Port of Leith Distillery, Edinburgh: The Vertical Distillery
Port of Leith at a glance
| Region | Lowland (Leith, Edinburgh) |
| Founded | 2023 |
| Owner | Muckle Brig Ltd |
| Visitor centre | Yes — nine-storey tower with a rooftop bar |
| Tours | Whisky & gin tours — book |
| Opening | Open as a visitor attraction — check the website |
| Website | leithdistillery.com |
Overview
The Port of Leith Distillery is like nothing else in Scotch: the UK’s first “vertical” distillery, a striking nine-storey tower in the Leith docks with a rooftop bar looking out over the Firth of Forth. Opened in 2023, it brought single-malt distilling back to the historic port of Edinburgh.
The history
Founded by Ian Stirling and Paddy Fletcher, the distillery was built upwards rather than outwards to fit its dockside plot, opening in October 2023. It leans into Leith’s long history as a wine and spirits port, and sources its barley from a single farm not far from the city.
The water & the land
Port of Leith uses its own deep well, blended with Edinburgh mains water for consistency.
Port of Leith has no clan link — it is a modern urban distillery celebrating the maritime history of Leith, for centuries Edinburgh’s gateway port and a great centre of the wine and spirits trade.
Visiting
Port of Leith is a full visitor attraction, with whisky and gin tours and a popular rooftop bar — book ahead; check the website. It sits on the Leith waterfront, a short tram ride from central Edinburgh.
Nearby & more whisky
- Edinburgh’s other new malt distillery: Holyrood
- Also in Leith: Bonnington (Crabbie’s)
- The whole picture: Scotch whisky — the full guide
Sources
- Port of Leith distillery — Wikipedia.
- Port of Leith Distillery.