Our most recommended things to do in Queensferry

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: Sightseeing Cruise to Inchcolm Island

2. Queensferry: Sightseeing Cruise to Inchcolm Island

Upon arrival at Hawes Pier, you will collect your boarding passes and pay for your landing passes to enable you to land on Inchcolm Island from the Maid of the Forth ticket office. Making your way down the pier you will board the Maid and set sail for Inchcolm, cruising underneath the iconic Forth rail bridge, a world Unseco heritage site. You will enjoy views of both the Fife and Edinburgh coastline, sailing past the Haystack seal colony and arriving at Historic Inchcolm Island. Here you will enjoy 1.5 hours to explore all the island has to offer, the Abbey, world war fortifications, visitor centre, and gift shop. There is something for everyone to enjoy on Inchcolm.

The Outlander 1 Day Experience from Edinburgh

3. The Outlander 1 Day Experience from Edinburgh

Choose your most convenient departure point in central Edinburgh from a list of locations, then 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.

Queensferry: 1.5-Hour Maid of the Forth Sightseeing Cruise

4. 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: Outlander, Palaces and Jacobites Tour

5. 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: Outlander Adventure Day Tour

6. From Edinburgh: Outlander Adventure Day Tour

After leaving Edinburgh at 9:15 AM you will travel back in time as your driver guides you over the Queensferry Crossing 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. You will journey past Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument to Doune Castle, or as it’s called in Outlander, Castle Leoch. This formidable building gives you an insight into the living conditions of a Scottish earl in the 14th century. You can also listen to an excellent audio guide about how this castle was used as a filming location for Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Your next stop is Linlithgow Palace. Here you have time to enjoy beautiful views to the Forth bridges, have a picnic by the loch, and explore the ruins of Mary Queen of Scots’ birthplace. If you’re feeling brave, you can visit the spot where that gruesome Outlander scene took place. You then travel the short distance to Blackness Castle. It’s an impressive castle 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. Midhope Castle* is your next highlight. Unfortunately, visitors are unable to go inside the castle, but Jamie’s lovely Lallybroch home is still an essential photo opportunity for any fan of the show. Before heading back to Edinburgh, you will have a final stop in the colorful harbor area of South Queensferry and will return to Edinburgh by approximately 5:45 PM.

From Edinburgh: St Andrews & Fishing Villages of Fife Tour

7. 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.

Edinburgh: Full-Day Highland Lochs, Glens and Whisky Tour

8. Edinburgh: Full-Day Highland Lochs, Glens and Whisky Tour

Leave Edinburgh and travel over the Queensferry Crossing to the Kingdom of Fife. Travelling north the scenery changes from the rolling farmland of the Lowlands to forested hills and mountains as you approach the Highland Fault line. On the banks of the River Tay you find the gorgeous cathedral town of Dunkeld. You stop here and have the chance to explore the architecturally fascinating cathedral or walk the quaint streets of this picturesque village. It's a short drive from here to the Hermitage, where you can take a fantastic woodland walk leading up to the Black Linn Falls. Leaving the Hermitage you follow the wide valley of the River Tay towards the Victorian resort town of Pitlochry. You spend around one hour here, so you can visit the many great shops or have lunch. After lunch, you drive through Highland Perthshire, stopping at Queen's View overlooking Loch Tummel for a short break. On a clear day the view here is awe-inspiring as it looks over to the unmistakable peak of Schiehallion and beyond to the mountains of Glencoe. From here you travel to the town of Aberfeldy and Dewar’s Aberfeldy Distillery*, where you can discover the secret of how Scotland's national drink is made. After enjoying a dram of our ‘water of life’, the tour returns you to the Lowlands and back to Edinburgh. **Itinerary and distillery visits are subject to change. *** Dewar's Distillery will close their warehouse to the public from 21st November 2022 till Spring 2023. You'll still get a tour and see the blending and maturation process in another area of the visitor center.

From Edinburgh: St Andrews & Fife's Fishing Villages

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

Enjoy a full-day van excursion into the Kingdom of Fife from Edinburgh. Discover the home of golf in St. Andrews, walk thorugh the cobbled streets of Anstruther, and learn about Scottish royal history in the charming village of Falkland. Depart in the morning from Edinburgh, heading north via the Forth Road Bridge. Enjoy sweeping view across the Forth Rail Bridge, one of Scotland's greatest man-made landmarks, at 1.5 miles in length. Cross the bridge into the Kingdom of Fife. Its easternmost stretch of coastline is home to a string of picturesque villages, each having a distinctive character and charm. Stop in the traditional fishing village of Anstruther Stroll down old cobbled streets and the network of alleyways and wynds. Enjoy a walk along the seafront to the harbor. From Anstruther travel north to the medieval town of St. Andrews, where you’ll see its huge Norman cathedral, known to be the largest in Scotland. View the oldest University in Scotland which dates back 6 centuries. Have plenty of time to explore this ancient and interesting town. Drive through the rolling countryside of central Fife which is dotted with small villages and farms until you reach Falkland. Admire views of Falkland Palace which dominates this old village, and was one of the main residences of the Stewarts, an important royal family in Scottish history. See an array of old cottages as you make your way through narrow winding streets. Take some time to wander around the village or stop at one of its traditional pubs or tearooms before hopping back on the bus for the drive back to Edinburgh.

Queensferry: Sightseeing Cruise with Cream Tea

10. 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.

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Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 3,572 reviews

This was the best day of our trip. Gillian was so amazing and the best tour guide we've ever had. She knew so much not only about outlander but also about the history of scotland. I learned so many new things today and it was so much fun. The locations we went to all had connections with outlander and scenes were filmed there. It was so nice to see all of it. Can't recommend this tour enough (with Gillian as the guide ofc) !!!!!

The day was perfect from start to finish! Penny, was amazing, knowledgeable, fun and made the whole experience exciting and enjoyable.

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