Lothian

Glenkinchie Distillery

A Lowland whisky distillery of 1825 near Pencaitland, known as the Edinburgh Malt and now the Lowland home of Johnnie Walker, with gardens and tours.

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Welcome

In a quiet glen outside the village of Pencaitland, less than an hour from Edinburgh, Glenkinchie has been making whisky since 1825.

It began as the Milton Distillery, founded by the brothers John and George Rate, and took the name Glenkinchie in 1837. Today it is one of the few Lowland distilleries still working, and its light, floral, grassy whisky is known as the Edinburgh Malt.

It is also the Lowland home of Johnnie Walker, and the old red-brick buildings have been given a handsome new life. Gardens with a stream, a little stone bridge over a weir and beds of daffodils in spring lead to the doors, and inside there is a bar, a lounge and a shop.

Guided tours take you through the whole process, past the red-banded wooden washbacks where the wash froths and ferments, to the stillhouse, where tall copper stills stand against a bright orange wall, and on to a tasting. It opens from Tuesday to Saturday, and booking ahead is a good idea.

Before you go

Open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 6pm; book tours and tastings in advance.

Where: Pencaitland, EH34 5ET.
Founded: 1825.
Tours: Book ahead.

Opening hours

Their website

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10am–6pm
Wednesday: 10am–6pm
Thursday: 10am–6pm
Friday: 10am–6pm
Saturday: 10am–6pm
Sunday: Closed

Did you know

A copper wash still carries a plaque reading 'No.1 Washstill Contents 30,963 Litres' at Glenkinchie.

Did you know

Thirty thousand litres.

Glenkinchie's No.1 wash still holds 30,963 litres, as its plaque records.

A gold statue of the striding Johnnie Walker figure holds sprigs of barley in front of the Glenkinchie branding wall.

Did you know

The Milton Distillery.

Glenkinchie was founded in 1825 as the Milton Distillery and renamed in 1837.

Ben Lerwill

From our guide to Edinburgh

Known as the Edinburgh malt, despite the distillery being located some 15 miles east of the city itself, Glenkinchie is a Lowland whisky-producer with a formal history dating back to 1825. It’s an interesting place to tour, and in recent years has been rebranded as “The Lowland Home of Johnnie Walker”.

Hidden Scotland

From our guide to Lothian

In a quiet glen outside Pencaitland, Glenkinchie has been making whisky since 1825. It's one of the few Lowland distilleries still at work, and its light, floral malt is known as the Edinburgh Malt. These days it's also the Lowland home of Johnnie Walker. Gardens with a stream and a little stone bridge lead to the old red-brick buildings. Guided tours take you past the wooden washbacks to the stillhouse, where tall copper stills stand against a bright orange wall, and on to a tasting. Booking ahead is a good idea.

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