Scotch Whisky Experience
The Scotch Whisky Experience combines a guided tour with a tasting. The Silver option and Gold option are different choices: Gold includes a tray of four additional single malt Scotch whiskies. A soft drink alternative is offered for this experience. Check the selected option before booking, particularly if your group has different preferences.
Our picks: whisky tastings
The Scotch Whisky Experience offers a soft drink alternative, while the pub tasting pairs four malts with stories. The Lost Close tasting offers four regional whiskies underground.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide and Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in British pounds (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Four regional whiskies at the Lost Close
- Exclusive access to The Lost Close
- Experienced Local Guide
- 4 Whiskies from major Scotch regions
The tasting takes place underground.
Check availability →
Four single malts in a pub
- Four single malt Scotch whiskies
- Expert guided tasting
- Stories behind each whisky
The tasting is led by an English-speaking local guide in an upstairs parlour.
Check availability →
Scotch Whisky Experience and tasting
- Guided tour
- Scotch whisky tasting or soft drink
- Crystal tasting glass for over 18s
The Gold option adds four single malt tastings.
Check availability →Tours and experiences
Compare an attraction tour and tasting with guided whisky tastings in a pub and the Lost Close.
A guided pub tasting
The pub tasting brings together four single malt drams, tasting notes and stories about the whisky, its distillery and region. The English-speaking guide leads the tasting in an upstairs room. Food is not included. This is a different format from a visitor attraction tour, so choose according to the setting and amount of guided tasting you want.
The Lost Close option
A Lost Close tasting offers another setting for exploring whisky. Read the details of the selected departure for its inclusions, language and conditions. Comparing the experience by its actual programme helps you choose between an attraction visit, a pub tasting and a separate tasting in a historic setting.
Planning a tasting
Check age requirements and the individual programme before booking for a mixed group. Give yourself time around a tasting rather than arranging another timed attraction immediately afterwards. If an alcohol-free choice matters, use the option explicitly offered for the Scotch Whisky Experience and check any other product directly.
Plan your visit around the Old Town
The Royal Mile is a useful reference point when comparing activities, but each visit has its own start, route and admission conditions. A walk along the street and entry to a historic building are separate decisions. Look for the exact meeting point on your confirmation, and check whether the activity is on foot or takes place inside a particular attraction. If a ticket includes a timed entry, leave room before and after it for the journey and any security arrangements. That makes it easier to enjoy the surroundings without rushing between reservations.
Getting around and choosing a date
Waverley station is a useful starting point for the Old Town. The route to the Royal Mile can involve a steep climb, so consider luggage and the needs of your group. For the palace, the published walking estimate from Waverley is about 15 minutes. Check your own route and allow extra time for stops. The Royal Mile is a public street, while museums, the palace and guided tours have their own schedules. Review the calendar for each place you want to enter, especially when arranging several visits together.
Make the most of the area
The Old Town is more than one attraction. Its closes and courtyards offer a change of perspective from the main street, while museums and historic houses offer their own interpretation of the city. For a broader introduction, compare the walking options and choose one that matches your interests. A later visit can focus on a different subject, such as royal history, storytelling or the underground. Check accessibility and age conditions for each activity separately: a route that suits one group may not suit another.
More ways to explore
Read the Old Town sights guide for museums and landmarks, or compare Royal Mile tours for guided options. The getting there guide covers arrival and the walk from the station. If you are planning a longer stay, see when to visit and the guide to where to stay. These pages help you match a particular activity with your wider plans, including time for the journey and other attractions.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a ticket to walk along the Royal Mile?
The Royal Mile is a public street. Individual attractions and organised tours have their own admission and booking arrangements.
How should I choose a guided visit?
Compare the route, meeting point, language and inclusions in the selected option. An outdoor walk, an underground visit and admission to a building are different experiences.
Can I combine this with other Old Town sights?
Yes. Check the opening times and any timed entry for each attraction, then allow time to walk between them. The Royal Mile has several distinct sections and the route can include gradients.