Distillery near Edinburgh

Glenkinchie distillery in Pencaitland is about 20-30 minutes drive from Edinburgh. You will need a car to get there. We had a very good tour and tasting there. We went there the same morning that we went to Roslyn Chapel which is fairly close by.

If you can't find a distillery within your distance or transportation (you don't say if you'll be driving or using public transport) tolerance, you can certainly get good info (and good whisky) at the Edinburgh Whisky Experience. It is a 'fun' way to learn about how Whisky is made, the different types (there are single malts, blended, etc. and each has varieties with it...) it's history and to get a free wee dram at the end. Their shop is very good and has a comprehensive collection of single malts as well as blended whiskies. If you are willing to travel a bit, though, the Speyside whiskies are marvelous (in my humble opinion). You can take the train to the area, but there are also 'whisky taxi tours'. Dufftown has quite a few distilleries near it. Here are some websites to help you http://www.scotchwhisky.net/distilleries/ http://www.maltwhiskytrail.com/ http://www.whisky-distilleries.info/index_EN.shtml http://www.dcs.ed.ac.uk/home/jhb/whisky/scotland.html By the way- our personal favorites are Dahwhinnie (and their distillery offeres a GREAT tour) and Balvinnie 12 year double wood
If you like blended Scotch Whisky try Dimple (in the US it is called Pinch)

Another thought- you can also ask a pub barman or whisky shop owner to arrange a whisky tasting for you. That's how I learned what it is I really like (lighter, not to peaty, not 'fishy', more floral/heathery, slightly sweet).