While many Scottish distilleries have continued to distil spirit over the last testing year, they’ve certainly had to take a more cautious approach when it comes to reopening their doors to visitors for distillery tours and tastings.
The priority remains the safeguarding of staff to ensure the continued smooth running of the working areas. As a result, while Scotland boasts over 130 operational whisky distilleries, only a handful were able to safely welcome back guests in the summer of 2020 while observing social distancing guidelines. Those that could had to introduce several measures to ensure visitors still had an educational and enjoyable experience.
Things are opening up again now. Since 26 April, visitor centres at Scotland’s distilleries have been able to welcome back the whisky-loving public, and many have chosen to start to revive their distillery tours. The safety measures are still in place, of course – in most cases these include the mandatory wearing of face masks at all times (apart from in tastings), small tour groups of one household or ‘social bubble’, temperature checks and the provision of hand-sanitiser stations.
Most of the more rural distilleries that are welcoming visitors are doing so to their on-site shop and café only, offering tastings, lunches or food and drink for takeaway – essentially a pit stop to grab a bite and browse the whiskies on offer. There are several, however, that are conducting partial tours of production areas.
Below is our guide to some of the best whisky distillery tours in Scotland currently on offer. We’ll be updating this list regularly, but do bear in mind that information found below is subject to change. You’re advised to contact the distillery well in advance of your trip and book ahead to avoid disappointment. For more ideas for visits, check out the Scotch Whisky Association’s guide. You might also want to consult our guide to Scotland’s best hotels offering luxurious overnight stays for whisky lovers.
Distillery tours in the Lowlands
Borders Distillery
Hawick has a proud history of manufacturing cashmere and tweed, but now it can add whisky and gin to its hall of fame. Borders Distillery was opened in 2018, bringing whisky-making back to the region for the first time since 1837.
From 1 June, the distillery is offering limited tours and tastings for groups of 4-6 people from a single household or social bubble.
Tour times: Monday-Friday at 10:00, 11:30, 13:00, 14:30; 16:00
Bookings: Tours must be booked at least one day in advance. The shop remains open for walk-ins.
thebordersdistillery.com
Kingsbarns
Kingsbarns restarted guided tours of its distillery in the East Neuk of Fife – the heart of golf country – on 1 May, offering tastings of its new-make spirit and ‘Dream to Dram’ whisky. Visitors can upgrade their experience to a Dream to Dram or 19th Hole Tour by booking in advance. All tours come with a voucher to spend on a bottle of whisky or gin from the Kingsbarns shop.
Tour times: Daily at 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 14:00
Bookings: All tours must be booked in advance. The on-site café and shop remains open for walk-ins.
kingsbarnsdistillery.com
Lindores Abbey
If you’re fascinated by the history of Scotch whisky then a tour of its spiritual home at Lindores Abbey in Newburgh, Fife will appeal. The distillery is now hosting small pre-booked whisky and history tours and tastings within the visitor centre and abbey ruins, although parts of the distillery itself remain closed to visitors.
Tour times: Daily at 10:00, 12:30, 14:30.
Bookings: All tours, tastings and tables for lunch or drinks must be booked at least one day in advance.
lindoresabbey.com
Distillery tours in Speyside
Glenfiddich
This Speyside stalwart is welcoming visitors to its Robbie Dhu outdoor terrace restaurant for lunch, afternoon tea or tutored whisky flights, and distillery tours can now be booked for the summer months, too. The new experience at Glenfiddich is designed to immerse visitors in the distillery’s history, with guided tours through some production areas, culminating in a guided tasting.
Tour times: Tour times are arranged over email. The restaurant and shop are daily, 09:30-16:30.
Bookings: All tours, meals and tastings must be booked in advance.
glenfiddich.com/uk/distillery/
Speyside Cooperage
For something a little different to a standard distillery tour, Speyside Cooperage offers the chance to experience the craftsmanship that goes into making oak casks. The popular site, situated in Craigellachie, will reopen from 28 June for tours.
Tour times: Monday-Friday on the hour between 9:00-15:00.
Bookings: All tours and visits to the cooperage, café and gift shop must be booked in advance.
speysidecooperage.co.uk
Strathisla
The home of blended Scotch whisky brand Chivas Regal is situated in Keith, in the heart of Speyside. Renowned as one of the prettiest distilleries in Scotland, Strathisla is back open for visitors. While tours won’t be on offer, you can visit the on-site shop and book one of two hands-on whisky experiences in its ‘Emporium’ – a blending masterclass, or a tasting of exclusive cask strength single malts.
Tour times: The distillery is open to visitors Thursday to Monday 10:00-16:00pm, with tastings conducted at 12:00 and 15:00.
Bookings: Pre-booking for a tasting is essential.
chivas.com/visit-strathisla
Distillery tours in the Highlands
Aberfeldy
Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery, situated on the outskirts of picturesque Aberfeldy, makes for a perfect day-trip from Edinburgh. The distillery offers a range of tastings to suit whisky novices and connoisseurs alike. Currently, tours of the warehouse are unavailable. But an insightful heritage exhibition and tastings direct from the cask make up for that. There’s also an on-site café and whisky lounge serving drams and light lunches.
Tour times: Tours take place regularly throughout the day, from 10:00 to 16:00 (or at 12:00 to 14:00 on Sundays).
Bookings: All tours must be booked in advance.
dewars.com/gl/en/aberfeldydistillery
Blair Athol
The home of Bell’s whisky in Pitlochry at the foot of the Grampian mountains is now open and offering a whisky tasting experience with (£16) or without (£12) a distillery tour. Within one of the most popular Scottish distilleries to visit, enjoying a whisky at Blair Athol’s bespoke mashtun bar is something of a right of passage.
Tour times: Tours take place every hour on the hour between 10:00-16:00.
Bookings: Sessions are capped to 4-6 people from mixed households, so while booking is not mandatory, it’s advisable to avoid disappointment.
malts.com/en-gb/visit-our-distilleries/blair-athol
Nc’Nean
This west coast distillery situated on the beautiful Morvern peninsula last summer launched its first single malt Scotch whisky. It’s now also taking bookings for distillery visits, which, from 21 June, will open up to travellers outside of the UK, too. Due to its layout, access to the distillery itself is limited, but each tour is accompanied by a taste of the range of Nc’Nean’s botanical spirits served with homemade cake, and guests are welcome to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy the stunning views.
Tour times: Daily at 10am and 2pm.
Bookings: Contact the distillery to arrange a visit.
ncnean.com
Becky Paskin is IWSC’s 2020 Spirits Communicator – sponsored by Chivas Brothers – a respected journalist and ‘Keeper of the Quaich’, Whisky’s highest honour.
