Makars Mushroom Farm Summerhall Tour with DIY Block Making

Getting a peek into the secret life of fungi might sound niche, but this Edinburgh-based mushroom farm tour offers a surprisingly engaging and educational experience. If you’re curious about how mushrooms are cultivated or enjoy hands-on activities, this one-hour adventure provides a unique glimpse behind the scenes of a working farm, all in a compact and accessible format.

What makes this tour particularly appealing is its practical approach—you’re not just listening to a guide talk about fungi; you’re actively involved in inoculating your own mushroom block to take home. Plus, it’s budget-friendly at just $7 per person, making it an excellent choice for curious travelers or families with older children.

One thing to consider is that the tour takes place in an underground basement, which might be less comfortable for those with claustrophobia or mobility issues, as access is limited. It’s best suited for interest levels ranging from casual curiosity to dedicated mycophiles, and not recommended for children under 10 or wheelchair users.

This experience is perfect for those who love quirky, offbeat experiences, enjoy learning new skills, or simply want something different from the usual city sightseeing. If you’re after a mix of education, fun, and a touch of the unusual, this tour will likely satisfy your curiosity.

Good To Know

• Educational and Hands-On: You’ll learn about mushroom cultivation while inoculating your own block.
• Affordable Experience: At just $7, it offers fantastic value for a unique activity.
• Location and Accessibility: Situated in an underground basement in Summerhall, accessible mainly by foot, bus, or limited street parking.
• Suitable for a Wide Range of Interests: Not just for mycology buffs, but also for families and curious travelers.
• Limited Group Size: Small groups (max 8) ensure a personal, engaging experience.
• Watch the Growth: Enjoy timelapse videos that show how mushrooms develop in just a few weeks.

You can check if your dates are available here:

A Closer Look at the Tour Experience

The Makars Mushroom Farm tour begins at the main entrance of Summerhall, an arts venue in Edinburgh, before making your way to a back door marked by stairs. Once inside the underground facility, you’ll be greeted by a knowledgeable guide eager to share insights about the fascinating world of fungi.

The focus here is on Lions Mane mushrooms, a variety prized for its culinary and medicinal uses. Our guide explained the step-by-step process involved—from preparing the grain spawn to the incubation and fruiting stages. We learned that sterile conditions are crucial in avoiding contamination, and the techniques used to maintain these conditions are quite precise but manageable for beginners.

One of the most engaging parts of the tour is visiting the fruiting tents where mushrooms grow. You’ll see how environmental factors like oxygen levels, water, and nutrients are carefully monitored to promote healthy mushroom development. The guide explained how these factors can be manipulated to ensure a successful crop, which adds a valuable layer of understanding for anyone interested in sustainable food production or small-scale farming.

The highlight is definitely the DIY block inoculation. Each participant gets to inoculate their own mushroom block, a process that involves injecting spores into a prepared substrate. The guide provided clear instructions, and the process felt surprisingly straightforward. You’ll leave with the block, which will fruit in approximately three weeks, giving you a rewarding project to watch grow at home.

Throughout the tour, timelapse videos demonstrated the mushroom lifecycle, helping us visualize what to expect in the coming weeks. This visual aid is especially helpful because it turns a slow-growing process into an exciting, fast-forwarded journey.

What Is Included and Practical Details

For just $7, you’ll receive a comprehensive tour of Makars Mushroom Farm, which includes the inoculation of your own mushroom block to take home. The experience also covers the entire mushroom cultivation process with a focus on Lions Mane, plus access to fascinating timelapse videos showing mushroom fruiting.

The meeting point is straightforward: enter Summerhall, walk to the back door, then descend the stairs, following signs to the machine room. From there, the route is well signposted, making it easy to find your way.

The tour typically lasts around one hour, with small group sizes limited to 8 participants. This ensures more interaction with the guide and a more personalized experience. The guide speaks English, and the activity is suitable for all interest levels, though it’s not designed for children under 10 or those with mobility challenges due to the underground setting.

Booking is flexible, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start, which is helpful if your plans change unexpectedly.

Why This Tour Offers Real Value

Considering the price point of $7, this activity is a surprisingly good deal, especially given the hands-on component. Many similar experiences involve costly workshops, but this tour keeps things affordable while still delivering a memorable experience.

The value extends beyond just the activity—learning about how mushrooms are grown in sterile conditions offers insight into sustainable food practices. If you’re interested in urban farming or small-scale food production, this tour provides a practical introduction.

The small group size means you get more attention from your guide, often leading to richer conversations about mushroom cultivation, the challenges involved, and how you can grow your own food at home.

While the underground location might feel a bit enclosed, it’s also part of the charm, immersing you in the environment where these fungi thrive. The guide’s friendly, engaging approach helped make the setting comfortable, even for those initially hesitant about being underground.

Who Will Love This Experience?

This tour is a great pick for adventure seekers looking for a quirky activity. It’s also perfect for families with older children who want something educational but fun. If you’re interested in sustainable food sources or urban cultivation, you’ll find it especially insightful.

It’s not ideal for wheelchair users or very young children, but for anyone in the interest of learning something new and practical, this is a memorable and worthwhile outing.

Plus, if you enjoy small, intimate tours with a hands-on element, the limited group size makes this a more personalized experience. The price makes it accessible, but the depth of the knowledge and the satisfaction of inoculating your own mushroom block add real value.

More Great Thing To Do Nearby

Final Thoughts

If you’re after an activity that combines education, hands-on fun, and a touch of the unusual, the Makars Mushroom Farm Summerhall Tour hits the mark. It offers a rare opportunity to see the hidden world of fungi up close and to take home a project that could grow into a fascinating edible crop.

This experience suits those curious about food production, fans of quirky adventures, or anyone wanting a memorable story to share from their Edinburgh trip. The combination of affordability, intimacy, and practical involvement makes it stand out among typical city tours.

Overall, it’s an engaging way to learn about a less-visible side of food cultivation and enjoy an unusual, memorable outing in Edinburgh’s artsy Summerhall neighborhood.

Is the tour suitable for children?
No, it’s recommended for those aged 10 and above due to the underground location and the nature of the activity.

Can I participate if I have mobility issues?
Unfortunately, access to the farm is via stairs in an underground basement, so it’s not suitable for wheelchair users or those with mobility challenges.

How long does the mushroom take to fruit after inoculation?
Expect your mushroom block to fruit in about three weeks, with timelapse videos showing the process.

What is included in the tour price?
You get a guided tour of Makars Mushroom Farm, inoculation of your own mushroom block to take home, and access to timelapse videos of mushroom growth.

Where do I meet for the tour?
Enter Summerhall, walk to the back door, go down the stairs, and follow signs for the machine room.

Is the tour suitable for all interest levels?
Yes, it’s designed to be accessible and educational for both casual visitors and those more interested in fungi.

What is the group size?
Limited to 8 participants, ensuring a more engaging and personalized experience.

How do I cancel the booking if needed?
Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the scheduled start.

Are there parking options nearby?
Street meter parking is available but limited. Summerhall is walkable from the Meadows, and buses stop nearby on South Clerk Street and outside the main entrance.

This tour is a wonderfully unusual way to spend an hour, giving you new insights into food production and a fun, practical activity to take home. Whether you’re into gardening, food, or just love something different, it’s a small investment that offers a memorable experience.

You can check if your dates are available here: