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Cheers to that! A gin lover’s guide to the Scottish capital
Scotland might be known for its love affair with whisky, but there are plenty of places to explore in Edinburgh if gin is your tipple of choice
Anyone who knows anything about the Scottish capital knows that there is always something new (or old) to discover. From bloody battles and iconic castles to loyal pups and hidden gems, the history of Edinburgh stretches back centuries and features ups and downs worthy of several Hollywood movies.
But what you may not know is that gin has played quite a role in the history of the famous city, and vice versa. Edinburgh is at the heart of the history of British gin distilling, as the port of Leith, north of the city, possessed strong trading links with the Netherlands. They would trade genever, an early form of gin, and exotic spices for coal, wool and other produce that Scotland excelled in.
Because of this, distilleries began to spring up like daisies around Leith docks, and by 1777 there were eight licensed gin distilleries in Edinburgh and nearly 400 unlicensed ones. As the equipment and techniques used in gin making improved into the 19th century, gin was hugely popular among locals.
However, due to an issue with crop supply, local Scots turned their attention to whisky, and by the 20th century gin had all but fallen completely out of favour. By the mid 70s, there were no gin distilleries left in Edinburgh.
Nowadays, however, the tide has turned again. The gin industry is once again booming, and Edinburgh is no exception. There are endless places in the Scottish capital to enjoy a snifter of Mother’s Ruin, from distillery tours to stunning gin bars.
So for all you gin lovers out there, here is your personal guide to all the most gin-tastic spots in the Scottish capital. Cheers to that!
Distillery tours to whet your appetite
Now that gin distilleries are back in the forefront of Edinburgh, there are plenty to see and explore for yourself. These tours give you a fascinating chance to get behind the scenes of one of the country’s biggest industries, seeing how some of your favourite gins are lovingly produced right here on Scottish soil.
Make your way around some of these endlessly fascinating gin distilleries and see for yourself how they are putting the spirit into Edinburgh — literally and figuratively.
Pickering’s Gin
You can’t say you’re a gin lover in Edinburgh if you’ve never been to the Summerhall Distillery in the Meadows. The Pickering’s tour around the distillery lets you see how handcrafted gin is really made, giving an insight into the care and craftsmanship that goes into every bottle.
This multi-award winning distiller has years of experience that go into crafting their product, and they aren’t afraid to try something new either. They’ve even developed a gin designed to taste great at 30,000 feet, specifically distilled for British Airways.
The hour-long door in this cosy distillery located near the city centre offers some secrets of the gin’s success, and of course a sampling of the product.
Edinburgh Gin
Edinburgh Gin run two of the capital’s distilleries, and they have led the way in the revival of gin’s popularity in the city. Edinburgh Gin run tours of their distilleries, located in the city centre, every day of the week.
You can enjoy seeing the two working stills, hearing about their latest recipes, and even take part in a tutored tasting session. This is a great chance to understand what makes Edinburgh’s leading distillery so special. And you’ll even have the chance to engineer your own gin, unique to your tastes!
Old Curiosity Distillery
The Old Curiosity Distillery is for those gin lovers who like seeking out hidden gems and doing things a little differently. Located in the Secret Herb Garden, nestled at the foot of the Pentland Hills, this distillery uses all naturally-grown, handpicked botanicals, which are dried in-house and added to the distilling process.
The tour reveals the truth of every aspect of their gin-making process, from growing the plants to bottling the finished product. There are also unusual flavour combinations to enjoy, like chamomile and cornflower or mallow and geranium, and even a family friendly café where you can line your stomach.
Holyrood Distillery
Edinburgh’s latest distillery is also one of its greatest, housing an impressive collection of malt whisky and botanical gin. Having only just opened in summer 2019, Holyrood Distillery was set up by a Canadian couple as a home for the production of gin, liqueurs and whisky, located on the edge of Holyrood Park.
There is even a shop and visitor centre where you can find out more, bringing lovers of all tipples together.
Top spots for a tipple
After a long day of exploring all that Edinburgh has to offer, the top of most people’s list is a nice relaxing drink in a welcoming environment. Luckily, the Scottish capital has no shortage of these, especially if gin is your drink of choice.
The only problem is, there are simply too many fantastic venues to choose from. With so many amazing pubs and bars to discover, the choice can be overwhelming, so here are some of our favourite places to unwind.
The Jolly Botanist
With an endless list of gin and gin-based cocktails to choose from, the Jolly Botanist should be a stop on every gin lover’s list. It’s located conveniently close to the city centre, in Haymarket, and it possesses a quirky, welcoming vibe which is hard to resist. The gin menu here along is an impressive seven pages long, but the restaurant section of this bar and restaurant also serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. So whether you’re looking for a bite to eat or a drink with a bit of bite to it, there is something for everyone at this one-stop oasis.
Juniper
You know you’re stepping into a gin bar when the name above the door reads ‘Juniper’, and with a modern and stylish vibe that celebrates the coolest aspects of the Scottish capital, you won’t be disappointed. There are a wide range of gins as well as spirits and exciting cocktails to choose from, so there really is something for everyone. And while you drink, you can enjoy the stunning views of Princes Street and the gardens. A picturesque spot for a well-deserved tipple.
56 North
56 North built their own micro-distillery in 2018 and now produce their own gins, liqueurs and other spirits right there on site. Because of this, they have one of the largest gin menus in Edinburgh, and they really know their stuff.
You can even take a gin masterclass in the bar, where you’ll be able to make your own bespoke batch of gin. Now that deserves another round.
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