‘Aqua Vitae & the Church’ We will begin our tour at St Giles’ Cathedral, at the top of the Royal Mile, to anchor whisky’s medieval origins and its early association with monks. As we stroll down the Royal Mile, why not stop over at the Royal Mile Whiskies for a glance of the many whiskies on offer.

‘Whisky as Medicine’ We will then walk down past the High Street toward Surgeons’ Hall, as we discuss whisky’s role as the “water of life” dispensed by medics.

Doctors - Historic Pub Going through Cowgate, we will have the opportunity to skip by the Doctors pub for a dram. This pub founded in 1874 is a historic landmark with links to Edinburgh University and the old Royal Infirmary, and has a great selection of whiskies on offer.

Expansion & Industry — Union, Taxes & Prosperity We will head north across North Bridge into the Georgian New Town, as we discuss England’s influence on whisky regulation, taxation, and commercial opportunity. We will stop over at the Cafe Royal, considered the oldest dedicated whisky pub in this district.

The Age of Blending: Grocers & Innovation We will then walk toward Calton Hill, which spans stunning views of Edinburgh. We will discuss how grocers like Valvona & Crolla pioneered blending and helped whisky reach mass appeal. From the Calton Hill viewpoint, we will note the industry highs and lows.

Future of Whisky We will finish off our tour with an optional stop at Panda & Sons for a modern whisky cocktail experience. This will be a good opportunity to discuss innovation, mixology, and whisky’s current renaissance. From here, we can either walk you back to your hotel, or leave you to enjoy the rest of the day as you sample the many whisky cocktails on offer.