South Queensferry Walking Tour – Self-Guided Route from Hawes Pier

South Queensferry Walking Tour starting from Hawes Pier, for cruise visitors docking near Hound Point with a few hours ashore.

• Start: Hawes Pier (tender landing point)
• Distance: Approx. 1.5–2 mile loop
• Time Needed: 2–3 hours at an easy pace
• Terrain: Cobbled High Street, slight inclines near The Loan
• Best For: First-time visitors, photographers, relaxed half-day exploring

This self-guided walking tour follows a simple loop through the heart of South Queensferry, passing the Three Bridges viewpoints, historic closes, and the harbour before returning toward the pier.

Step off the tender at Hawes Pier at South Queensferry Port, and you’re standing in the shadow of the Forth Bridge—but the real charm starts to your right.

Just along the curve is Seals Craig, a rocky outcrop where seals once sunned themselves and boats came ashore. Today, it marks the unofficial starting point of the High Street.

Let’s go for a walk through five centuries—you can be your own local guide as you take this South Queensferry walking tour through the historical sites in the High Street.

Queensferry Walking Tour: What to Expect

A Queensferry walking tour takes you from Hawes Pier into the town’s historic High Street, passing centuries-old terraces, waterfront viewpoints, cosy cafés, and the iconic Forth Bridge. Expect an easy, scenic route with clear landmarks, great photo stops, and a relaxed pace ideal for cruise visitors and day-trippers.

Are you planning a Queensferry Walking Tour as part of a shore day after arriving on a cruise ship? If so, you’ll find my South Queensferry Cruise Port Guide packed with useful tips on what to expect when you arrive.

Queensferry Walking Tour: Starting Point

As a point of reference, we’ll start the self-guided walking tour of Queensferry from the Hawes Pier. Many cruise ship passengers arrive here on a Scotland cruise trip. It also has the main car park in the town, making it a convenient starting point for anyone arriving by car at The Ferry.

Start from the Hawes Inn at the top of the pier with the Forth Rail Bridge Above and look towards the Forth Road Bridge. Walk along the promenade, with the River Forth on your right and large buildings on your left. Ahead of you is Seals Craig – the rocky point that marks the true beginning of South Queensferry’s High Street. This is the first stop on the Queensferry Walking Tour.

Noteable points on the esplanade are:

• The Briggers Memorial: A tribute to the 73 men and boys (briggers) who dies contructing and maintaining the Forth Bridge.
• King George post box: Said to be one of the few remaining from the era, on maps it’s called the Queen Victoria Post Box.
• The Guardian of the Bridges: This playful street art was designed to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Forth Road Bridge in 2014.

If your tender boat arrives at the Hawes Pier, then you’ll find insider tips on the tendering process at the Queensferry cruise landing spot.

Stop 1: Seals Craig to the Start of the High Street

Right above Seals Craig stands the old Sealscraig Hotel (1870), now tucked behind newer signage. You’ll pass a tight bend where the old and new collide. That rocky outcrop gave the place its name—Seals Craig or “the Selkie.” Boats once landed here. Walk slow here and watch your footing.

Past that, the road curves west, lined with houses from the 1700s and 1800s. One with an outer stair dates from 1750.

You’re entering the East Terrace now, and it’s still one of the most character-rich corners of town. It’s also one of the most unusual and unique streets in the whole of Scotland. In the 1700s, it was the posh part of town. Merchants, shipmasters, and the well-to-do called it home—folk with coin, clout, or both.

Insider tip: The High Street is a single road split into three parts: East Terrace, Mid Terrace, and West Terrace. Each part has its own unique feel and vibe.

Stop 2: East Terrace – The Grand Old Neighbourhood

On your right (shore side), the Burgh Chambers now host community events, but once operated as a temperance hotel. Just beyond is the car park, but don’t be fooled—that used to be a public swimming pool, and before that, likely houses.

You can still feel it in the stonework and the unique architectural features.

As you walk the High Street, it’s good to remember that much of this route exists because industry once pressed tightly against the shoreline and the High Street, shaping where people worked, stored goods, and moved daily – patterns that emerged during the town’s industrial rise to prosperity in the 1700s.

Stop 3: Manna House Bakery & The Lido Lookout

Before the street tightens, you’ll pass Manna House Bakery on your left—a local favourite for coffee, pastries, and people-watching. But don’t rush past.

Just beyond the bakery, head over to the railings on the shore side.

Look down—tucked below is the hollowed shell of Queensferry’s old Lido swimming pool, now just a concrete outline. Built for locals brave enough to swim in Forth winds, it’s a quiet reminder of the town’s social history. Great photo spot too, with all three bridges in view if you angle it right.

Above the terrace is Laburnam House, once a three-storey home for wealthy traders. But when the road was terraced in, vaults were added out front, and the ground floor effectively vanished. This house reaches back into the Back Braes—its old tenement yard still stretches uphill behind it.

When you’re ready, carry on westward to meet Black Castle and the Ferry Tap.

Stop 4: Black Castle and the Ferry Tap

Look left for the Black Castle (1626)—low, dark, and impossible to miss. Tucked right beside it is the Ferry Tap, one of Queensferry’s most-loved pubs. Pop in if you fancy a pint with a proper local buzz.

Across from Black Castle, you’ll spot a striking building—once the Clydesdale Bank and since then, it’s been used by various establishments, include BOE Gin in the past. A lovely contrast of old stone and creative reuse.

Stop 5: Mid Terrace, the Vennel & Forgotten Inns

You’re now at the Vennel, the break between East and Mid Terrace. To your left is the former Forth Bridge Hotel, a 17th-century building that once bustled with passing trade.

For a detour, take the steps between The Ferry Tap and Black Castle up the Vennel to explore an ancient graveyard, Hawthorn Bank Walled Garden, and see the South Queensferry Mosaic Mural. Head back to the High Street and continue west, which is now Mid Terrace

You’ll notice that houses begin to shrink. The grandeur fades a little, and the street tightens. This was once more densely packed, with closes like Hamilton’s Close and Brewery Close leading into clustered backyards and workers’ homes.

Most tourists stop here to view the Forth Railway Bridge framed by the two buildings. You can enjoy the view from the benches or take the stairs to the beach.

Returning to the High Street, you’ll see the Public Toilets ahead of you—a perfect pit stop when that pint from the Ferry Tap is making a surprise return journey of its own.

Don’t worry, they’re clean, free, and closer than pretending you’re “just popping into a shop.”

Stop 6: The Tolbooth and the Heart of Old Queensferry

Keep walking west, and the street starts to feel older again. That tower rising ahead? That’s the Tolbooth—a 17th-century building remodelled around 1720. Look at the stepped gables, the tall, narrow lines. Queensferry traded with Denmark and Germany, and it shows in the design, with Scottish architecture combined with continental.

At its base, look for the public well, gifted by Lord Rosebery in 1817. Previously, people relied on shared pumps scattered throughout the street.

Facts about the Tolbooth that are worth knowing:

• Tolbooth: It was a courthouse, a meeting room, and a prison.
• Clocktower: The tower used to be a belfry. However, in 1888, clock faces were added, much to the horror of locals.
• Commemorative plaques: One plaque thanks the Earl of Rosebery, who organised running water in the town, and the other is to soldiers who died in World War I.

Don’t miss: You’re standing at the very centre of Queensferry’s civic life—this was where deals were made, taxes collected, and gossip passed hand-to-hand.

Stop 7: The Stag Head, Orocco Pier Restaurant, and Gote Lane

Across the street from the Jubilee Clock Tower is Orocco Pier—a modern restaurant and boutique hotel built into old bones. If you’ve got time, the views from their back windows? Straight onto the Forth. Perfect lunch or coffee stop if you’re lingering.

Stag Head Hotel leans into the street like it’s been eavesdropping for centuries—and it has. A proper 1600s coaching inn, with low ceilings, creaky floorboards, and stories soaked into the woodwork. Stop off for an authentic pub and picture yourself in a bygone era.

Beside it, don’t miss Gote Lane—a narrow, cobbled path dropping steeply down to South Queensferry Harbour. Follow it, and you’ll hit some of the best photo ops in Queensferry. Boats, three bridges—Forth Road Bridge and Queensferry Crossing to the west and the Railway Bridge to the East—and the Firth of Forth sprawling in front of you in one frame.

You’re also centre in where South Queensferry started as a medieval settlement in the 12th century.

You can walk the High Street, cut down to the harbour, and reach the water in minutes — but the town doesn’t make full sense until you understand why it’s shaped this way. If you’re curious about the odd levels, terraces, and mismatched buildings you’ve just passed, this breakdown explains why Queensferry looks the way it does.

The Bit We Don’t Talk About (But Will)

As you climb back up Gote Lane from the harbour, the history wraps around you—stone walls, chimney pots, the Forth glinting behind.

Then you hit it.

That 1960s council block at the base of The Loan, squatting awkwardly beside centuries of craftsmanship. Flat-roofed, square, beige—it’s the architectural equivalent of someone parking a caravan outside a castle. Locals mostly ignore it. You will too.

But hey, it makes everything else look even better by contrast. That’s the thing, Queensferry’s full of texture. Not all of it polished—but that’s part of the story.

Stop 8: Plewlands House & the Priory Church

Just before the High Street fades into quiet, you’ll pass Plewlands House—a solid, symmetrical Georgian home that feels like it’s watching over the street. Built with clean lines and quiet confidence, it belonged to one of the Ferry’s more prosperous families, and it shows.

Keep going, and you’ll reach the Priory Church, which has stood here since medieval times. Simple, peaceful, and often open to visitors—it’s the perfect place to catch your breath and reflect on how far you’ve walked, both in distance and in centuries. It’s reckoned to be the first stone building in the village, dating from 1440.

If the doors are open, step inside. The stone interior is cool and still, with echoes of a town shaped by trade, tide, and quiet faith.

From here, you can either loop down toward the harbour path via the Binks car park or return the way you came. Either way, you’ve just walked one of the most storied streets in Scotland.

Insider tip: Got extra time to spare? Walk along Shore Road under the Forth Road Bridge to Port Edgar Marina. You’ll get stunning shots of the three bridges and enjoy a snack or lunch at Scotts Bar & Restaurant.

For the full restaurant guide to Queensferry, check out my article on where to eat in South Queensferry.

Queensferry Walking Tour Map (With Landmarks)

Ready to explore beyond the High Street? See the best places to explore near Queensferry – stately homes, castles, islands, filming locations, and easy half-day trips right on the doorstep.

Bonus Tips: The Best Forth Bridges Viewpoints

• Beside the Queensferry Museum: Head to the railings at the car park. You’ll see the old Lido pool below and all three bridges stretching across the Forth—ideal photo op.
• Between Mid Terrace and West Terrace: The Bridge and a Bench spot for snapping the Forth Railway Bridge.
• The Harbour: Walk down Gote Lane (just past Orocco Pier) to reach the Harbour. Great for photos, quiet sea views, and a slower pace.
• Halfway up the Loan: Walk up The Loan, past the curve where the 1970s flats sit. Just before it bends, you’ll spot this quiet driveway view—Forth Rail Bridge dead centre, rooftops below, cruise ship likely in frame.
• Stonycroft Road: Return to the Hawes Pier via Stonycroft Road, which runs parallel to the High Street. Before the stairs that take you to ground level, you’ll get a great vantage point to snap the Forth Railway Bridge with the cruise ship in the background. The Hawes Inn is visible on the right.

To discover more photo opportunities in Queensferry, including along the High Street and beyond, I’ve compiled a comprehensive guide to the best viewpoints in The Ferry for capturing the bridges, colorful buildings, and quaint lanes.

Know Before You Go: Time, Terrain & Tips

Walking Time:

The full High Street loop (starting from Hawes Pier, up to the Priory Church, down to the Harbour, and back via Stonycroft Road) takes about 60–75 minutes at a relaxed pace—including photo stops and the occasional bakery detour.

Footwear:

Wear comfortable shoes with grip. The High Street is cobbled in parts, and Gote Lane is steep and uneven. Trainers or walking sandals are perfect—leave the flip-flops for deck days.

Terrain Notes:

• Mostly flat or gently sloping
• Gote Lane is steep and can be slippery when wet
• Some narrow pavements and cobbles—fine for most, but not ideal for pushchairs or limited mobility
• Stonycroft Road offers a smoother, quieter return route with stunning views

Restrooms:

Public toilets are located on the High Street between Mid Terrace and West Terrace. Most cafés (like Manna House or Orocco Pier) also have facilities for customers.

Food & Drink:

You’re spoiled for choice. Manna House for pastries, Orocco Pier for sit-down dining with a view, or the Ferry Tap for a proper local pint. For the best options, check out my guide on Where to Eat in South Queensferry.

Best Time to Walk:

Morning or late afternoon, when the light hits the rooftops and the cruise crowds thin out. If you’re on a ship, start early—you can do this whole walk and still make it back with time for souvenirs.

South Queensferry Walking Tour – Visitor FAQs

Picture: Gpwitteveen, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

Scott (The Local Guide)

Scott grew up in South Queensferry and knows the town like the back of his hand. He writes practical travel guides based on lived experience — tender days, cruise traffic, shortcuts into Edinburgh, local food spots, and the quirks only residents notice. His articles focus on clear directions, accurate timings, and grounded advice for visitors exploring Queensferry and the east of Scotland.