South Queensferry, or simply Queensferry to locals, is a small harbour town on the Firth of Forth with one of the best outlooks in Scotland: three bridges from three centuries side by side. The red Forth Bridge of 1890, the Forth Road Bridge of 1964 and the Queensferry Crossing of 2017 all rise over the cobbled High Street, and you can see them from almost every café window.
It makes an easy half-day or full day out from the capital. This guide covers the best things to do in South Queensferry for 2026, from boat trips to Inchcolm and a stroll across the Forth Road Bridge to film locations, stately homes, family outings on a farm and the cafes, restaurants and pubs worth a stop. Everything was re-checked on official websites in October 2026, and anything we could not confirm has been taken out.
Updated 30 October 2026. Prices, opening times and closures re-checked on official websites.
South Queensferry at a Glance
| # | Attraction | Neighbourhood | Adult price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Forth Bridges views from the esplanade | Town centre | No charge | Photos, sunsets |
| 2 | Cross the Forth Road Bridge on foot | Bridges | No charge | Walkers and cyclists |
| 3 | Maid of the Forth 90-minute cruise | Hawes Pier | £18 | Passing under every bridge |
| 4 | Inchcolm landing trip | Hawes Pier | £21 + £8.50 island entry | History and wildlife |
| 5 | Forth Boat Tours (Forth Belle) | Hawes Pier and Port Edgar | Confirm when booking | Guided commentary, themed evenings |
| 6 | Hopetoun House | Hopetoun estate | £15 (house and grounds) | Gardens, film locations |
| 7 | Midhope Castle (Lallybroch) | Hopetoun estate | Confirm when booking | TV fans |
| 8 | Blackness Castle | Blackness | £7.50 online | Castles on the coast |
| 9 | Deep Sea World | North Queensferry | Confirm when booking | Families, wet weather |
| 10 | Craigie’s Farm | West Craigie | Free entry; pick-your-own paid | Families, food |
| 11 | Queensferry Museum | High Street | Temporarily closed | Local history |
Adult prices as published on official websites in October 2026. Where a price is not published, confirm it when booking.
What’s Changed in 2026
- Queensferry Museum on the High Street is temporarily closed for maintenance work, so check before you plan a visit around it.
- Dalmeny House is no longer open to the public. The estate says it will become an exclusive-use venue from spring 2028; the shore path through the grounds is still open.
- Forth Road Bridge: the west footpath and cycle track is closed for maintenance, so use the east side.
- Forth Bridge Experience: Network Rail’s planned guided bridge climb and visitor centre at the Forth Bridge is not open yet, and a revised planning application has been submitted.
- The Boathouse on the High Street is now Rogue Bros at the Boathouse, and Dune Bakery has moved to Edinburgh Road.
- Inchcolm Abbey admission is now £8.50 for adults and £4 for children, on top of your boat fare.
The Forth Bridges and the Waterfront
Start on the waterfront. The views are free, the bridges are close enough to feel huge, and the town centre is small enough to explore on foot in an hour or two. Benches along the shore make it easy to sit and watch the trains cross the red cantilevers while the boats come and go below.
1. See the Forth Bridges from the Esplanade
The esplanade and Hawes Pier give you the classic view of all three crossings. The Forth Bridge, opened in 1890, was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2015 and became Scotland’s sixth. Next to it is the Forth Road Bridge, whose 1,006-metre main span made it one of the longest suspension bridges in the world when it opened on 4 September 1964. Furthest west is the Queensferry Crossing, opened on 30 August 2017 and the world’s longest three-tower cable-stayed bridge.
Come at golden hour, when the red steel glows and trains rumble overhead. The Forth Bridges Viewpoint, near the Road Bridge, has a coffee kiosk and toilets.
Where & when: The esplanade runs along the shore below the High Street; Hawes Pier is on Newhalls Road. Free, any time.
2. Walk Across the Forth Road Bridge
The Forth Road Bridge is now open only to pedestrians, cyclists and public transport, so you can cross on foot all the way to Fife on a path high above the water. The full structure is over 2.5 km long. From the deck you get a rare side-on look at the rail bridge to the east and the Queensferry Crossing to the west.
The west path is closed for maintenance, so use the east footpath and cycle track. It can be very windy in the middle, so take a layer. There is no public access on foot to the Forth Bridge or the Queensferry Crossing: one is a railway and the other a motorway.
Where & when: Path starts near the Forth Bridges Viewpoint, south end of the bridge. Free.
3. Follow the Forth Bridges Trail
For a longer walk, the Forth Bridges Trail is a circular route of about 5 miles that links North and South Queensferry over the Road Bridge. Information boards along the way explain the history and wildlife, and you can start at any point.
It is a good way to see each crossing from both sides of the water in one loop, with lunch stops in either town.
Where & when: Circular, about 5 miles, start anywhere. Route map on theforthbridges.org.
4. Find the Guardian of the Bridges and the Briggers Memorial
Two public artworks sit at either end of the esplanade, and both are worth a visit. The Briggers Memorial, at Newhalls and Longcraig Roads, honours the men and boys who died building the Forth Bridge, and a twin memorial stands in North Queensferry. It is a moving reminder of the human history behind the steel.
The colourful Guardian of the Bridges, which locals call “Nessie”, marks the 50th anniversary of the Forth Road Bridge. It was designed by local schoolchildren and over 700 people from the town and beyond were involved in making it. Look out for the Seal Sculpture nearby.
Where & when: Both on the esplanade, a few minutes apart. Free.
5. Stroll the High Street and the Harbour
The old High Street is the heart of the town: a curving street of old houses and small shops above the harbour. Browse the independent gift shops, then wander down Harbour Lane to the little harbour for another angle on the rail bridge.
Most of the cafes and restaurants in this guide are on or just off the High Street, so it is the natural place to start and finish your visit.
Where & when: High Street, EH30. Free.
6. Port Edgar Marina and Watersports
West of the Road Bridge, Port Edgar Marina has 300 pontoon berths in a sheltered spot between the Forth Road Bridge and the Queensferry Crossing. It is a pleasant place to stroll among the yachts on this stretch of coast, and has places to eat, including Scotts and Down the Hatch.
Edinburgh Watersports, formerly Port Edgar Watersports, runs courses on the water here. Check its website for current sessions and ages.
Where & when: Shore Road, EH30 9SQ. Free to wander; courses are paid.
Boat Trips, Cruises and Tours
A cruise is the best way to appreciate the scale of the bridges. Two local operators run tours from Hawes Pier, and some sailings land on the island of Inchcolm, home to a medieval abbey. Book ahead in summer and at weekends, take a warm layer even on sunny days, and check the weather before you set off, as trips can change at short notice.
7. Cruise Under All Three Bridges with Maid of the Forth
Maid of the Forth sails from Hawes Pier. Its 90-minute sightseeing cruise goes under all three bridges and out towards the island, with live commentary along the way. Adults pay £18, children £10.50 and under-5s go free.
There are also evening folk cruises with live Scottish music (£27) and a winter cruise to see seal pups on Inchkeith island from the deck, with no landing (£30 adults, £15 children).
Where & when: Hawes Pier, Newhalls Road. Seasonal timetable; book on maidoftheforth.co.uk.
8. Sail with Forth Boat Tours
Forth Boat Tours runs the Forth Belle. Its Three Bridges Cruise lasts 1.5 hours, with guided commentary and a bar on board, and does not land on the island. It also offers an Inchcolm Island Cruise with time ashore, a Blackness Castle Cruise from Port Edgar and a Fish & Chips Friday evening departure (£30).
The crew says to look out for seals and puffins, and occasionally porpoises and dolphins. Dogs travel for £1. Confirm current fares when booking.
Where & when: Hawes Pier and Port Edgar. Timetable and fares on forthtours.com.
9. Land on Inchcolm Island
Inchcolm Abbey, run by Historic Environment Scotland, is a medieval abbey on a small island in the Firth of Forth, and a landing is the best trip from town for history lovers. The Maid of the Forth landing cruise takes about three hours, with around 1.5 hours ashore, for £21 adults and £12 children. Abbey admission (£8.50 adults, £6.80 concessions, £4 children) is paid separately.
The island is open from 1 April to 30 September (10.30–5.30) and in October (10.30–4.30), with last entry 45 minutes before closing; it is closed from November to March. Parts of the island are closed for nesting birds from May to August, and there are 20 steps at the pier.
Where & when: Boats from Hawes Pier, April to October. Check departure times and island opening before you go.
10. Book Firth of Forth Tours Online
If you would rather have everything arranged, you can book a Firth of Forth sightseeing cruise or a Three Bridges cruise online. With both tours, check the listing for what is included, the departure point and the cancellation terms before you pay.
Where & when: Departures from South Queensferry; see the listing for times.
11. Join a Coach Tour from Edinburgh
No car? Coach tours from the capital make an easy day trip that takes in the town and other sights without planning the transport. A coach tour from Edinburgh that stops here is one option; check the listing for the exact route and stops before you book.
Where & when: Departs from central Edinburgh; check the listing.
History, Heritage and Events
The name Queensferry comes from a ferry service across the Forth established by Queen Margaret over 900 years ago, and the crossing shaped the history of the town until the Road Bridge opened in 1964. Its old traditions are still very much alive, and a few of its buildings and customs are well worth a visit if you have time after the bridges.
12. Queensferry Museum
The small museum at 53 High Street tells the history of the town, the ferry and the bridges, and looks out over the water. The building opened in 1900 as the Viewpoint Temperance Hotel.
Culture Edinburgh lists the museum as temporarily closed for essential maintenance works, so check its website before you visit.
Where & when: 53 High Street, EH30 9HP. Temporarily closed.
13. The Priory Church of St Mary of Mount Carmel
Just off Hopetoun Road stands one of the oldest buildings in town, a medieval Carmelite church that was restored in 1890 after centuries of history. Today it is a Scottish Episcopal church and is Category A listed.
Where & when: Hopetoun Road, EH30 9RB. Check service times before you visit.
14. Have a Drink at the Hawes Inn
The Hawes Inn, on Newhalls Road beside the pier, has a place in literary history: it appears in Robert Louis Stevenson’s Kidnapped. Sit in the garden with a pint and the rail bridge almost overhead. Today it is a Vintage Inns pub and restaurant with rooms upstairs.
Where & when: 7 Newhalls Road, EH30 9TA. Open daily.
15. Ferry Fair Week and the Burryman
Every August the town holds the Ferry Fair, a week of events that in 2026 ran from 1 to 8 August and marked the 90th crowning of the Ferry Queen. Highlights include a parade through town and races.
On the second Friday of August the Burryman, a local man covered head to toe in sticky burrs, walks a long route around the town. It is one of the most unusual folk customs in Scotland.
Where & when: Early August, around the High Street. Dates for 2027 on ferryfair.co.uk.
16. Watch the Loony Dook on New Year’s Day
On New Year’s Day, crowds in fancy dress parade along the High Street and then plunge into the icy Forth below the rail bridge. Spectators line the street to cheer them on.
Dates, registration and timings are announced nearer the time, so check the official listing in December before you plan around it.
Where & when: 1 January, High Street and the shore. Free to watch.
17. Solve a Murder Mystery Trail
Treasure Trails sells a self-guided murder mystery trail around South Queensferry. Unlike guided tours, you follow clues through the streets and solve the case at your own pace, which suits a family or a group of friends.
Where & when: Start whenever you like; check the price when booking on treasuretrails.co.uk.
Outlander, Castles and Stately Homes
Some of the best stately homes and castles near Edinburgh are a short drive or cycle from South Queensferry, set along the coast and in the parkland west of town. Several were used as filming locations for the Outlander series, so they are popular with fans, but the gardens, woodland and sea air make them worth the trip for anyone.
18. Explore Hopetoun House
Hopetoun House is a grand country house just west of town, set in gardens and parkland by the coast. It has provided 24 filming locations for the drama across several series. In 2026 it opened from 3 April to 27 September, Thursday to Monday, 11am to 5pm (last entry 4pm); 2027 dates are to be announced.
House and grounds tickets cost £15 for adults, £7 for children and £40 for a family; grounds only is £7 or £4. Parking is free with a ticket.
Where & when: Hopetoun estate, EH30 9RW. Seasonal; check dates on hopetoun.co.uk.
19. Visit Midhope Castle (Lallybroch)
Fans will know Midhope Castle as Lallybroch, Jamie Fraser’s family home in Outlander. The tower house stands on the Hopetoun estate, and visits are by ticket only. You can see the outside and the courtyard; the inside is derelict, so it is not a full visitor attraction.
Visits run until 6pm in summer and as early as 3pm in winter. There are toilets in the farm courtyard and a coffee trailer at the car park. Keep dogs on leads. Hopetoun says its tickets include access to Midhope; otherwise book on midhopecastle.com.
Where & when: Hopetoun estate. Ticket only; confirm the price when booking.
20. See Blackness Castle
Blackness Castle is a 15th-century fortress that juts into the Forth like a ship and is known as “the ship that never sailed”. It has appeared on screen in Mary Queen of Scots, Outlaw King and the same time-travel drama as Midhope.
It is open daily from April to September (9.30–5) and October to March (10–4), closed 25–26 December and 1–2 January. Adults pay £7.50 online or £8.50 on site. You can also arrive by water on the Blackness Castle Cruise from Port Edgar.
Where & when: Blackness, west along the coast. Historic Environment Scotland.
21. Walk the Shore Path to Cramond
The John Muir Way follows the coast east from the Hawes Inn through the Dalmeny estate to Cramond, a scenic route of about 4.5 miles. You pass Hound Point, Barnbougle Castle and Eagle Rock, and the island of Inchcolm comes into sight across the water. Barnbougle and Dalmeny House are not open to visitors.
It is a working estate, so keep dogs on leads and stay on the marked route. At Cramond, the tidal causeway to Cramond Island is only safe at certain times: text CRAMOND to 81400 for crossing times.
Where & when: Starts near the Hawes Inn; finishes at Cramond. Open all year.
Across the Water: North Queensferry
Cross the Forth Road Bridge on foot or take the train one stop over the Forth Bridge to North Queensferry, a quieter village on the Fife coast. It is close enough to combine with South Queensferry in the same outing, and the shoreline there gives you the bridges from a completely different angle.
22. Explore North Queensferry
North Queensferry sits right under the northern end of the rail bridge, with a small pier and harbour, a twin Briggers Memorial and some of the finest views back across to South Queensferry. The Fife Coastal Path also passes through the village.
Where & when: One stop by rail from Dalmeny, or cross the Road Bridge on foot.
23. Climb the North Queensferry Light Tower
At the head of the Town Pier is what is billed as the world’s smallest working light tower, built by Robert Stevenson in 1817 and restored in 2010, with Scotland’s smallest museum beside it. It is a small piece of maritime history: climb the 24 stairs to the lamp and learn how the old signalling worked.
Where & when: Town Pier, North Queensferry. Check opening times with the North Queensferry Heritage Trust before you visit.
24. Deep Sea World
Deep Sea World, Scotland’s National Aquarium in North Queensferry, is a good wet-weather option for a family with children. It is open daily except 25 December, closing times vary by season and last entry is one hour before closing. Tickets are valid for six months and under-3s go free.
Where & when: North Queensferry, KY11 1JR. Confirm prices when booking.
25. Walk the Fife Coastal Path
The Fife Coastal Path runs for about 117 miles along the Fife coast from Kincardine to Newburgh. It passes through North Queensferry, where the stretch along the shore gives fine views of the bridges; go as far as you like and head back.
Where & when: Joins at North Queensferry. Free.
Family Days Out
South Queensferry is family friendly, with space to run around on the shore, ice cream on the High Street and boats to watch at the pier. These two family favourites are easy wins when you need something extra, or when the weather turns and you need a plan for indoors.
26. Pick Your Own at Craigie’s Farm
Craigie’s Farm, founded in 1966 and named Pick Your Own of the Year 2026, is a short drive from town. In summer you book a slot to pick berries; in October, apple picking is included with a pumpkin festival ticket.
There is also a café with mostly home-grown food, a farm shop and the Little Farmers Playbarn for younger children, so it suits a whole family.
Where & when: West Craigie Farm, EH30 9AR. Picking slots must be booked in advance.
27. Paint Pottery at Honey Pot Creative Cafe
Honey Pot Creative Cafe is a paint-your-own ceramics café, a good choice for a rainy afternoon for the whole family. Pick a piece, paint it over a hot drink and collect it later once it has been fired.
Where & when: Port Neuk, EH30 9TD. Daily 10–5.
Where to Eat and Drink in South Queensferry
From bakeries to waterside seafood and a pint by the bridges, these are the best places to eat and drink in South Queensferry, all confirmed open in October 2026.
28. The Little Bakery
A small bakery on the High Street with bread, pastries and cakes to eat in or take away for a picnic on the shore.
Where & when: 6–7 High Street, EH30 9PP. Weekdays 9–5, weekends 9–5.30.
29. Manna House Bakery
Manna House opened its South Queensferry branch in 2017, and its counter of cakes and patisserie is hard to resist. It is a good spot for coffee and a sweet treat before a boat trip.
Where & when: 45–46 High Street.
30. Dune Bakery
Dune Bakery has moved to a new home on Edinburgh Road, a few minutes up from the High Street. It is dog friendly and a good stop for a coffee and a bake.
Where & when: 12–14 Edinburgh Road, EH30 9HR. Wednesday to Monday, 9–3.
31. The Little Parlour
For ice cream, The Little Parlour scoops more than 60 flavours of Stewart Tower gelato. Take a cone down to the shore and enjoy the views.
Where & when: 52 High Street.
32. Orocco Pier: Samphire and Antico
Orocco Pier is a boutique hotel on the High Street with two places to eat. Samphire Seafood Bar & Grill serves seafood and grills, while the all-day Antico Café Bar has a terrace over the water.
Where & when: 17 High Street, EH30 9PP.
33. Rogue Bros at the Boathouse
The Boathouse on the High Street is now run as Rogue Bros at the Boathouse, serving seasonal plates looking over the water. The team also has a pizza and sandwich shop at 16 Hopetoun Road.
Where & when: 22 High Street, EH30 9PP. Closed Mondays; Tuesday to Thursday 12–10.
34. Thirty Knots and The Railbridge
Two places sit side by side on Newhalls Road, right under the rail bridge. Thirty Knots, from the Buzzworks group, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Railbridge next door is a bar and restaurant with views of all three crossings.
Where & when: 2 and 4 Newhalls Road, EH30 9TA.
35. Scotts and Down the Hatch at Port Edgar
At Port Edgar Marina, Scotts is a Buzzworks bar and restaurant overlooking the yachts, and Outboard by Scott’s is its food-to-go café. Nearby, Down the Hatch is a Canadian-style diner open seven days, 8.30 to 5.
Where & when: Port Edgar Marina, Shore Road, EH30 9SQ.
36. The Ferry Tap
A traditional pub on the High Street, The Ferry Tap pours cask ales and has more than 50 single malts behind the bar. One of the best pubs in town for a quiet dram.
Where & when: 36 High Street.
Where to Stay in South Queensferry
Staying over lets you see the bridges lit up at night and catch an early boat from Hawes Pier. For the full list, see our guide to hotels and rentals in South Queensferry.
- Hawes Inn: rooms above the historic inn by the pier, sold by Innkeeper’s Collection. Check rates and availability
- Orocco Pier: a boutique hotel on the High Street overlooking the water.
- Dakota Edinburgh: a design hotel at Ferrymuir, handy for the airport road. Check rates and availability
- DoubleTree by Hilton Edinburgh – Queensferry Crossing: across the water in North Queensferry, with river views. Check rates and availability
Getting to South Queensferry
- By train: ScotRail trains run from Edinburgh Waverley to Dalmeny in about 17–20 minutes, roughly every half hour. From Dalmeny station it is a steep 10-minute walk down to the High Street, and the line continues over the Forth Bridge to North Queensferry.
- By bus: Lothian bus 43 runs from the city centre about every 20 minutes but takes nearly an hour.
- By car: it is about 9 miles from Edinburgh city centre and about 3 miles from the airport. Parking on the High Street is limited, so use the car park at the Forth Bridges Viewpoint or Port Edgar on busy summer days.
- Cycling: bikes can cross the Forth Road Bridge on the east path, so you can ride on into Fife.
- Combine it: with public transport you can pair a morning in town with a walk over the bridge, join one of the tours above, or link up with our day trips from Edinburgh by train.
South Queensferry FAQs
Is South Queensferry worth visiting?
Yes. It has the best views of the Forth Bridges in Scotland, cruises to Inchcolm, a pretty historic High Street and good places to eat, all within 20 minutes of Edinburgh city centre on the railway. It is easy to fill a whole visit with the waterfront, a trip on the water and lunch, and you can add a castle or stately home if you have a car.
Can you walk across the Forth Bridge?
No. The 1890 Forth Bridge is a working railway with no public footpath, and the Queensferry Crossing is a motorway. You can walk or cycle across the Forth Road Bridge on the east path.
How long do you need in South Queensferry?
Half a day covers the High Street, the waterfront and lunch. Allow a full day if you add a cruise, an Inchcolm landing or Hopetoun House.
How do I get to South Queensferry from Edinburgh?
Take the train from Waverley to Dalmeny (17–20 minutes), then walk 10 minutes downhill. Lothian bus 43 also runs from the centre.
Where do boat tours leave from?
Maid of the Forth and Forth Boat Tours sail from Hawes Pier, under the rail bridge. Some Forth Boat Tours cruises leave from Port Edgar Marina.
Can you see seals on a boat trip?
Often, yes. The local operators say to look out for seals and puffins, and occasionally porpoises and dolphins, so bring binoculars. In winter, Maid of the Forth also runs a special cruise to see newborn seal pups from the deck.
What Outlander locations are near South Queensferry?
Hopetoun House, Midhope Castle (Lallybroch) and Blackness Castle are all within a short drive of town.
Final Words
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