How long does the tour last?

Duration Silver Tour 50 minutes
Duration Gold Tour 1 hour 15 minutes
Duration Platinum Tour 1 hour 30 minutes

All tours conclude in our McIntyre Gallery and Bar where you can spend as long as you wish within our opening hours. The Platinum Tour is 1 hour and 30 minutes in length. This is a fully guided tour.

What time are the tours?

Please see the opening times section of our website for The Scotch Whisky Experience opening times here:

The Silver and Gold tours run approximately every 20 minutes throughout the day from 10.15am. The last tour runs at 5pm, in July and August the last tour departs at 5.30pm.

Please note on Sundays, the first Gold Tour of the day is at 12.30pm due to licensing restrictions. The Platinum tour runs on Fridays at 5.15pm, Saturdays and Sundays at 5.45pm.

Please note the Silver and Gold Tour can be booked online here.

What is the capacity of each tour?

We can accommodate 23-25 people on each tour. If your group is bigger than this, we can run consecutive tours, meaning that there will be at least a 10 minute interval between the end time of the tours. For details of our tours visit the tour page on this website here.

What is the difference between the tours?

For details of our tours visit the tour page on this website here.

Do we have to book in advance?

If you wish to book a specific time we recommend that you book in advance via our online booking facility. You may book up to 48 hours in advance when you use the online tour booking on this website.

If you are group of 10 or more, please call 00 44 (0)131 220 0441 during office hours to book your tour (Mon-Fri 0900-1700).

Please note Platinum Tours must be booked in advance by calling 00 44 (0)131 220 0441, and cannot be booked online. We advise you visit earlier in the day as later tours can become fully booked.

Are you open on Bank Holidays?

Yes, we are open 364 days of the year and are only closed on Christmas Day.

Are you a distillery?

We are not a distillery, but rather a visitor experience which incorporates all the facets of Scotch Whisky from production to blending, tasting, history and heritage. We do not produce Whisky, but can work well to compliment the experience of visiting a distillery.

Will there be other members of the public on the tour?

We can accommodate up to 25 people on each public tour. If you wish to book a private tour, please call
0044 (0) 131 220 0441 during office hours (Mon-Fri 9am – 5pm). Please note a surcharge does apply.

Can I visit without doing the tour?

You can visit our Shop, Amber Restaurant and Amber Bar without doing the tour. Our bar stocks in excess of 350 Whiskies and you can enjoy an informal sampling with our whisky experts. You will not have access to any of the tour areas or the McIntyre Gallery bar unless you buy a tour ticket.

Is it a guided tour?

The tour is fully guided by our staff. The tour is conducted in English, but audio guides are available in 15 languages.

Where are you located?

We are located on Castlehill at the top of the Royal Mile, just before Edinburgh Castle on the left hand side. For directions click here.

Do you offer Whisky tastings for groups of less than 10?

A tasting of 1 whisky with your guide in included in all tours. The Gold Tour includes an additional tasting tray which you can enjoy at our bar as an informal tasting with full tasting notes. The Platinum tour includes a fully tutored tasting of 3 whiskies. If you would like to book a private tutored tasting minimum payment is for 10 guests

Do I get to taste Whisky?

You will get to taste Whisky as part of the tour. Please see tastings for details on the number of Whiskies tasted within each tour. We also have a Whisky bar on-site where we have a selection of over 300 different Scotch Whiskies. View our whisky tastings page here.

Is it suitable for children?

The Silver tour is suitable for children. We have a child rate and a family ticket available for purchase. Children are given a glass of Irn Bru – Scotland's 'national' soft drink and are also given a badge and an activity worksheet to entertain them. Along the tour, they will be given a trail follow 'Peat the Cat.'

Can I have a foreign speaking guide?

Our tours can be conducted in 15 different languages by form of audio guide. We have multi-lingual staff – please contact us to ask if we can offer the language you require for advance group bookings.

Are you fully accessible?

Yes we have full disabled access. The entrances have automatic doors and there is a lift (elevator) to access each level of the building. We have disabled toilets.

Do you have gift vouchers?

Yes. We sell gift vouchers in £10 denominations. These can be purchased from our shop. They can also be purchased online here. The gift vouchers are also valid for use in our Amber Restaurant, bars and shop as well as being redeemable for tour tickets.

How much is the tour?

Please see our Prices section of our website to find out our different tour rates here

If we conduct the Gold tour, does our membership discount apply to online purchases?

No, your membership discount only applies to on-site purchases.

I am an Ambassador member of The Scotch Whisky Experience, does my membership apply to online purchases?

No, your Ambassador discount only applies to on-site purchases.

Can we use Tesco vouchers?

Tesco vouchers can be redeemed against any of our tours. They are not valid in our shop, restaurant, and bars and cannot be used when buying tickets online.

Do you accept foreign currency (i.e. Euros)?

We do not accept any currency other than £GBP Sterling

Do you ship Whisky abroad?

I'm afraid we can only deliver Whisky within the UK and are unable to ship overseas. To buy Whisky online, please visit our online store.