CATEGORY · FRESH AIR INCLUDED
Steam Railways & Boat Trips in Edinburgh
Edinburgh's version of this is mostly coach tours and canal boats rather than proper steam railways, though the Jacobite steam train from the Harry Potter films turns up on longer trips with Highland Explorer Tours and Haggis Adventures (the latter strictly 18+). For actual boats, the Lochrin Belle does private hire along the Union Canal from the city, while out at South Queensferry, Maid of the Forth and Forth Boat Tours both sail under all three bridges, with the option to carry on to Inchcolm Island's abbey. For toddlers, the Union Canal towpath is free to walk and links up with cycling and the Falkirk Wheel if you want a longer day. Forth Boat Tours takes ages 0 to 15, so it works for younger children, while The Hairy Coo's coach tours are pitched at seven and up. If you fancy a canal boat and a museum together, it is a longer trip out to Linlithgow for the Avon Aqueduct, running weekend afternoons in spring and summer. Haggis Adventures is for adults only, so leave the kids at home for that one.
14 places From £8.50
Avon Aqueduct
Linlithgow
Boat trips along the canal to a Roman-era aqueduct, plus a canal museum, running weekend afternoons through spring and summer.
CaféIndoor seating
from £8.50Edinburgh Bus Tours
Edinburgh
Hop-on hop-off buses round Edinburgh's big sights, with up to three kids going free per adult ticket.
Dog friendlyGroup bookingsWheelchair accessibleWi-Fi
Forth Boat Tours
South Queensferry · ages 0-15
Sail under all three Forth bridges on a 90 minute cruise, or push further out to Inchcolm Island or Blackness Castle.
Booking requiredDog friendlyToilets
Haggis Adventures
Edinburgh · adults only (18+)
Multi-day Highland coach tours from Edinburgh taking in Loch Ness, Glen Coe and the Jacobite steam train, but strictly over-18s only.
Dog friendlyGroup bookingsWheelchair accessible
Heart of Scotland Tours
Edinburgh · ages 5+
Small-group bus tours out to Highland castles, distilleries and standing stones, departing from Edinburgh.
from £65Highland Experience Tours
Edinburgh · ages 3-15
A day coach tour out of the city taking kids round Loch Lomond, Stirling Castle and The Kelpies with a driver-guide doing the talking.
from £198Highland Explorer Tours
Edinburgh · ages 5+
A multi-day Highland tour that swings past Glenfinnan so the kids can ride the steam train from the Harry Potter films.
from £10Little Fish Tours
Edinburgh
Walking tours through Edinburgh's Old Town and Castle, on foot and standing for up to two hours at a stretch.
Lochrin Belle - Re-Union Canal Boats
Edinburgh
A private-hire canal boat cruising the Union Canal from Edinburgh, good for birthday parties with the boat to yourselves.
Accessible toiletBike parkingBlue badge parkingDog friendly+5 more
from £10.50Maid of the Forth
South Queensferry
Boat trips out from South Queensferry, under all three Forth Bridges and, if you pick the longer one, onto Inchcolm Island's ruined abbey.
Accessible toiletBaby changeCaféDog friendly+3 more
from £45Nessiehunters Tours
Edinburgh
Day and multi-day coach trips out of Edinburgh to Loch Ness, Glencoe, Stirling Castle and Skye, built around the drive and the views.
Rabbie's Tours Edinburgh Departure Point
Edinburgh
Coach tours out of Edinburgh to the wider Scottish countryside, booked online and paid in full up front.
Booking required
from £59The Hairy Coo - Scotland Tours
Edinburgh · ages 7+
Full-day coach tours round Scotland's scenery and castles, aimed at kids seven and up rather than toddlers.
Union Canal
Edinburgh
A towpath that strings together boat trips, cycling, canoeing and the Falkirk Wheel for a whole day outdoors.
Café
Good to know: steam railways & boat trips in Edinburgh
What does a paid visit cost?
Paid entry starts from £8.50 at Edinburgh Bus Tours. Prices, ages and facilities are listed on every place page, taken from each venue's own published price list.
Whereabouts are they?
You'll find steam railways & boat trips in Linlithgow, Edinburgh and South Queensferry. Every place we list is in or around Edinburgh, and each listing has the full address and directions.
More ways to plan a day out
KEEP EXPLORING
Not a steam railways & boat trips day? Try another lane
THE WEEKENDER
Next weekend, sorted. Every Thursday, free.
The best family things happening around Edinburgh, one hidden gem, and a rainy-day backup plan, from a dad who's been there with a bored seven-year-old.
Free forever. One brilliant email a week. Unsubscribe anytime.