Edinburgh: Underground Whisky Tour and Tasting

Take a sensory journey through Edinburgh’s Old Town and Scotland’s whisky heritage, ending with a guided tasting of four regional whiskies in an exclusive candlelit underground vault.

Getting started

Meet your guide near the Royal Mile, where your ticket will be checked and audio devices handed out. From there, set off through Edinburgh’s historic streets to uncover the stories behind Scotland’s national drink.

What to expect

Trace the history of Scotland’s “water of life” through the streets where whisky production, trade, and innovation helped shape Edinburgh’s identity. As you wander through the Old Town’s wynds and closes, you'll hear stories of royal patrons, pioneering whisky makers, smugglers, and bootleggers before heading underground for an expert-led tasting session in a candlelit cellar.

Features

• Whisky history walking tour: Learn how Edinburgh became a key centre of whisky production and distribution through stories of merchants, smugglers, bootleggers, and industry pioneers.

• From King James IV to whisky pioneers: Discover how King James IV's belief in whisky’s medicinal qualities helped establish early production, and hear about influential figures such as George Ballantine and Andrew Usher Jr.

• Explore Edinburgh’s Old Town: Walk through the historic wynds, closes, and streets where many of Scotland’s most important whisky stories unfolded.

• Candlelit underground tasting: Continue into Megget’s Cellar, an atmospheric underground vault where whisky history and tasting come together in an intimate setting.

• Guided tasting of four regional whiskies: Sample whiskies from Speyside, Highland, Islay, and Lowland distilleries while learning how ingredients such as water, barley, peat, and cask maturation influence flavour and character.

This experience combines Edinburgh’s history with Scotland’s most celebrated spirit, offering a deeper understanding of both. Alongside fascinating stories from the city's past, you'll learn how to nose, taste, and appreciate whisky under the guidance of a specialist, making it an ideal introduction for curious beginners and whisky enthusiasts alike.