Private Shore Excursions from Rosyth
Berthing at Rosyth? The Kingdom of Fife is on your doorstep.
Rosyth sits on the northern shore of the Firth of Forth, in the historic Kingdom of Fife, and it’s one of only two Edinburgh-area ports where your ship berths alongside the quay. There’s no tender to queue for, and a private shore excursion with Tour Guide Scotland can have you on the road shortly after you step ashore, exploring Scotland’s castles, palaces and coastline at your own pace, with a maximum of 8 guests and nobody else sharing your day.
Every shore excursion from Rosyth is a fixed £695 for your private group, guided personally by Lesley or James Kennedy, and planned around your ship’s schedule so you’re back on board with time to spare.
Why Choose a Private Shore Excursion from Rosyth?
Many cruise passengers arriving at Rosyth are taken straight back across the Forth on a coach into Edinburgh. A private shore excursion opens up a different day entirely, starting on the Fife side of the water, where some of Scotland’s finest historic towns and landscapes lie closer than from any other Edinburgh port.
The day is yours to shape. Take your time at St Andrews, stop for photos along the coast, or change the plan if something catches your eye. Lesley brings 17 years of police service and a passion for Scottish history and wildlife, and James is a Scottish Whisky Ambassador with a background in hospitality. Our ethos is simple: come as a guest, leave as a friend.
Arriving at Rosyth
Rosyth is a berth port. Your ship moors alongside, so you can walk straight off to meet your guide without waiting for a tender. Your guide will meet you as you leave the cruise terminal, and we’ll confirm the exact meeting point for your ship before your cruise.
Rosyth is around 20 miles from Edinburgh city centre, across the Queensferry Crossing. The three Forth bridges, including the UNESCO-listed Forth Bridge, are visible from the port and make a memorable start to the day.
The Best of Fife and Beyond
Because Rosyth is on the Fife side of the Forth, it’s the ideal port for St Andrews, the East Neuk fishing villages and Perthshire. These routes take noticeably less time on the road from Rosyth than from the other Edinburgh ports, leaving more of your day for the places themselves.
Stirling, the Falkirk Wheel and the Outlander filming locations along the Forth are also comfortably within reach, so whichever direction appeals, a private shore excursion from Rosyth makes the most of your time ashore.
Rosyth Shore Excursion Ideas
These are the routes our Rosyth guests choose most often. Each can be adapted to your interests and your ship’s timings. Drive times are approximate.
St Andrews and the Fife Coast
Around an hour from Rosyth, St Andrews pairs its ruined cathedral and castle with the Old Course, the home of golf. Continue to the East Neuk fishing villages of Anstruther and Crail. Rosyth is one of the best ports for this route, which runs from the Edinburgh-side ports only.
Scone Palace
Around 40 minutes north, Scone Palace near Perth was where Scotland’s kings were crowned on the Stone of Destiny, now displayed at Perth Museum.
Stirling Castle and the Trossachs
Stirling Castle is around 40 minutes from Rosyth. Explore the royal palace, then head into the lochs and glens of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park.
Stirling Castle, the Wallace Monument and Bannockburn
Follow Scotland’s fight for independence from Stirling Castle to the National Wallace Monument and the site of the Battle of Bannockburn, all within a short drive of each other.
The Falkirk Wheel and the Kelpies
Around 30 minutes away, The Falkirk Wheel, the world’s only rotating boat lift, sits close to The Kelpies, two 30-metre steel horse heads. A good choice for a shorter port call.
Outlander Filming Locations
Around 20 minutes across the Forth, four filming locations sit close together: Hopetoun House, the Duke of Sandringham’s residence on screen; Midhope Castle, the real Lallybroch, where from the 2026 season you can step inside the ground floor; Blackness Castle, the series’ Fort William; and Linlithgow Palace, birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots, which served as Wentworth Prison.
Scone Palace & The Stone of Destiny
St Andrews & The Fife Coast
Stirling Castle & Bannockburn
The Falkirk Wheel & Kelpies
Outlander Day Tour
Stirling Castle & The Trossachs
Not sure which route suits your day in port? Tell us your ship, date and time ashore, and we’ll suggest the best options. Get in touch to start planning.
How Your Day Ashore Works
Once you’ve booked, we’ll ask for your ship’s name and its arrival and all-aboard times. Your return to Rosyth is planned first, and the rest of the day is built around it.
On the day, your guide meets you as you leave the terminal. If your ship arrives late, we adjust the route to make the most of the time you have. Stops for photos, coffee and lunch are built in, and you set the pace throughout.
Rosyth Shore Excursion Price
Every private shore excursion from Rosyth is a fixed £695 for your group of up to 8 guests, for the whole day. There’s no per-person pricing, so a group of eight pays the same as a couple. See our price guide for full details.
Rosyth Shore Excursion FAQs
Is Rosyth a tender port?
No. Rosyth is a berth port, so your ship moors alongside and you can walk straight off to meet your guide.
Where will our guide meet us?
Your guide will meet you as you leave the cruise terminal. We’ll confirm the exact meeting point for your ship before your cruise.
How far is Rosyth from Edinburgh?
Rosyth is around 20 miles from Edinburgh city centre, across the Queensferry Crossing.
Do you offer Edinburgh city tours?
Our shore excursions from Rosyth explore beyond the city, to places such as St Andrews, Stirling, Scone Palace and Outlander filming locations. They suit guests who want to see more of Scotland than the capital.
Is Rosyth a good port for St Andrews?
Yes. Rosyth is on the Fife side of the Forth, so St Andrews is around an hour away, closer than from any other Edinburgh port.
Will you get us back to the ship on time?
Yes. Every route is planned around your all-aboard time, with a comfortable margin built in.
How many guests can join?
Up to 8 guests. The price is the same whether you’re a couple or a group of eight.
How do we book?
Get in touch with your ship’s name, date in port and number of guests, and we’ll suggest a route. Our terms and conditions and cancellation policy explain the rest.
What Our Guests Say
From arriving beneath the Forth Bridges to a private day taking in Edinburgh, St Andrews or Outlander's Scotland, here's what guests have said about their time ashore with Lesley and James.
“He packed a lot in a short period of time”
“James was a wonderful driver and guide for my crew of 8. We went on the Stirling Castle and the Trossachs tour on his website... He was engaging, flexible, timely, and knowledgeable, not to mention he is a good story teller and a joy to be around. He packed a lot in a short period of time. At the end he left with 8 new friends.”
“Much more like if we were hanging out with a friend”
“Lesley was an absolute joy and we thoroughly enjoyed our day tour with her. Her enthusiasm and knowledge of Scottish History is truly amazing! This didn’t feel like your typical tour, but much more like if we were hanging out with a friend.”
“A mix of the old castles filmed in Outlander”
“Just finished a day with James touring the outskirts of Edinburgh. We couldn’t have asked for a better day with a mix of the old castles filmed in Outlander along with stopping at charming villages... He was a true Scotsman with lots of stories and made the tour fun and interesting.”
Book Your Private Shore Excursion from Rosyth
From the cloisters of St Andrews to the crowning place of Scotland’s kings, a private shore excursion from Rosyth shows you the Scotland beyond the coach queue. Get in touch with your ship’s name and date, and we’ll plan a Rosyth shore excursion that fits your day in port.
