The Best Distillery Tours in Glasgow to Dive Into Scotland’s Bold Whisky Heritage
One of the best things I can be proud of as a Scot is knowing that our whisky isn’t just a local treasure; it’s a global obsession. From Tokyo to Toronto, Scottish whisky is poured, praised, and pursued for its centuries-old craftsmanship.
What makes it so good? It’s the perfect storm of pure water, peated malt, patient ageing, and a relentless commitment to tradition.
Now, I know loads of people are curious about how these beauties are actually made. That’s why I thought I’d help out by rounding up some of the top distilleries in Glasgow, where you can go behind the scenes and see it all for yourself!
Clydeside Distillery
Photo credit: theclydeside
Website: https://www.theclydeside.com/
Address: 100 Stobcross Rd
Contact details: +44 141 212 1401
Operating hours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (MON-SUN)
Price:
- The Clydeside Tour – £19.50 per person
- Chocolate & Whisky Tour – £39 per person
- Whisky Creator Tour – £90 per person
- Distillery Manager Tour – £175 per person
I took a couple of buddies from overseas to Clydeside Distillery last time they were in town. They’d heard all about Scottish whisky but had never seen how it’s made, so I figured this was a good spot to show them the ropes.
The tour itself was spot on. It kicked off with a short film that gave us a feel for Glasgow’s whisky roots, then we got to walk through the actual distillery floor. You get to see the copper stills up close and even smell the mash bubbling away!
At the end, we had a guided tasting of three single malts, all from different regions of Scotland. It was certainly a relaxing experience, especially because the tasting room overlooks the Clyde, so you’re sipping whisky with a view. Not bad at all.
Pro tip: If you’re after a more personal experience, Clydeside Distillery offers private tours that can be tailored to your group. It’s ideal for groups from 2 to 50 people, and you can add extras like lunch packages or personalised gifts.
Visit this website to learn more.
Glengoyne Distillery
Photo credit: macsadventure
Website: https://www.glengoyne.com/
Address: Dumgoyne, Killearn
Contact details: +44 1360 550254
Operating hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (MON-SUN)
Price:
- Glengoyne Tour and Tasting – £22 per person
- Malt Master Experience – £110 per person
- Storytelling Experience – £65 per person
- Spirit of Glengoyne Tour – £225 per person
- Collection Tour and Tasting – £38 per person
My pals had a great time checking out Clydeside Distillery, so the only logical step is to take them to another distillery in Glasgow! This time we went to Glengoyne Distillery, which is tucked right at the foot of Dumgoyne Hill.
We booked the standard Distillery Tour. You start with a dram of their 12-year-old whisky, then get walked through the whole process from barley to barrel. The guide was brilliant, full of stories and proper knowledge without being too technical.
After the tour, there’s a tutored tasting of some of the whiskies from their collection. They even pair it with chocolate from Iain Burnett, the Highland Chocolatier. That combo was a revelation! It was really fun to experience whisky in a whole new way.
Pro tip: Glengoyne Distillery offers Distillery Experience Gift Vouchers if you want to treat someone to a proper day out. Vouchers are valid for a full year and can be sent as a printed gift or an instant e-ticket, which makes them good for either last-minute surprises or thoughtful planning. You can get them here.
Auchentoshan Distillery
Photo credit: auchentoshan
Website: https://www.auchentoshan.com/
Address: Great Western Rd, Clydebank
Contact details: +44 1389 801811
Operating hours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (TUES-SUN)
Price:
- Auchentoshan Origin Tour – £20 per person
- Auchentoshan Essence Tour – £45 per person
- Auchentoshan Ultimate Tour – £75 per person
- Cask Exploration Tour – £45 per person
If you follow the River Clyde far enough, you’ll come across Auchentoshan Distillery sitting on the western edge of Glasgow. It’s been around since 1823 and has a strong industrial character that gives it a real sense of place.
One big reason why I think they’re worth a visit is the way they distil their whisky. Unlike most Scottish distilleries that use double distillation, Auchentoshan goes for triple distillation. That extra step creates a spirit that’s lighter and smoother.
But if you’re more interested in the story behind the spirit, they also offer a dedicated history tour. It’s a great way to dive deeper into the roots of Scottish whisky and see how Auchentoshan fits into the bigger picture.
Pro tip: Before heading to Auchentoshan Distillery, it’s a good idea to book your taxi ahead of time using a ride-sharing app like Uber. Local taxis can be hard to come by, especially during busy hours, so arranging your transport both to and from the distillery will help your visit go smoothly.
Jackton Distillery
Photo credit: raerwhisky
Website: https://raer.co.uk/
Address: Hayhill Rd, Jackton, Distillery
Contact details: +44 1355 202590
Operating hours:
- 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (MON)
- 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (TUES-SAT)
Price:
- Adults (18+) – £35.70
- Children (12-17) – £11
Jackton Distillery, home to RAER spirits, is a good spot to explore Scotland’s distillation techniques. It sits quietly in the Lowlands just outside East Kilbride, offering a setting that blends old-world charm with modern equipment.
The distillery is built on a family farm where many of the original structures are still standing. These days, the space is filled with brew kits, fermentation vessels, and a working stillroom that brings the whole process to life.
If you’re totally new to Scottish spirits, this is a brilliant place to start. The guides walk you through each step of the journey, from malting and mashing to fermentation and distillation, making it easy to understand and enjoy.
Pro tip: If you’re planning a visit to Jackton Distillery, consider booking one of their on-site accommodations for a more immersive experience. Staying overnight means you won’t have to rush through the tour, and you’ll get to enjoy a dram or two without worrying about the drive home.
John Dewar & Sons
Photo credit: dewars
Website: https://www.dewars.com/
Address: 1700 London Rd
Contact details: +44 141 488 7600
Price:
- Dewar’s Aberfeldy Experience – £19.00 per person
- Whisky Explorer Experience – £60.00 per person
John Dewar & Sons is another distillery where you can enjoy a proper history lesson alongside your tour. Their Aberfeldy distillery has been producing whisky since 1898 and is the birthplace of many of their award-winning expressions.
Their Aberfeldy tour begins with a film that shares the story of the company, from its early days to its global success. After that, you’re taken through the production areas where you’ll see the mash tun, the washbacks, and the copper stills all working away.
I joined one of their tours not long ago, and the warehouse was easily my favourite part. Standing among the casks and breathing in that rich, sweet scent of ageing whisky was something I won’t forget.
Pro tip: If you’re joining the Dewar’s Aberfeldy Experience, consider adding the £10 upgrade to your tour. It includes a tasting of an Exceptional Cask whisky that’s usually reserved for special pours, plus a Glencairn glass to take home.
Deanston Distillery
Photo credit: deanstonmalt
Website: https://deanstonmalt.com/
Address: Teith Rd, Deanston, Doune
Contact details: +44 1786 843010
Operating hours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (MON-SUN)
Price:
- Adult (18+) – £25
- Child (8-17) – £6
If you’re up for a bit of a journey, Deanston Distillery is well worth the visit. Sitting right on the banks of the River Teith, the building was originally a cotton mill from the late 1700s and still carries a strong sense of history and character.
The standard distillery tour blends storytelling with a behind-the-scenes look at whisky production. It begins with an introduction to the site’s past, explaining how the old mill was transformed and how Deanston became known for its waxy single malt.
From there, you’re taken through the key production areas, including the mash house, copper stills, and fermentation vessels. One of the best parts is how they use the river to power the distillery. It’s a clever setup that prioritises sustainability.
Pro tip: After your tour, make sure to stop by Deanston Distillery’s gift shop. They’ve got some cool souvenirs for you to take home, like glassware, branded clothing, and their iconic Deanston Single Malt Scotch Whisky.
If you miss the chance to browse in person or prefer to plan ahead, their online shop has plenty of options available for delivery.
Glenturret Distillery
Photo credit: theglenturretwhisky
Website: https://theglenturret.com/
Address: The Hosh, Crieff
Contact details: +44 1764 656565
Operating hours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (MON-SUN)
Price:
- The Glenturret Distillery Tour – £20 per person
- Warehouse No. 9 Tour & Tasting Experience – £100 per person
Just like many of the other distilleries I’ve mentioned, Glenturret Distillery is steeped in history. Nestled in Crieff, it proudly holds the title of Scotland’s oldest working distillery, with origins dating back to 1775.
Their tours offer a clear glimpse into how centuries of craftsmanship shape their whisky-making process. The standard tour runs for about an hour and takes you through each step of their traditional approach.
You’ll get to see their historic copper stills and mash tun, both still in use and working well today. The experience wraps up with a tasting session that includes two drams from their annual core whisky range, giving you a good feel for their signature style.
Pro tip: If you’re after a deeper dive into Glenturret’s whisky world, the Warehouse No. 9 Tour is the one to book. It’s a two-hour experience that takes you inside one of their active maturation warehouses, where you’ll get to learn more about how cask types, warehouse conditions, and ageing techniques can affect a whisky’s quality.
Tullibardine Distillery
Photo credit: tullibardinewhisky
Website: https://www.tullibardine.com/
Address: Stirling Street, Tullibardine Distillery, Blackford, Auchterarder
Contact details: +44 1764 661809
Operating hours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (MON-SUN)
Price:
- Classic Tour – £12 per person
- Bonded Tour – £35 per person
A distillery I found that has a cool history behind it is Tullibardine Distillery. Located in Blackford, the location was originally home to a brewery dating back to 1488, and legend has it that King James IV stopped there for a beer before his coronation.
The distillery itself began producing Highland single malt in the late 1940s. One of the most interesting features is the water they use, which comes from the nearby Ochil Hills. It’s known for being exceptionally pure and rich in minerals.
If that sounds intriguing, their distillery tours are a good way to dive deeper into the story. They usually finish the tours with a tasting session where you can sample two of their single malts, making it a well-rounded experience for any whisky fan.
Pro tip: If you’re hoping to see the full production process at Tullibardine, it’s best to avoid booking between the 19th of December and the 6th of January. During that period, the distillery presses pause on operations, so you won’t catch the mash bubbling or the stills running.
The Glasgow Distillery Co.
Photo credit: glasgowdistillery
Website: https://www.glasgowdistillery.com/
Address: 8 Deanside Rd
Contact details: +44 141 404 7191
Operating hours: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (MON-FRI)
Price: £45 per person
After visiting two distilleries with my pals, I figured a third would finally satisfy whatever curiosities they had left about Scottish whisky-making. This time we headed to The Glasgow Distillery Co., which closed down in 1902 but was reopened in 2014.
Their tour starts in their tasting room, where you’ll learn more about their history and their range of products. From there, we were taken through the production areas, including their on-site lab, where new spirits are developed.
One part of the tour that stuck with us was meeting their on-site cooper. Watching a live coopering demonstration was something I hadn’t seen before, and it gave me a real appreciation for the role casks play in shaping flavour.
Pro tip: After your tour at The Glasgow Distillery Co., sign up for their free Community membership. You’ll get early access to new releases, exclusive bottles and merch, plus loyalty points every time you buy.
If something from the tasting room caught your eye, this is the easiest way to stay in the loop and make your next bottle count.