Dinner and Guided Tour with your Personal Scottish Sommelier

Discover Edinburgh’s Hidden Food and Drink Secrets with a Personal Scottish Sommelier

The Dinner and Guided Tour with your Personal Scottish Sommelier offers a unique way to explore Edinburgh’s vibrant culinary scene. Priced at $666 per person and lasting approximately 4 hours, this private experience combines gastronomy, history, and expert guidance into one seamless journey. Starting from three convenient pickup locations—W Edinburgh, Gleneagles Townhouse, and The Balmoral—it caters to travelers seeking an intimate and customizable way to savor Scotland’s flavors. With award-winning restaurants, secret bars, and artisan foods, this tour stands out for its tailored approach, ensuring no two experiences are alike.

While the tour is flexible and personal, it is best suited for those who enjoy fine dining, whisky, and wine tastings, and prefer a private, leisurely pace. It’s important to note that the experience lasts around 4 hours, includes all beverages and transport within Edinburgh, and is suitable only for guests over 18. For travelers who want a deep dive into Edinburgh’s culinary fabric, guided by a knowledgeable sommelier, this tour offers an engaging and exclusive way to uncover the city’s best-kept secrets.

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Key Points

• Private, customizable experience tailored to your personal tastes and preferences
• Expert guidance from a professional Scottish sommelier with wine and whisky mastery
• Visits to hidden restaurants, bars, and culinary hotspots rich in local charm
• Includes dinner, wine and whisky tastings, and all beverages
• Starts from three central Edinburgh locations, with drop-offs included
• Designed for adults over 18 who appreciate fine food and drink in an intimate setting

The Exclusive Private Experience with a Personal Scottish Sommelier

This tour is a private journey led by a local guide and personal sommelier named Joanne, who specializes in wine, whisky, and Scottish cuisine. The experience is completely tailored before the start—your preferences shape the stops, dishes, and tastings. Joanne’s friendly approach and expertise make the evening both educational and enjoyable, transforming Edinburgh’s streets into a culinary classroom.

The private nature of the experience means you won’t be sharing with strangers, allowing for a more relaxed, personalized exploration of the city’s gastronomic delights. Whether you’re interested in rare whiskies, local delicacies, or secret spots, Joanne adjusts the itinerary based on what excites you most. This flexibility is a key advantage, turning an ordinary food tour into a bespoke adventure.

Exploring Edinburgh’s Historic Streets and Hidden Food Spots

As the guide leads you through Edinburgh’s famous streets and tucked-away alleyways, you’ll visit award-winning restaurants, intimate wine cellars, and historic whisky bars. Each stop is carefully selected to showcase local ingredients, traditional Scottish dishes, and innovative culinary creations. The stops include secret venues often reserved for those in the know, giving you a live-in-the-know experience.

The tour’s route takes in iconic sights like Edinburgh Castle and the Old Town, with sightseeing interwoven into the culinary journey. Each restaurant and bar chosen offers a distinctive atmosphere—from cozy wine bars to historic whisky taverns—highlighting Edinburgh’s diverse and lively food scene. You’ll enjoy dishes that highlight fresh, seasonal ingredients paired expertly with wines and whiskies, guided by Joanne’s insights into food and beverage pairing.

Tasting Scotland’s Finest Wines and Whiskies

One of the tour’s main attractions is the personalized tasting masterclasses. Joanne teaches guests how to taste wine like a pro, unlock the nuances of whisky, and understand the art of pairing. You’ll sample exquisite wines during a champagne and food tasting at one stop, then move on to whiskey tastings at cozy bars with atmospheric charm.

The whisky stops are especially notable, featuring rare and traditional drams steeped in history. The guide shares stories behind each whisky and bar, giving context to the flavors you experience. Every pairing is carefully curated to enhance the tasting experience—making each sip and bite memorable. This approach makes the tour both educational and sensory-rich, perfect for those eager to deepen their appreciation for Scottish drinks.

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From Dinner in the Old Town to Castle Views

The highlight of the tour is a dinner and wine tasting in Edinburgh’s Old Town. This dinner is more than just a meal; it’s an opportunity to enjoy Scottish dishes featuring local ingredients, paired with wines selected to complement each course. The dinner stop offers a taste of Edinburgh’s culinary craftsmanship in an intimate setting, with dishes crafted to tell a story about Scottish culture.

After dinner, the group visits Edinburgh Castle, where sightseeing is woven into the evening’s narrative. The combination of historic landmarks and culinary delights makes this experience uniquely memorable. The stops are designed to balance sightseeing with tastings, ensuring a relaxed, enjoyable pace throughout the night.

Sampling Local Cheeses and Whisky in Historic Bars

The tour continues with cheese tastings paired with whisky, highlighting Scotland’s rich dairy and spirits traditions. Joanne guides guests through pairings that elevate both cheese and whisky, often exploring rare or artisanal cheeses and classic distillery drams. These stop-offs are in atmospheric bars with a sense of history, adding depth to the tasting experience.

The whisky tastings are particularly praised for their variety and depth. Guests learn to identify different whisky styles, appreciate the nuances of each dram, and understand how to pair whiskies with complementary foods. This segment of the tour provides a culinary and culture that is both engaging and enlightening.

Logistics and Convenience for Edinburgh Visitors

The tour starts with pickup options at three central locations: W Edinburgh, Gleneagles Townhouse, and The Balmoral. The guide meets you in the hotel foyer, making the start smooth and hassle-free. After the tour, drop-offs are included at the same locations, making it convenient for travelers staying in the city.

Included in the 4-hour experience are all alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as transport within Edinburgh. The tour is wheelchair accessible and is designed strictly as a private group experience—perfect for those seeking exclusivity and comfort. The private nature ensures a peaceful, personalized environment where your preferences are prioritized.

What Makes This Tour Stand Out from Others

Unlike many food and drink tours, this experience places a strong emphasis on expertise—with a guide who is a professional wine and whisky taster. The customizable stops and personalized menus mean that every guest’s exploration is unique. It’s a deep dive into Edinburgh’s culinary culture, not just a quick tasting session.

The inclusion of hidden bars, tucked-away restaurants, and secret venues gives you a taste of local life, often unavailable to casual travelers. The passion of local guides and the focus on tailoring the experience make this tour a distinctive choice for those seeking something more intimate and genuine.

Is This Tour Right for You?

This experience suits adults over 18 who enjoy fine dining, whisky, and wine, and are comfortable with a moderate walking pace through Edinburgh’s historic streets. While the 4-hour duration includes sightseeing and tastings, it requires guests to be willing to move at a relaxed pace and to appreciate craftsmanship in food and drink.

The tour’s private setting and customizable nature are ideal for couples, small groups, or anyone wanting a bespoke culinary adventure. However, travelers seeking a large-group experience or a more active outing might find this tour more subdued.

The Sum Up: A Private Taste of Edinburgh’s Culinary Heart

The Dinner and Guided Tour with your Personal Scottish Sommelier offers a personalized, expert-led exploration of Edinburgh’s culinary treasures. For $666, guests gain access to hidden restaurants, exclusive tastings, and expert insights, all in a comfortable, private environment. The combination of sightseeing, fine dining, and beverage mastery makes this tour an elegant way to experience the city’s vibrant flavors.

While it may not be suitable for children or large groups, adults who enjoy gastronomy, whisky, and wine will find this experience highly rewarding. The flexibility and customization ensure that every moment aligns with personal interests, making it a distinctive highlight of any Edinburgh visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the tour?
The tour lasts approximately 4 hours, including sightseeing, tastings, and dinner.

Where does the tour start?
It begins at three central Edinburgh locations: W Edinburgh, Gleneagles Townhouse, and The Balmoral.

Are beverages included?
Yes, all alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are included in the experience.

Is this tour suitable for children?
No, the tour is not suitable for guests under 18.

Can I book and pay later?
Yes, you can reserve now and pay later, with free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance.

What is the guide’s expertise?
Your guide, Joanne, is a professional wine and whisky taster who provides insights into food pairing and Scottish spirits.

Is transportation provided?
Yes, transport within Edinburgh is included in the tour.

Is the tour accessible?
The experience is wheelchair accessible.

What kind of restaurants will I visit?
You’ll visit award-winning, hidden, and historic venues, often off the beaten path.

How personalized is the experience?
Very personalized—your preferences influence stops, dishes, and tastings, making each tour unique.

You can check availability for your dates here: More Great Tours Nearby