Scott Gibson grew up in South Queensferry and runs queensferry.net. The Forth and Edinburgh guides come from lived experience — tender days at Hawes Pier, cruise traffic, the shortcuts into the city. For the wider Scotland cruise ports, he draws on friends in some of the port towns alongside port, operator and transport sources — so the detail holds up on the ground, not just on paper. Clear directions, real timings, no brochure fluff.
The Royal Yacht Britannia sits in Ocean Terminal, Leith. If your ship is using the Leith cruise port, you can step off the gangway and be standing outside the world’s top-rated tourist attraction in five minutes. Most visitors don’t realise…
Many restaurants in South Queensferry describe themselves as a “restaurant with a view”. Some do. Some have outdoor seating facing the Firth of Forth, others facing a car park. A window seat at the wrong table in the Hawes Inn…
Most guides to the Falkirk Wheel and the Kelpies are written for day-trippers from Edinburgh or Glasgow – someone with a car. That’s perfectly fine because the attractions are well worth visiting. The logistics are easy. A short trip along…
The first thing to know about the Edinburgh Festival is simple: there isn’t one. In August 2026, Edinburgh runs on overlapping programmes, separate ticket systems, packed pavements and hotel prices that stop being funny after the second search. The Fringe…
Want to walk across the Forth Road Bridge? Good choice if the weather is behaving on your day out in South Queensferry. Most guides explain the boring version. Walk the length of the road bridge – or at least halfway…
Your cruise itinerary says Edinburgh, But, the port of call is Rosyth Cruise Terminal. Here’s the thing: Rosyth isn’t Edinburgh. It sits on the north bank of the Firth of Forth in Fife – about 15 miles from the city…
Inchcolm Island is one of the easiest shore excursions from South Queensferry, especially if your cruise tender lands at Hawes Pier. Instead of joining the coach traffic into Edinburgh, you can be on the water within minutes, sailing under the…
Not sure whether Edinburgh Castle is worth it, whether the Royal Mile will fit, or whether staying in Queensferry is actually the smarter move? This decision maker uses your ship time, tender timing, walking comfort, and priorities to help you…
Most shore excursions from South Queensferry push you straight into Edinburgh. You step off the tender at Hawes Pier, look up at the Forth Railway Bridge, and head straight for the Old Town, the castle, and the same city route…
You step off the tender boat at Hawes Pier in South Queensferry, thinking you’ve got a full day for an Edinburgh cruise excursion. On paper, it looks simple. Book an Edinburgh tour, tick off the castle, maybe walk the Royal…