Edinburgh Shore Excursion: City Tour and Royal Yacht Britannia
Overview
Available languages
7 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
When your cruise ship arrives in Edinburgh, get to know Scotland’s capital on this full-day shore excursion. 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.
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Please note we pick up from the following cruise ships (2025): 26/04/2025 Regal Princess, 06/05/2025 Regal Princess, 10/05/2025 Norwegian Star, 18/05/2025 Regal Princess, 18/05/2025 Costa Favolosa, 30/05/2025 Regal Princess, 10/06/2025 Star Legend, 11/06/2025 Regal Princess, 15/06/2025 Sky Princess, 23/06/2025 Regal Princess, 01/07/2025 Emerald Princess, 05/07/2025 Regal Princess, 15/07/2025 Emerald Princess, 17/07/2025 Regal Princess, 20/07/2025 Norwegian Dawn, 20/07/2025 Star Legend, 29/07/2025 Regal Princess, 03/08/2025 Regal Princess, 05/08/2025 Star Legend, 10/08/2025 Emerald Princess, 15/08/2025 Regal Princess, 21/08/2025 Niew Statendam, 22/08/2025 Regal Princess, 26/08/2025 Marina, 31/08/2025 Norwegian Dawn, 02/09/2025 Regal Princess, 06/09/2025 Regal Princess, 25/09/2025 Regal Princess, 06/10/2025 Regal Princess
Please note we pick up from the following cruise ships (2026): 25/04/2026 Majestic Princess, 07/05/2026 Majestic Princess, 19/05/2026 Majestic Princess, 31/05/2026 Majestic Princess, 12/06/2026 Majestic Princess, 18/07/2026 Majestic Princess, 30/07/2026 Majestic Princess, 23/08/2026 Majestic Princess, 04/09/2026 Majestic Princess, 16/08/2026 Majestic Princess
This tour will depart from the port at 9:30 AM. Make sure to arrive on shore at least 15 minutes prior to departure to allow sufficient time for check-in.
Please note: The attractions for this tour must be pre-booked to avoid disappointment. We will send you a pre-booking template before your tour departs.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Air-conditioned vehicle
Knowledgeable driver-guide
No food and drink is included
Restroom on board
WiFi on board
Attraction Tickets
What To Expect
Royal Yacht Britannia
Visit the former royal yacht of the British monarchy, now situated in Leith. She was in service from 1954 until 1997
Your Edinburgh Shore Excursion will then travel to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of the British Royal Family in Scotland, for a photo stop. This baroque palace is full of history and is perhaps best known as the home of Mary, Queen of Scots, and was the setting for many dramatic episodes during her short and turbulent reign.
Options
Edinburgh Shore Excursion: City Tour and Royal Yacht Britannia
Pickup included
Reviews
27 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Disappointing
Debra P,
Jul 29, 2025
- Viator
2.00The boat tenders were taking a long time and 12 people who booked the excursion were left. They sent a van to pick us up to meet with the tour at the Royal Brittanica. We had limited time as we were late arriving so did not get to complete the tour they left 5 passengers at that spot who were late to the bus. After that we stopped at Holyrood for 10 minutes to take pictures through the outside gate. Onto the Edinburgh castle where it took us 40 minutes to get in as they couldn’t locate the tickets we purchased. The palace was so crowded there was a line of over a hundred people to see the Crown Jewels and the main room. We were running out of time to meet the bus and were afraid we would be left if we were late for the bus. It then took two hours to drive back to the ship. We had really been looking forward to this excursion as it was my birthday and thought it would be special but it was a stressful and rushed experience. Very disappointing
Edinburgh Tour
Beverly T,
Jul 21, 2025
- Viator
5.00We had a great day with our guide Adam. Edinburgh is fabulous. Loved the Royal Yacht Britannia and Edinburgh Castle. Had time to have lunch and stop for afternoon tea.
Edinburgh in a day
John D,
Jul 20, 2025
- Viator
5.00Great trip, well organised. They even waited for us whilst we got the tender to shore. Robert our guide was very knowledgeable. The Royal Yacht Brittannia was fascinating and well worth a tour. Unfortunately we could not get in to Edinburgh Castle as it was mobbed with crowds so will have to go another time!
Very good experience
Eileen T,
Jul 5, 2025
- Viator
5.00Unfortunately our cruise line cancelled our stop in Edinburgh due to weather so we were not able to do the tour. Timberbush quickly sent a message that they heard of the cancellation and responded shortly after that they were providing a full refund. We were hoping to get 1/2 back if anything so we were more than appreciative. We hope to get to Edinburgh again one day as it was one of stops we were most looking forward to. If we do we will definitely book a tour with Timberbush again.
Be careful!
Karen R,
Jul 1, 2025
- Viator
1.00Our driver left without us. He mixed up passengers and thought we had canceled. We were there an hour early waiting. We had to take and pay for are own transportation to the city where the tour guide met us. But by then our first tour was mostly over and we paid in additional fee for this tour). Wasted $. Next they crammed us on a small bus. We were so uncomfortable we took an uber back to the ship. So we paid double for all of our transportation and really only saw Edinburg castle. Total waste of our money and our day. Never again!
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Operated by Timberbush Tours