Holyrood Distillery - Innovation in the Heart of Edinburgh

Holyrood Distillery is a special distillery in a truly special location. Situated in the heart of Edinburgh’s historic Southside, within a revitalized former rail yard building, Holyrood is the first distillery to operate in Scotland’s capital in over 100 years.

Just a short walk from the Royal Mile, visitors can easily explore nearby landmarks like Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace before arriving at the distillery, which sits directly beneath Arthur’s Seat. Inside, a well-appointed bar offers neat pours, tasting flights, and expertly crafted cocktails, arguably one of the best vantage points in the city to take in the extinct volcano towering above. After a visit, it’s easy to understand their motto: “Made by Edinburgh.”

Opened in 2019, Holyrood was founded by Rob and Kelly Carpenter alongside Scotch whisky veteran David Robertson. Their vision was clear: to build a distillery that reflects the energy, creativity, and diversity of modern Edinburgh. That vision is brought to life daily under Distillery Manager Callum Rae, where experimentation isn’t just encouraged it’s fundamental.

Holyrood draws inspiration from Edinburgh’s rich brewing heritage, pushing boundaries through the use of heritage and specialty malts, unique yeast strains, and innovative mash bills. Each release is designed as an exploration, often produced in small batches, and you can find Holyrood in our current lineup, making every bottle a snapshot of the distillery’s evolving style.

Rather than adhering to rigid tradition, Holyrood embraces a forward-thinking approach to whisky-making. The result is a portfolio of whiskies that are distinctive, modern, and often completely one-of-a-kind, with recipes that may never be repeated.

For those visiting Scotland, Holyrood offers one of the most accessible and rewarding distillery experiences in the country, no ferries, long drives, or complicated travel required. Just step into Edinburgh’s historic streets and discover one of its most exciting new whisky producers. This is Edinburgh and this is Holyrood Distillery!

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We regularly feature Holyrood’s innovative small-batch and single cask releases, each showcasing a unique combination of malts, yeast, and maturation techniques. If you’re looking to explore the cutting edge of Scotch whisky, this is the place to start.

👉 Shop Holyrood bottles here