After nearly a month in the busy heart of Edinburgh during peak festival season, I was craving a change of pace. Enter South Queensferry—technically part of Edinburgh, but it feels like a whole different community. It’s close to the airport, but when you’re there, you’ll forget how near you are to the city. I spent two nights here, and it was the perfect little retreat to slow things down.
South Queensferry’s Iconic Bridges
The first thing you’ll notice about Queensferry is, of course, the bridges. You might have seen photos of the bright red Forth Rail Bridge, but there are actually three bridges. There’s also the Forth Road Bridge and the modern Queensferry Crossing. Each bridge was built in a different century, and now they all have different jobs. The Rail Bridge is for trains, the Queensferry Crossing is for cars, and the Forth Road Bridge is for buses, bikes, and pedestrians (like me!).
Where to Stay in South Queensferry
I decided to stay at the Dakota Hotel, which is about a 15-minute walk from the high street. Although the location wasn’t ideal, the free breakfast and complimentary airport shuttle were major perks. I made sure to book the airport transfer via email ahead of time. The shuttle starts at 6:00 am, and it’s only a 20-minute ride to the airport—super convenient.
The hotel bar and restaurant were great, and I actually ended up eating there one night because the weather wasn’t ideal. I wasn’t disappointed—the food was excellent! There’s a basic fitness centre too if you’re looking to squeeze in a workout. My room’s Wi-Fi had issues, but honestly, sitting in the lobby with the fireplace going, a drink in hand, wasn’t the worst way to spend an evening.
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What to do in South Queensferry
A friend had suggested I take a boat tour from South Queensferry over to North Queensferry, with a stop at Inchcolm Island to see the abbey. It sounded cool, but since I’m not a huge fan of boats (especially in bad weather), I decided to skip it.
Instead, I opted to walk across the Forth Road Bridge. It’s the only one of the three bridges you can walk on, and it takes about an hour to cross. The views were amazing—definitely worth it! On the North Queensferry side, both the restaurant and café I wanted to check out were closed (it was a holiday weekend—bad timing on my part), but the beach and views made up for it. If you’re up for it, you can also pick up the Fife Coastal Path or start the Fife Pilgrim Way to Dunfermline from here.
In the evening, I really enjoyed just walking around. The pier and beach are perfect for a sunset stroll, and it’s a nice way to wind down after a day of exploring. The view was tremendously… Scottish, along the coast with the bridges in the background.
Spend another two nights outside of Edinburgh in North Berwick – a perfect seaside resort town
Where to Eat
I tried two places: Orocco Pier and The Boathouse (part of The Rogue Bros). Both were fantastic. Orocco Pier is open all day, and it has probably the best views of the harbor and bridges—definitely a spot to linger. The Boathouse felt a bit more hidden and less touristy, which I loved. The food was great at both places, so you really can’t go wrong.
Why Bother?
It’s true that South Queensferry might not be a destination all on its own. But if you’re already in Edinburgh, and looking for somewhere a bit quieter and less expensive, it’s a lovely two-night stay. It’s also just as convenient to stay in South Queensferry as it is to get an airport hotel, so for your last night before flying out, I would recommend it.
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