South Queensferry (Edinburgh)
South Queensferry is a charming coastal town on the Firth of Forth, a beautiful estuary of Scotland's River Forth. The town's biggest claim to fame is its unique position as a port nestled under the shadow of three iconic bridges: the Victorian-era Forth Bridge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; the Forth Road Bridge; and the modern Queensferry Crossing. While South Queensferry itself has a lovely High Street and a local village feel, its primary role as a cruise port is to serve as the gateway to Scotland's historic and vibrant capital, Edinburgh, just a short journey away.
⛵ Port Introduction
Your cruise ship will not dock directly at a pier in South Queensferry. Instead, it will anchor offshore in the Firth of Forth. You will then take a tender boat from your ship to the Hawes Pier. The tender journey is a scenic and memorable 10-15 minute ride, where you pass directly under the spans of the Forth Bridge. The Hawes Pier is the dedicated tender landing for cruise passengers.
⚓ Terminal Information
The Hawes Pier is a small pier with a basic setup. There is a small welcome area where you'll find guides and volunteers who can provide information and directions. You'll also find fleets of tour buses waiting for passengers who have pre-booked excursions to Edinburgh.
🚻 Terminal Facilities
There is no large, permanent terminal building at Hawes Pier. You'll find a welcome team of volunteers with maps and information, and there are restrooms available. There are also tour pickups and taxis located right at the pier. Public Wi-Fi is generally not available on the pier, but you can find it at many cafes and restaurants in the nearby town of South Queensferry.
🗣️ Language
The local language is English. While you'll encounter a distinct Scottish accent and a few local colloquialisms, you will have no trouble navigating or communicating.
💰 Money
The currency is the British Pound (£), just as it is in the rest of the United Kingdom. Be aware that Scottish banknotes, issued by several different banks in Scotland, may look different from the banknotes you would find in England. They are legal tender throughout the UK, but some shops outside Scotland may be less familiar with them. Credit cards are widely accepted everywhere, and ATMs are easy to find in the town of South Queensferry and are plentiful in Edinburgh.
🚗 Transportation
To get from South Queensferry to Edinburgh, you have a few excellent options.
Bus: Lothian Buses offers a direct, non-stop service, the X99, from the pier to Edinburgh city center. This is a convenient option for a stress-free trip.
Train: The train is often the fastest and most scenic option. The Dalmeny train station is a 10-minute walk from the Hawes Pier, but the walk involves a set of steps. From there, a train will take you to Edinburgh's Waverley Station in about 20 minutes.
Taxis: Taxis are available at the pier. They can take you directly to Edinburgh, but it is a much more expensive option.
♿ Accessibility
The accessibility of this port is a 2 out of 10. The tender process is the biggest challenge for people with limited mobility, as you have to get on and off a tender boat. Once you are on the pier, the walk to the town of South Queensferry is generally flat, but the walk to the train station involves a steep staircase. Edinburgh, while a beautiful city, has many hills and cobblestone streets that can be difficult to navigate.
🚶♀️ The best way to get to town from cruise port
The best way to get from the Hawes Pier to the town of South Queensferry is to simply walk. It's a very short and easy stroll. To get to Edinburgh, the train is the fastest and most popular option.
🚽 Toilet
Public toilets are available in South Queensferry and are generally clean and free to use. You can also find restrooms at many of the restaurants and pubs in town.
💊 Drugstore
Queensferry Pharmacy: Unit 33 The Loan, South Queensferry, EH30 9SD. This is a short walk from the High Street.
Ferryburn Pharmacy: 2 Ferryburn Rosebery Avenue, South Queensferry, EH30 9QS.
✨ Authentic Experience
Walk the Historic High Street and Enjoy the Views: While everyone is rushing to Edinburgh, take some time to explore the charming town of South Queensferry itself. Walk along the historic High Street with its colorful shops and pubs. From the waterfront, you'll have stunning, up-close views of the three Forth Bridges, an incredible feat of engineering.
Take a Boat Tour to Inchcolm Island: For a unique experience, take a local boat tour from the pier out to Inchcolm Island. The island is home to a beautiful 12th-century abbey, one of the best-preserved monastic buildings in Scotland. You'll also see seals and a variety of seabirds. It's a wonderful way to experience the local wildlife and history.
Dine on Local Fish and Chips at The Hawes Inn: The Hawes Inn is a historic pub right on the waterfront, next to the pier. It was made famous by Robert Louis Stevenson in his novel "Kidnapped." This is a perfect place to have a traditional Scottish meal, like fish and chips, and a pint of local beer while enjoying the views of the bridges and the passing boats.
