Edinburgh - South Queensbury port to Royal Mile

[banditoo]

We will be docking in South Queensbury for the day in Edinburgh. How far is it to get to the Royal Mile - is this walkable or is transportation required. If transportation is required what are some of the options?

[harrodsfan]

We will be docking in South Queensbury for the day in Edinburgh. How far is it to get to the Royal Mile - is this walkable or is transportation required. If transportation is required what are some of the options?

 

It is a bit too far to walk.

However a public bus goes up Princes street and from there it is a few blocks to the Royal Mile.

[haggis]

Hi Banditoo. South Queensferry is approx 8 miles(?) from the centre of Edinburgh and is a tender port. You'll be moored approx 500 yards below the Forth railway bridge and it takes about 20 minutes to get to the pier.

There are ample taxis from the pier into Edinburgh and a 1/2 hourly good train service but, its a long uphill walk up to the station from the pier so I would suggest you get a taxi up if you decide to use the train and walk down on your return. The train terminal in Edinburgh is the Waverley and its directly below the castle and the main shopping area Princes St.

Jimmy

[banditoo]

Hi Banditoo. South Queensferry is approx 8 miles(?) from the centre of Edinburgh and is a tender port. You'll be moored approx 500 yards below the Forth railway bridge and it takes about 20 minutes to get to the pier.

There are ample taxis from the pier into Edinburgh and a 1/2 hourly good train service but, its a long uphill walk up to the station from the pier so I would suggest you get a taxi up if you decide to use the train and walk down on your return. The train terminal in Edinburgh is the Waverley and its directly below the castle and the main shopping area Princes St.

Jimmy

 

Thanks so much Jimmy.

[Stevesan]

We will be docking in South Queensbury for the day in Edinburgh. How far is it to get to the Royal Mile - is this walkable or is transportation required. If transportation is required what are some of the options?

 

Hi, Betty - I plan to book the 4 1/4 hour Royal Mile walking tour (SQ1-J) thru the ship. I like walking tours, and figure it should minimize transportation problems.

It is rather pricey, $89, though convenience and having a guide is often worth the money.

 

Royal Mile Walking Tour

 

Experience the heart of old Edinburgh on a walking tour along the Royal Mile. Explore Holyrood Palace, the Queen's official residence in Scotland. Your tour starts with the Great Staircase and visits the Royal Dining Room, Great Gallery, State Apartments and Royal Gallery, which features portraits of Scotland's rulers.

 

WHAT YOU SEE ON YOUR WALKING TOUR

Edinburgh Castle - The 12th-century castle dominates the city from its crag.

 

Gladstone's Land - Now owned by the National Trust, this early 17th-century building features an outside staircase, an arcaded ground floor, oak shutters, leaded glass windows and crow-stepped gables.

 

Lady Stair's House - The 17th-century house is now a literary museum devoted to the works of Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson.

 

St. Giles Cathedral - A church has occupied this site since the 9th century. The present cathedral dates from the 15th century and boasts an impressive crown spire.

 

Parliament Square - The former Parliament Buildings today house Scotland's law courts.

 

John Knox House - The famous and fiery Protestant reformer once lived in this 16th-century house, which has been extensively rebuilt over the years. It currently features a red-tiled roof, a projecting timbered gallery and an outside staircase.

 

Church of Canongate - The churchyard is home to a number of historic graves, including Mary Queen of Scots' murdered Italian secretary and a paramour of Burns.

 

WHAT YOU VISIT

Holyrood Palace - The Queen's official residence while in Scotland, Holyrood Palace is closely associated with Mary Queen of Scots, who lived there for six tragic years. Your tour visits the state apartments, filled with tapestries, paintings and furniture, and the Royal Gallery, which features portraits of Scotland's rulers.

 

WHAT YOU SEE ALONG THE WAY

After the approximately 45-minute drive from South Queensferry, drive to the Royal Mile, Edinburgh's main street in medieval times, and commence your walking tour. At the conclusion of your tour, the coach departs for South Queensferry and the ship. At the end of your tour, you may opt to stay in Edinburgh for independent sightseeing; however, you are then responsible for your own return transportation to the ship.

 

SPECIAL NOTES

Photography is not permitted inside Holyrood Palace.

 

In the event Holyrood Palace is closed for a Royal function, the tour will alternatively visit Edinburgh Castle.

[Fblack]

We were there last year. For us, this was a tender port. They had a small for pay shuttle ( sponsored by the town) running from the tender pier to a central section of Edinburgh. The shuttle was really one of those 20 passenger vans you see at airport car rental locations. The cost was 5 Euros per person. The line was long and so was the wait. The train is fairly nearby ( and a steep walk as I recall) but times can be inconvenient. In my opinion, the best and quickest way to town is to find friends and share a taxi. We took a city bus back to S.Queensferry.

 

Princess Street is about 6 blocks from the Mile. It is a very busy street with lots of shops and a big mall. Buses run all the time. Before we left the ship they told us the #43 ran back towards the ship.

 

The front of the Bus said S. Queensferry too. We told the driver where we wanted to stop and sat near him. He signaled when we were to get off. He was very nice and accommodating.