This is a very fun way to spend part of the afternoon in Edinburgh. While you’re there, you can take the Scotch Whiskey Heritage Tour, which comes with a free sample. The tour begins in a room set up kind of like a church. The people on the tour file into a room and sit on benches with three vials in front of them.

The vials represent the three stages of scotch whiskey development. After a brief smell test and rundown about the differences between single-malt, grain, and blended whiskeys, the tour moves into the next room.

In the next room, a "ghost" tells you more about the history of scotch whiskey. This part of the tour was kind of hokey and pretty easy to tune out. I really have no idea what the ghost talked about. I’m sure it was interesting, but it’s a lot of information after you’ve just had a shot of scotch, and unlike the previous room, there’s no interaction, just sitting.

The third leg of the tour is the most fun. You climb into a giant keg barrel-shaped cart and take a tour through the history of Scotland and scotch whiskey. Robots act out important moments in scotch whiskey making, from the beginning to present. Just like the ghost in the previous room, it’s pretty hokey, but who cares really. This is not a tour to be taken completely seriously. You do learn a lot (especially if you pay attention), but it’s also silly and fun. At the end of the ride, you’re presented with a certificate that says you are an expert in scotch whiskey. The only problem with the certificate is that it’s not signed by anyone, and I think if you sign it yourself it’s less authentic. It’s still pretty cool.

From there you go to the tasting room. We got a good lunch and a glass of beer for a reasonable amount of money. The experience was a bit marred by a father who seemed bent on getting his son, who appeared to be about 15, wasted on the scotch sampler. It was a bit like a fraternity hazing, and I don’t know how they snuck the kid past his mother. That seemed to be the dad’s secondary concern; the first was "putting some hair on your chest." I must say, that’s the first time I’ve ever heard someone say that in real life. That kind of thing happens, I guess.

Naturally, after the tour is over, you wind up in a gift shop. You would think buying scotch whiskey at the source is cheaper than other places—this is wrong. The prices are just silly high, and you can do better almost anywhere in town.

I hate whisky, and this tour just proved it. Its a fun time though. Not only do you learn about the whisky but the country as well. They even have a ride! Very high-tech displays and a good amount of walking, sitting, and riding. Very nice staff. 'Free' sample and glass. At the end is a nice gift store and bar.

Got whisky? Well, they sure do at the Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre. This interesting spot right near the castle is bound to appeal to the whisky aficionados, as well as those who enjoy a little belt now and again. You can see it, smell it, drink it; even play with it, sort of. These folks are all about the whisky, so it's hard not to like them. Who new booze could be so fun, before you even crack open the cap?

At this museum/bar/distillery/pseudo-amusement park, you'll learn all you ever wanted to know and more about Scotland's most famous beverage. . . Scotch whisky.

You can learn about the history and ins and outs of Scotch by taking a trip on the Whisky Barrel Ride (billed as fun for the family!), watching a film or at the Centre's model distillery. Like I said, you'll learn plenty about whisky.

Once you've learned all you need to about this tasty beverage, you'll probably have worked up a thirst. Not to worry. You can choose from some two hundred odd varieties of Scotch on the premises, at the Whisky Bond Bar and Bistro. Food is served in the bar and it is open to the public, as well. So, you can drop in to have a bit and a nip even if you don't choose to participate in the crash course in whisky history.

Don't forget to drop by the gift shop before you swerve your way on to the next destination. You may feel like you've had Scotch overload by that point, but it'll wear off. When you get back home, you may be glad you had the foresight to stock up on some of the wide selection of Scotch whisky offered in their shop.

As a keen Scotch whisky enthusiast, I was especially looking forward to a visit here. My ticket was £7.50 adult rate (£6.50 concessions). You MUST go as part of a guided tour. At the start of the tour, you were given a SMALL sample of whisky (soft drinks were available for children or non whisky drinkers). Hint: you get a far more generous measure at Jamesons distillery in Dublin.

The group was herded into a room, where we watched a video on the popularity of whisky in Scotland. Then, we were herded into another room to watch a video on locations of distilling in Scotland. Then, in another room there was a large model of a distillery. The guide explained the distilling process, and pressed a button whilst the front cover rose of the model to show us the various stages. Before we had time to glance at the different rooms, the front cover returned to its position and we were then herded to watch the ghost of the master blender. This is an electric light display accommpanied by a tape recording and whisky bottled backdrop. Finally, four people at a time were put onto a large moving plastic barrel that went along a track at a very slow speed past reconstructed displays showing the history of whisky.

I was not overly impressed by the method. I didn't feel the guided tour was needed -- anyone could have made their own way around, watching the videos as they went like in other musuems, and walking around the displays and taking things in in their own time. It was only a short walk.

That said, I did learn something of whisky in Scotland -- the difference between malt and grain whiskys, the aging process, the Scotch whisky export industry, etc. >

Journey back through time to discover the history & art of Scotch Whisky making. The tour includes a short, lighthearted film, a Distillery model w/ working parts, a resident "ghost", a ride in a whiskey barrel through 300 years of Scotch Whisky history, and ends w/ the Scotch Whisky Tasting Bar. The entire tour can be conducted in 8 different languages & tailored to suit individuals or groups. A barrel of fun!!