Forever Edinburgh launches Meet Edinburgh’s Makers, a toast to the city’s distillers and brewers

Forever Edinburgh is partnering with tourism businesses in Scotland’s capital to launch the ‘Meet Edinburgh’s Makers’ series, showcasing the creativity and craftsmanship of Edinburgh’s local producers.

This series celebrates the enterprises at the heart of Edinburgh’s world-leading visitor economy, starting with the dynamic distilling and brewing scene that has established the city as the new spirit of Scotland.

This series is a key initiative in the city’s inbound leisure visitor campaign, Experience the Beauty.

The initiative highlights Edinburgh’s most innovative makers and craftspeople, fostering awareness and appreciation for their unique qualities while inviting visitors to explore the city’s diverse tasting experiences.

Featured producers include Holyrood Distillery, renowned for its diverse range of whiskies and rum; Port of Leith Distillery, the UK’s first vertical distillery, leading the charge in sustainability; Summerhall Distillery, celebrated for its bold and inventive gin flavours; Secret Garden Distillery, which embraces a ‘seed to sip’ ethos with seasonal botanicals; and Vault City, known for brewing innovative sour beers using real fruit.

Interviews with key makers are now live on Forever Edinburgh’s website (https://edinburgh.org/meet-edinburghs-makers/), alongside a brand-new Brewers and Distillers Map showcasing over 60 businesses across the whole city. This guide invites visitors to discover the spirit of Edinburgh, featuring bars, pubs, pop-ups, retailers and distilleries, all easily accessible by foot or sustainable travel options, including bus and tram.

Map highlights include Hey Palu in the Southside, the Innis and Gunn Brew School in Tollcross, and the Pilot Brewery Tour and Beer Tasting in Leith.

Edinburgh has emerged as a prime destination for food and drink tourism, and has seen a 50% increase in businesses in the city distilling, rectifying and blending spirits, 25% increase in beer manufacturers and 35% increase in beverage manufacturers since 2019.  A 2023 VisitScotland survey found that nearly half (46%) of visitors participated in at least one food and drink experience during their trip to Scotland.

The Brewers and Distillers Map will be featured on the Forever Edinburgh website, The Official Guide to Edinburgh, and promoted through digital channels, showcasing what makes it a unique, must-see UK city break all year round.

Cllr Cammy Day, leader of the City of Edinburgh Council said:

 “Distilling in Edinburgh links back to the 18th century, and we have seen a revival of late with so many wonderful producers and brewers choosing the capital at their HQ. We’re really lucky in Edinburgh to have some of the best in the country, from the Port of Leith Distillery to Innis and Gunn, Edinburgh Gin and many more. 

“The Meet Edinburgh’s Makers initiative celebrates Edinburgh’s renaissance as the true spirit of Scotland, and uses the stories of the dedicated craftspeople and their exceptional experiences around the city to draw more interest from our visitors.

“The Makers interviews and Brewers and Distillers Map, will exist year-round and are excellent resources no matter the time of year. This is a chance to sample some of Edinburgh's finest offerings and appreciate the rich flavour profiles that define our city’s vibrant spirit.”

Callum Rae, distillery manager at Holyrood Distillery said:

"We're thrilled to be part of the 'Meet Edinburgh’s Makers' series, which highlights the incredible producers that call Edinburgh home. With such a wide variety of experiences in the city, being showcased by Forever Edinburgh is a fantastic opportunity for our business.

“This campaign will bring more people through our doors and give them a chance to explore the great drinks Edinburgh has to offer. We're delighted to be listed alongside other local brands and share in celebrating Edinburgh evolving from being the heart of Scotland to embodying its spirit as well."

To find out more about the Meet Edinburgh’s Makers campaign and discover the Brewers and Distillers Map, go to https://edinburgh.org/meet-edinburghs-makers/