Maid of the Forth Cruise to Inchcolm Island

The Maid of the Forth cruise departs from Hawes Pier on Newhalls Road in South Queensferry, on the Firth of Forth in Scotland, about 14 km west of central Edinburgh. Dalmeny railway station is roughly 1.5 km away. The operator is Maid of the Forth, whose website is maidoftheforth.co.uk, and the boat sails beneath the three Forth Bridges: the Forth Bridge, the Forth Road Bridge and the Queensferry Crossing.

The activity is a scenic boat trip rather than a strenuous adventure. Two formats are offered: a cruise of about 90 minutes that stays on the water, or a trip of about 3 hours that includes a landing on Inchcolm Island. Inchcolm is known for its medieval abbey and for grey seals that haul out around the shores. Reseller listings show the Inchcolm landing fee at about £8 per adult, which is paid in addition to the cruise fare, though the current fare and timetable should be confirmed on the operator's website.

The trip requires no special fitness or skill, which is why it is rated easy. Passengers need to be able to board a boat from the pier and, for the island option, walk over uneven ground on Inchcolm. Age limits were not confirmed. No equipment is supplied beyond the boat itself, and visitors should bring a warm windproof jacket, a hat and sunscreen, since the Forth can be cold and exposed even on bright days.

Sailings run roughly from April to October and depend on the weather, so cancellations are possible in strong winds or rough seas. The best conditions are usually from May to September. Boarding passes are collected from the building at the top of Hawes Pier, so arriving early is sensible. Standard passenger-vessel safety practice applies, including safety announcements from the crew and the carriage of lifejackets; specific evacuation details were not published in the information available.

Visitors who want to extend the outing can explore South Queensferry's High Street and waterfront. Travel to the pier is by Lothian Buses or by ScotRail to Dalmeny, followed by a walk of about 1.5 km or a taxi. The route offers close views of the engineering of the bridges that few other viewpoints match.