If your cruise calls at Edinburgh or Invergordon, a private driver lets up to four guests see Edinburgh Castle, Stirling, St Andrews or Loch Ness at their own pace. Our Toyota Alphard tours start from £350 for 4 hours from the Firth of Forth ports and £900 for a full day from Invergordon, and we return you to the port at least 1 hour before all-aboard.
Which Scottish cruise ports do we cover?
Edinburgh's cruise calls are spread across the Firth of Forth. Forth Ports forecasts about 159 cruise calls in 2026 across Leith, Rosyth, Dundee and the Newhaven and South Queensferry anchorages, with the season running from April to October.
- South Queensferry – large ships anchor in the Forth and tender guests to Hawes Pier, beneath the Forth Bridge. See our South Queensferry guide.
- Newhaven – some ships anchor off Edinburgh's north shore and tender to Newhaven Harbour. See our Newhaven guide.
- Leith (Ocean Terminal) – smaller ships berth inside the port, about 15 minutes' drive from the city centre.
- Rosyth – on the Fife side, a short drive across the bridges.
- Invergordon – the Highland port on the Cromarty Firth, gateway to Loch Ness. See our Invergordon guide.
How much does a private shore excursion cost?
All prices are for the whole vehicle, not per person.
| Duration (port to port) | Whole vehicle, up to 4 guests |
|---|---|
| 4 hours | from £350 |
| 6 hours | from £450 |
| 8 hours | from £550 |
| Extra hour | £70 |
2027 season prices for a Toyota Alphard with driver, fuel and parking. Time runs from pickup at the port to drop-off back at the port. Attraction tickets are not included. Your final route and price are confirmed in writing.
From Invergordon, a full day costs a flat £900. This includes the driver travelling up from Edinburgh the day before.
Send us your ship name and date and we will propose a route that fits your port time.
See cruise transfersHow does a private driver compare with cruise-line excursions?
Based on a major cruise line's published private-car excursions for these ports (2026 listings):
| MegaSpace private car | Cruise-line private car | Cruise-line coach tour | |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Queensferry, about 4 hours | from £350, up to 4 guests | from US$999 (up to 2) / US$1,199 (up to 5) | Per-person price, shared coach |
| Invergordon | £900 full day, up to 4 guests | from US$1,300 for about 4 hours (up to 2) | Per-person price, shared coach |
| Route | Your choice, changeable on the day | Set itinerary | Set itinerary and stops |
| If the tour runs late | No ship-waits guarantee; we return you 1 hour before all-aboard | Ship waits | Ship waits |
For one or two travellers, a coach excursion is usually the cheapest option. A private car makes most sense for three or four guests, families, or anyone who wants a flexible pace.
What if the tour runs late – will the ship wait?
Cruise-line excursions have one real advantage: if their tour runs late, the ship waits. An independent tour does not carry that guarantee, so we manage timing instead. We plan the route around your ship's schedule, keep a time buffer, and return you to the port at least 1 hour before all-aboard time. Please tell us your ship name, date, and whether you tender or berth. Landing points can change with weather, so we confirm the day before.
What can you see on a Firth of Forth shore excursion?
- Edinburgh city (Castle, Royal Mile, Holyrood) – 4 to 6 hours.
- Edinburgh and Rosslyn Chapel – 5 to 6 hours.
- The Kelpies and Stirling Castle – 6 hours.
- Glenkinchie distillery – 4 to 5 hours.
- St Andrews – 6 to 8 hours.
- Loch Lomond – 8 hours.
- Linlithgow Palace – about 20 minutes from South Queensferry, an easy add-on.
From Invergordon, the favourite is Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle, often combined with Culloden in 6 to 7 hours.
Send us your ship name and date and we will propose a route that fits your port time.
See cruise transfersFrequently asked
Is the price per person?
No. All prices are for the whole Toyota Alphard, for up to 4 guests, including driver, fuel and parking.
Will the ship wait if we are late?
No, an independent tour has no ship-waits guarantee. We plan around your schedule and return you to the port at least 1 hour before all-aboard time.
What if our landing point changes?
Tender landings can change with weather. We confirm the day before and meet you at whichever pier your ship uses.