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Queensferry
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Nature & adventure

Our most recommended Queensferry Nature & adventure

Edinburgh: 'Firth of Forth' Three Bridges Sightseeing Cruise

1. Edinburgh: 'Firth of Forth' Three Bridges Sightseeing Cruise

Your boat tour will depart from the South Queensferry, which is only a short distance from Scotland's bustling capital city of Edinburgh. Your tour will include magnificent views of the "three bridges", including the world-famous UNESCO World Heritage Forth Railway Bridge. In addition, you can take in the beautiful panoramas of the Edinburgh skyline, the Kingdom of Fife and the historic island of Inchcolm with its medieval abbey. As part of the tour you will stop at the island to drop off and pick up visitors. Cruise along and discover the magic of the red railway Forth Bridge, the Forth Road suspension bridge, and the longest three-tower, cable-stayed bridge in the world, Queensferry Crossing. For your comfort, relax onboard in the heated observation lounge or on the outside decks, and listen to the guided commentary while you enjoy a drink from the bar. During your tour, you will find plenty of opportunities to both see and photograph a wide variety of marine wildlife including seabirds, porpoises and seals.

The Outlander 1 Day Experience from Edinburgh

2. The Outlander 1 Day Experience from Edinburgh

Departing central Edinburgh hop aboard an air-conditioned coach and head to your first location of the day, Midhope Castle, a must for Outlander fans. The Midhope Castle is the external location of the Fraser family home known as Lallybroch. Spend time at the castle for photos and live out your Outlander fantasy before heading to the next stop, Blackness Castle. Explore the rich history within the castle walls and learn of its multi-functional history as a lordly residence, garrison fortress, and state prison. Fans of Outlander may also recognize that the exterior posed as Fort William, the foreboding headquarters of Black Jack Randall. The tour continues to the town of Linlithgow, famous for its palace, birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots. Here, outlander fans have the opportunity to see Linlithgow Palace, used as the set for the infamous Wentworth Prison in Outlander. Linlithgow Palace is where Outlander's Jamie was held prisoner and tortured by Black Jack Randall, one of the most intense scenes filmed during the TV series. Enjoy some time for refreshments and exploring before the next stop. Visit Culross next. Several parts of Culross are used to depict the village of Cranesmuir, predominantly for season 1 of Outlander. During your time here, you'll notice many of the scenes come to life as you step into the actual shooting location of the show. Following in the footsteps of Jamie and Claire, stop at the beautiful village of Falkland, nestled between the two Lomond Hills in the Howe of Fife. Fans of Outlander will recognize Falkland as the stand-in for Inverness, where Claire and Frank honeymoon. The last stop of the day is at the viewpoint of South Queensferry. Admire the Firth of Forth and the three magnificent bridges that link Edinburgh to Fife. Stretch your legs and take some final photos. On returning to Edinburgh, choose to be dropped off at Bakehouse Close, a location featured in the third series of Outlander as Jamie's print house. *Midhope Castle is only available April-December

From Edinburgh: St Andrews & Fishing Villages of Fife Tour

3. From Edinburgh: St Andrews & Fishing Villages of Fife Tour

Travel through the historic country of Fife on this day trip from Edinburgh aboard an airconditioned bus. Dive into sights that you see along the way with live commentary. Stop in the charming towns of Anstruther, St. Andrews, and South Queensferry. Leave Edinburgh and admire views of the iconic Forth Rail Bridge as you cross the Firth of Forth, and enter into the ancient “Kingdom of Fife.” Pass through Aberdour before continuing into the East Neuk of Fife.  Take in the views as you pass thorugh the picturesque villages of St. Monans and Pittenween, which were once thriving fishing. Reach the town of Anstruther, the home of the Scottish Fisheries Museum, where the bus will make a stop.  Leaving Anstruther, journey through Crail and then arrive in the beautiful medieval town of St. Andrews in time for lunch. Have free time to walk around the town which is famous as the home of golf and has the best-known golf course in the world. Spend your three-hours of free time purchasing lunch, walking down cobbled streets, seeing the ruins of the cathedral and castle, or visiting Scotland’s oldest university, where Prince William met Kate Middleton. Heading homewards, travel across the Lomond hills, descending to Loch Leven (where Mary Queen of Scot was imprisoned). Make a brief stop to admire magnificent views of the Forth Bridges in South Queensferry before returning to Edinburgh.

From Edinburgh: Outlander Adventure Day Tour

4. From Edinburgh: Outlander Adventure Day Tour

Time for your own Outlander adventure. You leave Edinburgh and begin following the trail of film locations featured in the Outlander TV Series. First, we travel to the place that needs no introduction: Midhope Castle*, known as Jamie’s lovely home Lallybroch. And you'll get a warmer welcome than he did. The cosy interior of the house has been re-created in the film studios. In reality, visitors can’t explore the ruins of the castle but you can sit on the iconic steps of Lallybroch and wait for Jamie or Claire to walk through the beautiful archway in the courtyard. We then journey through the charming countryside to Blackness Castle. It’s an impressive fortress that’s known as the ‘ship that never sailed’ because it resembles a giant stone boat. You have time to walk along the ramparts and explore the fictional headquarters of Jack Randall. Just pray you don't run into him... The next stop is Linlithgow Palace, otherwise known as Wentworth Prison. It’s also where you have lunch, so try local specialities or have a picnic by the loch and take a photo of the ruins of Mary Queen of Scots’ birthplace. Heading north, we journey past Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument to **Doune Castle, or as it’s called in Outlander, Castle Leoch. This formidable building represents home to Colum MacKenzie and his clan in the 18th-century episodes. When you visit, you can discover its real story and get an insight into the living conditions of a Scottish earl in the 14th century. There’s also an excellent audio guide describing how this castle was used as a filming location for Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Travel back in time once more as your driver-guide takes you to Culross. This virtually unchanged 16th-century village overlooks the sea and poses as the fictional town of Cranesmuir. You have time to visit Claire’s herb garden, explore the palace, or wander the ancient streets while you imagine what life must have been like 400 years ago. From there, we head back to Edinburgh, where we arrive in the late afternoon. *Please note that Midhope Castle is also closed for the following dates in November (2nd, 11th, 15th, 18th, 22nd, 30th) and December (5th, 9th, 11th, 16th, 19th). It then closes for approximately 12 weeks from Friday 22nd December at 3pm **Please note that Doune Castle is closed from 8th January - 18th February 2024. We will instead take you to Linlithgow Palace. We apologise for the inconvenience.

From Edinburgh: Experience the Highlands with Whisky Tasting

5. From Edinburgh: Experience the Highlands with Whisky Tasting

Discover the vast landscapes and serene lochs of the Scottish Highlands on a day trip from Edinburgh. Explore quaint towns, follow a woodland trail, and savor the taste of authentic Scottish whisky. Depart Edinburgh on a scenic minibus ride over the Queensferry Crossing to the Kingdom of Fife. Watch the scenery change as you head north, from the rolling lowlands to forested hills and mountains as you approach the Highland Fault line. On the banks of the River Tay, make a stop at the charming cathedral town of Dunkeld. Hop off to explore its historic cathedral or wander through the quaint streets of this picturesque village. Continue to the hermitage and breathe in the fresh forest air on a woodland walk to the Black Linn Falls. Next, follow the wide valley of the River Tay towards the Victorian resort town of Pitlochry. Spend about one hour here to explore the many shops or grab a bite to eat. After lunch, drive through the mountains of Highland Perthshire, and take a short stop at the Queen's View overlooking Loch Tummel. On a clear day, witness the dramatic views of the peak of Schiehallion and the mountains of Glencoe. Next, head to the town of Aberfeldy and step inside Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery. Discover the secret of how Scotland's national drink is made and savor a well-deserved dram. Finally, board the minibus for a scenic return to Edinburgh.

From Edinburgh: Outlander, Palaces and Jacobites Tour

6. From Edinburgh: Outlander, Palaces and Jacobites Tour

Step into the story and witness the scenic landscapes and ruins from the TV show "Outlander" on this day trip from Edinburgh. Travel in a comfortable bus and see the village of Cranesmuir and the Tuilyies Standing Stones. Board your bus in Edinburgh's Royal Mile and head to Midhope Castle. Explore this 16th-century Tower House, which served as the backdrop to Lallybroch; Jamie Fraser's family home. Next, head to Blackness, home to Blackness Castle, an optional extra on this tour. The castle is used to represent Fort William in the series. Learn why this castle is known as "the ship that never sailed". Following in the footsteps of Claire and Jamie, your Outlander tour travels northwest to the Royal Burgh of Linlithgow. Stop to take a photo of Linlithgow Palace, Outlander's Wentworth Prison. Explore the town, purchase refreshments, and learn about this palace's history as a relaxing retreat for the Royal Family on journeys between Edinburgh and Stirling Castle. Continue to the Royal Burgh of Culross. a tiny 17th-century village on the coast of Fife. The gardens here feature in Claire's herb garden and the Mercat Cross in Outlanders' Cranesmuir Village. Enjoy plenty of time to stroll through this picturesque town and visit the quaint Biscuit Café. Next, head to Falkland. This small village in Fife served as the set for Inverness in Outlander, where Claire and Frank arrive on their second honeymoon. Spend time exploring the small village, enjoy refreshments, and optionally visit Falkland Palace and Gardens. Finish your tour with a stop in South Queensferry for photos and a stunning view over the Firth of Forth before returning to Edinburgh.

From Edinburgh: St Andrews & Fife's Fishing Villages

7. From Edinburgh: St Andrews & Fife's Fishing Villages

You leave Edinburgh and travel north to South Queensferry. You travel over the Queensferry Crossing, and get a great view of one of Scotland's greatest man-made landmarks, the Forth Rail Bridge. You then enter the Kingdom of Fife and stop in the traditional fishing village of Anstruther (known as 'Ainster' locally), where you can check out the old cobbled streets and take a walk along the seafront to the harbour. From Anstruther, we continue north to the medieval town of St Andrews. St Andrew is the patron Saint of Scotland, and according to legend his remains were washed up on the Fife coast. St Andrews is also home to the third oldest university in Britain and a beautiful ruined castle perched on a cliff. You have around two and a half hours to explore this fascinating town. After St Andrews, we take a pleasant drive through the rolling countryside of central Fife to Falkland. Falkland Palace dominates this old village, and was one of the main residences of the old Royal family of Scotland, the Stewarts (Stuarts). Aside from the palace the village is simply one of the most beautiful in Scotland with an array of old cottages and narrow winding streets. Leaving Falkland we return to Edinburgh, passing Loch Leven, where Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned by her Protestant nobility. And then we once again cross the Firth of Forth and return to the city centre.

Queensferry: Sightseeing Cruise with Cream Tea

8. Queensferry: Sightseeing Cruise with Cream Tea

The Firth of Forth is simply overflowing with myths, turbulent history, and fascinating marine wildlife. Join this boat tour on a 90-minute cruise onboard a superb vessel. Depart from South Queensferry, which is only a short distance from Scotland's bustling capital city of Edinburgh. Take in views of Blackness Castle, the ship that never sails and featured in Outlander and the Outlaw King. There are also views of Limekilns village, mentioned in Robert Louis Stevenson's 'Kidnapped'. It was from Limekilns that David Balfour and Alan Breck were carried across the Forth in a rowing boat. You will also see the Three Bridges as you have never seen them before including the UNESCO World Heritage Forth Bridge. For your comfort relax onboard with friends and family in the observation lounge or on the outside decks and listen to the guided commentary while you enjoy your complimentary cream tea. Spot the marine wildlife, during your tour, you will find plenty of opportunities to see a wide variety of marine wildlife including seabirds and seals.

St. Andrews and the Kingdom of Fife Tour from Edinburgh

9. St. Andrews and the Kingdom of Fife Tour from Edinburgh

Take a full-day trip from Edinburgh and discover the natural beauty of the Fife coast, taking in quaint fishing villages, abbey’s, and the famous university town of St. Andrews, led by an expert guide. From Edinburgh head to South Queensferry and take a look at 2 of the most remarkable bridges in the world–the Forth Rail Bridge built in 1890, and it’s much younger neighbor, the Forth Road bridge. Cross the River Forth and stop-off at the magnificent Dunfermline Abbey, the burial place of King Robert the Bruce. See the gold ornate tomb, and learn about the effect of the reformation on the Abbey, when under Henry VIII’s rule churches were destroyed, supposedly in the name of God. Travel along the Fife coast passing Carnegie Hall, the birthplace of world-famous philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. Stop-off at charming little fishing villages, including Anstruther, an old Herring stronghold. Try the best fish and chips in Scotland, or have a snack at the Fisheries Museum. Continue on to St. Andrews, home of golf, religion, and the famous university. Here you will spend 2.5 hours. Explore the beautiful settings, in good weather the beach featuring in the movie Chariots of Fire is particularly popular, as are the 16th Century tunnels under the castle. Golf lovers may want to pay respects at the grave of Tom Morris, visit the Golf Museum, try out the Links Course Putting Green, or simply walk along Granny Clark’s Wynd–a public right-of-way running over the old course.

Edinburgh: Scone Palace, Hunting Castle & Waterfall Tour

10. Edinburgh: Scone Palace, Hunting Castle & Waterfall Tour

Travel to Scone Palace and explore the Palace to learn its long history and see the ancient coronation site for the Kings & Queens of Scotland. Departing Edinburgh, we travel through the beautiful Perthshire countryside and begin the day with a short hike to Kinnoull Tower, with stunning views across the city of Perth. Then we're off to visit Scone Palace to explore this incredible place. Once the coronation site for the Kings & Queens of Scotland, this elegant Palace holds a commanding view across the city of Perth and the River Tay, Scotland's Longest River. Continuing the travels north into the Highlands of Scotland, the next stop takes its name from a visit by a very famous Queens from the British Monarchy, The Queens View. A spot visited by Queen Victoria on her travels north with her husband Albert, they decided to stop by this spot for a view over Loch Tummel & what a view it is! The next spot visited on the Scone Palace tour is Killiecrankie, where you'll learn about the 1689 Jacobite Uprising Battle of Killiecrankie, led by Bonnie Dundee. A short hike to a spot called the Soldiers Leap, you'll learn how this name came about and be offered stunning views down into the River Garry. Now begin your travels south to the Birks of Aberfeldy, a stunning hike through the beautiful woodland towards spectacular waterfalls which inspired one of Scotland's famous poets to compose his poem about the falls, Robert "Rabbie" Burns. After the hike, continue travelling south from the Highlands of Scotland to our next destination, Huntingtower Castle. This charming castle once hosted Mary Queen of Scots and her husband, Lord Darnley. Learn about the Ruthven Raid, where a young James VI (6th) was held hostage for months. After visiting our final stop, we travel back down to Edinburgh.

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What people are saying about Queensferry

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 396 reviews

Unfortunately due to completely our own fault we went to the wrong jetty and we were already a bit late due to being stuck behind a garbage truck in the wee streets of S Queensferry. The girl on duty was fantastic - she tried to call the cream tea boat to ask them to wait for us and when she couldn't reach them she held the boat she was handling, got us on that and ensured we got free tea and coffee (no scones on that cruise but not a big deal at all). We were blessed with a beautiful sunny day. The commentary was informative and interesting and narrated by someone with a great voice! The whole experience was really enjoyable and scenic. The bar was reasonably priced. The youngsters working on the boat were helpful, professional and kind. Highlight for us was seeing the seals. Would definitely do this again and would love to do the longer one where you can get off on the island. This was part of my daughters 18th birthday surprise and we all loved it.

The trip and the guide, Allen, were fantastic. The only downside was that it rained steadily the whole time we were on Ioana and the boat trip to Staffa was canceled because of high seas. We had ok weather the rest of the time and still enjoyed seeing what we could see in the rain and fog. The guide was very accommodating to the weather conditions and changed the itinerary slightly so that we could see more things on Mull instead of staying in the cold rain on Ioana. He was very sensitive to making our trip the best in spite of the weather (which he couldn't control!). It was a great experience and the lodging secured for us was top notch. The Isle of Skye was great with nice weather. So all in all, it exceeded our expectations.

If you have the choice of seat on the boat, I would sit to the left of the bar as most of the narration was on that side. We were on the right and visually missed some of what they were talking about. Still very enjoyable though.

Great trip,coffee and scone were lovely,the captain was very good at informing us about everything we were seeing

Very good trip well worth the money excellent views and a lot of Scottish history learnt