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Edinburgh Shore Excursion: City Tour & Royal Yacht Britannia

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Duration: 6.5 hours

Overview

Our one-day Edinburgh shore excursion travels through the ancient capital city of Scotland. Board a comfortable coach which takes you to visit the Royal Yacht Britannia, the former royal yacht of the British monarchy. Then enjoy a panoramic tour of Edinburgh before stopping to explore medieval Edinburgh Castle, once residence to Scotland’s kings and queens. Use your free time for lunch (own expense) and to explore the famous Royal Mile and see the Palace of Holyroodhouse the official residence of the British Royal Family in Scotland.

Included

  • Digital translations
  • Knowledgeable Driver-Guide
  • Luxury Modern air-conditioned coach

Excluded

  • Entrance to attractions
  • Food and Drink

Important information

Where is the departure point?

The Driver-Guide for your Edinburgh shore excursion will meet you at the port. We kindly ask all passengers to ensure they are 15 minutes early.

Are optional extras included?

No, optional extras are not included in the tour price. The price of your one day tour from Inverness includes the services of a friendly, knowledgeable and experienced Driver-Guide, and transportation on one of our luxury modern air-conditioned coaches.

All optional extras - attraction entrance fees, loch cruises, food and drinks, etc - are not included in the price of your tour. This is to allow our guests the freedom to choose which optional extras they would like to take part in on the day.

Optional extras for your tour (From April 2026) are as follows:

Royal Yacht Britannia: Adult: £23.00, Concession: £18.00 Child: £11.50
Edinburgh Castle: Adult: £23.50, Concession: £19.00, Child: £14.00

Do I need to pre-book the optional extras?

We strongly recommend pre-booking Royal Yacht Britannia and Edinburgh Castle through us to guarantee entry and help manage visitor numbers. Walk-in bookings may be available on the day, but are subject to availability.

All other optional extras can be booked on the day and your Driver-Guide will advise you of how to book. If you have any questions about this please contact our Reservations Team on +44 (0) 131 226 6066.

Is the tour in English?

Yes, all of our tours are in English. Your trip to Edinburgh will be taken by an experienced, knowledgeable and friendly English-speaking Driver-Guide.

What should I bring with me?

As we like to give you as much time off the coach as possible with the opportunity for walks, we recommend you bring warm and/or waterproof clothing, wear comfortable walking shoes and take sun-block or a hat for sunny days.

Don't forget your camera to capture all the lovely scenery and wildlife you'll encounter on your tour! Since we cannot allow hot food on our buses you could also bring a cold packed lunch with you to make the most of your time at each stop, this would be particularly time-saving in the busier months!

Worry free Shore Excursion

We always ensure passengers return back to their port on time, however in the rare case we can't make it, we will transfer you to your next port of call.

Can children travel on this tour?

We welcome children over 4 years old on our tours, and children aged between 4-16yrs are eligible for the concessionary rate. We regret we are not able to carry children under the age of 4 on any of our Edinburgh shore excursions.

Highlights

More information

Our one-day Edinburgh shore excursion takes you through Scotland’s historic capital, uncovering its rich royal and cultural heritage. Explore the iconic Royal Yacht Britannia, discover the stories of the Royal Mile, and visit the world-famous Edinburgh Castle. Enjoy a guided tour through the city centre, with a memorable drive-by of the magnificent Palace of Holyrood House.

Upon leaving the port, our Edinburgh shore excursion will head to the Royal Yacht Britannia (entrance – optional extra), the former royal yacht of the British monarchy. For those who book the optional extra, you’ll board the ship and explore where Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip used to spend their voyages. If you choose not to board the Britannia, you’ll have time to explore Ocean Terminal for a bit of shopping, or you could explore The Shore, a picturesque and historic area located in the heart of Old Leith, the historic port town that was merged into a suburb of Edinburgh City in 1920.

We’ll then continue into the heart of Edinburgh, where you’ll enjoy a tour of the city centre and historic Old Town, and have a scenic drive past the Palace of Holyrood House, the official residence of the British Monarch in Scotland since the 16th Century. It has played host to countless members of the Royal Family, and many official events and gatherings have been held here.

Your Edinburgh Shore Excursion will then travel up the Royal Mile to visit the stunning Edinburgh Castle (Entrance - Optional Extra). Scotland’s most iconic castle, which has stood proudly atop Castle Rock since the Iron Age.

Here, you’ll have time for lunch and the option to explore Edinburgh Castle itself. If you choose to enter the castle, you’ll spend time wandering the halls, see the Half Moon Battery where they fire the One o’Clock Gun, learn all about its centuries of history, and discover some of the famous treasures the castle houses, such as the Honours of Scotland and the Queen’s Embroideries.

If you choose not to enter the castle, you’ll have time to explore the Old Town, including Castlehill, the city’s oldest street, and discover some of the many atmospheric ‘closes’ or alleys running off the backbone of the Royal Mile or visit attractions such as St Giles Cathedral. There are many ‘free’ walking tours in the area that you can join for a more local insight into the history of Edinburgh; your guide may make a recommendation for you.

After this, sit back and relax, as we take some time to explore the beautifully designed Edinburgh New Town, featuring Georgian townhouses and Neoclassical architecture. This section of the city is marvelled at as an example of incredible modern planning and design. Your Edinburgh shore excursion will then journey back to your ship, taking in more of Edinburgh’s beautiful streets along the way.

*Optional Extra

Excursion Overview

  • Duration: 6.5hrs
  • Total Distance: 25 miles
  • Pick up: The Driver-Guide for your Edinburgh shore excursion will meet you at the port (please contact our Reservations Team to confirm the port). We kindly ask all passengers to ensure they are 15 minutes early.
  • Group size: 16 - 53
  • Availability: May - October
  • Minimum age: Travellers need to be at least 4 years-old