Private Shore Excursions from South Queensferry, Edinburgh

Arriving beneath the Forth Bridge? Scotland starts at Hawes Pier.

Few cruise arrivals in the world match South Queensferry. Your ship anchors in the Firth of Forth beside the Forth Bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a short tender ride brings you ashore at Hawes Pier, right beneath its great red cantilevers. From there, a private shore excursion with Tour Guide Scotland takes you out to explore Scotland’s castles, history and countryside, at your own pace, with a maximum of 8 guests and nobody else sharing your day.

Every South Queensferry shore excursion is a fixed £695 for your private group, guided personally by Lesley or James Kennedy, and planned around your ship’s tender schedule so you’re back on board with time to spare.

South Queensferry is Edinburgh’s busiest cruise anchorage, and on a big ship day, the queues for tenders and coaches can eat into your time ashore. A private shore excursion means your guide is waiting as you step off the tender, and you’re on your way while others are still finding their coach.

It also means the day is yours to shape. Linger at a castle, add a photo stop, or swap a planned visit for something that catches your eye along the way. Lesley brings 17 years of police service and a love of Scottish history and wildlife. James is a Scottish Whisky Ambassador with a background in hospitality. Between them, they know the stories behind every castle and village on the route. Come as a guest, leave as a friend.

South Queensferry is a tender port. Cruise ships anchor in the Firth of Forth, and passengers are brought ashore by tender boat to Hawes Pier, which sits directly beneath the Forth Bridge and opposite the historic Hawes Inn, where Robert Louis Stevenson set part of Kidnapped.

Your guide will meet you at Hawes Pier as you come off the tender. Because tender times can vary, your excursion starts once your whole group is ashore, and we plan the return around the last tender back to the ship, not just the all-aboard time. That extra margin is built into every route.

South Queensferry sits around 10 miles west of Edinburgh city centre, and many cruise guests spend their day in the capital’s crowded Old Town. Our shore excursions take you in the other direction, out into the castles, palaces and landscapes that make Scotland what it is.

From South Queensferry, the Queensferry Crossing puts Fife and St Andrews within easy reach, while Stirling, Falkirk and Perthshire are all comfortably within a day in port. If you’d rather see more of Scotland than a single city, this is where a private shore excursion comes into its own.

For Outlander fans, South Queensferry is the perfect port, with four filming locations within around 20 minutes of Hawes Pier. Hopetoun House and Midhope Castle both stand on the Hopetoun estate just west of the town, while Blackness Castle and Linlithgow Palace are a short drive further along the Forth. Less time on the road means more time at the locations themselves.

From the 2026 season, visitors can also step inside Midhope Castle, known on screen as Lallybroch, the Fraser family home, with access to the ground floor for the first time.

Our private Outlander Day Tour is built around the show’s real Scottish filming locations, with the stories behind the scenes and the history that inspired them.

These are the routes our South Queensferry guests choose most often. Every one can be adapted to your interests and your ship’s timings. Drive times are approximate.

Outlander Filming Locations

Start at Hopetoun House, the stately home that appeared as the Duke of Sandringham’s residence, then step inside Midhope Castle, the real Lallybroch. Continue to Blackness Castle, the series’ Fort William, where Jamie faced Black Jack Randall, and finish at Linlithgow Palace, the birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots, which served as Wentworth Prison.

St Andrews and the Fife Coast

Just over 1 hour and 10 minutes across the Queensferry Crossing, St Andrews combines the ruined cathedral and castle with the famous Old Course, the home of golf. Continue along the coast to the East Neuk fishing villages of Anstruther and Crail. This route is available from the Edinburgh-side ports only, which makes it a highlight of a South Queensferry call.

Stirling Castle and the Trossachs

Stirling Castle is around 45 minutes from South Queensferry. 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

Just 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 when time in port is tight.

Scone Palace

Around 50 minutes north, Scone Palace near Perth was where Scotland’s kings were crowned on the Stone of Destiny, which is now displayed at Perth Museum. The palace and its grounds make a peaceful, history-rich day.

Not sure which route suits your day in port? Tell us your ship, date and tender times, and we’ll suggest the best options. Get in touch to start planning.

Once you’ve booked, we’ll ask for your ship’s name, arrival time and all-aboard time. Your return to Hawes Pier is planned first, with a margin for the tender queue, and the day is built around it.

On the day, your guide meets you at Hawes Pier as you come ashore. If tenders are running 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.

Every private shore excursion from South Queensferry 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.

Is South Queensferry a tender port?

Yes. Ships anchor in the Firth of Forth and passengers come ashore by tender boat to Hawes Pier, beneath the Forth Bridge.

Where will our guide meet us?

Your guide will meet you at Hawes Pier as you come off the tender. We’ll confirm the details before your cruise.

How far is Edinburgh from South Queensferry?

Edinburgh city centre is around 10 miles east of South Queensferry.

Do you offer Edinburgh city tours?

Our shore excursions from South Queensferry explore beyond the city, to places such as St Andrews, Stirling, the Falkirk Wheel and Outlander filming locations. They suit guests who want to see more of Scotland than the capital.

Can we visit Outlander filming locations from South Queensferry?

Yes. Hopetoun House, Midhope Castle, Blackness Castle and Linlithgow Palace are all within around 20 minutes of Hawes Pier, making South Queensferry one of the best ports for an Outlander shore excursion.

What happens if the tenders are delayed?

Your excursion starts once your whole group is ashore. If tenders are running late, we adjust the route to fit the time you have, while keeping your return to Hawes Pier as the fixed point of the day.

Will you get us back to the ship on time?

Yes. Every route is planned around the last tender back to your ship, 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.

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.

From Lallybroch to St Andrews, a private shore excursion from South Queensferry shows you a side of Scotland most cruise passengers never see. Get in touch with your ship’s name and date, and we’ll plan a South Queensferry shore excursion around your tender times.