If you want to visit a Glasgow whisky distillery but unsure where to go, you must read our Best Distillery Tours Near Glasgow Guide. We've done the research and have come up with the optimal strategies for visiting Glasgow Distilleries, whether you plan to drive yourself, catch public transport, or join an organised tour. For the best distillery tours near Glasgow read on!
General Information
COVID-19 has caused significant changes to many distilleries' operation and tour schedules and nearly all now require advanced bookings, even for tastings. We endeavour to ensure the information on this website is accurate; however, due to the unpredictable nature of COVID outbreaks, information may change at short notice. Please check the distillery's website before you go as (see links in the distillery profiles below).
Even in 'normal' times, we recommend that you book in advance to avoid disappointment or avoid long wait times. The booking links and phone numbers for each distillery are below. While you can sometimes drop in, distilleries are becoming increasingly popular as a tourist destination, and tours often sell out days in advance.
Please check the distillery's website for opening hours and tour times as they change throughout the year. The times listed below were accurate at the time of writing.
Dogs, Children and Distillery Tours
Dogs are generally not allowed in the production areas of distilleries, so don’t plan to bring your dog on a distillery tour (other than guide dogs or special assistance dogs).
Each distillery has a different policy on the age or number of children that can be taken on a distillery tour or be present during a tasting; please check the distillery's website or call ahead to confirm whether your child/children can join you. A quick summary for distilleries near Glasgow:
Accessibility / Wheelchair Access
Only a few distilleries near Glasgow are wheelchair accessible/suitable for those with mobility impairments as they are generally older distilleries with narrow walk ways and stairs. There are more Wheelchair Accessible distilleries near Edinburgh, as there are more newer distilleries in that area (see our Best Distillery Tours Near Edinburgh Guide).
Contact the distillery directly if you have any questions. Also have a look at Euan's Guide - a purpose built website that makes it easier for disabled people to find great places to go.
But I Don’t Want To (Or Can’t) Drive!
The following distilleries are within roughly 90 minutes of Glasgow on public transport. Some light walking may be required. Click on the link for each distillery to open in google maps – from google maps you can utilise the public transport directions feature from your exact location.
There are other distilleries accessible by public transport (Glenkinchie Distillery for instance) but the time to reach them by public transport is over 2 hours each way. Click on the map below to open in Google Maps – from google maps you can utilise the public transport directions feature from your exact location. Alternately you can import the whole map into Google My Maps (for information on how to do that, see our Scotland Distillery Map.
Organised Tours
If it all seems too hard, Rabbie’s Tours offer a number of organised group tours to various distilleries in Scotland.
Your route north from Glasgow to Stirling is one which has been used for thousands of years by invading armies. It was the northernmost frontier of the Roman empire, and was later used by the English King Edward I, as he marched proudly towards Stirling. Take in the stunning views from Stirling Castle before heading off to the Trossachs National Park with its shimmering lochs, rugged mountain tops and forest-filled glens for lunch. After lunch you ‘take the high road’ or back-road to Loch Lomond; at over 22 miles long, and five miles wide at its widest point, it is Scotland’s largest loch. Then it is on to Glengoyne Distillery for an optional tour and tasting.
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Explore Loch Lomond, a body of water that’s attracted poets, warriors, and travellers for hundreds of years (optional 1-hour cruise), and visit the pretty conservation village of Luss for lunch. On the return trip to Glasgow the tour stops in at the Clydeside Distillery for a tour and tasting.
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Visit the 18th-century Culzean Castle and enjoy its dramatic clifftop setting, then continue to Ardrossan where you catch the ferry to the Isle of Arran. Explore the mountainous north of the island, some of Arran’s best beaches, Lochranza Castle, and Lagg Distillery. Visit Machrie Moor and its six stone circles, and Brodick Castle and the Arran Brewery.
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We’re Driving – Road Trip!
Oh, the freedom of the open road! You have your pick of distillery tours near Glasgow and quite a few options for how to get there. These maps are designed to be interactive – click on the square frame icon top right of the map to open it in a new browser (‘view larger map’). Modifying the routes is easiest on your computer, not your mobile phone, however, if you’ve only got a mobile device, you can import the destination pins into Google Maps and use the directions features to get the best routes. Click here for more information on how to use the maps on this page.
I’ve chosen the following route from Glasgow as all of the distilleries are open seven days with regular tours. I highly recommend you pre-book your visit times at least a day or two in advance. Tours often book out, especially on weekends and during peak holiday times, and you don’t want to drive all that way and miss out. Most distilleries have online booking options.
There are only so many distillery tours you can do in a day. I recommend you pick your favourite TWO.
By all means, drop by other distilleries, have a look, do a tasting or grab yourself a bottle to take home, but if you’re trying to do more than two distillery tours, you’re going to be pushing for time. The routes below are 3 hours and 4 hours of driving excluding all other activities. If you allow two tours, you’re already at 5-6 hours for today minimum. Most distilleries run tours between 10 am and 4 pm (last tour at 4 pm), but this varies depending on the time of year (most close earlier Nov – Mar). Remember to consider this when you’re picking your destinations, and prepare for a long day.
If you like long lunches, you’ll probably need to skip a tour. You don’t need to do a tour to visit the distilleries and do a tasting though.
If you want to see where the magic happens, however, (stills, mash tuns, warehouses), then a tour will be required.
Hot Tip For the Designated Driver: most distilleries will permit you to ‘take away’ your tasting dram.
Many distilleries provide glass bottle miniatures for this purpose (Clydeside, Glenturret) and some will provide little plastic containers. Always ask and see if you can do ‘take away’ or ‘take home’ samples. In case they don’t have any suitable ‘take away’ vessels, stop by a pharmacy/chemist shop and see if you can buy a ‘sample’ container. Yes, it’s a urine/specimen sample container! Don’t worry as they’ll be sterile and the screw top lids are perfect for keeping whisky safe because they don’t leak.
Another option is to buy some glass screw top containers before you go - the glass wont react with the alcohol, although, being glass, it is more susceptible to being broken if dropped or knocked.
Glasgow Distillery Tour Map
Click on the map below to open in Google Maps
Map Key
Map pins shown in black are distilleries not open to the public. They’re on the map as you might want to take a photo if you’re going past. Keep in mind though that some are simply massive industrial ‘whisky factories’ and might not be worth the trip. A quick google image search should give you a good indication of what to expect. Yellow pins are distilleries currently under construction.
Visits to distilleries with map pins shown in orange are by appointment only.
Distilleries with green pins are open to the public, and you can generally visit without an appointment, however, as distillery tours are very popular, and tours are limited, it pays to book your tour at least a day or two in advance.
Also see our Scotland Distillery Map for more information on using Google MyMaps.
Distillery Profiles
A81, Glasgow G63 9LB. Telephone +44 (0)1360 550 254
Glengoyne Distillery was established in 1883 and has been operating ever since (uncommon for a distillery in Scotland as most have closed at least once since they opened).
The distillery is in the Highlands while its warehouses, directly across the road, are considered the Lowlands (which just shows how silly the regional classifications can be when pondering whisky 'styles').
Why is it one of the best distillery tours near Glasgow? Glengoyne is at the foot of Dumgoyne Hill – they’re a lovely distillery in a stunning location and only a half hour drive from Glasgow.
They have three stills (one wash and two spirit stills, which is relatively unusual, as most distilleries have a ‘pair’ of wash and spirit stills – Springbank and Talisker also have uneven numbers though).
Glengoyne whisky is always unpeated, though they have at times experimented with maturation in casks that previously contained peated spirit.
The Glengoyne Distillery Shop is open 7 days from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm.
Group discounts are available. For groups of 10 or more bookings are essential.
Bookings are highly recommended for all visits as Glengoyne receives over 50,000 visitors a year.
Children are welcome at Glengoyne Distillery and can accompany an adult on the tours. The tour price is £5.00 for 2-17 year olds, and free for 0-2 year olds.
Book online or call +44 (0)1360 550 254. Senior citizen discounts are available.
Glengoyne Tour and Tasting
£18.00 per person, tour the Glengoyne Distillery and taste 2 whiskies, 75 minutes duration
An unhurried journey through the distillery to view the mashtun and washbacks, then on to the swan-necks of Glengoyne's copper pot stills. Venture into the No.1 Warehouse and learn about casks and spirit maturation process. Taste 2 whiskies from the Glengoyne Collection, including the award-winning Glengoyne 18 Year Old Highland Single Malt
Malt Master Experience
£75 per person and lasts 90 minutes
The Malt Master Experience includes an in-depth tour of the distillery followed by a rare opportunity to create your own single malt in the Sample Room. The Malt Master plays a crucial role in making Glengoyne, balancing the flavours from different casks; during this experience, you take on that role using a selection of cask strength whiskies hand-selected from the Glengoyne warehouse. Like a chef, you’ll taste and tinker to create a personalised cask strength, un-chillfiltered Glengoyne Highland Single Malt, which is yours to take home in a 200ml Glengoyne bottle.
A82 Clydebank G81 4SJ. Look for the brown directional signs. Telephone +44 (0) 1389 878 561
Presently the only distillery in Scotland to triple-distil everything. Auchentoshan was set up to serve the Irish immigrants living in Glasgow in 1823, which is why it is more of an Irish style whisky than a Scottish one.(Ref) In 1941 a warehouse was hit by a bomb during the Clyde Blitz, which sent a stream of flaming whisky into the Clyde river. The distillery pond is made from one of the bomb craters.(Ref)
Children are welcome on Auchentoshan tours as long as they are accompanied by an adult. Entrance if free for persons under the age of 18 years.
Booking and enquires online or phone +44 (0) 1389 878 561
For information on disability access, read the Auchentoshan profile on Euan's Guide.
Auchentoshan Origin Tour
£18.00 per person and lasts 60 minutes
Guided tour of Auchentoshan Distillery followed by a tasting of one Auchentoshan whisky. Book your Auchentoshan Origin Tour online. Maximum 20 persons per tour.
Auchentoshan Essence Tour
£45.00 per person and lasts 90 minutes
Guided tour of Auchentoshan Distillery followed by a tasting of four Auchentoshan whiskies. Book your Auchentoshan Essence Tour online. Maximum 15 persons per tour.
Clydeside Distillery laid their first casks down in December 2019; Clydeside whisky should be available from 2021.
Clydeside Distillery is wheelchair accessible with accessible toilets on the ground and first levels and lifts between each level available. They also offer carer admissions free of charge with an adult/concession ticket - get in touch with Clydeside Distillery to book this with your standard entry. They have a comprehensive Accessibility Guide (pdf) available from their website.
Children are welcome in the distillery and on tours as long as an adult accompanies them at all times. Ticket prices for children aged 8 to 17 years is £5, and infants (0-7 years) are free.
Clydeside Tour
£15 per person and lasts 60 minutes.
This 3-part tour includes a "Discover the Dockside Story" self guided educational experience, a professionally guided distillery tour and three tastings at the end of the distillery tour including Clydeside's own new-make spirit.
Chocolate and Whisky Tour
£30 per person and lasts 90 minutes.
This tour includes the self guided "Discover the Dockside Story", a professionally guided tour of the distillery, and a tasting of five single malt whiskies paired with artisan chocolates, while overlooking some stunning views of the River Clyde.
Deanston Distillery began life as a cotton mill in 1785. The Mill's success led to an increased need for labour and housing, and in 1808 the owners built accommodation for 300 workers, creating a self-contained village that still forms the centre of modern-day Deanston.
By the mid-1960s, the UK cotton industry's value had declined severely, and the Mill closed in 1965. However, in 1974 the doors were re-opened, with the building converted into what is now the Deanston Distillery. The River Teith had previously been utilised to power the Spinning Mill and Weaving Shed machinery; the original lade now directs the water to the distillery for use in production and powering the turbines.
There is a cafe on site – The Coffee Bothy is currently open from 10:00 - 16:00 Wednesday to Sunday (closed Monday Tuesday). The Visitor Centre has accessible parking, with ramped access to the visitor centre which is level throughout and has an adapted toilet; however, the production areas of the distillery are not accessible.
Why is it one of the best distillery tours near Edinburgh? They have an open-topped mash tun!!
Children 12 years old or under are not permitted to join the distillery tour and/or warehouse experiences.
Tasting and Tour tickets includes a £5 voucher redeemable on a 70cl purchase of whisky in the Deanston Distillery shop. Tastings and tours should be booked in advance.
Deanston Distillery Production Tour
The Deanston Tour is at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm and costs £25 per person (£6 for children aged 5-17 years), is approximately 45 minutes duration and includes three (3) tastings (3x 15ml) - the Deanston 12 year old and two other Deanston whiskies. Chilren must be aged over 5 years old to go on this tour.
Online advanced bookings are highly recommended due to the limited number of persons permitted per tour.
Deanston Family Tasting
A tasting of Deanston 12 year old, Deanston Virgin Oak and Deanston 18 year old. £20.00 per person, approx 45 mins. Online advanced bookings are highly recommended.
Deanston Highlands & Islands Tasting
Sample the Deanston core range and explore whiskies from sister distilleries Bunnahabhain and Tobermory. This tasting includes Deanston 12yo, Bunnahabhain 12yo, Tobermory 12yo and Ledaig 10yo. £25.00 per person, approx 45 mins. Online advanced bookings are highly recommended.
Warehouse 4 Tasting
Aan exclusive whisky tasting of Deanston Distillery exclusives that have been extracted directly from the cask in Warehouse 4. Includes three (3) cask-strength drams and the opportunity to purchase a bottle from your favourite casks in the distillery shop. £35.00 per person, approx 45 mins. Online advanced bookings are highly recommended. Adults only (18 years and older).
The Hosh, Crieff PH7 4HA. Telephone +44 (0) 1764 65 65 65
Glenturret Distillery is likely the oldest distillery still operating in Scotland. Rental documents from 1763 refer to Thurot Distillery, the earliest known name for Glenturret [ref]. Glenturret has been known by several names over the years, including The Hosh Distillery (1814 to 1873). It was promoted as 'The Famous Grouse Experience' until the distillery changed ownership in 2019. It is now back to being simply Glenturret Distillery.
Why is it one of the best distillery tours near Glasgow? You will get to see one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland, and they have Tullibardine’s old open-topped HAND STIRRED mash tun. I’d stop by just to see that, but then, I do love my open-topped mash tuns.
Children are allowed to accompany their parents on distillery tours, with the condition (per Glenturret's FAQ section) that "if children are disruptive on tour, we will kindly ask that they and their family step out of the experience. We additionally cannot allow prams and pushchairs through the production areas, however, we can look after these in our reception area for you to collect after your tour. The shop and restaurant areas of the distillery are all accessible for prams and pushchairs." Tours are free for children under the age of 8 years.
There is an on-site restaurant/cafe: the Glenturret Restaurant is open Wednesday to Sunday (closed Monday Tuesday) for Whisky Flights, Bar Lunch, Afternoon Tea and Dinner however reservations must be made in advance.
Glenturret Distillery is open seven days. Summer Season Opening Hours are Monday – Sunday 10am until 6pm (Last Tour 90 minutes before closing) and Winter Season Opening Hours are Monday – Sunday 10am until 5pm (Last Tour 90 minutes before closing). Tours should be booked online no less than 24 hours in advance.
For online bookings click here or email enquiries@theglenturret.com or telephone +44 (0) 1764 65 65 65. For information on disability access, read Glenturret Distillery's profile on Euan's Guide.
Glenturret Distillery Tour and Tasting Experience
£15.00 per person, duration 45 minutes. Includes a guided tour of the distillery and one tasting of Glenturret Whisky.
Book your Glenturret Distillery Tour and Tasting Experience Online
The Tullibardine site has been a brewery since the 1400s and acquired a Royal Charter in 1503 to provision King James IV with beer (the same chap who was getting Lindores Abbey to distil Aqua Vitae). The distillery was established much more recently, in 1949 by famous distillery designer William Delme-Evans. Tullibardine was the first distillery built in Scotland since 1900.
Tullibardine underwent a refit in the late 1950s, and Glenturret purchased their original 1949 mash tun and washbacks. (1) Tullibardine is a modern distillery in a convenient location for tourist groups, and as such, they often book out, so make sure you book your tour well in advance. Tour numbers are currently limited to 8-10 people.
Open seven days from 10 am to 5 pm; book your tour at least two days in advance by emailing shop.admin@tullibardine.com or phone +44 (0) 1764 661 809
Classic Tour
£12 per person and lasts 45 minutes.
Guided tour of the Tullibardine distillery and two tastings of Tullibardine Whisky. Online bookings not available.
Email shop.admin@tullibardine.com or phone +44 (0) 1764 661 809 to book.
Bonded Tour
£35 per person and lasts 90 minutes.
A detailed walk through the Tullibardine Distillery process, with an additional visit to the bonded warehouse where you will have the opportunity to nose selected casks. At the dramming bar you will have a tasting of three single malts including Tullibardine 20 Year Old. You will also get to take home a Tullibardine gift bag. Online bookings not available.
Email shop.admin@tullibardine.com or phone +44 (0) 1764 661 809 to book.
Accommodation In Glasgow
Glasgow has an abundance of accommodation options, however, we recommend the following due to their close proximity to whisky:
Premier Inn Hotel Glasgow City Centre (Buchanan Galleries) is what its name suggests, smack dab in the middle of Glasgow. So if you want to get amongst the great nightlife, shopping, theatres and cinemas, you'll be right at the heart of the action. It is also right around the corner from the SMWS 40 Bath St, Glasgow (open to non members) and the Pot Still Pub 154 Hope St. This is a no-frills but comfortable hotel right in the city centre.
Centrally located, the Hilton Glasgow Hotel is set in the heart of the city with excellent transport links and just a short walk from Glasgow Central Station and easy access to the Scottish Exhibition & Conference Centre. Just 15 minutes from Glasgow International Airport and a a few minutes walk from the city's shopping district; this landmark hotel is perfect leisure & business. One of Glasgow’s most stylish hotels, Hilton Glasgow offers 319 contemporary bedrooms providing every comfort, designed to make your stay as relaxed as possible. And it is right around the corner from the Bon Accord Pub!
citizenM Glasgow is a tech-savvy lifestyle hotel in the historic city centre, a 10-minute walk from Glasgow Central Station, the SMWS 40 Bath St, Glasgow (open to non members) and the Pot Still Pub 154 Hope St. CitizenM is best described as 'quirky' - it is a very modern hotel, with fantastic shared/communal areas. The rooms are neat and tidy, though slightly cramped. Roddy and I have stayed here and would definitely recommend for couples or singles wanting to base themselves in central Glasgow.
Other Activities In Glasgow
There are plenty of whisky and non-whisky attractions to visit in Glasgow
