What are the opening hours?

Monday 10am - 5pm Tuesday 10am - 5pm Wednesday 10am - 5pm Thursday 10am - 5pm Friday 10am - 5pm Saturday 10am - 5pm Sunday 10am - 5pm

Maid of the Forth

See the best of the Firth of Forth Bridges and Inchcolm Island on board the acclaimed Maid of the Forth.
(668)

Family owned and operated since 1993, offering award-winning boat trips beneath the iconic Forth Bridges with sightseeing cruises, Inchcolm Island sailings, wildlife spotting and unforgettable experiences on the Firth of Forth. A range of cruises available daily from Easter to October. Wildlife, history and a great day out, all in one.

11/06/2026

Thinking about visiting Inchcolm Island this summer? Here are some of the questions we're asked most often!

🐶 Can I take my dog?
Yes! Well-behaved dogs are welcome aboard our daytime sailings and on Inchcolm Island. Please keep them under control and be mindful of the island's wildlife and nesting seabirds. They are also free of charge.

☕ Is there a café on the island?
There isn't a café, but there is a small island shop selling snacks, cold drinks, hot drinks and souvenirs. Many visitors also choose to bring a picnic and enjoy the stunning views.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Is Inchcolm Island suitable for children?
Absolutely! Children love exploring the ancient abbey, spotting wildlife, discovering hidden corners of the island and learning about its fascinating history.

🏰 What's there to see?
Inchcolm is home to one of Scotland's best-preserved medieval abbeys, wartime tunnels and defences, beautiful coastal views, and an abundance of wildlife including seabirds and seals.

🚻 Are there toilets on the island?
Yes, public toilets are available on the island.

🎟️ Do I need to pay extra to visit the island?
Yes, Historic Environment Scotland landing passes are required for anyone going ashore. These can be purchased at our ticket office before departure unless you have a valid Historic Scotland membership.

⏰ How long do I get on the island?
Our 3-hour Inchcolm Island cruise allows approximately 1½ hours ashore to explore at your own pace.

🌊 How do I get there?
Simply hop aboard the original Inchcolm ferry from Hawes Pier, South Queensferry, and enjoy a scenic cruise through the Firth of Forth!

Have another question about visiting Inchcolm Island? Drop it in the comments below and we'll be happy to help! 👇

09/06/2026

Our final RSPB Wildlife Cruise of the season sets sail on Sunday 21st June at 9:00am, and it's your last opportunity this year to explore the incredible wildlife of the Firth of Forth alongside expert guides from the RSPB.

Discover the islands of the Forth, learn about the seabirds that call them home, and keep watch for seals, porpoises and even dolphins along the way. June is one of the best times of year to experience the Forth's thriving wildlife.

Whether you're a keen birdwatcher or simply love spending time in nature, this is a fantastic morning out for all ages.

Book now and don't miss our only remaining RSPB cruise of the season!

07/06/2026

🚤 Due to incredible demand, our RNLI RIB Taster Trips have SOLD OUT on the first boat! 🚤

The good news is that we've now added a second RIB, giving even more people the chance to experience an exciting trip on the Firth of Forth while supporting a fantastic cause.

Join us for a 20-minute RIB adventure, taking in the spectacular views of the Forth Bridges, all while helping to raise funds for RNLI Queensferry Lifeboat

Don't miss out a second time – book your place now and help us support our local lifeboat crew!

31/05/2026

What a month May has been for the Maid of the Forth.

From our May the 4th sailings, the return of our Folk Cruises and first Alloa Cruise of the season, to busy cruise liner days in South Queensferry, it has been a fantastic start to the year on the Forth.

We’ve also welcomed back our RIB trips and enjoyed some incredible wildlife sightings throughout the month, including dolphins, puffins, seals and countless seabirds alongside some beautiful sunny sailings beneath the bridges.

A huge thank you to everyone who has sailed with us, shared photos and supported our family-owned business throughout May. We’re looking forward to an even busier June ahead.

27/05/2026

🚤 RNLI RIB Taster Trips – Sunday 14th June 🚤

We are delighted to once again be supporting the South Queensferry RNLI with our popular RIB taster trips.

Enjoy a 20-minute high-speed trip on the Forth for just £15 per person, with all profits going directly to South Queensferry RNLI to support the incredible work they do within our local waters.

It’s a fantastic chance to experience the thrill of our RIBs, enjoy amazing views of the bridges and coastline, and support a brilliant local cause at the same time.

Spaces will be limited and are expected to fill quickly.

25/05/2026

A fantastic weekend onboard the Maid of the Forth as we welcomed back both our Folk Cruises and our first Alloa Cruise of the season.

With live music from Pure Malt, great food, calm evening sailings and stunning views along the Forth, it was brilliant to see so many people enjoying these special cruises once again.

Our Alloa Cruise remains one of the most unique sailings on the Forth, travelling further upriver towards Stirling, while our Folk Cruises continue to be a firm favourite for a relaxed evening of live Scottish music beneath the bridges.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us this weekend and to Pure Malt for another fantastic couple of nights onboard.

We still have limited dates available throughout the season for our Folk cruises, our remaining Alloa date is sold out.

16/05/2026

🎷 Introducing Quattro MacJazz aboard the Maid of the Forth 🎷

Joining our 2026 evening cruise line-up, Quattro MacJazz brings a lively mix of 1920s, 30s and 40s jazz classics to the Forth.

Expect upbeat swing, well known favourites and an atmosphere that’s relaxed, entertaining and easy to enjoy, even for those who wouldn’t usually choose jazz. Combined with an evening cruise beneath the Forth Bridges, it makes for a brilliant night on the water.

With limited dates available for 2026, our jazz cruises are set to be one of the highlights of the season.

11/05/2026

Today marks World Migratory Bird Day 🌍🐦

A day dedicated to celebrating the incredible journeys made by migratory birds and raising awareness of the challenges they face along the way.

Here on the Firth of Forth, we’re lucky to witness some of these species as they travel, rest and feed in our local waters, from seabirds nesting on the islands to visitors passing through on their seasonal routes.

That’s why we’re proud to run our RSPB birdwatching cruises, working alongside the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds to offer a closer look at the wildlife that makes this area so special.

Join us on board for a 3-hour guided cruise, with expert commentary and the chance to spot a variety of birdlife in their natural habitat, all while supporting local conservation efforts.

A great way to connect with nature and see these journeys up close.

08/05/2026

Today we celebrate an incredible milestone as Sir David Attenborough turns 100.

For generations, his voice and storytelling have inspired people across the world to appreciate and protect our wildlife, oceans and natural environment.

Here on the Firth of Forth, we are lucky to witness some amazing wildlife every day, from seals and puffins to dolphins and porpoises, and it is people like Sir David who have helped so many of us see just how special these moments really are.

Happy 100th Birthday Sir David, and thank you for inspiring a love of nature across the world.

lucyclaireillustration for the amazing image 🥰

06/05/2026

🎶 COMPETITION CLOSED

We’re giving away 4 tickets to our first Folk Cruise of the season on Friday 22nd May and you could be joining us on board for a great night of live music on the water!

To enter:
• Like this post
• Share it
• Tag who you’d bring along with you

Competition closes Wednesday 13th May and the winner will be announced shortly after.

Good luck 🤞

Address

South Queensferry
EH309TB

Opening Hours

Monday	10am - 5pm
Tuesday	10am - 5pm
Wednesday	10am - 5pm
Thursday	10am - 5pm
Friday	10am - 5pm
Saturday	10am - 5pm
Sunday	10am - 5pm

Telephone

+441313315000

Website

https://linktr.ee/maidoftheforth

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Maid of the Forth posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Maid of the Forth:

Want your business to be the top-listed Travel Agency in South Queensferry?