Pickering’s Gin Jolly and distillery tour in Edinburgh

Pickering’s Gin Jolly puts Edinburgh gin-making in a former veterinary school, where the distillery’s production spaces and playful Ginventions are part of the story. I like that the tour traces the recipe back to Bombay in 1947, then shows you the work behind the small-batch spirit rather than stopping at a tasting glass.

I also like the thoughtful tasting format: a gin and tonic to start, four gin samples with a guide, and a miniature bottle to take away. One consideration is timing: the experience is described as one hour, but the scheduled visit runs about 75 minutes, so leave a little room around it.

• The recipe has a Bombay beginning: Pickering’s traces its gin recipe to 1947, a detail that gives the tasting a clear point of origin.
• You see the work, not just the bottles: The guided visit includes the distillery and its production spaces.
• A grapefruit garnish changes the first drink: The opening gin and tonic may be made with grapefruit rather than lemon.
• There are four tasting samples: You can compare several gins with the guide’s explanations.
• The meeting point is inside Summerhall: Look for the main building lobby, or ask reception if you are unsure.

From Bombay to a gin glass in Edinburgh

The most memorable thread in this visit is the recipe’s unlikely journey: Pickering’s says it was first penned in Bombay in 1947, then became the basis for the gin made at Summerhall in Edinburgh. That backstory gives the hour more shape than a simple tasting. You get a place, a date and a reason to pay attention to how the spirit is made.

The tour is based at Summerhall, at 1 Summerhall, Newington, a cultural venue that also houses the distillery. The group meets inside the main building. It is a useful detail to know before you arrive, since the entrance can lead you toward different indoor spaces.

One person who took the tour found the meeting point unclear at first and waited in the pub and courtyard before realizing the main lobby was the right place. I’d head to the lobby on arrival and ask reception for help if you are uncertain. The Royal Dick Pub is also named as a place to wait, but the lobby is the clearest first stop.

The first gin and tonic sets the tone

The experience starts with a Pickering’s gin and tonic, before the production tour and guided tasting. This is a good way to get your palate involved early: the drink is a familiar format, but its garnish can shift the character. In one account of the tour, the guide used grapefruit instead of lemon, bringing a different aroma and taste to the glass.

That small choice is worth noticing. It shows how a simple serve can change the impression of a gin, even before you know much about the recipe. If you usually reach for lemon, try the drink as served first, then compare what you notice.

The included drink is a standard gin and tonic for a drinking ticket. A soft drink is provided for a non-drinking ticket, so you can join the experience without consuming alcohol. The legal drinking age in the United Kingdom is 18, and you should bring valid ID if you plan to drink.

Inside Summerhall’s working distillery

After the opening drink, your guide takes you through the distillery and its production spaces. The point is to see the craftsmanship behind Pickering’s small-batch gin, with the guide explaining the process and the brand’s approach as you go. You can expect a close look at the making of the spirit, though the specific equipment, botanicals and production steps are not set out in advance.

The tour also introduces Pickering’s Ginventions, the brand’s own term for its inventive gin-related ideas. That playful element helps keep the visit from feeling like a technical lecture. You get a look at how a distillery presents its work as well as how it makes its product.

The group size is capped at 16, which should keep the guided format manageable and make it easier to hear explanations than in a large coach-group setting. The guide speaks English. If you are less confident in English, you may miss some of the detail, but the tour can still be enjoyable if you are interested in the setting, the tasting and the visual side of production.

The tour is wheelchair-accessible, but it is not stroller-friendly. Pets are not permitted in the production area or distillery shop, though guide dogs are welcome in the shop. Those practical limits are worth checking before you set out.

Four samples, then a small souvenir

The guided tasting gives you four gin samples after the distillery visit. That is the part for anyone who wants to compare expressions rather than simply try one signature drink. The guide’s explanations can help you connect what you saw in the production spaces with what you taste, though the exact gin varieties and tasting order are not specified.

Pacing matters here. Four samples plus the opening gin and tonic is enough to make the visit feel like a proper tasting, not a token sip. If you drink, take your time and avoid arriving already intoxicated: anyone who appears intoxicated may be refused service, without a refund.

At the end, you receive a 5cl miniature bottle of Pickering’s Gin to take home. It is a modest keepsake rather than a large bottle, but it gives the experience a practical finish. You can revisit the gin later, or offer it as a small Edinburgh souvenir.

How to plan the hour at Summerhall

The advertised duration is one hour, while the itinerary’s scheduled visit runs for 1 hour and 15 minutes. I’d plan around the longer figure, especially if you have dinner reservations or another timed activity afterward. The published return times pair with selected departure slots, so choose the time that suits your day rather than assuming every return option works with every start.

Available departure times are 12:00, 13:30, 15:00, 15:30, 17:30 and 18:00. You must attend the time selected at booking and should arrive 10 minutes early. Late arrivals and no-shows are not refundable.

The tour returns to the same Summerhall address where it begins. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you’ll need to make your own way there. Summerhall’s reception can help direct you once you are inside.

Is the price fair for what you get?

Prices are shown from US$33.45 for the join-in tour, while the experience summary gives a starting price of US$38.45. The amount you see at booking may depend on the selected option or current pricing, so check the final total before paying.

The value rests on more than the samples. Your price includes distillery admission, an English-speaking guide, one gin and tonic, four gin samples and the miniature bottle. If you are curious about how a small-batch gin is made, the production visit and brand story give the tasting useful context. If you only want a drink, the cost may feel high for a short visit.

The group format also helps make the experience more personal than a self-guided stop, while keeping it accessible to solo participants and small parties. Groups can range from one to 16 people. Tips, personal expenses and transport are not included.

Who will enjoy Pickering’s Gin Jolly?

This tour suits gin fans who like to know what is behind the glass. It also works for curious visitors with a free hour in Edinburgh who want an indoor activity focused on local production and tasting. The Bombay recipe story, the small-batch process and the guided samples give the visit a clear theme.

It is less suited to anyone seeking a full afternoon at a distillery, a broad history of Edinburgh or a long tasting session. The visit is brief, and the focus stays on Pickering’s. It is also not a family activity in the usual sense: participants must be at least 12, and those aged 12 to 17 need a paying adult with them. Alcohol service is restricted to people aged 18 or older.

A soft drink ticket makes the tour possible for someone who does not drink, but the main subject remains gin. If you want a distillery visit with an easy, structured tasting and a souvenir to take away, this is a good fit. If you are not interested in spirits, your hour could be better spent elsewhere.

Should you book this tour?

I’d book Pickering’s Gin Jolly if you want a compact, guided look at Edinburgh gin-making, not just a tasting at a bar. The opening gin and tonic, the Bombay recipe story, the production spaces and four samples make a balanced package, with the miniature bottle as a nice extra.

Before booking, make sure the timing fits your day, check the exact price, and note that the correct meeting point is inside Summerhall’s main building. If those details work for you, this is a satisfying short stop for gin enthusiasts and curious first-timers alike.

FAQ

How long does the Pickering’s Gin Jolly tour take?

The experience is described as one hour, while the scheduled itinerary runs about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Allow around 75 minutes to be safe.

Where do I meet the guide?

Meet inside the main building reception hall at 1 Summerhall, Newington, Edinburgh EH9 1PL. The Royal Dick Pub is another named indoor waiting point. Ask reception if you need directions.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 10 minutes before your selected departure time. Late arrivals and no-shows cannot be refunded.

What is included in the tour?

The package includes distillery admission, an English-speaking guide, one gin and tonic, four gin samples and a 5cl miniature bottle to take home. A soft drink is included with a non-drinking ticket.

Can I join if I do not drink alcohol?

Yes. A soft drink is provided for a non-drinking ticket. The tour still focuses on gin and its production.

What is the minimum age?

Participants must be at least 12. Anyone aged 12 to 17 must be accompanied by a paying adult. The legal drinking age in the United Kingdom is 18.

Do I need to bring ID?

Bring valid ID if you plan to drink, as proof of age may be required.

Is the tour wheelchair-accessible?

Yes, the activity is wheelchair-accessible. It is not stroller-friendly.

Are pets allowed?

Pets are not permitted in the production area or distillery shop. Guide dogs are welcome in the distillery shop.

What happens if I appear intoxicated?

A participant who appears intoxicated may be refused service, and no refund will be given.