Distilled & Bottled: A Journey of Local Flavours
1 day tour
Spirits or whisky? Luckily, you won't have to decide between the two on this tour through East Lothian.
Tour map
Tour Highlights
North Berwick - This seaside town has a charming beach and a wonderful array of boutique shops.
Buck & Birch Distillery - These 'Wild Flavour Innovators' will excite your tastebuds with their unique flavours.
Glenkinchie Distillery* - Known as the ‘Edinburgh Malt’ this whisky distillery is located within a gorgeous glen.
Your journey
Time to excite your tastebuds. On this trip, indulge in array of East Lothian’s best beverages.
Get ready to taste something special from 'Wild Flavour Innovators'. Then you savour whisky within a secluded distillery on the outskirts of Edinburgh.
Join this tour of East Lothian and mix your drinks in the most memorable way possible.
Tour Details
Check-in closes at 23:45 (tour departs at ) - ,
- ,
You're restricted to kg (0lbs) of luggage per person. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) plus one small bag for onboard personal items.
Students and seniors over 60
- Pack your waterproof clothing and walking shoes
- Unfortunately we don't carry anyone under 18 years old on this tour
- Access to distillery production areas may not be possible
- Some distilleries offer tutored tastings instead of tours
- Distilleries may be substituted
- Some attraction tickets can be purchased in advance when you book your tour. You’ll have the option to add at check-out. Other attractions will not be available to book beforehand, instead you can purchase those while on tour.
- Transport in a 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach
- Air conditioning as standard
- The stories and services of an English-speaking driver-guide
- Attraction entry tickets
Itinerary
Make sure you have a good breakfast this morning, you're going to need it. Your first stop is Glenkinchie Distillery*, nestled ever-so-quaintly in a peaceful glen.
Founded in 1825, this distillery languished in obscurity for over 150 years before becoming an international brand at the end of the 1980s. Hear how this distillery became such a success, see the huge stills, and sample the Malt Whiskies.
Then head to the coast to North Berwick, one of the most beautiful seaside villages in East Lothian. Have your binoculars at the ready and admire the birds of Bass Rock while you enjoy a spot of lunch.
After you’ve breathed in the sea air and savoured some local specialities, you get on the bus and travel to Buck & Birch Distillery.
These drink connoisseurs launched in 2016 with a mantra that they 'don't follow convention'. Their unique liquors express the landscapes that inspired them and are perfect for pleasure seekers, foodies, chefs, cocktail-lovers, and adventurers.
From here, enjoy your journey back to Edinburgh as you travel through quaint villages and the golden wheat and barley fields.
*Itinerary and distillery visits are subject to change.
Attractions
Tour Attractions
You are able to pre-purchase entrance tickets to the following attractions at the time of booking:
- Glenkinchie Distillery
- Buck and Birch Distillery
Other attractions may be booked and paid locally during the tour.
FAQs
Do you offer hotel pickups in the departure cities?
The UK and Ireland's historic city centres are full of narrow streets and winding roads. So, to speed up your departure, we only pick up from our central meeting points. What's more is leaving the city using the most direct route also reduces the carbon footprint of our tours.
Is there parking close to the departure point?
We don't recommend bringing your car into the centre of our departure cities. It can be hard to find parking, and there are excellent public transportation services.
When should I get to the departure point?
Arrive 15 minutes before your departure time. Due to waiting restrictions, we can't wait for you if you're late.
What happens if I'm late or miss the tour?
If you're late for your tour, our cancellation policy applies. 100% charges are applicable, and you will not be entitled to a refund or alternative.
What are your cancellation policies?
Your cancellation terms depend on which tour you've booked.
For one-day tours: You'll receive a full refund if you cancel 24 hours or more before the tour departure
For tours of between two and nine days: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 15 or more days before the tour departure
For tours of 10 or more days: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 21 or more days before the tour departure
For all European packaged tours: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 42 days before the tour departure.
If you cancel inside these notice periods, full charges will apply and no refunds will be issued.
To cancel your booking, email tours@rabbies.com as soon as possible. The effective date of cancellation will be the date we receive written confirmation from you.
Click here to view terms and conditions
Can Itineraries change?
Your tour will always follow the itinerary as closely as possible. Your driver-guide will keep you up to date on the road, and we'll try to get in touch about any large changes prior to your departure.
Can I pre-book a specific seat?
Due to logistical reasons, we're unable to let you pre-book a seat on the bus. But our comfortable 16-seat mini-coaches have huge windows. So, you'll always get a good view.
Are there toilets on the bus?
Unfortunately, we have no on-board toilet facilities, but you'll have regular comfort breaks.
How do you cater for people with accessibility needs?
We aim to accommodate everyone. To read more information on how we do this, click here to go to our accessibility guide.
Do you take children on your tours?
We regret we don't carry children under the age of five on our scheduled tours.
You can ask us about the tours we recommend for younger children. And if your child is less than 1.35m tall, you should let us know, so we can provide them with a suitable booster seat.
How much time do I get off the bus?
We want you to enjoy Britain and Ireland. And we believe the best way to do this is to get you off the mini-coach and out exploring. So, we give you plenty of time to take photos, go walking, and explore ancient ruins.
Why do you exclude visitor attractions?
We exclude visitor attractions in your tour price because it lets you travel your way. It means you can pamper yourself with a luxury lunch or skip an attraction whenever you feel like it.
Do we need to bring our own lunch?
You don't need to. We stop in small towns, villages, and rural eateries where you can choose whatever meal pleases both your taste buds and your budget.
Should I tip the driver-guide?
Let's be honest, our driver-guides would never refuse a cheeky bonus. But it's up to you, and the amount is entirely at your discretion.
What about travel insurance?
We advise you take out travel insurance.
What is ABTOT?
You're protected by ABTOT when you chose to let us reserve your accommodation on a multi-day tour. This means you can claim back anything you've paid us if we become bankrupt. Read our terms and conditions for more information.
I have more questions, who can help me?
If you have any more questions, call us on +44(0)131 226 3133, email tours@rabbies.com , or check out our full FAQs .
Restrictions
This tour is exclusively for passengers aged 18 years and over due to the inclusion of a distillery visit and alcohol tasting. This means children are not permitted on this tour.
You're restricted to kg (0lbs) of luggage per person. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) plus one small bag for onboard personal items.