The best gin events to take in at the Edinburgh Fringe

With gin fast becoming Scotland's favourite spirit after whisky, here are some of the best gin events to enjoy at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Published 28th Jul 2016
Updated 18 th Sep 2023

It's safe to say that we are huge fans of Scottish gin and as we are also looking forward to popping along to the Edinburgh Fringe, we thought we'd combine our passion for the two to find out what gin events would be worth checking out at the Festival and it turns out there are more than a few.

A Pickering's Gin Jolly

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Where: Summerhall, Summerhall Pl, Edinburgh EH9 1PL

When: Aug 3rd-8th, 10th-15th, 17th-22nd, 24th-28th

Genre: Event, tour, tasting

What: What can be better than taking a glimpse behind the curtain and learning how something works? Well the Gin Jolly takes you straight to the source and allows you to learn how the award-winning Pickering’s Gin is made. Guides will meet you in the Summerhall Courtyard before introducing you to the curvaceous delights of Pickering's two favourite ladies, Gert and Emily - who if you are lucky you might just see in action (Get your mind out of the gutter, they are the copper stills used to create this excellent gin).

Don't worry, there's plenty of audience participation: you’ll get to sample our full range of gin, metres from where it was distilled, before enjoying a complementary Pickering’s and tonic straight from the gin tap back at the Airstream Cocktail Bar.

Locked in: The Distillery Escape

Where: Summerhall, Summerhall Pl, Edinburgh EH9 1PL

When: Aug 3rd-7th, 9th-14th, 16th-21st, 23rd-28th

Genre: Gameshow

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What: If you are looking for a little more interaction than a simple distillery tour then this event is for you.

The Locked In Escape game makes its way to the Fringe for the first time. Gather a team of your cleverest friends, family or colleagues (between two and five players) and prepare for the ultimate mental challenge.

60 minutes of frantic teamwork as you try to solve the puzzle of who is plotting the downfall of Pickering's Gin. Solve clues, have fun and most importantly save the gin. If you loved game shows like The Crystal Maze and Fort Boyard, then this is for you.

The Gin Chronicles: A Scottish Adventure

gin chronicles

Where: St Mark's ArtSpace, 7 Castle Terrace, Edinburgh, EH1 2DP

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When: Aug 8th-20th, 22nd-25th

Genre: Theatre

What: Taking care of the cultural side of things is this excellent live recording of The Gin Chronicles: A Scottish Adventure. 

The Misfits of London return to Edinburgh after last year's triple five-star reviewed show, bringing characters John Jobling and Doris Golightly (1940s amateur detectives) to life as they investigate the threat of a London gin shortage in England in 1947.

As the case opens up the clues take them north to Edinburgh. A train journey beckons, all the while the menace of a juniper crisis looms overhead.

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The Gin Whore Tour

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Where: The Devil's Cut, 7-11 Hope Street, EH2 2EL

When: 27th-28th August

Genre: Tasting

What: Sporting the best name on this list we highly recommend the ever knowledgeable Katherine O'Neil as she provides four of the finest gins and historical tales of hooch and harlots to celebrate the modern gin renaissance with her slightly risqué one-woman show.

Edinburgh Gin's Evening of Literature and Liquor

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Where:  Edinburgh Gin Distillery, 1a Rutland Place, EH1 2D

When:  August 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th

What: Edinburgh Gin's Evening of Literature and Liquor returns to the brand's city centre distillery for a second year after last year’s sold out dates. Join Edinburgh Gin's Brand Ambassador Ewan Angus as he takes you through the "illicit, sordid love affair between literature and liquor".

Follow the story of books and booze from the late 1700s through to modern times and discover a new way to enjoy Edinburgh Gin's products with three literary based cocktails.

 

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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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