Scottish Breweries and Craft Beer

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With around 5,000 years’ history of beer in Scotland, the Scottish craft beer industry has never been bigger with more than 100 breweries now in Scotland, the first time in over a century! With so much variety and different types to suit all tastes there really isn’t a better time to sample some of the great Scottish beers on offer.

Below are a selection of Scottish breweries from different areas in Scotland we would recommend visiting during your stay in Scotland if you have time for a quick pint 🙂

Interested in this growing industry in Scotland? Talk to us today about enjoying a fantastic brewery tour during your Scottish Golf Tour. We are happy to recommend options for brewery visits depending on where you are playing during your time in Scotland.


71 Brewing, Dundee

Located in the city of Dundee, 30 minutes from St Andrews & less than 15 miles from Carnoustie, you will find 71 Brewing. Opened in 2016, 71 Brewing has revived the brewing industry in the city, after its absence of nearly 50 year! The brewery strive to produce beers with flavour and character. Company’s flagship product is their 71 Lager, which uses Czech hops and British Pilsner malt.

Upon arrival for a tour you will receive a pint or schooner of beer. You will then be taken on a walk through the history of the building and the full process of brewing right from the raw ingredients to the final product.

For larger groups (up to 25), the brewery taproom is available for hire. Includes 10 taps of draft craft beers, bottles/cans from 71 Brewing along with options from other craft breweries! Other features include large LCD screen & sound system with food packages available.

Interesting fact: The Brewery is located within an old brick-built ironworks which is the last surviving element of the former Blackness Foundry. Based at 71 Blackness Road, the founders named their brewery 71 Brewery as a nod to the past.

71 Brewing Dundee

For more information please visit the 71 Brewing website

Jan – Dec 2020
Tours operator on a Sat: 1:30pm & 3:00pm
(for any other day or time please request in advance)
Price £12 per person


Black Isle Brewery, Inverness

In the beautiful highlands of Scotland north of Inverness lies the only organic Brewery in Scotland, Black Isle. The Scottish brewery is also just 20 minutes from Castle Stuart Golf Links.

With their slogan ‘save the planet, drink organic’, the brewery is very proud that everything used in their brewing process is organic. As a result this is what gives their beer its distinct fresh and natural taste. The water is drawn from their own private source. In addition the malting barely used comes from their very own 125 acre organic farm. The spent grain is then fed to their flock of Hebridean sheep in one sustainable cycle.

Black Isle Brewery Tour, Inverness

Black Isle first began in 1998 and now produces up to 10,000 litres of beer a day; distributing to locations in Scotland and around the world, including Sweden and Japan. The brewery also has 2 bars, one located in the city of Inverness nearby to the brewery and one in Fort William.

Interesting fact: Every year the brewery is joined by a friendly team of international visitors known as WWoofers. They live and learn about life on organic farms and stay on site at the bothy house, to support and help maintain the farm and gardens.

For more information please visit the Black Isle Brewery website

Jan, Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov & Dec 2020
Mon to Sat: 10:00am – 6:00pm
Apr – Sep 2020
Mon to Sat: 10:00am – 6:00pm
Sun: 11:00am – 5:00pm
Tour price available on request


Brewdog, Aberdeen

Started by two young Scottish lads and a dog in 2007 in the small Scottish town of Fraserburgh in the far northeast corner of Aberdeenshire. Now, Brewdog has grown to become Scotland’s largest independent brewery; with a state of the art eco Brewery in Ellon, North Aberdeen and 65 bars across the globe! Excitingly, Brewdog also opened another eco brewery across the Atlantic Ocean. Located in Columbus Ohio with the world’s first craft beer themed hotel, ‘The DogHouse’, right nextdoor. Not a bad day’s work for the guys!! We would definitely recommend enjoying a Dogwalk Brewery Tour if golfing in the area of Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Interesting fact: The flagship beer for Brewdog and the biggest selling craft beer in the UK is their hoppy, tropical flavoured ‘Punk IPA’ which in their own words “began a revolution”.

For more information please visit the Brewdog website

Brewdog, Ellon Aberdeen

Jan – Dec 2020
Mon to Fri: Tour at 4:00pm & 6:00pm
Sat & Sun: Tour at 12:00pm, 2:00pm & 4:00pm
Tour price £15: 1hr & 30 mins tour


Eden Mill, St Andrews

Less than 5 miles from The Old Course in St Andrews, Eden Mill is a must visit for any beer lover staying in the area. The story begins a very long time ago in 1810, when the famous Haig family ran Seggie distillery until 1860. It was then later reopened as a paper mill in 1872. It continued to operate as a paper mill until 2008. In 2012 Fife businessman Paul Miller, resurrected the site and opened Eden Mill. It is in fact Scotland’s first and original single site combined brewery and distillery. Along with beer, Eden Mill also produce whisky and gin – something for everyone! In 2015, they launched their ‘Golf Gin’ in homage to their connection to St Andrews.

Barrel Eden Mill St Andrews

Eden Mill’s craft beer and IPA range offer a variety of styles from a Belgian-inspired wheat beer to a unique spiced porter and a classic hop-heavy IPA.

Their bourbon and whisky barrels also give them the opportunity to offer uniquely aged craft beers. Every year Eden Mill produce limited edition seasonal brews.

Interesting fact: Their 19th Brew beer is available to golfers on the 9th hole of The Old Course, St Andrews. The refreshing, light, citrusy ale is the perfect pick me up for the next 9 holes!

For more information please visit the Eden Mill website

Unfortunately, Eden Mill distillery & brewery tours are unavailable as their new site is under construction.

During this time, they welcome you to “The Gatehouse”. Enjoy an hour-long session where you will sample from Eden Mills range of beer and spirits


Harviestoun Brewery, Alva

Harviestoun Brewery is located at the foot of the stunning Ochil Hills, in the small town of Alva. Also within 20 miles of Gleneagles, a visit to this Scottish brewery is ideal when playing golf in the Perthshire area. From the founder, Ken Brooker, brewing in his back garden shed in 1983, Harviestoun has grown to become one of Scotland’s top breweries. Extremely innovative, they have also been well respected on the US craft scene since 1999. One of Harviestoun’s signature beers is the award winning ‘Champagne of Lagers’, ‘Schiehallion’, which was first created in 1994. The name comes from one of the best known Munros (mountain over 3,00 feet in height) in Scotland located in Perth and Kinross. One of their other famous beers, is Ola Dubh, 12yr old aged in Highland Park whisky casks.

Interesting fact: In the early days at the farmhouse brewery a number of mice would steal the barley. However one in particular caught their attention. Now the brewery’s mascot, Harvie the mouse can be found on the labels adopting a different character for each beer!

Harviestoun Brewery Tour

For more information please visit the Harviestoun Brewery website

Jan – Dec 2020
Mon to Fri: 10:00am – 4:00pm
Tour price available on request


Innis & Gunn Brewery, Perthshire

The original purpose for the beer was to simply flavour barrels used by William Grant Distillers for their ale cask reserve whisky and then be discarded. However, founder Dougal Gunn Sharp decided rather than throwing away the used beer, they should age the beer in the barrel. As a result his creation was born! Now one of the world’s first international craft beer brands, their lager is the No.1 craft lager in Scotland! In Glasgow, Edinburgh & Dundee you will find Innis & Gunn Taprooms where you can enjoy good food and sample the full range on tap and in cans/ bottles.

Innis & Gunn Brewery

Brewing in Wellpark Brewery in Glasgow since 2003, Innis & Gunn took over Inveralmond in Perthshire in 2016. At the end of 2019, Innis & Gunn announced some exciting news regarding an expansion! Heriot-Watt University’s Research Park, home to the world-renowned International Centre for Brewing & Distilling will be the location for their brand new brewery. It will be the first major brewery to be built in Edinburgh for 150 years!

The brewery in Perthshire will continue to brew the award-winning Inveralmond Brewery range of cask and bottle ales and will focus on small scale experimentation and limited edition barrel-aged beers.

Interesting fact: This year Innis & Gunn are collaborating with Edinburgh’s iconic Filmhouse cinema and their House Guest residency. In addition, they have been named as official beer partner for Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF). It will be their third year partnering with the festival, including Film Fest in the City.

For more information please visit the Innis & Gunn website

Jan – Dec 2020
Mon to Fri: 10:00am – 4:00pm
Tour price available on request
Once open the new brewery will house a visitor centre and offer tours.


If you wish to include a visit to any of the Scottish breweries listed above during your tour to Scotland please specify on our enquiry form. Alternatively please let us know if you would like to arrange a beer tasting or visit any other breweries.