Edinburgh to get first new single malt distillery in almost 100 years

The founders of spirits maker Holyrood Distillery have revealed the launch date for Edinburgh’s first new single malt whisky distillery in almost a century.

Rebecca Orr and Éoin Ó Murchú Holyrood Distillery Visitor Centre staff. (Photo: Greg Macvean)

Holyrood has started taking bookings for a range of daily guided distillery tours ahead of the still house’s official opening on 30 July.

There hasn’t been an operational single malt distillery in central Edinburgh since 1925 when The Edinburgh Distillery (aka Glen Sciennes) closed.

The distillery itself has been built in a former railway goods shed which dates back to 1831, located by Holyrood Park and close to popular Edinburgh Festival Fringe venues The Pleasance and George Square.

Holyrood’s new facility will produce single malt whisky alongside a range of gins and gin liqueurs, and will create 30 new jobs in the city.

Spirit production will be handled by distillery manager Jack Mayo, previously of The Glasgow Distillery, alongside distillers Ollie Salvesen and Elizabeth Machin. All three are graduates of Heriot-Watt University’s Brewing and Distilling course.

“I’m thrilled to announce that we’ll open the doors to our distillery on 30 July,” founder Rob Carpenter said.

“It’s been an incredible journey to get to this point, and to be able to bring back single malt whisky back to the heart of Edinburgh for the first time in almost 100 years is a true privilege. A big thank you is also owed to our neighbours who have been patient with the build over the past year.”