Gin Tasting
Experiences from £34 · mini tastings from £15
Taste our gins side by side and find the serve you actually like, with someone who knows the botanicals.
Book tastingVisit Stirling · Below the castle
Things to do in Stirling, done properly
Step inside Stirling Distillery at the foot of the castle for a tasting, tour or gin school — and turn a good day in Stirling into one you'll talk about afterwards.
4.9★ on Tripadvisor · #2 of 112 things to do in Stirling · 1,374 reviews · Tourist Attraction of the Year ×2
A better way to experience Stirling
More than another box to tick
When people look for things to do in Stirling, they want something local, memorable and worth their time. That's what the Old Smiddy is for.
More than sightseeing
Don't just pass through Stirling. Sit down, taste, hear the stories and leave feeling like you actually experienced the place.
Perfect with the castle
We're right beneath Stirling Castle — a three-minute walk down Lower Castlehill — so it's easy to turn a castle visit into a full day out.
A real trip highlight
Whether you book a tasting or the gin school, it's the kind of experience people remember long after the photos are taken.
Pick your visit
Four ways to enjoy the distillery
From walk-in tastings to take-home bottles, there's a way in for everyone.
Whisky Experience
From £34 per adult
A guided tasting through our whiskies, from new make to single cask, with the story behind each dram.
Book experience
Gin School
Distil your own bottle
Build your own gin on a mini copper still. Choose your botanicals, distil your spirit and take the bottle home.
Book class
Browse the shop
No booking needed
Gins, whiskies, liqueurs and gifts, all made a few feet from where you're standing.
Shop spirits
Make a day of it
Perfect before or after Stirling Castle
A visit to Stirling Castle already makes for a brilliant day. Add the distillery and it becomes a day with a real story to tell.
- Three minutes' walk from the castle esplanade, straight down Lower Castlehill.
- A warm, relaxed stop after a morning exploring the old town — great in any weather.
- Ideal for couples, friends and visitors wanting more than another photo stop.
Don't just take our word for it
What visitors say
Real, verified reviews from Stirling Distillery customers.
★★★★★
"Love this place… took my partner here for a gin experience and it was fantastic, the staff are amazing."
Jason Lane
✓ Verified customer★★★★★
"What a lovely, smooth, delicate flavour! Back home I found the website and ordered a bottle plus a few miniatures… the bottle has been breached — yum!"
Mary Shand · Elgin
✓ Verified customer★★★★★
"I bought this as a gift. The ordering process was very easy, great service, and the staff were friendly."
Edward Meldrum · London
✓ Verified customerAround town
Build the rest of your day
Stirling's old town keeps everything close. A few of our favourite neighbours, all within easy reach.
Plan your visit
Stirling Distillery
The Old Smiddy · 9 Lower Castlehill · Stirling FK8 1EN
01786 596496 · hello@stirlingdistillery.com
- Monday – Saturday11am–5pm
- Sunday12–5pm
Good to know
- Dogs are welcome.
- Fully wheelchair accessible.
- Under-18s are welcome on tours (no tastings).
- On-street parking nearby is limited — the castle esplanade car park is a short walk up the hill.
- Shop and daily mini tastings (from £15) need no booking.
Questions
Before you visit
Do I need to book in advance?
Booking ahead is recommended for gin and whisky experiences, especially at weekends. The shop and daily mini tastings (from £15) need no booking at all.
How close are you to Stirling Castle?
About three minutes on foot — walk down Lower Castlehill from the esplanade and you'll find us in the Old Smiddy at the bottom.
Can I bring children?
Under-18s are welcome on tours, though tastings are for adults only. The shop is open to everyone.
Are dogs allowed?
Yes — dogs are welcome at the distillery.
Is the distillery wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the distillery is fully wheelchair accessible.
Is it a good rainy-day activity?
One of the best in Stirling — a warm, indoor, story-led hour or two, whatever the forecast.
Planning a trip to Stirling?
Join the Smiddy Dispatch for what's on at the distillery, new releases and members-only drops.
Come and see us
Make your Stirling visit one to remember
If you're already coming to Stirling, make room for the part of the day people talk about afterwards.
