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Plan your visit to Edinburgh Gin Distillery

The Edinburgh Gin Distillery is a purpose built, adults only attraction focused on hands-on learning, guided tasting, and creative experiences. Unlike walk through museums, every Edinburgh Gin Distillery tour runs on timed entry and structured sessions. With limited group sizes and popular experiences selling out quickly, planning ahead helps you choose the right experience and manage your time smoothly.

Navigating your way

Start at the main entrance 👉 

Enter through The Arches on East Market Street. All visitors must check in with a valid ticket and photo ID before their scheduled experience.

Join your scheduled experience 👉 

Each Edinburgh Gin Distillery tour begins at a fixed time. Staff guide groups into the Flavour Arch, Still Room, and experience spaces in a set order.

Move through guided spaces 👉 

Tours follow a clear internal flow. Guests move together through production areas, scent sessions, and tasting rooms without backtracking.

Finish at the Distillery Bar and shop 👉 

Experiences end near the Distillery Bar and retail area, where guests can relax, shop exclusive editions, or enjoy a post tour drink.

How to make the most of your time

Visit typeDurationRouteWhat you get

Short visit

65-mins

Entrance to guided tour to bar

A focused Edinburgh Gin Distillery tour with tastings and guided storytelling

Hands on experience

1.5-3.5 hours

Full tour to workshops to bar

Time to create, taste, and explore flavour in depth at a relaxed pace

Handy tips

  • Book priority experiences: Gin making sessions release limited slots and fill fast. Secure this first, then plan dates, meals, and transport around it.
  • Go scent neutral: Strong perfumes linger on hands and clothing, interfering with aroma tests and garnish sprays used throughout tastings.
  • Arrive properly fed: Only certain experiences include food. Eating beforehand improves focus, palate clarity, and overall enjoyment during guided tastings.
  • Use the bar creatively: Describe flavours you enjoy in food or desserts. Staff translate that into tailored flavour flights without technical jargon.
  • Plan transport: Edinburgh Waverley station sits very close, making train travel the easiest option for most visitors.

Explore Edinburgh Gin Distillery

Flavour Arch

This sensory introduction sets the tone for the visit, presenting botanicals, ingredients, and aroma profiles that shape each creation. Guided explanations help connect scent to flavour, making it easier to understand how individual elements influence the final character.

Still Room

The Still Room is an active production space centred around copper stills, where guides explain how heat, timing, and ingredients interact during distillation. Clear viewpoints allow you to follow flavour development while understanding the technical choices behind each batch.

Gin Making Studio

This hands-on studio invites guests to design, distill, and bottle a personalised creation using miniature stills. With expert guidance at every stage, visitors learn how ingredient balance and process decisions directly affect aroma, texture, and flavour.

Distillery Bar 

Set beneath The Arches, the Distillery Bar offers a relaxed space to unwind after your tour. Thoughtful design, soft lighting, and knowledgeable staff create an ideal setting to revisit flavours or sample creative combinations.

Retail Shop

The on site retail shop features small batch releases, seasonal editions, and design led gift sets exclusive to the distillery. Staff provide thoughtful recommendations, making it easy to choose souvenirs or gifts that reflect Edinburgh Gin’s creativity.

Before you get there

Here are a few pages worth checking before your visit:

About Edinburgh Gin Distillery

Edinburgh Gin Distillery timings

Location and directions

Know before booking your Edinburgh Gin Distillery Tour

  • Ticket options: You can choose from four experiences depending on interest: a classic distillery tour, a hands-on gin-making session, a guided tasting masterclass, or a combo package including Edinburgh’s Hop-on Hop-off Bus.
  • Classic distillery tour: The 65-minute tour includes a welcome drink, guided walkthrough of the Flavour Arch and Still Room, sample tastings, and full access to the on-site Distillery Bar.
  • Gin-making experience: This hands-on session combines a full distillery tour with personalised gin creation, label design, tasting samples, and a locally sourced cheese and charcuterie lunch. You can explore the Distillery Bar afterwards for creative inspiration.
  • Tasting masterclass: Enjoy guided aroma tests, create a custom spray garnish to take home, explore the full distillery, and taste multiple gins with expert-led guidance on mixers and garnishes.
  • Combo ticket: The combo pairs a complete distillery tour with 24-hour Edinburgh bus access including audio guides, flexible timings, kid-friendly extras, and a convenient way to see more of the city.
  • Age restrictions: All experiences are strictly for guests aged 18 or older. Entry, participation, and tastings are not permitted for anyone below the legal age limit.
  • Carer access: Guests requiring assistance can bring a carer free of charge. For gin-making sessions, only the paying guest creates the personalised bottle while carers can observe and assist.

Edinburgh Gin Distillery ticket types explained

Ticket typeWhat's includedBest forPrice range

Classic Tour and Tasting

Guided tour, welcome drink, tastings, bar access

First time visitors

From £28

Gin Making Experience

Full tour, hands on distilling, personalised bottle, lunch

Interactive experience seekers

From £120

Tasting Masterclass

Aroma testing, garnish creation, guided tasting

Flavour focused visitors

From £65

Combo Ticket

Distillery tour plus city bus access

Visitors exploring more of Edinburgh

From £43

Edinburgh Gin Distillery timings

  • Opening hours: The distillery welcomes guests from Sunday to Wednesday between 11am and 5pm, and from Thursday to Saturday between 11am and 7pm.
  • Distillery Bar hours: You can enjoy the Distillery Bar Sunday to Wednesday from 11am to 7:30pm, and Thursday to Saturday from 11am until midnight.

Best time to visit

Weekdays vs weekends

Visiting from Tuesday to Thursday usually means smaller groups, smoother tours, and easier bookings. Weekends bring a livelier atmosphere, but experiences fill up quickly, so planning ahead is essential to secure your preferred tour times.

Peak vs quieter months

From May to September, the distillery sees higher visitor demand, especially for gin-making sessions, requiring early reservations. November to March is quieter, allowing a more relaxed experience, shorter waits, and greater flexibility in choosing your preferred Edinburgh Gin Distillery tour.

Where is Edinburgh Gin Distillery located?

Address: The Arches, Arch 16, East Market Street, EH8 8FS

Located close to the Royal Mile and Edinburgh Waverley station, making it easy to combine with Old Town sightseeing.

Closest landmarks: Museum of Childhood (160m)

Getting there

By public transportation

  • By train: Catch the Avanti West Coast service from Haymarket station. Edinburgh Waverley is the nearest stop, just a five-minute walk from the distillery entrance.
  • By bus: Board the Airport Express from Haymarket Station at Stop HB. Alight at Waverley Bridge Stop WA, approximately a seven-minute walk to the distillery.
  • By tram: Take the Newhaven tram from Haymarket. Get off at St. Andrew Square, which is roughly a ten-minute walk to reach the distillery.

By car

  • Driving route: From central Edinburgh, head east on the A8 or York Place. Follow signs for East Market Street and Leith, turning into Arch 16. Parking nearby makes the Edinburgh Gin Distillery easily accessible.
  • Parking facilities: 
    • Car Park Edinburgh Waverley Station| APCOA (160m)
    • New St Car Park Entrance (160m)
    • New Street Car Park (160m)

Facilities and accessibility

  • Washrooms: Restrooms are conveniently located throughout the distillery, ensuring visitors can freshen up quickly during their Edinburgh Gin Distillery tour.
  • Distillery bar: The Distillery Bar offers a relaxed environment where guests can enjoy curated flavours, sharing platters, and soak in the creative atmosphere.
  • Shop: The on-site shop features exclusive bottles, limited-edition releases, and beautifully packaged gifts, perfect for souvenirs or special keepsakes.
  • Wheelchair access: Street-level entry and an internal lift make the distillery fully navigable for wheelchair users and visitors with mobility scooters.
  • Carer tickets: Carers with valid documentation receive free entry and can join all experiences, though only the primary guest crafts a gin bottle.
  • Guide dogs: Assistance dogs are welcome throughout the distillery. Emotional Support Dogs are permitted with valid UK medical documentation confirming necessity.

Rules and restrictions

  • Age requirement: Edinburgh Gin Distillery is strictly for adults. Guests must be at least 18 years old to participate in tours, tastings, or gin-making experiences.
  • Photo ID policy: Visitors must present a valid photo ID. Anyone appearing under 25 will need to show proof of age under Challenge 25 guidelines.
  • No smoking: Smoking is prohibited anywhere on the premises, including e-cigarettes, to ensure a safe and pleasant environment for all guests.
  • Outside food and drink: Guests may only consume food and beverages purchased at the distillery. Outside food or drinks are strictly not permitted on-site.
  • Guest conduct: Visitors should follow all instructions from staff and behave respectfully to ensure a safe, enjoyable, and welcoming experience for everyone present.

Where to eat nearby

Chop House (15m)

An industrial-chic steakhouse serving dry-aged Scottish beef, fresh seafood, and classic sides. Expect bold flavours, hearty portions, and a stylish, relaxed upscale pub atmosphere.

Yaduvanshi Authentic Indian Restaurant (43m)

A cosy eatery offering rich North Indian curries, sizzling tandoori grills, and fresh naan. Warm interiors and homestyle recipes make every meal comforting and satisfying.

La Garrigue (160m)

A charming French bistro specialising in rustic Languedoc dishes, regional wines, and relaxed fine dining. Enjoy duck confit, cassoulet, and countryside-inspired flavours in a welcoming setting.

Where to stay nearby

Edinburgh Gin Distillery sits in Leith, a vibrant waterfront district blending historic charm with trendy bars, restaurants, and scenic strolls. It’s ideal for walking to the distillery and nearby Royal Mile attractions, offering convenience with a lively Scottish atmosphere.

  • Travelodge Edinburgh Leith (0.7 km): Budget-friendly option in central Leith, offering simple rooms and easy access to the waterfront. Perfect for travellers looking to explore the distillery and Old Town on foot.
  • Premier Inn Edinburgh Leith Waterfront (0.8 km): Reliable hotel chain with family-friendly rooms and unlimited breakfast. Located along the waterfront, it provides convenient access to local attractions, eateries, and the distillery itself.
  • Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh – Leith Waterfront (0.9 km): Modern rooms with comfortable beds, breakfast included, and convenient tram access. On-site parking is available for around £10, making it ideal for a relaxed city stay.

Frequently asked questions about visiting Edinburgh Gin Distillery

Can I book tickets on the same day?

Walk-up bookings cannot be guaranteed. Popular times, especially gin-making sessions, often sell out weeks in advance.

How early should I arrive before my scheduled tour?

Arrive at least fifteen minutes early to allow time for check in and ID verification before your Edinburgh Gin Distillery tour begins.

How long should I plan for my visit?

A classic Edinburgh Gin Distillery tour typically takes around 65 minutes. Hands-on sessions last 1 hour 45 minutes to 3.5 hours, depending on the experience chosen.

Can I stay longer at the Distillery Bar after my tour ends?

Yes, guests are welcome to relax at the bar after their experience, subject to seating availability and bar opening hours.

Do all tours include tastings?

Yes, every Edinburgh Gin Distillery tour includes guided tastings, though the number and format vary by experience type.

Are experiences suitable for first time visitors to Edinburgh?

Yes, the distillery offers a structured, indoor experience that works well early in a city visit.

Is photography allowed during tours?

Photography is welcome for personal use. Flash is discouraged during aroma testing or gin-making sessions to preserve the sensory experience.

Can I combine the distillery tour with other Edinburgh attractions?

Yes, combo tickets pair the distillery tour with a 24-hour hop-on hop-off bus ticket, allowing flexible sightseeing and audio-guided exploration of the city.

Are children allowed inside?

The distillery is strictly adults-only. All experiences, including sampling and tours, are for guests aged 18 and above. Additionally, the staff follows a Challenge 25 policy, requesting valid photo ID if necessary.