Cellar Of Scotland Walking Tour, taste Edinburgh’s finest drinks

This walking tour is a fun way to taste your way through Edinburgh drinks without wasting time figuring out where to go. You start in the New Town area around St Andrew Square, then work your way toward the Old Town, with stops built around real Scotch, gin, beer, and cider.

Two things I like a lot. First, you get real variety, not just one or two samples. You’re set up with at least four full serves, including beer, cider, a gin and tonic, a whisky tasting, plus a cocktail option. Second, the tour is led by a Scottish drinks industry expert, and the guidance comes with context, not just pouring.

One possible drawback: it is an alcohol-focused experience, with an age requirement of 18+, so it may not be your best pick if you prefer non-alcoholic tastings or a very slow walking pace.

Key highlights

• At least four full serves of classic Edinburgh drinks, including beer, cider, gin and tonic, whisky, and a cocktail
• A guided drinks expert who adds story and context as you taste
• Two neighborhoods in one walk, starting near St Andrew Square and finishing in the Old Town
• Pick your whisky and cocktail so you can steer your own tasting
• Iconic venues with booking handled so you are not hunting for seats
• Optional cheese and meat board add-on, including items like haggis bonbons and sourdough bread

St Andrew Square to Old Town, why this route feels smart

Edinburgh can be split in your head into two worlds: the New Town grid and the Old Town maze. This tour uses that contrast well. You meet near the elegant, straight-laced streets around St Andrew Square, then you walk into the older lanes that make Edinburgh feel like Edinburgh.

I like that the route is built for conversation. You are not stuck on a long bus ride or staring at a map. The walking time is long enough to break up tastings, and short enough that you stay present. The finish in the Old Town also makes it easy to keep exploring after your last pour.

A good rule of thumb with walking tastings: dress for weather and wear shoes you trust. The tour depends on good weather, and even when it is dry, you will still want traction on Edinburgh sidewalks.

Meeting point and timing that fit a real afternoon

This one runs from 2:00 pm for about 2 hours 30 minutes. You start at The Guildford Arms, 1 W Register St, Edinburgh EH2 2AA, and you end in the Old Town.

If you like to travel light, this is an easy slot. It is late enough for lunch plans, early enough that you still have time for dinner with zero panic. Also, you are near public transportation, which helps if you arrive a little later than planned.

The first stop near St Andrew Square: beer and cider to start

Your first tasting starts around St Andrew Square, which is a great place to begin. The area sets the tone with that clean New Town feel, then you get your first drink quickly.

You start with a half pint of real ale, plus another half pint option that you choose from the list given: Pentland IPA or Thistly Cross cider. That is a solid start because it lets you decide early what style you like best, bitter and hoppy on the one hand, or fruitier and cider-leaning on the other.

What this opening accomplishes is pacing. You do not jump straight to whisky. You ease in with beer or cider, then later you move to the spirit tastings when you are warmed up.

Old Town stops: gin and tonic, then your own whisky and cocktail choice

As you move into the Old Town, the tour shifts from beer and cider into spirits and cocktails. This is where the tour earns its keep, because you get choices rather than being forced through a preset flight.

Scottish gin and tonic

You get a Scottish gin and tonic as part of the menu. The point is not only taste. You also get guided talk from the drinks expert, which helps you understand what makes a Scottish gin profile feel different when you compare it to generic tonic bar pours.

Single malt Scotch whisky

Next, you choose your single malt Scotch whisky. This is a big deal for whisky lovers, because people have strong preferences. Do you want something smoky and heavier, or something smoother? The tour gives you the steering wheel rather than locking you into one bottle.

One review sums up the vibe here: the host took time to explain history and origins of the bottles, and that made it feel more like a guided tasting than a drinks stop that happens to include trivia.

A cocktail finish with two clear options

You also choose a cocktail, listed as either Port of Leith White Port and tonic or a Scotch Whisky Sour. I like that the options cover two directions: one fruity and wine-like through port, and one classic Scotch sour style. If you are not sure what you will like, either option tends to work well after you have already sampled beer, cider, and gin.

A practical tip: if you have a strong preference for sweetness, lean toward the port and tonic. If you want something tangier, the whisky sour is usually the safer bet.

The drinks expert: what you are really paying for besides the alcohol

The tour includes an in-depth guided walk led by a Scottish drinks industry expert. That matters because Edinburgh has a lot of bars and a lot of bottles. Without guidance, it is easy to taste things and learn nothing.

From the reviews, the strongest praise is about the hosting style and the knowledge. Names that come up include Stephen and Allen, both described as informative and friendly, with a strong mix of whisky knowledge and Edinburgh context. The big theme is that the tour is not just drink logistics. It is an explanation of how these drinks fit into Scottish culture.

You also get booking at each venue, which quietly makes the whole experience smoother. You are not standing around asking if a group can be accommodated. You can focus on the pours and the conversation.

Optional cheese and meat board add-on, and what to expect

The base tour price does not include the optional cheese and meat board. If you add it, you get a selection of Scottish cheese and meats charcuterie, with items like haggis bonbons and sourdough bread.

This add-on is worth thinking about if you tend to get hungry while drinking. Tastings can feel fine until the second hour hits, then food becomes your best friend. A small board can also change the flavor of what you taste next, especially with whisky and gin.

The only caution is simple. If you already know you want to keep dinner plans light, skip the add-on so your evening does not get swallowed by cheese. If you want a more complete late afternoon meal situation, add it.

How many people, how fast, and how social it feels

This tour caps at 10 travelers. For a bar and tasting style experience, that is a sweet size. It is small enough to feel personal, but big enough that the host can keep the energy up without rushing you.

The tour also says most travelers can participate, and it is an age requirement of 18+. If you are under 18, this is not the right fit. If you are 18 or older, you are good to go.

In terms of pace, it is a walking tour, not a sprint. You are moving between venues, and you are taking drinks in between, so the rhythm matters more than speed.

Price value: turning $95.98 into a clear decision

At $95.98 per person, you are paying for multiple things at once: at least four full serves of alcohol (beer, cider, cocktails, Scotch whisky, gin and tonic), a guided expert experience, and booking at each venue.

The value argument is strongest if you would otherwise do three separate things in one afternoon: find a whisky bar, order a whisky tasting somewhere, then chase down a gin and tonic stop, and finally add a cocktail. Doing it piecemeal usually costs more in time and often costs more in money too, because you end up paying full bar prices without any structure.

It is also good value if you like learning while you drink. That expert guidance is what helps the tasting feel connected, not random.

The only time I would hesitate is if you are a light drinker or you prefer tastings with little alcohol. This one is designed around full pours.

What you will get at the bar, step by step

Here is the tasting flow you can expect, based on the menu structure:

• Start with a half pint of real ale, plus another half pint option from Pentland IPA or Thistly Cross cider
• Move into a Scottish gin and tonic
• Choose your single malt Scotch whisky
• Choose your cocktail: either Port of Leith White Port and tonic or a Scotch Whisky Sour
• Optionally add a cheese and meat board with Scottish selection items like haggis bonbons and sourdough bread

That line-up is why this tour works. It gives you a spectrum of styles, and it keeps you from getting stuck on one flavor lane.

Who this tour suits best

I think this is a great fit for:

• Whisky lovers who want an actual guided tasting, not just a quick pour
• People who like a structured afternoon that still includes city walking and street-level views
• Travelers who want to sample a range of Edinburgh drinks while learning what they are and where they fit
• Groups of friends who will enjoy making choices together, like picking the whisky and cocktail

I would pass on it if:

• You are looking for a non-alcohol-focused experience
• You do not want to drink four full serves of alcohol
• You prefer a purely sightseeing walk with minimal food and drink emphasis

Should you book Cellar Of Scotland walking tour?

If you want a clear afternoon plan with guided tastings, a small group size, and a route that ties New Town mood to Old Town charm, this is an easy yes. The strongest reason to book is the combination of multiple full drinks plus an expert who explains what you are tasting. If you are a whisky fan, the ability to choose your single malt and learn about its origins is a major win.

If you are on the fence, decide based on one question: do you actually want to drink and learn in a tight 2.5 hour window? If yes, book it. If no, you will likely find better value elsewhere with a shorter bar stop and more freedom.

FAQ

How long is the Cellar Of Scotland Walking Tour?

The tour runs for about 2 hours 30 minutes.

Where does the tour start and where does it end?

It starts at The Guildford Arms, 1 W Register St, Edinburgh EH2 2AA, UK. It ends in Edinburgh Old Town.

What time does the tour begin?

The start time is 2:00 pm.

What is included in the price?

The included items are alcoholic beverages (a minimum four full serves), an in-depth guided tour by a Scottish drinks industry expert, and booking at each venue.

What alcohol is included?

The tour includes beer, cider, cocktails, Scotch whisky, and gin and tonic, with at least four full serves total.

Is the optional cheese and meat board included?

No. The cheese and meat board is optional and not included in the base ticket price. It is purchased separately as a bolt-on.

What are your drink choices for the cocktail and whisky?

You choose your single malt Scotch whisky. You also choose one cocktail option: Port of Leith White Port and tonic, or a Scotch Whisky Sour.

What is the group size?

The tour has a maximum of 10 travelers.

Who can join the tour?

Attendees must be over the age of 18. Attendees under the age of 15 may be asked for valid photo ID.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The tour requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.