Firth of Forth Sightseeing Cruise: Highlights, Prices, Duration and How to Get There

Highlights of the Firth of Forth sightseeing cruise

The Firth of Forth sightseeing cruise departs from South Queensferry and travels to Inchcolm Island while offering views of the Forth Bridge from the water. On sailings that include a landing on Inchcolm Island, you can explore the medieval Inchcolm Abbey, wartime fortification ruins, and the island landscape inhabited by seabirds.

For information about South Queensferry’s attractions, the Forth Bridge and the duration, please see the article below.

South Queensferry: Sights, the Forth Bridge, Suggested Visit Duration, and Access

Based on official information and on-site reporting as of 10 2026, this guide covers South Queensferry attractions such as the Forth Bridge and Tolbooth, along with the time needed and how to get there.

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Two operators and sailings with a landing on Inchcolm Island

The sightseeing cruises departing from South Queensferry are operated by Maid of the Forth and Forth Boat Tours. Both companies offer cruises with views of the Forth Bridge from the water and cruises that land at Inchcolm Island, but the duration, whether landing is included, and the departure point vary by service. Decide whether you want to focus on the bridge scenery or explore the island as far as the abbey, then choose the service for the day on each company’s booking page.

Route to the Forth Bridge and Inchcolm Island

On a cruise on the Firth of Forth, you can view the entire World Heritage-listed Forth Bridge from the water.

For more information about the Forth Bridge, please see the article below.

Forth Bridge: What to See, Visitor Information, Time Needed, and Access

Based on official information and on-site research as of 2026 year and 10 month, this guide explains highlights such as the Forth Bridge’s cantilever structure and views from a cruise, along with visitor information, the time required and access.

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This is Inchgarvie, a small island near the Forth Bridge.

Seals are sunbathing on a buoy.

Inchcolm Abbey comes into view.

We land on Inchcolm Island.

Inchcolm Abbey

Inchcolm Abbey is considered one of the best-preserved medieval abbeys in Scotland.

You can explore the inside of the abbey at your own pace.

You can climb to the top of the tower.

The island was used as a fortress during the Second World War.

After visiting Inchcolm Abbey, you can explore the island at your leisure.

Inchcolm Island has a colony of gulls, and you can see gulls all over the island.

The brown-striped birds are juvenile gulls.

We board the boat again and leave the island.

In addition to the abbey’s architecture, the wartime defensive structures that remain on the island and the coastal scenery overlooking the Firth of Forth are also highlights. Check how long the boat will be in port and explore the island with plenty of time to catch the return sailing.

Essential information about sightseeing cruises on the Firth of Forth

The information below was checked against official sources on October 11, 2026. Please also check the latest information on the official website when planning your trip.

🔗 Official websites

Maid of the Forth offers an approximately 90-minute sightseeing cruise around the Forth Bridge and an approximately 3-hour trip that lands on Inchcolm Island. Forth Boat Tours also operates trips offering views of the three bridges and cruises to Inchcolm Island, so compare whether landing is included and check the departure time.

Sailing information

Edinburgh Boat Trips online booking, Inchcolm Ferry online booking

maidoftheforth.co.uk

Our Cruises - Forth Boat Tours

Forth Boat Tours offers visitors the opportunity to experience the stunning Firth of Forth aboard one of our cruise...

www.forthtours.com

📍 Departure point

Hawes Pier in South Queensferry is the main departure point. Some Forth Boat Tours services depart from Port Edgar Marina, so confirm the meeting point when booking.

🕐 Operating times

Operating days and departure times vary by season, day of the week, operator, and route. Check the timetable and departure point for your preferred service before booking.

💴 Prices

Maid of the Forth charges different prices for its approximately 90-minute sightseeing cruise around the bridges and its approximately 3-hour trip that lands on Inchcolm Island. The landing trip also requires a separate island admission fee, so check both the boat fare and admission fee on the booking page.

⏱ Duration

The sightseeing cruise offering views of the bridges takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, while the trip landing on Inchcolm Island takes approximately 3 hours. ⚠️ Services may be changed or cancelled due to sea or operating conditions.

Getting to the Firth of Forth sightseeing cruise

Boat Operators and Departure Points

From Hawes Pier in South Queensferry, we take a service operated by Maid of the Forth or Forth Boat Tours. Forth Boat Tours also operates services departing from Port Edgar Marina, so we go to the meeting point shown on the booking confirmation. Services that include landing on Inchcolm Island must be booked in advance, and we also confirm how the island admission fee is handled when booking.

For attractions, transport and suggested itineraries, see “Edinburgh: A Guide to Attractions, Food, Transport and Suggested Itineraries”.

Edinburgh: A Guide to Attractions, Food, Transport and Suggested Itineraries

We explain Edinburgh’s attractions, including Edinburgh Castle and the Old Town, as well as access, local transport and suggested itineraries, based on official information and local research as of October 2026.

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