The 9 Best Pub Crawls & Drinking Tours in Scotland

1.The Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 485 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $34Our pick

Join professional actors such as Emma, Dougal, Mike, Hazel, Paul, or David for a two-hour evening walk through Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns. Expect Scottish poems, songs, literary characters, jokes, historic streets, and pub stops. Drinks are optional, and the outdoor performances make weather worth planning for.

“The actors were great. They interacted with our audience and enjoyed a drink with afterwards They worked very well together and were well-versed about the literary icons of Scotland. We even went back to the Writers Museum the next day to get more.”

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2.The Original Edinburgh Pub Crawl: 7 Bars!

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 282 reviews · 4 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $20Best value

Join guides such as Tia, Tom, Esther, Cameron, or Justin for a four-to-six-hour night across seven Edinburgh bars. Your $20.81 ticket includes six shots, one bomb, discounts, and VIP entry. Expect a social, party-focused evening with changing venues, large groups, and a final city-centre bar.

“This exceeded my expectations. I wasn’t sure how long I would last, because I had just returned from a 12-hour trip to Loch Ness, and I was still a bit jet lagged. Esther and Cameron were fantastic! They explained all the rules/expectations, and they took time to talk to all of us. I had more fun at each bar, so I managed to make it to the final bar. This experience topped off an amazing day in Scotland. I recommend this experience 100%!”

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3.Pubs & History Walking Tour with Beer Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 266 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $63Top rated

Walk Edinburgh’s Old Town with a guide such as Wag, Iain, Christy, Sara, or Mhairi, stopping at three pubs for included tastings of cask ale, sour beer, and modern Scottish styles. You’ll hear stories about brewing, trade, architecture, and local life in a group capped at 12 people. The tour starts and ends on St Giles’ Street.

“Sara was excellen! She gave us lots of information about different types of beers plus history behind them in Edinburgh. We went to several pubs on this tour and she happily gave us great directions to get back to our hotel”

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4.Pub Crawl in Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 220 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $20

Meet at Pilgrim Bar at 7:30 pm for a guided crawl through Edinburgh Old Town. You will visit at least five venues, receive a small Apple Sourz shot at each, skip entry fees, use wristband drink deals, and return to the meeting point. Bring valid photo ID and expect a large, social group.

“Amazing experience! Selected the best spots to visit, great drink specials, tons of pictures. Having never been to Edinburgh this was the best way to have a fun night out with my brother! Thank you.”

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5.Distillery and Brewery Tour in Inverness Scotland

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 120 reviews · 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $48

At Uilebheist Brewery & Distillery in Inverness, a guide explains how whisky and beer are made, along with local folklore and brewing history. You taste new-make spirit, Colpach whisky, and beer in a group of up to 15. Guide Richard has been praised for clear, detailed explanations, though the tour is conducted in English.

“An interesting overview of the distilling and brewing processes with a lot of fun local history and lore. Excellent tasting at the end!”

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6.Pubs & History Walking Tour with Beer Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 81 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $63

Spend about two hours walking from George Square through Glasgow’s Merchant City, stopping at three pubs for Scottish beer tastings and stories about the city’s brewing past. Guides such as Mhairi, Iain, Leigh, and James bring a personal touch, explain styles and brewing methods, and shape tastings around the group when possible.

“Ian was our guide, and he was fantastic. He was extremely knowledgeable about the history as well as the beers we tried. It was great to learn about the history of the city/country and try some local beers in the process. Would recommend and do again!”

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7.Beer Tasting Session in Edinburgh’s Underground Vaults | 1 hour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 66 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $31

Meet at John’s Coffee House & Tavern at 7:00 pm for an hour beneath Edinburgh’s Old Town. Your host leads a tasting of four local beers, explaining brewing styles, flavours, bitterness, colour, and the story of The Lost Close. Groups are capped at eight, and past sessions have featured hosts including Sarah, Nicky, Mark, Padge, and Terry.

“Despite living in Edinburgh, I'd never heard of The Lost Close until friends bought me a voucher for the beer tasting session. Three of us went along and had as good a time as can be had in a stone cellar in December. Padge was a fun, amiable host who put all the visitors at ease and we enjoyed 5 different samples over the course of an hour. Padge graciously then spent another hour in the small bar chatting and serving drinks as we got to know the other visitors. There are also gin tours and whisky tours available, so we'll certainly be back.”

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8.Afternoon Whisky Tasting in a Traditional Edinburgh Bar

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 25 reviews · from $54

Meet Neil at 2:30pm near Edinburgh’s Lawnmarket for four single malt Scotch whiskies at The Jolly Judge. In 90 minutes, you’ll learn how Scotch is made, compare flavors, ask questions, and get tips on local whisky shops and bars. Groups are limited to six, and beginners are welcome.

“Neil was great! His explanations were down to earth and specific. For 2 novices, he opened up a new world of tastes. I would do it again and highly recommend it. His scientific background never got in the way. It was a perfect excursion away from our cruise ship and got us deeper into the local culture.”

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9.Pints & Past: Glasgow Pub Tour Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $984

Join a private English-language walking tour through Glasgow’s Merchant City, stopping at The Social, All Bar One, and The Piper Whisky Bar. You’ll sample the city’s pub culture, browse local brews and spirits, and finish with a focused whisky experience led by a guide with strong whisky expertise. Group discounts and mobile tickets are available.

“It was an experience that truly elevated my visit to this vibrant city. our knowledgeable guide was a true whisky connoisseur, easily sharing their passion and expertise and I found myself fully immersed in the art of whisky tasting. This tour is highly recommended!”

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