Did you know there are 170,000 people arriving into our beautiful city this year, all sailing in on a cruise? If you are one of these lucky people, you are one of 140,000 passengers aboard one of 107 ships! The other 30,000 are crew who work on board these magnificent cruise liners. What an incredible number.
However, by comparison over 33,000 people arrive into Edinburgh airport daily. Our city truly is a popular destination to visit and we are proud of everything we have on offer.
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There are four ports to which you may be arriving. Of the four ports, each is very different. The port of South Queensferry is certainly very picturesque, with a cobbled main street and numerous coffee shops, restaurants and quaint little shops. The magnificent Hopetoun House is not far away, a stunning 17th century stately home surrounded by 6,500 acres with scenic walks and the Stables Tearoom. If you are not going on an arranged shore excursion, hop on the train from Dalmeny which will bring you straight into Edinburgh Waverley, just a few minutes’ walk away from where we are located on Castlehill at the top of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile.
Ships arriving into the historic Port of Leith are met with the majestic sight of The Royal Yacht Britannia which is permanently berthed there. The city centre is easily accessible from Leith, with the no. 22 bus being your most direct route into the city, dropping you off on the main high-street shopping area within the city, Princes street. Located in Leith, are a number of Michelin starred restaurants, including The Kitchin.
Copyright Marc Millar/The Royal Yacht Britannia
Rosyth is located upstream of the famous Forth Road and Rail bridges. Docking here gives easy access to Fife and the beautiful East Neuk villages of Elie, Crail and Anstruther and further along the coast, the well-known St. Andrews, the “Home of Golf”. Newhaven is located close to Leith and can be accessed by local buses that can also take you up to the city centre. Lothian buses operate a frequent and good bus service all over the city. The No. 7 bus takes you from Newhaven, right up to near Calton Hill, the east end of Princes street, and to the Old Town. Timetables can be found here. Bus journeys are charged at £1.60 per journey and exact change is needed. Newhaven can accommodate the largest of cruise ships visiting the Firth of Forth – what an amazing view you will have from your cabin of these world-renowned bridges!
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On arrival to the ports, you will be met by the wonderful volunteers from the Cruise Forth project and we are delighted to have recently shown them around The Scotch Whisky Experience so that they can pass on their knowledge of all the different tours and tastings we have to offer you. They will also be able to give expert advice, with hints and tips of things to do within a morning, afternoon or just a couple of hours while you are here so that you can fully maximise your time in Edinburgh. With a whole host of things to do within the city, we are sure that you will have a great time while you are here.