Ships calling at South Queensferry anchor in the Firth of Forth and tender guests to Hawes Pier, right beneath the Forth Bridge. From there a private driver can reach Edinburgh's Old Town in about 30 to 40 minutes, or Linlithgow Palace in about 20. Our Toyota Alphard tours start from £350 for 4 hours, whole vehicle, up to 4 guests.
Part of our Scotland Cruise Shore Excursions
Where do you land at South Queensferry?
Large cruise ships cannot berth here, so they anchor in the Forth and run tenders to Hawes Pier in South Queensferry, a small town about 9 miles west of Edinburgh city centre. The pier sits directly under the red Forth Bridge, so you get one of Scotland's best views before you even start. Your driver meets you near the pier. Landing points can change with weather; we confirm with you the day before.
Where can you go from South Queensferry?
| Package | About | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Edinburgh city | 4–6 hours | Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, Holyrood |
| Edinburgh & Rosslyn Chapel | 5–6 hours | Old Town plus the carved chapel south of the city |
| Kelpies & Stirling Castle | 6 hours | Giant horse-head sculptures, then the royal castle |
| Glenkinchie distillery | 4–5 hours | Lowland whisky tour in East Lothian |
| St Andrews | 6–8 hours | Old Course, cathedral ruins, the Fife coast |
| Loch Lomond | 8 hours | First taste of the Highlands |
Drive times are approximate and depend on traffic; tickets are paid separately.
Close by: Linlithgow Palace, birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots, is about 20 minutes away and pairs well with the Kelpies or a short Edinburgh tour. Many guests also stop for photos of the three Forth bridges before heading back to the pier.
Send your ship name and date; we will propose a route that fits your tender times.
See cruise transfersHow much does it cost?
| 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.
How does this compare with the cruise line's excursion?
A major cruise line's published private-vehicle excursion from South Queensferry runs about 4 hours from US$999 for up to 2 guests, or from US$1,199 for up to 5. Our 4-hour tour starts from £350 for up to 4 guests. The trade-off: with the cruise line, the ship waits if the tour is late; with us, you rely on our timing plan.
How do you make sure we get back to the ship?
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.
Tender queues at the end of the day can be long, which is why our 1-hour buffer matters at South Queensferry in particular.
Send your ship name and date; we will propose a route that fits your tender times.
See cruise transfersFrequently asked
How much is a 4-hour tour?
From £350 for the whole Toyota Alphard, up to 4 guests, including driver, fuel and parking. 6 hours is from £450 and 8 hours from £550.
Will the ship wait for us?
No, independent tours have no ship-waits guarantee. We return you to the port at least 1 hour before all-aboard time.
How far is Edinburgh from Hawes Pier?
Edinburgh's Old Town is roughly 30 to 40 minutes' drive, depending on traffic.