Royal Yacht Britannia

The Royal Yacht Britannia is permanently berthed at Ocean Terminal in Leith, the port district of Edinburgh, Scotland. Launched in 1953 at John Brown's shipyard on the Clyde and commissioned in 1954, she served as the floating residence of the British Royal Family for more than 40 years. She covered over a million nautical miles, visiting around 135 countries on state visits, diplomatic occasions and family holidays, and she was decommissioned in December 1997. After her service, Britannia was moved to Leith, where she opened as a visitor attraction in 1998. Visitors follow an audio-guided route over five decks, including the Bridge, the State Apartments with the State Drawing Room and State Dining Room, the Royal Apartments with the private bedrooms and sun lounge, the Sick Bay, the galley and the crew quarters. The tour is thematic and layered, contrasting the formal rooms used to host dignitaries with the working spaces of the naval crew, the Royal Yachtsmen, who served on board. The ship's interior retains the simple, mid-century style that Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip favoured, rather than lavish display. In the engine room visitors can see the machinery that powered the ship. Exhibits in the Ocean Terminal include displays on the ship's history and her royal tours. The vessel is maintained in a near-original condition by the Royal Yacht Britannia Trust, and a tea room on the Royal Deck offers refreshments. Visitors should allow time, as the audio guide is the main source of interpretation, and boarding involves steps and narrow gangways.