Top Edinburgh Water Tours

Escape the city and see some of Edinburgh’s lesser-known sights on a boat cruise that takes you to Inchcolm Island, home to both a medieval abbey and a colony of sea lions and seals. As well as escaping the crowds on land, you’ll bag the best views of the famous Three Bridges.

Experience the legend and mystery of Rosslyn Chapel and the Holy Grail on this ‘Da Vinci Code’ tour from Edinburgh. In a small group, travel to the charming town of Melrose and through the Scottish borderlands. Explore Melrose Abbey and Rosslyn Chapel, and hear intriguing tales of Cistercian monks, the Knights Templar, and Robert the Bruce.

Traveling over the Forth Bridge is always an enjoyable experience but cruising underneath the mighty structure is even more memorable. This sightseeing cruise takes you out onto the Forth of Firth for excellent views of Edinburgh and Fife from the boat's top deck. As you cruise, you'll learn all about local history and perhaps spot wildlife including seals and puffins.

Make the most of a trip of a lifetime to the Isle of Skye and the Outer Hebrides with this comprehensive six-day tour. Instead of cramming a long train ride and the top suggestions on Google into a long weekend, spread your travel across the better part of a week and take the time to see corners of the Hebrides that most visitors don't get to see.

The three bridges that cross the Firth of Forth form a spectacular site from land but it's even more impressive to look up at them as you cruise underneath. This boat tour takes you out onto the Forth for views of Blackness Castle and Limekilns village, as well as the Forth, Forth Road and Queensferry bridges.

Take a personalized tour from Edinburgh to Loch Ness on this day trip to the Scottish Highlands. See wooded lochs and tucked-away villages as you journey through spectacular scenery en route to Glencoe and Fort Augustus. Enjoy a boat tour in search of the Loch Ness Monster and traverse the picturesque Cairngorms National Park. Travel in a top-of-the-range, 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach with a small group limited to 16 passengers.

Discover the dramatic beauty, history and mystery of Scotland on this full-day trip from Edinburgh. Aboard a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle, wind through the Scottish Highlands and marvel at the majesty of Cairngorms National Park and the mysterious Loch Ness—fabled home of the elusive water monster, Nessie. Spot the famous Urquhart Castle en route and hear about legendary warfare like the battles of William Wallace and the massacre of Glen Coe in the 17th century.

Delve into Scotland’s rich history and heritage on this 1-day Rosslyn Chapel, Dunfermline Abbey and Stirling Castle tour from Edinburgh. Head from the Royal Mile over the UNESCO–listed Forth Bridge to Dunfermline with a guide, and explore the Abbey Kirk — burial place of Robert the Bruce. See where the Battle of Bannockburn raged and learn of Scotland’s struggle for independence. Take in top local attractions including Stirling Castle. Then, visit Rosslyn Chapel before returning to Edinburgh.

Journey to the frontier of ancient Rome on this full-day tour of Hadrian’s Wall and the Scottish borders from Edinburgh. First up is a tour of the 15th-century Rosslyn Chapel, famously featured in ‘The Da Vinci Code’ and renowned for its mysterious stone carvings and unique architecture. After lunch (not included), stop at Melrose Abbey, the burial site of King Robert the Bruce’s heart, and look out over the English border from Cheviot Hills, before walking along the UNESCO-listed Hadrian’s Wall.

An Edinburgh bus tour is the perfect way to hear commentary on city sights and get a panoramic overview. This City Sightseeing tour of Edinburgh lets you hop on and off at several strategically placed stops as many times as you like. Board the open-top double-decker bus and travel the entire route, or stop at Edinburgh Castle, the National Museum and many more. Buses depart regularly and tickets are valid for 24 hours from first use.

See the best of Scotland in one action-packed day on this Glencoe, Loch Ness and the Highlands tour from Edinburgh. Pass Stirling Castle on route to Kilmahog with a guide, then continue through Rannoch Moor to the soaring Highland peaks of Glen Coe. Head along the banks of Loch Linnhe to Fort William and gaze over Ben Nevis — Scotland’s highest mountain. Enjoy free time to explore Loch Ness and learn the famous legend of Nessie! Pass by Inverness, then travel through the mighty Grampian Mountains to Edinburgh.

Journey through the majestic Scottish Lowlands on this Rosslyn Chapel, and Scottish Borders tour from Edinburgh. Travel with a guide to the village of Roslin and visit the iconic Roslyn Chapel. Take a scenic route along Scotland’s border to Melrose Abbey—believed to be the burial site of King Robert the Bruce’s heart—and enjoy lunch at your leisure. Admire panoramic views over the Scottish countryside and the Tweed River from Scott’s View then return in comfort to Edinburgh.

Explore coastal routes around Edinburgh and the ancient kingdom of Northumbria on this 9.5-hour Holy Island, Alnwick Castle and Northumberland tour from Edinburgh. Head south across the Scottish border into English with a guide, and visit Holy Island and the peaceful village of Lindesfarne. Discover local attractions such as Lindesfarne Castle and the Priory, and explore the market town of Alnwick. Travel through Flodden Field — the battlefield where the English and Scots met in battle in 1513 — and gain insight into British history. Then, return in comfort to Edinburgh.

This full-day Scottish Highlands tour takes you on a scenic drive from Edinburgh to the fabled Loch Ness. The journey travels by coach across Rannoch Moor to Glen Coe and through the Great Glen to Fort Augustus, where you’re treated to a locally made picnic lunch. Take an optional boat ride on the legendary loch in search of ‘Nessie’ before the return trip over the Drumochter Pass and through the forests and rivers of Highland Perthshire, with views of the UNESCO-listed Forth Bridge.