Puffin Boat Trip & Tantallon Castle Private Day Tour from Edinburgh
Discover Scotland's spectacular east coast with your own private driver-guide — combining a wildlife cruise in search of puffins and seabirds, dramatic Tantallon Castle and time in the seaside town of North Berwick.
Wildlife, castles & the North Sea.
This private day is completely different from the classic journey into the Highlands. Instead, travel east from Edinburgh towards dramatic cliffs, offshore islands and some of Scotland's richest seabird habitats.
Combine medieval Tantallon Castle, the seaside atmosphere of North Berwick and the highlight of the day — heading onto the water in search of Atlantic puffins and other wildlife.
Want more than a day? See all our private tours of Scotland, including multi-day trips planned around you.
Completely Private
Your Scotland's Wild vehicle and guide are reserved exclusively for your party of 1 to 16 guests.
Wildlife on the Water
Spend around two hours cruising the Firth of Forth in search of puffins, gannets, seals and other marine wildlife.
Castle Above the Sea
Explore Tantallon Castle in one of the most dramatic coastal settings of any historic site in Scotland.
Tide-Timed & Flexible
The day is shaped around the wildlife boat schedule, tides and the conditions on Scotland's east coast.
Puffins, medieval ruins & seaside Scotland.
Three very different experiences create this private wildlife day: a clifftop castle, a Scottish seaside town and a journey out onto the Firth of Forth.
Puffin Season
Search for Atlantic Puffins
Head towards the offshore islands during puffin season for the chance to see one of Scotland's most charismatic seabirds.
Tantallon Castle
A Fortress Above the Sea
Explore the imposing medieval ruins of Tantallon Castle high above the North Sea with spectacular coastal views.
North Berwick
A Scottish Seaside Town
Spend time around North Berwick's harbour and coastline, with independent cafés, shops and plenty of sea air.
Edinburgh to Scotland's wild east coast.
Your exact order can change according to tides and boat timings. The route normally brings together Tantallon Castle, North Berwick and the offshore wildlife cruise.
A flexible route by necessity: the boat timetable follows the tides, so Tantallon Castle, North Berwick and the wildlife cruise may happen in a different order.
Castle cliffs, sea air & puffin country.
Think of this as the experiences within your day rather than a rigid running order. The cruise time is dictated by the tides, so your guide can rearrange the land-based stops around it.
Edinburgh → East Lothian
Meet your private Scotland's Wild driver-guide and leave the city for Scotland's beautiful east coast.
Your guide will collect your group from your agreed Edinburgh accommodation or pick-up point.
Head east through East Lothian towards the coast as the landscape opens into farmland, beaches and views across the Firth of Forth.
Tantallon Castle
Explore an extraordinary fortress built on the edge of towering North Sea cliffs.
Tantallon Castle occupies a spectacular promontory overlooking Bass Rock and the surrounding coastline.
Walk through the medieval ruins as your guide introduces the powerful Douglas family and the turbulent history associated with this remarkable fortress.
The setting is as impressive as the castle itself, with open coastal views that hint at the wildlife experience still to come.
North Berwick
Slow the pace for a while in one of Scotland's loveliest coastal towns.
Explore around North Berwick's harbour, beaches and town centre, with views across the Firth of Forth.
This is usually the natural part of the day for lunch, coffee or a little independent exploration.
Puffin & Wildlife Boat Cruise
Head out onto the Firth of Forth towards the islands and seabird colonies.
The cruise takes you away from the mainland and towards the wildlife-rich waters around the islands of Scotland's east coast.
During puffin season, keep watch for Atlantic puffins flying between their nesting areas and the sea.
Depending on conditions and the season, you may also encounter gannets, guillemots, razorbills, seals and other coastal wildlife.
Return to Edinburgh
Finish your private east-coast adventure and travel back to Edinburgh.
Depending on the cruise time and the order of your itinerary, there may be opportunities for additional coastal viewpoints or photography before returning to the city.
Your guide will return you to your agreed Edinburgh drop-off after the day's wildlife, history and coastal exploration.
Before you head out onto the water.
This private tour includes a substantial wildlife-boat experience, so there are a few additional things to consider beyond a normal road-based Scotland day tour.
Around Two Hours at Sea
Consider carefully whether the boat journey is suitable for anyone in your party who is particularly prone to sea sickness.
Pregnancy & Back Problems
The wildlife cruise is not suitable for people who are pregnant or who have back problems or injuries.
Waterproof Outer Layers
Bring suitable waterproof clothing, warm layers and sturdy footwear. Conditions on the water can feel much cooler than on land.
Suitable from Age 7
Guests should also be comfortable with spending around two hours aboard the wildlife boat.
Included in the Experience
- Your own private vehicle for 1 to 16 guests
- Private Scotland driver-guide
- Edinburgh accommodation pick-up
- Return to your agreed Edinburgh drop-off
- Transport throughout the day
- Tantallon Castle visit
- North Berwick
- Wildlife cruise incorporated into itinerary
- Puffin and seabird viewing opportunities
- East Coast scenery
- Scottish history and storytelling
- Boat / attraction reservation coordination
- Flexible private-tour pacing
Things to Budget or Bring
- Lunch and snacks
- Drinks
- Waterproof outer clothing
- Personal purchases
- Optional gratuities
- Any third-party ticket charges not included in your confirmed quote
Scotland's Wild can pre-arrange the necessary wildlife cruise and attraction reservations. Your confirmed booking details should be treated as definitive for any third-party ticket costs.
Your guide makes the day.
On a private tour your guide is there for your group alone. They collect you from your accommodation, do all the driving and tell you the history and legends behind each stop as you travel.
- They walk the stops with you. Your guide comes with you at the castles, viewpoints and walks, so you never have to work out where to go.
- Your group sets the pace. Want longer somewhere, or an extra photo stop? Ask on the day and your guide will fit it in where time and the roads allow.
- Storytellers first. In our reviews, the guide is what travellers talk about most.
In their own words.
Had the best day on our private tour with John, easily one of the best guides we’ve ever had. He was super knowledgeable, funny, and genuinely made the whole experience amazing.
We did a private tour, and it was so amazing!! Aila was a wonderful tour guide, and made the experience 5 stars for us. She was so knowledgeable, and made sure we saw everything we wanted to see.
My husband and I booked a private Isle of Skye tour and it was truly amazing. … Because it was a private tour the days were fairly flexible but we were able to get so much packed into each day.
One Price For Your Whole Group
You pay one price for your whole group, not per person. The price depends on how many of you are travelling. This tour runs from May to July, during the puffin season. A 25% deposit secures your date.
| Season | 1–8guests | 9–12guests | 13–16guests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puffin seasonMay to July | £840 | £920 | £988 |
- Prices are per group and include your private guide and vehicle for the day. Attraction tickets are paid separately unless stated.
- More than 16 of you? Ask us about a larger vehicle.
Ready to meet Scotland's east coast?
One booking reserves your private vehicle and Scotland's Wild guide for 1 to 16 guests, from £840 per group. Select your date to see current availability.
Private Puffin Tour FAQs
The important things to know about puffin season, tides, the wildlife cruise and your private east-coast day.
Is the price per person or for the whole vehicle?
One booking reserves your private Scotland's Wild vehicle and driver-guide for your group. Prices are for your whole group, not per person. They depend on how many of you are travelling (1 to 8, 9 to 12 or 13 to 16 guests), from £840 per group (May to July). See the price table on this page.
You will not share the road-tour vehicle with other travellers.
Are puffin sightings guaranteed?
No.
Puffins and the other animals encountered on the cruise are wild, so individual wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed.
When is puffin season?
Puffins return to the Firth of Forth during spring, with the main breeding and viewing period running through spring and summer.
Scotland's Wild normally operates its puffin-focused tour dates during the core viewing period from around May into early August.
How long is the wildlife cruise?
The wildlife boat experience is approximately two hours.
You should consider this carefully if anyone in your party is particularly prone to sea sickness.
Is the boat trip suitable during pregnancy?
No.
Current boat-tour guidance states that the wildlife cruise is not suitable for people who are pregnant.
What if someone has a back problem or injury?
The wildlife cruise is not suitable for people with back problems or back injuries.
Contact the Scotland's Wild team before booking if you are uncertain whether the boat section is appropriate.
What is the minimum age?
The minimum age for the Puffin Boat Trip experience is 7 years old.
Children should also be comfortable with the approximately two-hour boat journey.
What time does the private tour start?
There is no single departure time that applies to every date.
The boat timetable changes according to tides, so your private tour timing is arranged around the cruise on your selected date.
Why can the itinerary happen in a different order?
The wildlife cruise must work around tides and the boat operator's schedule.
As a result, Tantallon Castle, North Berwick and the cruise can happen in a different order while still forming the same overall day.
Where does the private tour pick us up?
Your Scotland's Wild guide will collect your party from the agreed Edinburgh accommodation or pick-up location confirmed for your booking.
What birds might we see?
The wildlife of the Firth of Forth can include Atlantic puffins, gannets, guillemots, razorbills and other seabirds.
Seals and other wildlife may also be encountered, but sightings always depend on nature and conditions.
What should we wear on the boat?
Bring waterproof outer clothing, warm layers and sturdy, comfortable footwear.
Even on a pleasant day in Edinburgh, conditions at sea can feel much cooler and windier.
Do we have time for lunch?
Yes.
North Berwick provides a natural opportunity for lunch, with cafés, restaurants and other options around the town.
Lunch is not included in the tour price.
Are the cruise and castle tickets included?
Scotland's Wild arranges the necessary reservations for your private itinerary.
Your booking confirmation should be treated as definitive regarding which third-party admission and boat charges are included in your particular booking and which are payable separately.
Can we customise the private tour?
There is flexibility around pacing, lunch, photography and additional coastal stops.
The wildlife cruise itself must remain tied to its booked departure time, so substantial itinerary changes need to work around that fixed element.
Can we bring luggage?
Small day bags are normally straightforward.
If your group needs to travel with large suitcases, contact us before booking so available vehicle storage can be confirmed.
What are the private-tour cancellation terms?
For private tours, 25% of the total price is payable if cancelling 61 or more days before departure; 50% from 60–31 days; and 100% at 30 days or less before departure.
Your wildlife cruise and any other third-party arrangements may carry additional non-refundable costs.
Read the full terms & conditions →See another side of Scotland.
Reserve your own Scotland's Wild vehicle and guide for 1 to 16 guests and spend a day exploring castles, coastline and the wildlife of the Firth of Forth.
Check Dates & Book Private for 1–16 guests · From £840 per group · Ages 7+ · 25% deposit · Seasonal wildlife
