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Explore Holyrood Distillery for the ultimate whisky experience in Edinburgh

Nestled in the vibrant heart of Edinburgh’s Southside, the Holyrood Distillery showcases Scotland’s rich whisky heritage and craft innovation. As the city’s first single malt whisky distillery in nearly a century, the space blends centuries-old techniques with contemporary flair in a converted Victorian railway goods building just a short stroll from the Royal Mile.

What sets Holyrood apart from other distilleries is its unconventional techniques, such as using brewer’s yeast and varying fermentation times to build flavour from the start. A visit here offers a close look at the whisky-making process, where mash tuns, stills, and casks transform grain into Scotland’s iconic spirit.

How to enter Holyrood Distillery?

The Holyrood Distillery is located at 19 St Leonard’s Lane in Edinburgh’s Southside, just a short 15‑minute walk from the Royal Mile and right next to Holyrood Park. It sits in a converted Victorian railway goods building that is easy to reach on foot from Edinburgh’s historic Old Town and is also accessible by local buses.

To explore the distillery’s whisky and gin production spaces, you need to book a specific tour or tasting experience. All tastings and experiences inside require a pre-booked ticket, which you can reserve in advance for the date and time that suits you.

Discover the best whisky experiences in Edinburgh

While Holyrood Distillery is on many whisky lovers’ must-see lists, Edinburgh offers a variety of exceptional tours and tastings you can book today.

Guests enjoying whisky tasting at the Scotch Whisky Experience.
View Edinburgh whisky tours!

Why visit Holyrood Distillery?

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  • First whisky distillery in a century: Holyrood opened in 2019 as Edinburgh's first single malt whisky distillery in nearly 100 years, reviving whisky production in the heart of the city.
  • Innovative and flavour-driven production: The distillery uses an experimental approach, incorporating varied yeasts, malt types, and processes to build flavour from the very start of whisky making.
  • Urban location with history: Housed in a renovated 180-year-old railway goods building next to Holyrood Park, the distillery combines industrial heritage with modern craft spirits.
  • Award-winning spirits: Holyrood produces acclaimed gin and whiskies, including Height of Arrows Gin, which was named Gin of the Year 2022 by The Whisky Exchange.

Things to know before visiting the Holyrood Distillery 

  • Exclusive tour ticket: You must book a specific tour or tasting to enter the working distillery and spirits lab. Make sure to reserve your slot at least 2 weeks in advance.
  • Age restrictions: Kids aged 8–17 can join the standard tour if they are with an adult 18 or older. Under‑18s can’t drink alcohol, and little ones under 8 aren’t allowed in the production areas.
  • Timed entry: Tours start at set times, so it’s best to arrive at least 10 minutes early to check in. Latecomers might not be let in once the tour has started.
  • Accessibility considerations: The tour route is wheelchair-accessible via lifts, and there are facilities to support anyone with mobility needs.
  • Getting there and parking: There’s no public parking on site. Walking or taking public transport works best. Blue badge holders can arrange drop-off in advance.

What to explore on a Holyrood Distillery tour

Spirits Lab

The tour begins in the Spirits Lab, where you learn about Holyrood’s botanical selection and experimental flavour approach. You can see the techniques behind their award-winning Height of Arrows gin and enjoy a guided tasting.

Whisky production floor

Next, the tour moves into the whisky production area, the heart of the experience. Washbacks and copper stills are on display as your guide explains malting, mashing, fermentation, and Holyrood’s modern approach to single malt whisky-making.

Still and fermenting area

Here, you get close to key equipment such as fermenters that show active fermentation and the stills where spirit is created in its raw “new make” form.

Cask Room tasting

The tour usually finishes in the Cask Room, designed to resemble a traditional warehouse where whisky ages. Here, you can enjoy a tutored tasting of single malt and learn about oak influence, cask selection, and maturation.

Distillery bar and shop

After the guided portion, the group heads to the distillery bar and shop, where you can relax, sample additional tasting flights, and browse for spirits, gifts, and exclusive bottlings.

Everything you can see at Holyrood Distillery

Guest enjoying a drink at the Irish Whiskey Museum.
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Spirits Lab

Botanicals for gin and experimental whisky infusions are measured, mixed, and distilled. This area shows Holyrood’s innovative flavour approach in action.

Malt mill

Watch how barley is crushed to the correct consistency, the first step in releasing sugars for fermentation.

Mash tuns

See where hot water is added to the crushed barley to produce wort before fermentation begins.

Washbacks

Large stainless steel vessels where yeast starts converting sugars into alcohol, often visibly foaming as fermentation takes place.

Copper pot stills

Watch the wash turn into new make spirit. Heat separates alcohol from water and solids, and vapours rise and condense to create the raw whisky that will later age in casks.

Spirit safe

The distillate is carefully monitored and collected to ensure consistency in flavour and alcohol strength.

Cask Room

Rows of whisky casks illustrate the ageing process. Learn how oak type, previous cask use, and maturation time influence aroma and flavour.

Holyrood Distillery: Top Whiskies and Signature Drams

Guests tasting whiskey at the Irish Whiskey Museum in Dublin.

Holyrood Ambir

Sweet and complex, this whisky offers notes of caramel, vanilla, fudge, and red fruit, aged in bourbon and sherry casks.

Whiskey being poured into glasses at the Irish Whiskey Museum tour.
Woman enjoying whiskey tasting at Jameson Distillery tour.

Historical significance of Holyrood Distillery

Holyrood Distillery was established in 2019 as the first new single malt whisky distillery in Edinburgh in nearly 100 years, reviving the city’s long-lost whisky-making tradition after the last pot still distilleries closed in the early 20th century. It was founded by Canadian whisky enthusiasts Rob and Kelly Carpenter, together with industry expert David Robertson.

The distillery is housed in a renovated 1830s railway engine shed near Arthur's Seat, at the edge of Holyrood Park. This location was chosen to combine Edinburgh’s industrial heritage with its natural surroundings, creating a distinctive setting for whisky and gin production in the city.

From the start, Holyrood was envisioned as a place for experimentation. By mixing traditional methods with modern techniques, the distillery has become a hub for spirits while honoring Scotland’s distilling heritage.

Architectural highlights of Holyrood Distillery

Holyrood Distillery is renowned for its architecture, which preserves Victorian masonry while incorporating contemporary elements for the bar and tasting rooms, creating a balance of historic charm and modern functionality.

Industrial heritage preserved

The distillery retains the character of the original 1830s railway engine shed, including tall brick walls and large windows, highlighting its industrial past.

Functional design for production

Interiors are designed to accommodate modern whisky and gin production, with high ceilings for copper stills and open floors that allow clear views of mash tuns and fermentation equipment.

Integration with surroundings

Large windows and carefully positioned visitor spaces frame views of Arthur's Seat and Holyrood Park, connecting the distillery’s industrial architecture with the natural landscape.

Know before you go

Mixology expert demonstrating whiskey blending at Midleton Distillery, Ireland.
  • Opening hours: Sunday to Friday, 11:30 am–5:30 pm; Saturday, 11:30 am–6:30 pm.
  • Holiday closures: Holyrood Distillery is normally open throughout the week except on special closures.

Best time to visit

  • Peak season: Summer months and festival periods see the highest demand.
  • Low season: Late autumn and winter, excluding holidays, are quieter.
  • For atmosphere: Late morning or early afternoon allows for a tasting without peak crowd levels.
  • For a quieter visit: Weekdays, especially Tuesday or Wednesday, tend to be less busy.
Edinburgh whisky tours timings

Address: 19 St Leonard’s Lane, Edinburgh, Southside

Holyrood Distillery is a 15‑minute walk from the Royal Mile and adjacent to Holyrood Park and Arthur’s Seat.

  • By bus: Lothian Bus number 14 stops nearby on Rankeillor Street.
  • By tram or train: Edinburgh Waverley Station is 15–20 minutes by bus or tram/walking.
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  • Step-free access: Step-free wheelchair access is available to all public areas, with lifts connecting the tour and tasting spaces.
  • Toilets: Wheelchair-accessible toilets are located on the ground floor and the second floor.
  • Accessibility: All public rooms, the bar, and shop areas are accessible.
  • Assistance dogs: Guide dogs are welcome.
  • Seating: Seating is available throughout the tour route and in the bar area.
No smoking sign at Whales of Iceland Museum entrance.
  • Age restrictions: Children aged 8–17 may attend tours with an accompanying adult.
  • Alcohol: Alcoholic drinks are served only to guests aged 18 and above. Guests under 18 are served soft drinks.
  • Children under 8: Children under 8 are not permitted in the production areas.
  • Footwear: Closed shoes or practical footwear is required. Open-toe shoes and high heels are not recommended.
  • Photography: Photography is allowed only following the guide’s instructions.
  • Smoking: The distillery is non-smoking throughout.
Jameson Distillery cocktail-making class in Dublin with whiskey tasting experience.
  • Caution: Tours move through active production areas. Caution is advised for anyone with balance issues or certain health conditions.
  • Group rules: Groups must follow the guide at all times.
  • Arrival: Arrive at least 10 minutes before the scheduled start time.
  • Non-drinkers: Non-drinkers or designated drivers can enjoy soft drinks and take home tasting samples if preferred.

Frequently asked questions about Holyrood Distillery and its tours

Yes. Access to the production areas and guided tastings requires a pre-booked tour ticket. Walk-ins are not admitted to the distillery floor.

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