Inchcolm Island Landing Cruise

✘ Edinburgh (South Queensferry), Scotland • September 2, 2025

⌖ From Water Shuttles to Wind-Swept Isles in the Firth of Forth

Our Regal Princess anchored in the Firth of Forth just as the rising sun kissed the edges of the three iconic bridges. Disembarkation here required a tender boat, and by the time we reached shore, we were fully immersed in a distinctly Scottish blend of salt air, old stone, and sweeping island views.

① Breakfast at Down the Hatch Café

Our morning began with a tender ride from the anchored Regal Princess into South Queensferry. Miller and Carol, Scottish friends we had not seen in almost six years to the day, were waiting at the pier. They drove us to Down the Hatch Café at Port Edgar Marina, a spot popular with both locals and travelers heading out on the Forth.

We ordered the café’s Brioche French Toast—served in a hot skillet with smoked streaky bacon, Canadian maple syrup, and icing sugar. It was hearty, sweet, and savory all at once. More important than the food, though, was the chance to catch up after so long apart. The breakfast stretched easily into forty-five minutes of conversation, with the Forth Bridge visible just beyond the marina.

② Inchcolm Island Landing Cruise

From the marina we walked to the Forth Boat Tours kiosk and checked in for the Inchcolm Island Landing Cruise. On board, we chose seats at one of the long interior tables, using the wide windows for photographs and stepping out to the bow or stern when something caught our eye.

The route carried us beneath the Forth Bridge (1890, UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the Forth Road Bridge (1964). The newer Queensferry Crossing (2017) was clearly visible further west, its cable stays rising above the skyline, though our vessel did not sail directly beneath it.

As the boat turned eastward, the commentary pointed out Inchgarvie Island, once home to a castle started by King James IV in 1491. Much of its stone was later quarried for the foundations of the Forth Bridge’s massive caissons. Beyond lay the Oxcar Lighthouse, first automated in 1894 using a gas system invented by Gustav Dalén, who later founded the AGA company.

We also passed the Hound Point oil terminal, where an anchored tanker was being refueled. The guide explained that while the rest of the UK often refers to this output as “English oil,” locals firmly call it Scottish oil, a point of national pride.

Not far from the terminal, a colony of harbor seals sprawled across the rocks in their familiar “banana pose,” stretching into the sunshine. Gulls wheeled above the water, and the brisk wind across the Firth reminded us that this is a true North Sea estuary despite the clear skies.

Ashore at Inchcolm Abbey

After forty minutes, the boat eased alongside the pier at Inchcolm. Landing passes were required, collected by Historic Scotland staff before stepping onto the island. We had about 90 minutes ashore, and chose to spend nearly all of it exploring Inchcolm Abbey.

Founded in the early 12th century, the abbey is considered Scotland’s best-preserved medieval island monastery. We entered through the cloister walk, its arched walls leading directly into the vaulted chapter house where Augustinian canons once met each day. The refectory still shows traces of its long windows, and from the upper levels we could look across to the tower.

The climb to the top was one of the highlights: a tight spiral staircase, more like a ladder in places, eventually opening to sweeping views across the Firth of Forth. From the top we could see the abbey ruins laid out below, and the faint line of Edinburgh Castle on the horizon.

Interpretive signs in each room described how the abbey functioned in its prime—monks chanting the Divine Office, tending to manuscripts, and offering sanctuary during troubled times. While the island also contains World War I and II gun batteries and bunkers, we chose not to venture that way. Instead, we focused on the abbey itself, walking its paths at an unhurried pace while catching up with Miller and Carol.

Before rejoining the boat, we stopped at the gift shop near the abbey and pier. Shelves were stocked with local souvenirs and books about the island. I purchased a detailed history of Inchcolm Abbey, while Miller struck up a conversation with the shop attendant about Irn-Bru, a Scottish soft drink I had never heard of. They struggled to describe the flavor—something unlike anything else. Later, after trying it, I decided the closest comparison was an orange cream soda.

Shortly after, the returning vessel arrived at the pier. We gathered with the other passengers, and boarded for the trip back across the Firth.

③ Lunch/Dinner at the Railbridge Bistro

After returning to Port Edgar Marina, Miller and Carol drove us a short distance into South Queensferry, where we had a late lunch at the Railbridge Bistro. The restaurant sits directly beneath the cantilevers of the Forth Bridge, with its red steelwork filling the windows and trains passing overhead at regular intervals.

Our table looked out across the water toward the bridge’s massive piers. Conversation came easily as we continued catching up after six years apart, the rhythm of trains overhead marking the time.

We ordered two dishes to share:

The food was good, but what made the stop stand out was the setting and the company. Eating beneath one of Scotland’s most recognizable landmarks while reconnecting with old friends gave the meal a meaning that went beyond the menu.

Return to the Regal Princess

By late afternoon we returned to the pier at South Queensferry. After saying our goodbyes to Miller and Carol, we joined the line for the tender and boarded for the short trip back across the Firth. From the water we had a final view of the bridges together before the Regal Princess came back into sight, marking the end of a day spent exploring Inchcolm and reconnecting with friends.

☑ Who Is This Tour Best For?

• History lovers – Scotland’s best-preserved medieval island abbey, with Augustinian origins and centuries of stories.
• Island explorers – a rare chance to land on a Firth of Forth isle, walk its paths, and climb its towers.
• Photography fans – bridges, abbey ruins, seals on the rocks, and panoramic estuary views.
• Independent travelers – flexible island exploration with clear signage and self-guided paths.
• Maritime buffs – engineering icons of the Forth and commentary on oil terminals, lighthouses, and wartime defenses.

⊞ Tour Summary

• Tour Name: Inchcolm Island Landing Cruise
• Offered By: Forth Boat Tours
• Total Duration: 6 hours (including tender transfers, cruise, island landing, and town lunch)
• Main Stops: Inchcolm Island Abbey, South Queensferry (Railbridge Bistro)
• Additional Sites: Port Edgar Marina, Down the Hatch Café
• Drive-By Highlights: Forth Bridge, Forth Road Bridge, Queensferry Crossing (viewed, not passed under), Inchgarvie Island, Oxcar Lighthouse, Hound Point Oil Terminal

▣ Activity Summary:

• Walking Distance: 8,000–10,000 steps depending on island paths and town routes.
• Terrain: Uneven stone steps in the abbey, spiral stair climb to tower, grassy slopes and gravel paths; marina and town are paved.
• Accessibility: Moderate – not suitable for wheelchairs; stairs and ladders in abbey; tender transfers required.
• Meals Included: No – food available independently in South Queensferry (Down the Hatch Café, Railbridge Bistro).

Excursion Disclaimer: Descriptions of shore excursions on OceansAfoot reflect individual travel experiences and are not official representations of the cruise lines or tour providers mentioned. All information is based on personal participation, publicly available facts, or traveler observation.

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