inchgarvie island tour

Inchgarvie or Inch Garvie is a small, uninhabited island in the Firth of Forth. On the rocks around the island sit four caissons that make up the foundations of the Forth Bridge. Inchgarvie's fortifications pre-date the modern period.

Inchgarvie Island is a small and charming island located in the Firth of Forth, just off the coast of Scotland. The island is a popular destination for tourists and offers a unique and fascinating experience that is sure to leave visitors with unforgettable memories. One of the most notable features of Inchgarvie Island is its rich history. The island has a long and storied past that dates back to the 15th century, when it was used as a defensive position against English invaders. Visitors to the island can explore the ruins of an old fort, which was built in the 16th century and played a key role in the island's defense. Aside from its historical significance, Inchgarvie Island is also known for its stunning natural beauty. The island is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including birds, seals, and even dolphins. Visitors can take a boat tour around the island to get a closer look at these creatures, or simply enjoy the scenic views from the island's shore. For those looking for a more adventurous experience, Inchgarvie Island offers plenty of opportunities for hiking and exploring. The island has several hiking trails that wind through its rugged terrain, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding sea and coastline. Visitors can also explore the island's many caves and rock formations, which are a testament to the island's unique geology. In addition to its natural beauty and historical significance, Inchgarvie Island is also home to a number of charming local businesses. The island has a small cafe where visitors can grab a bite to eat, as well as a gift shop where they can pick up souvenirs to remember their trip by. Overall, Inchgarvie Island is a must-visit destination for anyone looking for a unique and unforgettable experience. Whether you're interested in history, nature, or simply relaxing in a beautiful setting, this charming island has something to offer everyone. So why not plan a trip to Inchgarvie Island today and discover all that this hidden gem has to offer?

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Inchgarvie Island

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Inchgarvie Island - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Inchgarvie Island

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Inchgarvie Island (North Queensferry, Scotland): Address - Tripadvisor

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Alyssa O Writes

day trip to Inchcolm Island from Edinburgh: An offbeat adventure

So I’m gonna let you in on a little secret. I’ve got a thing for abandoned places. And islands. And boat travel. Luckily, I was able to combine all three of these things on my adventure to Inchcolm Island and Inchcolm Abbey from Edinburgh! This easy day trip is a quirky, magical little journey that set my inner explorer into overdrive. Sail the Firth of the Forth with me and take the Inchcolm Island Ferry. Come wander the abandoned Inchcolm Abbey with me (watch out for the twisty staircase!). Get the skinny on the Three Bridges and Inchcolm Island boat tour. I’ve got your guide to the ultimate offbeat Inchcolm Island day trip.

Then it’s seals, lighthouses and seabirds ahoy! What are you waiting for mateys? Grab your life vests and let’s get going!

Inchcolm Abbey is the best-preserved monastic building in Scotland

Why Visit Inchcolm Island?

Inchcolm Island first caught my eye a few years ago. I was traveling north by train, crossing Edinburgh’s Firth of the Fourth, a large estuary where several Scottish rivers meet the North Sea. As we soared across the Forth Railway bridge, we got a bird’s eye view of the islands scattered across the waters of the Forth. I noticed that some of these islands had abandoned buildings on them.

Exploring the History of the Forth’s Abandoned Islands

A quick bit of research revealed that Edinburgh’s forgotten Forth Islands have played host to all kinds of mysteries across the centuries; from abandoned WWII forts, to castle ruins to a syphilis quarantine zone. And yes, and abandoned 12th century abbey.

That was it. I knew in my heart I was destined to come back and explore some of these islands.

Grab a pal and go! My accomplice on this trip was fellow writer and explorer Alex Penland

A day trip to Inchcolm Island and Inchcolm Abbey from Edinburgh really packs a punch in terms of variety of things to explore. An easy 20 minute train ride from Edinburgh’s Waverly train station, you’ll first arrive in the charming town of North Queensferry. North Queensferry is worth a visit all on it’s own. It’s also an ideal place to stop for an alfresco lunch before you head across the street to hop on your boat ride.

From there you’ll be treated to a sweeping view of the architectural wonders of the three major bridges that span the Firth of the forth. Get ready to catch unparalleled views of Edinburgh’s skyline from the water and get up close and personal with seals and other marine life on the Three Bridges and Inchcolm Island boat tour.

Then once you’re on the island…are you brave enough to traverse the steep staircase of the Inchcolm Abbey bell tower to scope out a medieval fresco? Skulk through underground tunnels and dodge seabirds to see an amazing vista? Or perhaps you’d like to do a bit of sea kayaking?

It’s all within reach on your Inchcolm Island day trip…

View of the three bridges from the top of Inchcolm Island

Looking for more easy day trips from Edinburgh? Check out my post on Berwick Upon Tweed!

Inchcolm Abbey’s exterior…are you ready to take a peek inside?

Interactive Map

I made you a little interactive map with all of the places listed in this guide. Click on the pins to learn more about each destination including directions, opening times, phone number, web address, contact info, reviews, and more. Enjoy!

Getting to Inchcolm Island

The Forth Railway Bridge is truly a marvel to see from the water

It is possible to get to Inchcolm Island and Inchcolm Abbey from Edinburgh (mostly) using public transit.

From Edinburgh’s Waverly train station, hop the train to North Queensferry. North Queensferry is about a twenty minute train ride from central Edinburgh. At the time of writing this, an off-peak single return ticket costs between 6.10 and 9.80 GBP.

You’ll want to get off at the stop before North Queensferry, Dalmeny, as it’s slightly closer to the pier where the Three Bridges and Inchcolm Island tour leaves from.

From Dalmeny station, follow the path downhill. This is a wooded path with some steep stairs involved, so if you have any mobility issues, please take care.

The path will bring you to the waterfront. Hawes Pier , where sightseeing cruises from North Queensferry depart, is right across the street.

Take a moment to snap a dramatic photo at the Three Bridges viewpoint, or if you’re early, stop for lunch!

Lunch in North Queensferry

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North Queensferry is an adorable town well worth a day trip in my opinion.

But you’ve got adventures to have today!

Why not fuel for fun with an alfresco lunch at The Railbridge Bistro? I’ve eaten here a few times now and it never disappoints. Lovely food, lovely staff. They even have nice little souvenir shop and a stand that sells dairy free ice cream.

It’s a perfect place to kill time before your tour because you can keep tabs on the boats arriving at Hawes Pier from their outdoor dining area.

Inchcolm Island Ferry

Trying to find information on the Inchcolm Island Ferry was the most frustrating part of planning this trip. That’s because (spoiler alert!) There is no such thing as the Inchcolm Island ferry. At least, not in the sense of a public boat that shuttles you back and forth from the island.

I’ll save you some hassle: in order to get to Inchcolm Island and Inchcolm Abbey, you’re going to have to book a private boat tour.

That’s okay because I’ve found a great one that I want to share with you. The Three Bridges Boat Tour will be your ticket to your offbeat Inchcolm Island day trip.

Three Bridges and Inchcolm Island Tour

The boat ride was a shutterbug’s dream come true! Photo Credit: Alex Penland

The Edinburgh three bridges cruise is a 90-minute boat tour of the wonders of the Firth of the Forth that can include a visit to Inchcolm Island and Incholm Abbey if you want it to.

The Three Bridges boat tour embarks from Hawes Pier and first takes you on a leisurely cruise around the Forth to check out the architectural wonders of the three bridges. You’ll also pass by Inchgarvie Island up close, with an abandoned fortress dating back to 1513.

This narrated boat tour gives you some excellent background on Edinburgh’s maritime history. It also allows you to catch a very rare view of Edinburgh’s skyline from the water, which I enjoyed immensely.

On the way, we were treated to a small detour to watch seals happily sunning themselves on a buoy, something you definitely wouldn’t get on a regular ferry ride.

The boat docks in a small harbor on Inchcolm Island and those of us who were interested in exploring the Island disembarked.

Note: If you wish to go onto the island, you’ll be subject to the Inchcolm Island landing fee of 7.50 GBP. This goes toward preserving the Island’s historical attractions and natural environment.

I highly recommend booking your boat cruise in advance as the boat can get pretty crowded on a nice day. You want to make sure you get your preferred times.

Exploring Inchcolm Island

The ruins of Inchcolm Abbey

When you arrive on Inchcolm Island the staff at Three Bridges boat tour will inform you of the time the next boat will arrive to collect you and return you to the mainland. Usually they leave you with about 90 minutes to explore, but we were lucky on our visit and got a whole two hours.

Inchcolm Island has a visitor’s center with some interactive exhibits, a gift shop and cafe, and toilet facilities.

When you first arrive, a guide will meet you at the ridge between the gift shop and the Abbey and give you a general overview of the island. After that, you’re on your own.

The island is small enough that you can explore the entire place self guided, on foot. There are a few areas that tourists are not allowed to go, but they will be clearly marked.

Another thing to watch out for is nesting sea birds. We visited in early June, which is prime nesting season. The rocky paths up and down the island were dotted with nests and very highly guarded by some aggressive mother birds.

Understandably, we were warned to keep strictly to the paths and to stay out of the way of dive bombing mamas!

Inchcolm Abbey

The stone facade of Inchcolm Abbey

Did you know that Shakespeare makes mention of Inchcolm Abbey in Macbeth? In fact, a few local theater companies have mounted stage performances of the Scottish Play in Inchcolm Abbey over the years. What could be more dramatic?

Inchcolm Abbey is also the best preserved monastic quarters in all of Scotland. The cloisters, chapter house, warming house and refractory are all still intact, so you can pretend you’ve stepped through a portal to the past as you wander around, if that’s your jam.

If you are brave enough to take the steep stairs up to the bell tower, you’ll be rewarded with a view of a rare medieval fresco. I was too much of a wimp to go up to the bell tower (fear of heights and fear of close spaces, check!)however if those things don’t freak you out, I’m told it really is well worth the climb and more than just a musty old stair.

Alex was brave enough to climb the steep steps to the bell tower!

For the history nerd in you, Inchcolm Island was established as a priory in 1140 by David I, after his brother Alexander had a dream about building an abbey on the Island after sheltering there during a storm.

So I guess what I’m saying is that this island has been inspiring everyone from religious leaders, to royalty, to great playwrights for centuries.

Why not allow it to inspire you?

Feeling inspired in the Abbey.

Craving another easy day trip from Edinburgh? Why not give Rosslyn Chapel a try?

Seabirds and Wildlife

The view of Edinburgh from Inchcolm Island, as seen through the spring’s Queen Anne’s Lace

As I touched on before, Inchcolm Island is critical to Scotland’s ecosystem as a nesting place for seabirds such as seagulls, and even puffins depending on the season. Respectful bird watching is both allowed and encouraged on the island.

The best place to scope out the variety of bird life is on the hill just above the visitor’s center. Take care as you go up the steep steps. I learned on my visit to Inchcolm Island that seagulls actually like to make nests in rocky pockets close to the ground. If you don’t watch your step you could end up disturbing some hatchlings.

See what I’m doing in this photo? Just don’t do it. Seriously, it’s dumb. I’m standing only a few feet away from a nest of hatchlings.

There’s also a very nifty tunnel that will take you from one side of the island to the other. Just make sure you bring something that lights up because it can get dark in there.

Do birds freak you out? You can pretty much avoid close encounters with birds by skipping the hill and sticking to the abbey and the beach areas.

There’s other wildlife to see on Inchcolm Island anyways. It’s also a home to oyster beds and some very lazy seals.

Outdoor Activities on Inchcolm Island

Yes, those are gnomes! One of Inchcolm Island’s caretakers definitely has a sense of humor.

I noticed some sea kayakers pulling their boats onto the beach as we arrived. This looked like an amazing experience so of course I had to do some research…

Dun Eideann Sea Kayaking does half day sea Kayaking tours to Inchcolm Island that are beginner friendly! Now I am FOMO-ing super hard because what a perfect way to explore!

All this means is that I’ll have to find an excuse to go back. Going by kayak is definitely a cool alternative to doing the Three Bridges Boat tour and yet another interesting way to get to Inchcolm Island and Inchcolm Abbey from Edinburgh.

Weddings on Inchcolm Island

The pipes were calling, but not for me

Picture my surprise when I strolled out of Inchcolm Abbey to the sounds of this piper piping! What had I done to deserve such fanfare?

Turns out, there was a wedding earlier that day at Inchcolm Abbey and I was about two steps away from photobombing the happy couple.

Imagine turning your wedding into an Inchcolm Island day trip? It’s totally possible!

Inchcolm Island is also a popular venue for weddings and if you’ve read this far, I don’t have to explain why. Go ahead and have a drool at these photos though.

Staying in North Queensferry

If you’re keen to spend a wee bit more time outside the Big Smoke (that’s an old-school, folksy term for Edinburgh) then North Queensferry has lots of options.

Ferrycraigs House is a charming victorian B&B that gets excellent reviews.

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If Ferrycraigs House isn’t exactly your cup of tea, there’s plenty of options to explore on Tripadvisor.

Getting Back to Town From Inchcolm Island

The view of North Queensferry on our way back, as snapped by Alex Penland

Although we didn’t want our Inchcolm Island day trip to end, The Three Bridges boat tour returned as promised to shuttle us back to North Queensferry. On the way back, we took another long route that allowed us to see even more seals and learn even more about Scotland’s history.

We returned home exhausted, restored, rejuvenated and inspired. Amazing how one little day out on the Forth could have such a positive impact.

All in all, this day really exceeded my expectations in terms of all of the incredible history and nature we got to experience.

If I were you, I’d move an Inchcolm Island and Inchcolm Abbey day trip from Edinburgh to the top of your Scottish bucket list.

Want more Scottish travel inspo? Check out 12 Easy Car Free Day Trips From Edinburgh!

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Alyssa O, Writer

I'm a traveling writer, career expat and all around sassy lady with a very low tolerance for comfort zones. I've got a decade of experience with life abroad as a solo female in Scotland and Switzerland and my passion is empowering other women to take the leap and live their solo travel and life abroad dreams. I moved abroad solo and so can you!

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I love the history behind it! Also, those gnomes 😆

Those gnomes just get me!

Linda (LD Holland)

We have Scotland on our travel planning list for a long road trip. And we are collecting spots that need to go on the itinerary. Inchcolm Island does indeed look like an interesting spot to plan for a day trip by ferry. We would certainly climb up the Inchcolm Abbey bell tower for great panoramic views. A great spot for history and outdoor sights.

That’s so exciting! Inchcolm is definitely worth a visit and you could do it as you pass by North Queensferry on your way to destinations further north, for sure.

I’m a huge fan of Shakespeare and have Scotland on my list. Would love to explore Inchcolm Island and the abbey!

It is absolutely worth the visit. I’m hoping they remount the island production of Macbeth again someday because I’d love to see it. Can you imagine anything more atmospheric!?

ASA | Marilyn

Looks like an enjoyable day trip, complete with ferry rides and commentary of history. I’m yearning to visit Scotland and you’ve provided another reason.

You really need to get over here! Scotland is unique because it’s the only country I’ve ever been to that truly has it all: amazing history, arts and culture, awesome people and Jae dropping nature. And so easy to discover. You won’t regret coming here!

This looks like SUCH a great day out! I mean, each of the parts (the boat ride around the bridges) exploring the island, and seeing the ruins of the abbey) all sound brilliant. Scotland is so beautiful isn’t it! <3

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[…] This abandoned 12th century abbey on an island in Edinburgh’s Firth of the Forth has inspired everyone from kings to Shakespeare…now it’s time to let Inchcolm Island inspire you! […]

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The Forth Estuary

Information for those visiting Edinburgh, the Lothians & Fife by Land, Sea or Air

Inchgarvie Island

Inchgarvie Island sits directly underneath the Forth Rail Bridge and was the site of Thomas Bouch’s original foundations. However, the history of the island goes back much further than this. In the 15th Century King James IV built a castle on this island to fortify its position, and between 1519 and 1671 it operated as a state prison. In 1580, by order of the Privy Council, it was made a place of exile for those stricken by the plague. Charles II visited the island in 1651 to inspect the defences constructed on it to oppose Oliver Cromwell, but after his defeat these defences fell into disrepair. During the World Wars they were reconstructed to protect the Forth Bridge and Rosyth Dockyard from air attack. Today Inchgarvie is uninhabited and famous for its wildlife, such as fulmars, herons and cormorants.

Inchmickery Island

Inchmickery is one of the smallest islands on the Forth and was used during WWI and WWII to host gun emplacements. These emplacements were specifically designed to look like a battleship to scare off any attempted invasion of the Forth. The island is now a RSPB Nature Reserve and is home to a huge variety of seabirds.

Inchcolm Island

Inchcolm is the most famous of the Forth islands as a result of its 12th Century Abbey. Prior to this being established it was the home of a religious community linked to St Columba. These hermits provided hospitality to King Alexander I when he was stormbound on the island in 1123, and as a result he promised to found a monastic settlement there. Alexander died before he could fulfil his promise but his brother David I later founded this priory and gifted it to monks of the Augustinian order. The abbey, and indeed the island itself, has seen its fair share of excitement since then. In 1547 during the Rough Wooing it was occupied by English forces, whilst during the Napoleonic Wars it was fortified against French invasion. Despite all these wartime interruptions, the abbot Walter Bower still found some peace to write his famous  Scotichronicon  here in the 1400s. The Abbey is now a popular Historic Scotland tourist site and it is possible to access the island via your own boat.

Cramond Island

Cramond is the only island of the Forth that can be accessed on foot at low tide. The causeway extends for just over 3/4 of a mile into the river from the village of Cramond. Whilst this island is now uninhabited, it is believed to have been used by the Romans as they built a fort and harbour at Cramond itself. By the 1800s the island was used to graze sheep and a farmstead was built towards the northern end; traces of which can still be found to this day. During WWI and WWII the island was requisitioned and used as part of the defences of the Firth of Forth. Most of the structures that were built at this time are still standing on the island today. 

Inchkeith Island

This island was named after Robert de Keith who was granted the island in 101 by Malcolm II as a reward for fighting off the Danes. It has an extensive history of royal relations and was even used by King James IV as a place to train his hawks. During the Rough Wooing it was occupied by English soldiers who started construction on a fort as a base of attacks against Scotland. Ironically, this fort was completed by Mary of Guise and her French supporters in 1549. During the World Wars, Inchkeith was integrated as a defensive structure called Fortress Forth. At its height about 900 men were stationed there. Today, portions of the 16th Century fort walls still exist and other military structures remain visible on the island as well. Inchkeith Lighthouse, which was erected in 1803 by Thomas Smith and Robert Stevenson, is the most visible structure from the Forth and the main tourist attraction on the island.

Fidra is an uninhabited island off the coast of North Berwick in the Forth. It exists as an RSPB reserve, with remotely operated cameras which send live pictures to visitors at the Scottish Seabird Centre in North Berwick. It is thought that Robert Louis Stevenson based his  Treasure Island map on Fidra, as he was known to frequent the beaches of the area.

This intimidating island is a volcanic plug that rises to a height of 313 feet and is famous for its Gannet colony. The first inhabitant of this rock was a monk from Lindisfarne who was sent to the area in the 8th Century to promote Christianity. The island was gifted to the Lauder family in 1297 by William Wallace as a token of his appreciation for their help in defeating English forces. The ruins of the castle on the gentler slopes of the island date back to 1405, whilst the chapel was added at the later date of 1541. The Bass Rock was used by the Scottish monarchy throughout the centuries: from James I who held prisoners on the island, to Mary Queen of Scots who used it as a garrison to defend Scotland from her rival Elizabeth I. The lighthouse was built by Robert Stevenson and the Bass Rock itself featured in the book  Catriona by his grandson, Robert Louis Stevenson.

Isle of May

This island is an important protected wildlife reserve, where you will hopefully catch a glimpse of puffins and seals. The Isle of May is known for its religious history as in the 7th Century a monk named Adrian made it his base from which to Christianise the local heathens. He met an unlucky end, however, as he was hacked to death by marauding Vikings in 669: a small shrine on the island is probably dedicated to him. A priory was established there in 1145 but gradually fell into misuse as the monks spent more and more time on the mainland, and it was eventually pillaged and torched by English invaders. Despite this, it remained a place of pilgrimage, most noticeably to James IV who visited it frequently between 1490 and 1509. It is home to “The Beacon”, Scotland’s first lighthouse, which was built in 1636 by Alexander Cunningham of Barns. This was made redundant by Robert Stevenson’s “Main Light” in 1816, but not demolished as Sir Walter Scott made a plea for its survival. During the World Wars it was incredibly used as a “stone frigate” named HMS May Island due to its strategic position at the mouth of the Forth. Nothing much remains of the island’s military defences, except for the odd plinth here and there used by the puffins!

RSPB birdwatching tour

3 Hour Boat Tour with full commentary by RSPB staff.

Join us for a captivating 3 hour birdwatching cruise featuring commentary from our team of knowledgeable RSPB staff.  Set sail from the picturesque Hawes Pier in South Queensferry and venture eastward towards Inchkeith Island, where a plethora of bird species can be observed in their natural habitat.  Along the way, we will also pass by the Inner Forth islands of Inchgarvie, Inchcolm and Inchmickery, providing a comprehensive and immersive birdwatching experience against the stunning backdrop of the Scottish Coast.

While the charming Puffins undoubtedly steal the spotlight, the variety of wildlife sightings you can look forward to on this cruise is truly diverse.  Keep your eyes peeled for Guillemot, Razorbill, graceful Fulmars, Eider, Cormorant, Shag and Terns.

Additionally, be on the lookout for the abundant Grey and Common Seals lazily basking in the sun, and perhaps catch a glimpse of the occasional Porpoise or Dolphin.

For 2024 we have two dates for our RSPB cruises. 

June 2nd and June 16th both departing at 1800 from Hawes Pier.

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All About Edinburgh 

Edinburgh islands, queensferry - north berwick.

From South Queensferry a small town at the three bridges over the Firth of Forth river to North Berwick A small town on the estuary of the Forth with golden sand beaches and great shops, restaurants, and activities with boats leaving frequently to tour the islands of the forth and  their historic sites. Also the seals, dolphin and many species of seabirds.

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Islands of Edinburgh

The Bass Rock has more than 150,000 nesting Northern Gannets and is the largest single rock gannetry in the world. The naturalist David Attenborough called it the 12 wonder of the natural world. The Lighthouse was first used on the Bass Rock o the 1st November 1902.  There are ruins of a Chapel dedicated to Saint Baldred, a monk said to have lived a life of solitude on the Bass Rock till his death in 606 A.D. The Chapel was built circa 1540 by the Lauder family who were the owners of the Bass Rock from 1316. In 1671, Charles I claimed the Bass as Royal Property and was leased out .

The Bass Rock became a prison between 1672 and 1701. In 1691 four Jacobite prisoners escaped from their cells and occupied the Bass Rock for three years and fought of all the king's me who tried to reclaim the Rock. With help from the French Navy the 4 were able to raid the coastal areas of Fife and East Lothian.  The occupation by the 4 finally ended in 1694 as food and fresh water had ran out. This was unknown to the King's men and the 4 negotiated to leave the Rock, only if they were given a pardon to walk free. This was agreed and they left as free men.  The Bass Rock remained a State Prison until demolished in 1701 at that time . In 1706, the crown sold the Bass Rock to the Dalrymple family who are still the owners.

FIDRA ISLAND

This is a volcanic island created around 335 million years ago. John de Vaux a Norman nobleman built Castle Tarbet on the island of Fidrain the 12th Century. There is a lighthouse on it built in 1885 by Robert Louis Stevenson’s family as were most lighthouses around the British shores. Robert Louis Stevenson often visited the beaches at Dirleton the area known today as Yellowcraigs. Robert Louis Stevenson’s inspiration for his novel Treasure Island came from his days looking at the Island and dreaming of pirates on the high seas.

LAMB ISLAND

Lamb Island is a uninhabited island between the Bass Rock and Fidra Island. Baron Camilo Agasim-Pereira of Fulwood & Dirleton the previous owner sold the Lamb to Uri Geller in 2009. Uri Geller  believes the layout of the 3 islands Fidra, Lamb and Craigleith  match the three stars known as the 3 kings on Orion’s Belt which are linked to many ancient fables from Scottish and Egyptian history.  This Island is found between the islands of Fidra and Craigleith. Uri Geller believes that Lamb hides Egyptian Treasure.

CRAIGLEITH ISLAND

This Island can be found close to North Berwick's harbour and its claim to fame was having the largest colony of Puffins in Britain numbering almost 30,000. It was also used in the breeding of rabbits for food. Craigleith is owned by the Dalrymple family. 

ISLE OF MAY 

The most easterly Island in the Forth and studies have revealed over 240 species of bird and 60 varieties of seaweed. This Isle was a black place when the Danes murdered ministers of the church who had tried to escape the plunder of the Danes in the mid to late 800 AD.

The Oxcar Lighthouse

The Oxcar Lighthouse was built by the Stevenson's and its light was seen for the first time in 1886.

This was the first Northern Lighthouse to be automated in 1894. The Oxcar  stands on a rock near to the Island of Inchmickery. In the background is the Pentland Hills and the largest artificial ski slop in Europe

INCHMICKERY  

This uninhabited Island was used during both World War I and World War II the island was used as a gun emplacement and the structures still remain in place.

CRAMOND ISLAND

This island is the only island that can be accessed at low tide by foot. The causeway runs at the foot of a row of concrete pylons which were constructed as a submarine defence boom during the Second World War.

INCHKEITH ISLAND   

L’Île de Dieu. (THIS ISLAND OF GOD)   and   L’Île des Chevaux (THIS ISLAND OF HORSES). As Inchgarvie, Inchkeith was used as a quarantine island in the 14th and 15th centuries. It was occupied by the English in the 16th century and Italian mercenaries fighting for the English in the 16th century. Mary of Guise renamed the island L’Île de Dieu.

The soldiers also nicknamed it L’Île des Chevaux It is currently owned by Tom Farmer, founder of Kwik fit Garages.

The Lighthouse that stands on the island was first used in 1804.

INCHCOLM ISLAND. 

Inchcolm Island is just off the Fife coast near to the towns of Burntisland and Aberdour. This Island may have been occupied since the 6th century when St Columba is said to have visited the priory. A monesrery was built on the Inchcolm Island by David I, keeping a promise of his brother Alexander who had been saved on the island during a storm. There has been an Abbey on the island since 1235. Danes are said to have buried their dead on the island by payment in gold to King Macbeth of Scotland and a tombstone of the 10th century stands as a memorial to the Danish leader. The Abbey and island are looked after by a caretaker for Historic Scotland and is open to the public.

INCHGARVIE ISLAND

 (The Island Fortress)

Inchgarvie  Island was a gift from James IV to the Dundas family which gave them the rights to build a fortification (Castle) on the Island to protect the sea ways from invaders. Inchgarvie island has been used for many things, in 1580 was an exile for the Edinburgh plague victims and the Castle was a prison from the early 1500 to the late 1600s. Inchgarvie Island supports the leg of the Forth Rail Bridge and it's history is said to go back to 832 A.D. when Angus / Oengus mac Fergus (II) King of the Picts killed Athelstan the Anglian King in a battle and to warn off intended invaders, he put Athelstan's' head on a spike on the Island for all to see.

Inchgarvie Island

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Inchgarvie Island - All You MUST Know Before You Go (2024)

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Inchgarvie (occasionally "Inch Garvie") is a small, uninhabited island of West Lothian in the Firth of Forth , midway between the coasts of West Lothian and Fife . Its name most likely comes from a lost Gaelic original, Innis Garbhach which would mean "rough island". Local tradition has it that the island takes its name from the young herring, or "garvies" which sheltered in large shoals around its shores.

Although now uninhabited, Inchgarvie has been inhabited throughout various periods of history. The first recorded time was in the late 15th century.

Like nearby Inchmickery , its profile and colour makes it look very much like a battleship from a distance.

• 2 Wartime operations
• 3 Outside links
• 4 Sources and references

Inchgarvie’s fortifications pre-date the modern period. In the days when boats were the only way to cross the Firth of Forth , the island was on the main route between North Queensferry in Fife and South Queensferry in West Lothian , which made it strategically important. The island stood close also to two Roman forts, at Cramond and at Kinneil at the end of the Antonine Wall .

Records of Danish attacks on nearby islands, particularly Inchcolm as well as Fife and Lothian may mean that it was used in some capacity by them. It may well also have had a Culdee hermit like Inchcolm and Inchmickery . Whatever the case, it has had a castle, or fortification on it, from the Middle Ages to the present day, although it is currently abandoned.

King James IV had a castle built on Inchgarvie for defensive purposes. The King licensed the owner, John Dundas of Dundas, to construct the castle on 20 March 1491. [1]

In 1497, the island was (along with Inchkeith , a few miles away) used as an isolated refuge for victims of the 'Grandgore', (syphilis) in Edinburgh . [2] The 'grandgor' was recognised in the 1497 Minutes of the Town Council of Edinborough (Phil. Trans. XLII. 421) " This contagious sickness callit the Grandgor. ". The Grandgore Act was passed in September 1497, causing Inchgarvie, as well as other islands in the Firth, such as Inchkeith , to be made a place of Compulsory Retirement for people suffering from this disease. [3] They were told to board a ship at Leith and, "there to remain till God provide for their health".

On 8 March 1514 Margaret, the widow of William Dundas of Dundas, undertook to manage the completion of the fortress that James IV and her father-in-law had begun building on her island. [4] From 23 December 1514, Charles Dennison, Captain of Inchgarvie managed and fed a large royal construction team. Margaret, Lady of Dundas gave them two boats. Two 'serpentine' guns and guns from Colstone were placed on the island after a visit by artillery experts in July 1515. [5] Between 1519 and 1671, the island was the site of a prison within the castle, and James Garvie, in his Old and New Edinburgh , says of Inchgarvie that " In 1580, Inchkeith, with Inchgarvie, was made a place of exile for the plague-stricken by order of the Privy Council ". [6]

In 1547, after the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh in Midlothian , Inchcolm and Inchkeith were fortified by the English, and held for two years; it is possible that Inchgarvie was fortified at this period too. On 6 September 1627, the Laird of Dundas was invited to meet the Privy Council at South Queensferry and discuss building a modern fort on the island. [7] Like Inchkeith, Inchgarvie had a quarantine hospital, and a prison. Oliver Cromwell had this demolished.

During the reign of King Charles II the island was subject to continued maintenance for defensive purposes. The island was inspected by Charles in 1651 before falling into disrepair after his army was defeated by Oliver Cromwell at the Battle of Worcester.

In 1707 the island is known to have been rented to Archibald Primrose, 1st Earl of Rosebery. In 1779, however, the island's fortifications were renewed once more, in response to the threat posed by John Paul Jones, the American Naval Commander, who harassed British ships from a base in the Forth. [8] These fortifications were never used in anger.

In 1878 the foundations for Thomas Bouch's Forth Bridge were laid on Inchgarvie (and their bricks remain) [1] , but after the Tay Bridge Disaster, these plans were abandoned, and the island languished until the west end of the island was extended with a pier, and used as the foundation for one of the Forth Bridge's cantilevers. The island, due to its proximity to the bridge, was also used as a construction office for the bridge, as well as accommodation for its workers within the re-roofed castle buildings. Some of the stone from the former castle was used to help build the caissons of the Forth Bridge.

Wartime operations

The island became of renewed importance to the security of the Firth of Forth during the First and Second World Wars, during which, in combination with fortifications on Inchcolm , and gun emplacements on the mainland to the north (at North Queensferry ) and to the south (at Dalmeny ), it became a primary defence against air and submarine attacks on the Forth Rail Bridge and the Rosyth Dockyard. The gun emplacements were permanently manned throughout war.

It was used as a location in the 2000 film version of Iain Banks' book Complicity (1993), (directed by Gavin Millar).

Inchgarvie is used in the riddle, "How many inches is the Forth?", playing on a pun on 'Inch' ( Innis ) an old Gaelic word for island which appears in the name of a number of the wee isles in the firth.

Outside links

• The Daily Telegraph - Where seabirds go Forth (an article on islands in the Firth of Forth)
• Online (scanned) version of Old and New Edinburgh

Sources and references

• ↑ Macleod, Walter, Royal Letters, from the family papers of Dundas of Dundas , Edinburgh (1897), lvii-lix.
• ↑ Pearce, J M S (April 1998). "A note on the origins of syphilis" . Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry 64 (542): 542. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.64.4.542 . http://jnnp.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/64/4/542 .  
• ↑ A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland, pp. 555-84
• ↑ Macleod, Walter, Royal Letters, from the papers of Dundas of Dundas , Edinburgh (1897), lxxiii, citing Acta Dominorum Concillii, 26, f. 43.
• ↑ Accounts of the Lord Treasurer of Scotland , vol. 5 (1903), 20-26.
• ↑ Old and New Edinburgh, 1890, ch34, p291.
• ↑ Macleod, Walter, Royal Letters, papers of Dundas of Dundas , Edinburgh (1897), no.56.
• ↑ "Scotland from the Roadside - Inchgarvie" . ourscotland.co.uk . http://www.ourscotland.co.uk/firthofforth/inchgarvie.htm . Retrieved 2007-04-20 .  
• Grant, James (1980). Old and New Edinburgh . Cassell & Co, London, Paris, New York.  
• Haswell-Smith, Hamish (2004). The Scottish Islands . Edinburgh: Canongate. ISBN  1841954543 .  
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Inchcolm Island Explore more with Forth Boat Tours

Inchcolm Abbey – The Iona of the East

Inchcolm Abbey, known as the Iona of the East, is nestled on the picturesque island of Inchcolm in Scotland’s Firth of Forth, and is a captivating testament to centuries of history and architectural beauty.

This ancient abbey’s origins trace back to the 12th century when it was established by King David I of Scotland. The abbey’s remote island location adds to its mystique and makes it a serene escape from the bustling mainland.

Visitors to Inchcolm Abbey have the opportunity to explore its well-preserved ruins, showcasing stunning medieval architecture. The abbey is an architectural marvel, featuring elements of Romanesque and Gothic styles, with intricate carvings and a tranquil cloister.

The heart of Inchcolm Abbey is its rich history. It served various purposes throughout the centuries, including as a religious retreat, a defensive fortress during times of conflict, and a beacon of spiritual contemplation. The abbey’s historical significance is palpable as you wander through its weathered stone walls.

Seals, puffins and the occassional porpoise!

The island itself is a sanctuary for wildlife, with seabirds, seals, and other marine life making it their home. The tranquil surroundings and scenic vistas make it a haven for nature enthusiasts and photographers alike.

A highlight of visiting Inchcolm Abbey is the opportunity to take in views of the surrounding Firth of Forth. The abbey’s location on the island’s highest point provides breathtaking vistas that offer a sense of awe and tranquility.

Inchcolm Abbey is not just a historical relic. It’s a place of reflection and inspiration. The sense of serenity that pervades the island and the abbey’s timeless beauty make it an ideal spot for quiet contemplation and photography.

Inchcolm Abbey stands as a testament to the enduring power of history and architecture. Its remote island location, rich history, and stunning views make it a must-visit destination. Especially for history enthusiasts, nature lovers, and anyone seeking a peaceful escape from the modern world. A visit to Inchcolm Abbey is a journey through time and a chance to connect with the past in one of Scotland’s most idyllic settings

Relax onboard our Inchcolm Island Cruise with friends and family and listen to the guided commentary while you enjoy a beverage or snack from the bar.

Take in the spectacular views of Inchcolm Island, the Three Bridges, the beautiful panoramas of the Edinburgh skyline to the south and the Kingdom of Fife to the north, the island of Inchcolm with its medieval abbey, and the islands of Inchgarvie, Inchkeith, and Inchmickery.

And don’t forget to look out for the marine wildlife including seals and puffins!

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Hawes Pier South Queensferry, EH30 9TB OR Port Edgar Marina South Queensferry, EH30 9SQ

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Forth Seabird Group - Our Islands - Inchgarvie

Inchgarvie lies in the narrows between North and South Queensferry and has one of the central piers of the Forth Bridge built on its western end. During the breeding season the island is home to fulmars, eider ducks and gulls.

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Inchmickery

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