1.

'Maid of the Forth'

Queensferry to Inchcolm

In recent summers, a ferry, Maid of the Forth, has operated pleasure trips from South Queensferry to Inchcolm, a small island with a 12th century  ruined abbey, close Aberdour on the northern shore of the Firth of Forth.

The journey from South Queensferry to Inchcolm passes under the spectacular Forth Rail Bridge.

Some of the journeys from South Queensferry to Inchcolm have also called at the small harbour at North Queensferry, close to the northern end of the Forth Rail Bridge and Deep Sea World.

Newhaven to Inchcolm  -  2004

Beginning 2004, as well as operating several services per day between South Queensferry and Inchcolm, Maid of the Forth will make occasional sailings from Newhaven to Inchcolm and back.

The journey will take about 30 minutes each way, leaving visitors around 90 minutes to spend on the island.  Fares are expected to be about £11 for adults and £4.50 for children.

This will be the first time that such trips have operated from Newhaven since the 1930s.

Edinburgh Evening News  4 August 2003, p.16

Other Cruises -  2006

Maid of the Forth has a full programme of sailings from the start of April to the end of October 2006, including:

- Sailings to the island of Inchcolm - usually from Queensferry, sometimes  from Newhaven.  Most cruises offer passengers the chance to landing on the island and catching the next boat home, about 1.5 hr later.

-  Evening Jazz Cruises around the Firth of Forth from Queensferry, some visiting other harbours - Alloa, Bo'ness, Fisherrow, Newhaven and Port Seton.

-  Evening Comedy Cruises from Newhaven Harbour.

2.

'Forth Belle'

Queensferry to Inchcolm

This year, 2006, 'Maid of the Forth' has competition. 

Another boat, Forth Belle' operated by Forth Boat Tours, has now commenced cruises from Queensferry, from the beginning of June to the end of October.  Most of the sailings are Sightseeing Tours.  There are:

-  Sightseeing Tours go as far west as the Forth Road Bridge, and as far east as Oxcars Lighthouse near Inchcolm Island.  These sailings  do not land at Inchcolm.

- Sunset Cruises, similar to Sightseeing Tours, but they are in the evenings and go further west, towards Blackness Castle.

-  Sightseeing Tours, going west towards Blackness Castle and east around the islands of Inchcolm and Inchmickery, with a 1.5hr landing on Inchcolm.

-  Special Event Cruises  -  Casino, Disco, Jazz, Latin/Salsa Dance, and Edinburgh Festival Fireworks.

3.

'Seafari Adventures'

Newhaven to Inchcolm

This year, 2006, there are to be cruises to Inchcolm from Newhaven provided by Seafari Adventures, a company that also operates cruises in the West of Scotland.

This company describes its boats as "powerful rigid hull inflatables".  I have not yet discovered details of the sailings.  The company's web site is currently (at August 2006) under construction.

4.

'Maid of the Forth' and 'Seafari Adventures'

Newhaven to Inchcolm -  June 2007

Thank you to Colin Aston who wrote to tell me:

'Inchcolm Express'

"Just to let you know, 'Seafari Adventures Forth' is now operating daily  ferry crossings to Inchcolm from Newhaven.  Times vary due to tides but a full schedule is available on the new web site www.seafari.co.uk

High speed crossing on the 'Inchcolm Express' gives passengers just  under an hour to explore the island and a taste of our normal  'Seafari Adventures' which are run in parallel with the Inchcolm trips.  We supply waterproofs and lifejackets and Newhaven is served by lots of Lothian buses, 7,10,11,16,17 & 22.

'Maid of the Forth'

Because the the 'Inchcolm Express' is now providing a daily service from Newhaven I have  reduced the number of sailings from there by the 'Maid-of the Forth.  It now calls at Newhaven  about twice a month.  See www.maidoftheforth.co.uk.

Colin Aston:  June 20, 2007