Complete Visitor Guide for Inchcolm Island and Abbey
Scotland is home to many fascinating buildings, and Inchcolm Abbey is definitely high up on the list.
The island on which the abbey sits is located in the Firth of Forth and despite its apparent remoteness is only 6 miles from the centre of Edinburgh – this makes it the perfect day trip from the capital.
Inchcolm Abbey escaped the destruction that came with the Scottish Reformation which is why it is considered the best-preserved monastic building in the country.
We’ve put together this Complete Visitor Guide so you can get all the info you’ll need for your trip to Inchcolm Island and Abbey.
History
The strategic location of Inchcolm Island has leant itself well as a refuge point for millennia.
In fact, it’s thought that the Romans, Vikings, and early Christian missionaries have all paid it a visit at one time or another.
The island’s documented history starts around the early 12th century. During this time Inchcolm Island was home to a small group of Augustine hermits that had separated themselves from life on the mainland and found peace on the island.
If legend is to be believed, during a stormy night in 1123, King Alexander I was marooned on the island and in search of rescue. He was aided by one of the island’s hermits who allowed him to stay in his small shelter.
This act touched the king and he vowed to build a monastery on the island as a way of thanks.
The hundred years that followed this saw life on the island grow and the monastery was eventually upgraded to Abbey status in 1235.
However, life would not always be peaceful on Inchcolm Island. Through the Middle Ages and beyond, the monks were raided many times by English invaders which eventually drove them to desert it.
Since then, the island has been fortified to protect Edinburgh and the Scottish waterways from invasion. This first happened during the Napoleonic wars however the most major placements came during WW1 and WW2 – you can still see many of the fortifications to this day.
How to get there
Most visitors to Inchcolm Island will arrive on one of two ferry services:
Both companies are very similar however we’ve always picked Maid of the Forth as it is slightly cheaper.
Regardless of who you go with, the ferry will depart from the port at South Queensferry and take a beautiful, but sometimes windy, trip out and under the majestic Forth Rail Bridge.
The whole journey (there and back) takes 1.5 hours, and they suggest you spend a further 1.5 hours exploring the island. Of course, if you get an early ferry you can always hang around on the island for longer and catch a later one back.
On your approach to Inchcolm Island you may be lucky enough to see some amazing wildlife – we were welcomed by a large group of sunbathing seals on our last trip!
The ferry and the island are owned by two different organisations so two separate tickets need to be purchased, one for the ferry and another to access the island.
NOTE: At the time of writing, access to the island is free as some areas are closed for conservation. Further details on tickets and opening times can be found here.
Things to do
A trip to Inchcolm Island is always a fantastic day out. Here’s a list of some of our favourite things to do:
1. Enjoy the Boat Trip
For many, the ferry ride out from the pier at Queensferry is one of the highlights of their trip to Inchcolm Island.
The ferry sails directly underneath the magnificent Forth Rail Bridge giving you unmatched views of this icon of Scotland.
You will also be amazed at all the wildlife you’ll be able to spot – it’s definitely worth the admission price!
2. Visit Inchcolm Abbey
Although some of you will have visited similar structures before, the completeness of Inchcolm Abbey really does set it apart from the rest.
If you are lucky enough to find a quiet spot in the abbey, we recommend you stop for a moment and imagine what monastic life would have been like here all those years ago.
To boost your imagination there are plenty of information boards around showing you what it would have looked like in its heyday.
3. Explore WW2 Defences
One of our top tips for visiting Inchcolm Island is that when you arrive don’t rush off to the abbey as this is what everyone else will do.
Instead, take the short (but steep) walk up the east side of the island and you will eventually be greeted by an abandoned set of WW2 gun placements.
The remnants of these fortifications are great to explore and from the top you get a spectacular view out over the whole island and across the water to Edinburgh.
4. See the Hermit’s Cell
If the stories are to be believed, the small building just outside the western wall of the abbey is the exact place where King Alexander I sought refuge after being marooned on the island 900 years ago.
Now known as the Hermit’s Cell, its difficult to imagine how anyone could live in such a modest space.
Although very small, it’s worth paying a visit to get an idea of how the hermit’s used to live.
5. Walk to the West Side
Once you’re done exploring Inchcolm Abbey, take a wander over to the island’s western edge.
This side of the island is often neglected by tourists so you will likely be the only people here which is nice for a bit of peace and quiet.
The grassland here is home to many nesting birds so watch your feet as without any natural predators on the island, they’ve become accustomed to laying their eggs all over!
6. Enjoy a Picnic
You are likely to spend at least 3 hours out and about on your trip to Inchcolm Island, so we recommend you come prepared!
There are no places to buy food once you arrive however there are plenty of amazing spots you can choose for a picnic.
Some of our favourites are the:
- beach to the south of the abbey
- grassy area surrounding the abbey
- quiet, west side of the island.
7. Explore Queensferry
Once you’ve arrived back on the mainland don’t rush off back home, instead, spend an hour or two exploring the scenic village of Queensferry.
The village is very walkable and has a host of shops and cafes offering great local products.
When you are here, be sure to enjoy and ice cream while looking out over the water to the three bridges – it’s one of the best views in Scotland.
Tips
1. There is nowhere to buy food on the island so bring a picnic – there are plenty of lovely places to sit.
2. There’s more to the island than just the abbey, spend your time exploring everything.
3. Don’t forget you need to buy two tickets. One for the ferry ride and one for island access.
Accommodation
Queensferry is only 10 miles from the centre of Edinburgh so you can easily travel there and back in one day. However, if you want some more time to explore this part of the world there are plenty of accommodation options to choose from:
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