Gin and distillery drama, in one hour. At Summerhall, Pickering’s Gin turns a compact Edinburgh gin tour into a hands-on story about how their spirits are made—complete with the stills Gertrude and Emily working while you’re there.

I especially liked the start: you get a properly poured gin and tonic at the Royal Dick Bar before you even step into production. Then the tasting lands at the right moment, with four award-winning samples and guided help on what to notice—so it feels fun, not like a homework assignment.

One consideration: the tour requires you to stand, and it’s strictly adults only (+18). Also, food isn’t allowed inside, so plan to eat before you go.

Key things to know before you go

• You start at the Royal Dick Bar inside Summerhall, so you’re not hunting in the dark
• You’ll see the stills Gertrude and Emily in steaming action while distillers are working
• Four gin samples plus a gin and tonic are included, so this is more than a quick walk-through
• Edinburgh’s first gin-exclusive distillery in 150 years is part of the story you’ll hear
• Expect to stand for the experience, even though much of it is indoors

Gin and distillery drama at Summerhall: what you’re really buying

This tour is short on paper—1 hour—but it’s packed in a smart way. For about $33 per person, you’re paying for three things: access to the distillery experience, guided explanation of the process, and actual tasting time (not just a sip of something and a photo).

The value is in the mix. You don’t just get one drink—you begin with a gin and tonic, then later move into a tasting of four award-winning gins. That means you can compare styles and aromatics in a single sitting, which is the whole point if you’re serious about gin or even just curious.

I also like that the tour is adult-only (+18) and alcohol-focused. It keeps the mood on-brand: you’re there to learn how gin is made and to taste it properly, not to babysit a group with mixed expectations.

Guides rotate, and names you may run into include Max, Jamie, Alyssa, Emma, and Sofie. They all seem to share the same energy: clear explanations, room for questions, and a sense of humor that keeps the group engaged without turning it into a stand-up set.

Where you meet and how the tour begins at the Royal Dick Bar

Your first step is easy to miss if you don’t look for it. Meet your guide at the Royal Dick Bar in Summerhall, immediately to the left after reception. That first location matters because it sets the rhythm of the tour: you’re already in a drink-friendly space before anyone starts talking distillation.

You’ll be welcomed and poured a perfectly poured gin and tonic. This isn’t just a prop; it gets your senses going. Cold gin on the palate helps you notice the base notes and botanical character when you later sample different gins.

Then the guide shifts from drinks to story. You’ll hear about gin inventions that were born here and the success story behind the distillery. Even if you don’t know much about gin going in, this part helps you understand why the tasting matters—because it’s tied to specific choices the company makes in production.

This early segment also helps if you’re the type who likes structure. You don’t wonder what comes next. You’re in motion right away, with your first drink acting like a warm-up lap.

The Old Workshop story: inventions, the brand, and how gin gets made meaningful

After the first pour, you move into the tour’s storytelling stretch. You’ll head to the Old Workshop area for the history and context, including the ideas and inventions linked to the distillery.

What I like about this phase is that it gives gin a sense of purpose. Gin can feel like a blur of labels at a shop. Here, you learn the logic behind the brand—how their approach connects to the process you’re going to see later.

You’ll also learn about the distillery’s status in Edinburgh: it’s described as the first gin-exclusive distillery in Edinburgh in 150 years. That’s not just trivia. It tells you why the company is trying to do something more focused than a general spirits operation, and it frames the tour as a return of a craft niche to the city.

If you’re visiting around the holidays, you might get an extra layer of atmosphere since Summerhall has things going on around the site. The tour itself stays indoors for the most part, so weather tends to be less of a stress factor than it is for outdoor tours.

Inside the distillery: seeing Gertrude and Emily in steaming action

This is the part you’ll remember. You head from the workshop story into the working distillery area, where you get a meet-and-greet with the distillers at work.

Then the guide may show you Gertrude and Emily, the two stills referenced as being in steaming action. Seeing stills working changes gin from a label on a shelf into a real process with moving parts, heat, and timing. Even if you’re not a chemistry person, it helps you connect what you taste later to what’s happening in the equipment.

You’ll also get an explanation of the unique distillation process of Pickering’s gin. The key is that this tour isn’t only about the romantic side of craft. It explains the practical side: how distillation supports the flavor you’ll later detect in your samples.

This is also a good moment to ask questions. The group is typically small enough that you can actually get answers, not just nod politely while someone reads facts at full volume.

Practical note: the tour requires standing, and distillery areas aren’t always built for long sitting breaks. Wear shoes you can stand in comfortably. If you’re short on time, this is still manageable because the tour duration is just one hour.

Four award-winning gins: how the tasting is set up to help you choose a favorite

The tasting happens after the distillery portion, in the next room. Here you’ll be walked through sampling four award-winning gin samples and you’ll get a chance to share what you like with the group.

I like this structure because it keeps your brain engaged. You don’t just taste and move on. You taste with guidance, then pause long enough to compare. That makes the experience useful even if you’re not a gin expert yet.

One helpful angle from people who’ve done the tour before: you may get different mixers offered during the tasting, which makes the session feel more like a tasting flight than a single-note comparison. If you usually drink gin with tonic, this is where you can learn whether a particular gin holds up on its own or gets better with a specific style of mixer.

You’ll also probably hear a little about why different gins taste different—botanical choices, how those botanicals express in the glass, and how the distillation approach affects the final character. The guide’s job here is to make the tasting feel doable, not intimidating.

When it works well, you leave with a short list. Not a vague feeling of liking gin, but a clearer idea of which style fits your taste.

The take-home 5cl miniature bottle: what to expect when you leave

At the end, you head home with a complimentary 5cl miniature London-Dry Gin. That size is perfect for sharing or for keeping as a souvenir without taking over your luggage.

One small detail to know: some tour information you might see in advance mentions sealing the mini bottle with wax. But at least one visitor found the miniature bottle was already sealed in plastic, so don’t count on an elaborate sealing step as the core souvenir moment. Either way, you get the bottle.

I also like that the bottle is London Dry. If you end up enjoying the tour, you can use the mini bottle as your first “try at home” experiment. And if you don’t love it, you’ve only lost 5cl, not an entire full-size purchase.

It’s a neat close: you go from learning distillation mechanics to taking something tangible with you—something you can actually serve later and talk about.

Who this tour is for (and who should skip it)

This tour is built for adults. It’s for +18 only, and alcohol service is part of the format. You should assume you’ll need to be comfortable with tasting and standing.

You should also be prepared for the distillery to enforce safety rules. The guide may refuse entry with no refund if they believe you’re under the influence, and they’re not able to serve or allow people under the influence into the distillery.

That rule is there for good reasons. A distillery is a working space, and the tasting portion works best when everyone is alert enough to notice flavors.

Who it suits best:

• Gin lovers who want a focused Edinburgh experience without committing to a half-day
• People who like small-group interactions and asking questions
• Anyone who wants a practical way to learn what makes different gins taste different

Who might not love it:

• If you need long sitting breaks, because the tour requires standing
• If you’re traveling with kids (not allowed under 18)
• If you’re hoping for food during the experience (food isn’t allowed)

Booking tips and practicalities that actually matter

This is a live guided tour in English, and it’s described as wheelchair accessible. Still, remember the standing requirement. If mobility is a concern, plan around the standing time and ask the operator what works best on the day.

The tour also runs under any weather condition, but most of it is indoors. That means you’re less at the mercy of Edinburgh’s sky and more dependent on your own schedule.

If you’re going with a larger party, there’s a limit on how public tours are handled: if your group exceeds 8 guests, you’ll need to arrange a private tour. There can also be situations where entry is refused if bookings are made as separate public groups and you exceed the threshold, with no refund—so it’s worth checking this before you pay.

Cancellation is relatively flexible, and if your plans are still moving around, it can be smart to book early and adjust later if you need to.

Should you book the Pickering’s Gin Jolly Tour?

Yes, if you want an Edinburgh gin stop that’s short, guided, and actually drink-focused in a structured way. The biggest reasons to book are the included gin and tonic, the chance to taste four award-winning gins, and the real-world distillery moment with the stills Gertrude and Emily working.

Skip it if you dislike standing for tours or you’re not comfortable with an adult-only, alcohol-centric format. Also skip if you came hoping for a food-heavy experience—food isn’t part of it.

If you’re on the fence, I’d use this simple test: do you enjoy comparing flavors, even a little? If yes, this one hour can give you something you’ll remember longer than most “see the building” tours, plus a mini bottle to keep the conversation going after you leave Summerhall.

FAQ

How long is the Pickering’s Gin Jolly Tour?

The tour duration is 1 hour.

Where exactly do I meet the guide?

Meet your guide at the Royal Dick Bar, located within Summerhall. It’s immediately to the left after reception.

What’s included in the ticket price?

Your ticket includes Pickering’s Distillery entry, a tour of the distillery, 1 gin and tonic, 4 samples of gin, and a 5cl miniature bottle of gin.

Is this tour for adults only?

Yes. The tour is for +18 only, and it does not serve or allow people under the influence of alcohol into the distillery.

Is food allowed on the tour?

Food is not allowed.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, it’s described as wheelchair accessible, but the tour requires you to stand.