Summerhall Distillery Travel Guide

Summerhall Distillery’s story began in 2013 when Marcus Pickering and Matthew Gammell, longtime friends with backgrounds in engineering and restoration, decided to transform a disused space within Edinburgh’s historic Summerhall arts venue into a working distillery. The site, formerly the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, provided a unique setting rich with history and character. Despite having no prior distilling experience, the founders built the distillery themselves from scratch, installing two 500-litre traditional Portuguese alembic stills named Gertrude and Emily, ingeniously retrofitted to use hot water heating. This hands-on approach embodied their spirit of innovation and dedication to craft[1][5][11].

Central to the distillery’s identity is Pickering’s Gin, created from a secret family recipe dating back to 1947, rediscovered by Marcus Pickering. This recipe, originally crafted in Bombay, India, inspired a gin that balances fragrant spices and fresh citrus notes, blending historical tradition with modern palates. Since its launch in 2014, Pickering’s Gin has grown into a multi-award-winning brand, expanding its range to include Navy Strength Gin, cask-aged expressions, and flavored variants. The distillery’s innovative spirit also saw it pivot during the pandemic to produce hand sanitizer, demonstrating adaptability and community commitment[1][3][5][13].

Visitors to Summerhall Distillery enjoy more than just a glimpse into gin production; they partake in engaging tours, tastings, and cocktail masterclasses that bring the brand’s story to life. The intimate tours, often led by passionate guides, offer detailed insights into the distillation process and the unique botanicals used, capped off with generous samples of their diverse gin portfolio. The distillery’s location within the Summerhall arts complex, surrounded by galleries, theaters, and a bar serving Pickering’s Gin on tap, fosters a vibrant atmosphere that blends creativity, community, and craftsmanship seamlessly[2][4][6][8][11].

Summerhall itself is a site steeped in history. Originally home to the Royal (Dick) Veterinary College, the complex features early 20th-century Edwardian Baroque architecture and has been repurposed as a multidisciplinary arts venue. The distillery occupies the former dog kennels, creatively reinvented as a modern production facility. This adaptive reuse preserves the site’s heritage while injecting new life through artisanal craft and cultural engagement, making it a distinctive landmark in Edinburgh’s urban fabric[9][11].

Summerhall Distillery’s craftsmanship is evident in its use of traditional distillation methods combined with modern engineering solutions. Their copper alembic stills, heated by water baths rather than conventional gas, allow precise control over the distillation process, resulting in smooth, high-quality spirits. Beyond gin, the distillery has diversified into producing rum and both blended and single malt whiskies, reflecting an ambition to innovate while honoring Scotland’s rich distilling heritage[1][5][11].

Since opening, Summerhall Distillery has achieved remarkable growth, securing partnerships with prestigious institutions such as The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and Cunard Cruise Lines. Their products are internationally distributed, and their innovative gin baubles became a viral sensation, selling out rapidly. The distillery’s commitment to quality and storytelling has positioned it as a leading figure in Scotland’s contemporary spirits scene, blending heritage, innovation, and community engagement[1][17].