There's a Rum Festival coming to Edinburgh - here's where and when

The UK’s first travelling Rum Festival has announced that it will be heading to Edinburgh this September.

Published 23rd Aug 2017
Updated 8 th Aug 2023

The two-day event, which will be on the second time the Festival has come to Scotland, will take place at The Assembly Rooms on Friday 29th September.

The Rum Festival will introduce guests to over 100 different rums from around the globe combined with live entertainment, great food and free giveaways.

Lucy Douglas, the founder of the festival, said: “The growth in the rum market and evolution in the variety of flavours and styles has been phenomenal over the last couple of years.

"Having been to some amazing Beer Festivals and Gin Festivals we decided to set up something for rum drinkers, somewhere fun where they could try new and exciting rums whilst listening to live music, eating great food and be surrounded by like-minded people."

The festival organiser added that rum is the most diverse and versatile of the spirits - great on its own over ice, perfectly blended with your favourite mixer, or shaken up in a cocktail.

Rum Festival

Douglas said: "With a vast and diverse range of production methods and being produced all over the globe in varying climates, every rum is different and there is something for everyone."

Each guest will be greeted on arrival by a Rum’un*; handed a Rum Festival glass (which they can take home) and a brochure full of information on all the rums they can try, with facts about each of the suppliers and the suggested garnish to compliment your drink.

[*Lucy explained: “We call our team Rum’Uns – Rum’un – Rum One… Someone who is a bit quirky; who is a little bit naughty but still eminently lovable."]

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Each rum will be grouped by category with White, Golden, Dark, Spiced and Flavoured all having their own sections, with the team on hand to help any beginners choose.

Drinks vouchers for buying the rums, will be available from a stand in the main hall and throughout the event there will be live entertainment and dancing – including steel drums and salsa, live blogs from rum industry experts and tasty food to buy.

Rum Festival

And for the Edinburgh event, The Rum Festival’s cocktail
team will also be on hand to mix some exciting and innovative rum cocktails.

Ten brand partners have also been announced, with each showcasing their wares and giving lots of free samples including three Scottish producers: Beach Craft Spirits, Spirit of Glasgow and the Wester Spirit Co..

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Douglas said: "We brought the Rum Festival to Glasgow back in June and it was awesome! Over 1500 people came over two days and we're really excited to be back in Scotland.

"We know Edinburgh is famous for whisky but we really hope you will embrace our love for Rum too. The Assembly Rooms is a beautiful venue and Edinburgh has some great Rum bars so roll on September!"

Driven by a passion for all things drinks-related, Sean writes for The Scotsman extensively on the subject. He can also sometimes be found behind the bar at the world famous Potstill bar in Glasgow where he continues to enhance his whisky knowledge built up over 10 years advising customers from all over the world on the wonders of our national drink. Recently, his first book was published. Dubbed Gin Galore, it explores Scotland's best gins and the stories behind those that make them.
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