gives it away.

The Botanist - Islay's first and only dry gin - uses a selection of wild plants and herbs from the island to flavour the spirit, from apple mint and gorse flowers to Islay juniper and sweet chamomile.

Discover the Isle of Islay

2. Eden Mill's Golf Gin is influenced by materials used to make wooden golf clubs

The Eden Mill Distillery has been located on the same site for over 200 years.

The distillery, which also produces whisky and beer, has been recently inspired by its golf-loving home of St Andrews and makes a gin flavoured by hickory wood.

Visit St Andrews

3. Pickering's Gin is produced on the former site of an old animal hospital

Formerly the Small Animal Hospital of the Dick Vet School, the Summerhall Distillery in Edinburgh is now a unique gin-making spot in the capital. Pop next door to the Royal Dick Pub for a refreshing Pickering's and tonic straight from the gin tap.

Find more things to do in Edinburgh

4. The House of Elrick makes its gin using fresh water from Loch Ness

Makers of a beautifully crafted gin, the House of Elrick was built at the height of the Scottish Enlightenment in 1720.

It was once visited by Bonnie Prince Charlie, who gifted the Jacobite rose to the estate which now flourishes in the stunning walled garden.

Learn more about the Jacobites
Visit Loch Ness