Port of Leith Distillery Tour and Tasting

• Scotland’s first vertical whisky distillery
• Located in the historic Port of Leith waterfront
• Guided distillery tour with expert storytelling
• Curated whisky tasting with panoramic rooftop views
• Modern architecture blended with maritime heritage

The Port of Leith Distillery offers a fresh perspective on Scotch whisky, rising vertically above Edinburgh’s historic harbor. Instead of spreading across land, whisky making here unfolds floor by floor, creating a journey that mirrors the spirit’s own transformation.

On the tour, visitors move upward through milling, mashing, fermentation, and distillation, guided by storytellers who explain how tradition and innovation meet within these modern walls.

The experience concludes with a tasting that celebrates both place and process, enjoyed with sweeping views across the Firth of Forth, where ships, sky, and city converge.

The best time to visit The Port of Leith Distillery is late morning to early afternoon, when tours run smoothly and natural light enhances harbor views.

Spring through early autumn offers the most pleasant weather for rooftop tastings, while winter visits provide a quieter, more intimate atmosphere inside the distillery.

• This is Scotland’s first purpose built vertical distillery
• The distillery was inspired by Leith’s historic whisky bonds
• Grain deliveries arrive directly from Scottish farms
• The rooftop bar offers one of the newest whisky views in Edinburgh
• Gravity plays a key role in moving liquid through the building

Half Day Ideal Visit (Recommended)

Arrival:
Arrive at the Port of Leith waterfront and take time to explore the surrounding docks and cafés before your tour.

Tour:
Join the guided distillery tour, moving floor by floor through the whisky making process while learning about Leith’s maritime whisky history.

Tasting:
Finish with a guided tasting session, enjoying selected drams paired with views across the harbor and city skyline.

• Exterior view of the vertical distillery from the docks
• Interior staircases showcasing modern industrial design
• Copper stills rising through the building
• Rooftop tasting room with Firth of Forth views
• Sunset shots over Leith harbor

• Book tours in advance, especially on weekends
• Arrive early to explore the surrounding waterfront
• Wear comfortable shoes for stairs between levels
• Ask guides about future whisky releases
• Stay for a drink on the rooftop if weather allows

Leith has long been intertwined with Scotland’s whisky story, serving for centuries as a major port for importing, exporting, and storing spirits. Historic whisky bonds once lined the docks, making the area a vital link between distilleries and global markets.

The Port of Leith Distillery was conceived as a modern revival of this legacy, opening in the early 2020s as the first new distillery in Leith in almost 100 years. Its vertical design was chosen to fit the urban harbor landscape while honoring traditional production methods.

Today, the distillery stands as a symbol of Leith’s renewal, reconnecting whisky making with the waterfront and reestablishing the port as a living part of Scotland’s whisky future.

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