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Inchcolm Abbey and its island in the Firth of Forth, seen across the water.
Fife

Inchcolm

An island abbey in the Firth of Forth with Scotland's best-preserved monastic buildings, reached by boat from South Queensferry and open April to October.

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Welcome

Inchcolm is a small island in the Firth of Forth, off the Fife coast, with the best-preserved group of monastic buildings in Scotland.

The abbey began as a priory founded by King David, and you can wander the cloister, look for a 13th-century wall painting and go inside the bell tower. Seals and seabirds live around the island, there are two sandy beaches near the abbey, and lookout posts and gun positions from both World Wars are scattered across the rest.

Boats run from South Queensferry, with Maid of the Forth or Forth Boat Tours, and the abbey ticket is bought with the boat, so book ahead. Maid of the Forth's landing trip gives you 90 minutes ashore, which is time for the abbey, a beach and a picnic. The island is open daily from April to October. There are toilets, a shop and self-service tea and coffee, and dogs on a short lead are welcome outdoors.

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Before you go

Open daily from 1 April to 31 October, and reached only by boat from South Queensferry.

Book the boat and the abbey ticket together.

Where
Inchcolm Island in the Firth of Forth, off Fife; the boats leave from South Queensferry.
Open
Daily 10.30am to 5.30pm from 1 April to 30 September, and 10.30am to 4.30pm in October. Last entry 45 minutes before closing; closed 1 November to 31 March.
Price
Abbey admission: adult (16 to 64) £8.50, concession (65 and over) £6.80, child (7 to 15) £4, members free. The boat fare is extra.
Parking
On-street parking in South Queensferry.
Dogs
Welcome outdoors on a short lead, but not in roofed areas; assistance dogs are permitted throughout.
Getting there
Two ferries sail from South Queensferry, Maid of the Forth and Forth Boat Tours. Buy tickets for the boat in advance.
Access
The island pier has 20 stone steps, fewer at some tides, and the boat gangways are narrow. Some areas have staircases and steep paths, and access to parts of the island may be restricted between May and August when some seabirds aggressively protect their young.
Booking
Book the ferry in advance; the abbey ticket is bought at the same time.
Food
Self-service tea and coffee on the island, and a picnic area.

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Where it is

On Inchcolm Island in the Firth of Forth, off the Fife coast, reached by boat from South Queensferry.

Close bythe Forth.
  1. Aberdour Castle and GardensAberdour Castle and GardensA castle begun in the 1100s and extended over 500 years by three noble families, with terraced gardens, an orchard and a great beehive doocot.2 miles 5 min by road
  2. St Fillan’s ChurchSt Fillan’s ChurchA small Norman church of 1123 beside Aberdour Castle, one of the finest in Scotland, a miniature cathedral in its own graveyard with views over the Forth.2 miles 6 min by road
  3. The timber front of the Craigies farm shop under a blue sky, with tables of pumpkins and crates of apples, cauliflowers and cabbages outside the door.Craigies Farm4 miles as the crow flies
  4. The counter at Dune Bakery in South Queensferry, with croissants, pains au chocolat, twists, cruffins and focaccia sandwiches behind glass.Dune Bakery4 miles as the crow flies
  5. Sandy beach and promenade beneath Gourock's hillside, church spire rising above the seafrontBurntisland BeachA big sandy beach beside Burntisland on the Firth of Forth, with rock pools, lifeguards in summer and wide sands at low tide, next to the Links.5 miles 12 min by road
  6. Forth BridgeForth BridgeThe great red cantilever railway bridge across the Firth of Forth at Queensferry, opened in 1890 and a World Heritage Site since 2015.7 miles 14 min by road
Directions
Cramond Brig reflected in the River Almond among trees.WalksCramond Brig4.5 miles as the crow flies
Sandy beach and promenade beneath Gourock's hillside, church spire rising above the seafrontAttractionsBurntisland4.7 miles
Star-shaped lanterns hang above shelves of dried flowers, clocks and ornaments in a gift shopShoppingBel & Etta4.7 miles
Round stone tower with battlements standing above open farmlandAttractionsCammo Estate4.8 miles as the crow flies
Inside Norah in Newhaven: a round wooden table laid for lunch under a pleated paper lamp, with the coffee machine and shelves of cups behind.RestaurantsNorah5.4 miles
The pond in Inverleith Park with swans on the water and the Edinburgh skyline beyond the trees, under a clear blue sky.AttractionsInverleith Park5.6 miles
The purple corner front of Sabzi at 162 Ferry Road, signed Home Cooking and Punjabi Street Food, with benches and pink planters on the pavement.RestaurantsSabzi5.9 miles
Inside Herbie of Edinburgh on Raeburn Place: the cheese counter, a chalkboard of the day's recommendations, hams hanging behind and shelves of jars, oils and wine.ShoppingHerbie of Edinburgh6.0 miles
The counter at Mootz General Store on Raeburn Place, with a stack of schiacciata loaves, the sandwich board lit up on the wall and framed posters above the shelves.CafeMootz General Store6.0 miles

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near the island, and when each is next free.

West End Muse
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Fife
  • 7 miles from Inchcolm
Check datesA hotel studio room with a beige fitted kitchen unit and stainless sink beside a bed dressed in white and teal cushions, a wall of black-framed pictures above a patterned headboard.Old Town Chambers
  • To stay
  • In Edinburgh
  • 7 miles from Inchcolm
Check datesA round table and chairs stand before tall curtained windows looking onto stone buildings, a sofa and mounted television to the right.Moment George IV Bridge
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Edinburgh
  • 7 miles from Inchcolm
Check datesA turreted sandstone building with conical spires catches the evening light above rooftops, a large pine tree standing beside it.The Scott Hotel
  • A hotel
  • In Edinburgh
  • 8 miles from Inchcolm
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in FifeAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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