Moorings on the Firth of Forth

The Firth of Forth is the broad tidal estuary of the River Forth, stretching from Stirling eastward past Edinburgh and out into the North Sea. The lower estuary — from the Forth Bridges out to the Isle of May — is one of Scotland's premier cruising areas, with a string of marinas and harbours along both shores. For boat owners, long-stay moorings are available at Granton Harbour and the historic Port of Leith on the Edinburgh shore, Port Edgar Marina at South Queensferry (right beneath the iconic bridges), Inverkeithing and Aberdour on the Fife coast, and harbours at Anstruther, Pittenweem and Crail further east in the East Neuk of Fife. The Forth is a sea-going cruising ground first and foremost — sailing yachts, motor cruisers and traditional craft are all well-served, with onward passages north to Aberdeen, south to the Tyne and east to Norway, the Netherlands and beyond. Liveaboard berths combine remarkable city access (Edinburgh's Old Town, the Royal Mile and the Festival are minutes away from Leith and Granton) with proper open-water cruising. The Forth also gives access via the Forth & Clyde Canal and Union Canal to Glasgow and the west coast — a unique coast-to-coast route. Strong currents under the bridges, commercial shipping into Grangemouth and weather coming off the North Sea mean experienced boating, but the rewards are substantial.