Firth of Forth: Our most recommended tours and activities

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.

Queensferry: 1.5-Hour Maid of the Forth Sightseeing Cruise

2. Queensferry: 1.5-Hour Maid of the Forth Sightseeing Cruise

Your tour will begin as you visit the booking office and gift shop to collect your boarding pass. From there, you will make your way onto Hawes Pier to board the boat and embark on your sightseeing cruise. Once the boat has departed Hawes Pier, there will be a brief safety message played to all passengers before the audio commentary begins. The journey then starts with the boat heading under the Red Forth Rail Bridge before continuing past the historic Inchgarvie Island towards Inchcolm Island. You can listen as the skipper points out seals, puffins, and other wildlife that can be found throughout the cruise. Once around Inchcolm Island, you can watch carefully for sunbathing seals on the Haystack before the cruise continues back under the Red Rail Bridge towards the Forth Road Bridge and the recently opened Queensferry Crossing. Once under these majestic bridges, the boat will cruise back to Hawes Pier where you will be free to disembark.

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.

Queensferry: Sightseeing Cruise with Cream Tea

4. 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.

Edinburgh: Queensferry Bus Tour & Firth of Forth Cruise

5. Edinburgh: Queensferry Bus Tour & Firth of Forth Cruise

Board your bus in the heart of Edinburgh and travel through the Georgian New Town on a guided bus tour. Continue towards the charming town of South Queensferry, where you will take a relaxing boat cruise on the Firth of Forth.  Enjoy superb views of the Edinburgh and Fife coastlines as well as the iconic 3 bridges which cross the estuary, including the Forth Rail Bridge. Look out for seals and puffins, depending on the time of year. Before you head back to Edinburgh on your return bus journey, explore the beautiful conservation town of South Queensferry at your own pace. Discover its picturesque harbor and stunning coastal views, which make this one of Scotland's most beautiful towns.

From Edinburgh: Isle of Skye 3-Day Tour with Accommodation

6. From Edinburgh: Isle of Skye 3-Day Tour with Accommodation

Enjoy a full 3 days exploring the dramatic scenery of the Scottish Highlands and the romance of the island of Skye in a small group tour. Dhoose your accommodation to suit your own budget and you will get an exclusive discount card to receive discounts at local restaurants and shops. Day 1: Depart Edinburgh by luxury Mercedes minibus at and travel west, passing Linlithgow Palace, the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots. Continue towards Stirling with its imposing castle and views of the Wallace Monument. You will pass Doune Castle, movie location for scenes from Monty Python's infamous "Holy Grail," before stopping at the edge of the Highlands for refreshments. As you drive into the Highlands you will pass Loch Luibnaig, Loch Earn, Crianlarich and Tyndrum, stopping for lunch along the way. Drive north through Glencoe, scene of the great massacre of the Clan Macdonald in 1692. Continue to Fort William and up to the Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge, offering magnificent views over Ben Nevis. Next you will take the "Road to the Isles," through the splendor of the 5 Sisters of Kintail, the mountains that guard the pass to the Isle of Skye. Stop to visit the famous Eilean Donan Castle, used in the film "Highlander" and located at the junction of 3 lochs as protection against Viking raiders. Crossing over the bridge to Skye, you head north to Portree where you will be dropped off at your accommodation. Enjoy an evening and dinner at leisure, exploring the town’s Gaelic attractions and harborside. Day 2: You will spend the day on the Isle of Skye with flexible arrangements. There are many possibilities, depending on the weather, and the dynamics of your group. Your driver/ guide's local knowledge will come to the fore to arrange the best day for everyone. You could travel north to explore the Trotternish Peninsula with its stunning Quiraing mountain pass and some of Skye's extraordinary geological scenery. Or head to Kilt Rock, composed of basalt columns that are reminiscent of the pleats in a kilt. Enjoy the magic of the waterfall, cascading over cliffs and down into the sea below. Take a short break for lunch, before continuing to explore this most dramatic of islands. Head in a westerly direction to Dunvegan castle, the ancestral home of Clan Macleod, or enjoy spectacular views at Neist Point, the most westerly point of Skye. Return you to your accommodation in Portree in the early evening to enjoy dinner and the rest of the evening at leisure. Day 3: Your driver will collect you from your accommodation and head south through the Cuillin Hills, back over to the mainland for stunning views over Loch Duich and the 5 Sisters of Kintail. Move on to Loch Ness for lunch. Look out for "Nessie," the mysterious monster that has haunted and confounded visitors since the 1950s. Head south through the Grampian Mountains along Loch Laggan, famous as the location for the TV miniseries "Monarch of the Glen," before passing Dalwhinnie, home to Scotland's highest whisky distillery. You will pause for refreshments at Blair Castle, before heading back to Edinburgh via Perth and over the extraordinary Forth Road Bridge.

Isle of Skye and West Highlands: 4-Day Tour from Edinburgh

7. Isle of Skye and West Highlands: 4-Day Tour from Edinburgh

Embark on a breathtaking 4-day journey through the Scottish countryside, enjoying the grandeur of the Scottish glens, mountains and coastlines at a relaxed pace. Spend some time exploring the beautiful Isle of Skye and stop to take in the dramatic views of untouched nature as you pass the dramatic Glencoe and Glenfinnan. Day 1: Edinburgh - The Kelpies - Glencoe - Fort William Depart Edinburgh at 9:15 AM and travel northwest to visit the Kelpies, the largest pair of horse sculptures in the world and one of Scotland's most fascinating modern marvels. For lunch, stop in either of the small towns of Killin or Callander, passing through beautiful lochs and castles. After enjoying beautiful views of rivers, lochs, and forests, cross the wild and remote Rannoch Moor, a beautiful location for photographers and nature lovers. You then travel to Glencoe, one of Scotland's most famous landscapes, before heading towards Fort William, where the tour stays for the first night. Day 2: Fort William - Mallaig – Skye After breakfast, get picked up from your accommodation and travel by Glenfinnan Viaduct. It's one of the most spectacular railway bends in Britain and featured in the Harry Potter movies. There is also an iconic monument that commemorates the Jacobites who fought for Scottish independence. After arriving in Mallaig, take the ferry with your group to the southern area of the Isle of Skye. Spend your afternoon exploring the incredible landscapes of the Sleat Peninsula, with potential stops at the waterfalls of Glenbrittle or Cuillin Mountains in Elgol. The tour then heads towards the Lochalsh/Skye area, the base for the next two nights. Day 3: Travel through Skye's most iconic scenery Today the tour offers great opportunities to enjoy some of the most famous wonders of Skye, such as Quiraing, Old Man of Storr, Neist Point, etc. This day's itinerary is quite flexible, depending on the weather and the group's interests. Your experienced guide will choose a unique itinerary and will ensure you get a chance to get off the beaten track and discover what the Isle of Skye has to offer. Day 4: Skye - Dunkeld - Edinburgh This morning you say farewell to Skye and travel south through Glen Shiel towards the Central Highlands. Stop at the historic village of Dunkeld, and have the opportunity to visit the ruins of the old cathedral. The tour then heads through the Lowlands, over the Firth of Forth, and gets back to Edinburgh at approximately 6:30 PM.

From Edinburgh: Speyside Whisky Trail 3-Day Small Group Tour

8. From Edinburgh: Speyside Whisky Trail 3-Day Small Group Tour

Day 1 You head north through the Kingdom of Fife to Lindores Abbey Distillery. This modern Scottish distillery is built on the site of the first ever recorded distiller in the country. After lunch in Braemar, you can sample the delights of the Royal Lochnagar distillery. The outstanding flavour of its whisky was appreciated by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert on one of many visits to their summer residence, Balmoral Castle. Once you’ve warmed with this dram of “the gentle spirit”, you continue through the Cairngorms National Park before reaching Grantown-on-Spey, your base for two nights. Day 2 Time for some fun. Today you spend the whole day exploring Scotland’s most famous whisky region. After a scenic drive towards the coast, your first stop of the day is at Glen Moray, where you can try whisky matured in a wide selection of casks. You travel back up the Spey River to Craigellachie for a visit to the Speyside Cooperage**, where you see another aspect of the whisky making process. After lunch in nearby Aberlour, you visit Cardhu Distillery, which is the first distillery pioneered by a woman, Helen Cumming. Today, Cardhu is the most important whisky in Johnnie Walker Black Label. From here you travel back to Grantown-on-Spey. **Speyside Cooperage will remain closed till 22nd May 2023. If your tour departs on 15th May, you will visit Strathisla distillery instead. And if your tour departs on the 17th May, you will visit Glen Grant Distillery instead. After 22nd May 2023 the Cooperage is visited on Monday and Wednesday departures. Day 3 In the morning you visit Scotland's highest distillery at Dalwhinnie, set in splendid mountain scenery at the heart of the Cairngorm National Park. You then leave the Highlands and journey south to Perthshire. Pitlochry is your lunch stop and later you drive to the Hermitage to get close to nature. Here you can take a fantastic woodland walk amongst the tallest trees in Britain and admire the Black Linn Falls. From here the route south takes you to Dunkeld, where you've got some time to explore, and then over the Firth of Forth and back to Edinburgh. **Itinerary and distillery visits are subject to change.

Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Glencoe & The Highlands Coach Day Tour

9. Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Glencoe & The Highlands Coach Day Tour

Leaving from Charlotte Square, Edinburgh, we head northwest towards our first stop in Callander, passing famous landmarks such as Linlithgow Palace: birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots, the mystical Kelpies, and the dramatically perched Stirling Castle. The stop Callander is where you can grab some refreshments and the chance to meet one of the resident Highland Cows (season dependant). Continuing our travels through Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, your Driver / Guide will keep you entertained with historical tales and fun facts, before stopping in the centre of Glencoe for some photos of the dramatic ridges called the Three Sisters. Travelling north along the banks of Loch Linnhe, our next stop will be in the Fort William area for lunch before heading into the natural beauty of the Great Glen as we pass Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis. We stop at Spean Bridge to take in the views of Ben Nevis and admire the Commando Memorial. Heading further into the highlands we arrive in the small picturesque village of Fort Augustus - you can choose to take part in an optional boat cruise here (payable on the day). For those not partaking in the Loch Ness Cruise, you can relax in one of the local coffee shops or spend your time exploring the area. Loch Ness, 24 miles long and over 700 feet deep, is most famous for its sightings of the Loch Ness monster, known as “Nessie”. All tired out from the action packed day, our tour will begin its journey south. The road home will be time to relax and take in the Highland scenery as we cut through the Cairngorms National Park and the scenic woodland of Perthshire. Final refreshment stop is at the historic town of Pitlochry before continuing the journey home over the Firth of Forth alongside UNESCO Forth Rail Bridge enroute back into Edinburgh.

From Edinburgh: Scottish Highlands Full-Day Trip

10. From Edinburgh: Scottish Highlands Full-Day Trip

Sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenic landscapes as you embark on your Highland adventure.. You have the freedom to explore and make impromptu stops at any breath-taking viewpoint or charming village that catches your eye. Our tours are fully customisable so can be adapted to suit your needs. We provide executive cars that hold up to 8 passengers and will arrange a pick up and drop off at your hotel or chosen location. All cars are fully Airconditioned and will have water and soft drinks on board for you. Our drivers have vast experience, so will point out all the hidden gems to you and share the local knowledge. Together we'll explore many Castles, Lochs, waterfalls and so much more. So, join me on this adventure of a lifetime. Itinerary - 1) Queensferry Crossing - we'll stop by the Queensferry Crossing to see the 3 bridges. -Rail Bridge was the first of the 3 bridges, built in 1890. -Forth Road Bridge built in 1964 and was the fourth longest in the world at the time. -Queensferry Crossing built in 2017 at 1.7 miles. It’s the longest three-tower cable-stayed bridge in the world (10 minutes) 2) Blackness Castle - Used in series 1 of Outlander Blackness Castle is a 15th-century fortress, near the village of Blackness, Scotland, on the south shore of the Firth of Forth. Many high-status prisoners were held here in later medieval times. Option to go inside for a tour on request. (15 minutes) 3) The Kelpies - 100ft tall horse-head sculptures. Built 2013 between Falkirk and Grangemouth. The origins of the kelpie are believed to be rooted in human sacrifices to the water gods however this concept eventually died out and the story of the kelpie was then used to keep children from playing too near the lochs and dangerous rivers (20 minutes) 4) Callander, Scotland - beautiful Roman town known as the gateway to the Highlands. We'll explore Mhor Bread Bakery - freshly made sourdough and legendary pies (45 minutes) 5) Callander Drinks Company - drinks company set up by enthusiastic drinks geeks! We can pop in for a Whiskey or Gin tasting or a browse around the shop. (45 minutes) 6) Kilmahog - Trossachs Visitor Centre is home to three beautiful Highland Cows – Hamish Dubh, Honey, and Holly. We'll admire the wonderful animals and you have the option to feed them too. 7) Falls of Dochart - Located in the pretty village of Killin where we'll stop and get close to the rapids for some beautiful photos (15 minutes) 8) Loch Tay, Loch Tay - We'll drive alongside the exquisite Loch Tay. It is the largest body of fresh water in Perth and Kinross, and the sixth largest loch in Scotland. 9) The Birks of Aberfeldy - We can go for a hike up the steep gorge of the Moness burn which reveals several waterfalls along the way. (1 hour) 10) Iain Burnett Highland Chocolatier - Master Chocolatier Iain Burnett is a truffle specialist who has become known as the Highland Chocolatier. (30 minutes)

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What people are saying about Firth of Forth

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 2,419 reviews

Wonderful, well planned tour. There aren't any stops to visit the inside of castles along the way, but it makes up for it by taking you to breathtaking sights of the isle of Skye, loch Ness, 5 sisters of Kintail, and so much more. This trip is a great way to familiarize yourself with what the beautiful country of Scotland has to offer, especially if you have no private transportation. You will be put up in a cozy little B&B for the 2 nights where you get to explore the local town. Our guide, Robert, was accommodating, enthusiastic, kind, and eager to show off his home. He had so much information and so many stories to tell. We had a marvelous time and half of it was attributable to the proficiency of our guide and the other half to the wonders of nature that is Scotland. We will definitely be back!

My tour guide Doug was amazing! He was funny, knowledgeable and very accommodating. We didn’t get to see a few places in the itinerary because of the icy roads, which was very unfortunate. But still managed to visit a places and see beautiful sceneries across Isle of Skye. Highly recommended, and will definitely give it a go again.

The overall experience was great as we enjoyed scenic beauty, old forts and beautiful views.

Took my 5 year old. Making memories and building interests for a lifetime

Me and my family with two kids enjoyed it. Overall, great day out/ trip