5.0 ★ - 185 Reviews

Expert Local Guide
6 Years of Guiding Experience

Hiking in the Highlands
Unique & off the beaten path

Private Tour
Small Group Max 8 People

Private Bass Rock Gannets Tour from Edinburgh

Tours running from the 1st April to 15th September

Enquire Today

Private Bass Rock Wildlife Tour: See Scotland's Famous Gannets

Bass Rock sits in the Firth of Forth about 3 miles off the North Berwick coast, and in summer it’s home to over 100,000 gannets, one of the largest northern colonies in the world.

 

On this private day tour from Edinburgh, you’ll travel along the coast before taking a boat around Bass Rock to see it up close. The island is covered in thousands of northern gannets, with constant movement overhead as birds circle, dive like spears, and squabble on the cliffs. This is a straightforward wildlife day trip combining coastal scenery and a close encounter with one of Scotland’s most impressive seabird colonies.

Full Bass Rock Itinerary

We leave Edinburgh around 8am and head east towards the coast. The first stop is to fuel with some breakfast at Bostock Bakery. From here, we continue into North Berwick. There’s time to walk to climb up North Berwick Law for beautiful views across to Bass Rock, the Firth of the Forth and Tantallon Castle. Before we wander towards the harbour to visit St Andrew’s Church that played a part in the 1590 Witch Trails and check-in to our scheduled boat trip.

 

The 1.5-hour wildlife cruise takes you around Bass Rock, Craigleith, and past Tantallon Castle from the water. This is the main event of the day, with time spent out at sea watching Gannets, Puffins, Guillemots and hopefully some sealife! After returning to shore, the afternoon is relaxed. You can enjoy lunch in North Berwick before heading back to Edinburgh.

 

Or for those wanting to add more to the day an optional extension , entry can be included for both Dirleton Castle and Tantallon Castle before returning to the city.

Pricing, Booking & Cancellations

To book, simply enquire through the contact form on the right-hand side of this page. Once we receive your enquiry, we’ll get back to you to confirm availability and guide you through the next steps.

Pricing & Deposit

🏰 Total price: £450–£650 per group.

🏰 Deposit: Pay a 20% non-refundable deposit at the time of confirmation to secure your place.

🏰 Balance: The remaining 80% must be paid no later than 30 days before your scheduled tour date.

🏰 All tours of one day or more require a 20% deposit to confirm your booking.

Cancellation & Changes

🏰 Changes or cancellation: You can make changes or cancel your tour up to 30 days before departure without losing your deposit.

🏰 Boat trip: Please note that the boat trip may occasionally be cancelled due to sea conditions or other safety considerations. In this case, we will offer either: an amended itinerary or a full refund if the alternative does not suit you.

🏰 For full details, please read the terms and conditions in the FAQs below this page.

Enquire today

From £450 Per Group

Pick up location: Accommodation

Duration: 6 hours

What's Included: Private Guide & All Transport including Boat Trip

Max 8 people

English

Available: 1st April to 15th September

Enquire below for availability


Private Day Trip from Edinburgh: Farne Islands, Puffins & Castles

Bass Rock sits in the Firth of Forth about 3 miles off the North Berwick coast, and in summer it’s home to over 100,000 gannets, one of the largest northern colonies in the world.

 

On this private day tour from Edinburgh, you’ll travel along the coast before taking a boat around Bass Rock to see it up close. The island is covered in thousands of northern gannets, with constant movement overhead as birds circle, dive like spears, and squabble on the cliffs. This is a straightforward wildlife day trip combining coastal scenery and a close encounter with one of Scotland’s most impressive seabird colonies.

Full Bass Rock Gannets Itinerary

We leave Edinburgh around 8am and head east towards the coast. The first stop is to fuel with some breakfast at Bostock Bakery. From here, we continue into North Berwick. There’s time to walk to climb up North Berwick Law for beautiful views across to Bass Rock, the Firth of the Forth and Tantallon Castle. Before we wander towards the harbour to visit St Andrew’s Church that played a part in the 1590 Witch Trails and check-in to our scheduled boat trip.

 

The 1.5-hour wildlife cruise takes you around Bass Rock, Craigleith, and past Tantallon Castle from the water. This is the main event of the day, with time spent out at sea watching Gannets, Puffins, Guillemots and hopefully some sealife! After returning to shore, the afternoon is relaxed. You can enjoy lunch in North Berwick before heading back to Edinburgh.

 

Or for those wanting to add more to the day an optional extension , entry can be included for both Dirleton Castle and Tantallon Castle before returning to the city.

Enquire today

From £450 Per Group

Pick up: Accommodation

Duration: 7-9 hours

What's Included: Private Guide & All Transport including Boat Trip

Max 8 people

English

Available: 1st April to 15th September

Enquire below for availability


👥 Max 8 People ★ 5.0  185 Reviews

Private Bass Rock Gannets Day Tour from Edinburgh

Enquire Today

Private Bass Rock Wildlife Tour: See Scotland's Famous Gannets

Bass Rock sits in the Firth of Forth about 3 miles off the North Berwick coast, and in summer it’s home to over 100,000 gannets, one of the largest northern colonies in the world.

 

On this private day tour from Edinburgh, you’ll travel along the coast before taking a boat around Bass Rock to see it up close. The island is covered in thousands of northern gannets, with constant movement overhead as birds circle, dive like spears, and squabble on the cliffs. This is a straightforward wildlife day trip combining coastal scenery and a close encounter with one of Scotland’s most impressive seabird colonies.

Enquire Today
Enquire Today

Full Farne Islands & Castles Itinerary

08:00

Pickup & Drive North

8am start to drive south into East Lothian

08:30

Breakfast

We’ll make our first stop at Bostock Bakery. Here we will sit down and fuel up for the day with delightful pastries

10:00

Climb North Berwick Law

After breakfast, we head into North Berwick to climb North Berwick Law a short but steep hike on a volcanic plug. It has tremendous views over to Bass Rock and the Firth of the Forth

11:30

1.5 Hr Bass Rock Boat Trip

Wildlife cruise takes you around Bass Rock, Craigleith, and past Tantallon Castle from the water. This is the main event of the day, with time spent out at sea watching Gannets, Puffins, Guillemots and hopefully some sealife!

13:15

Lunch Time

Finishing off the day with some banging scran at the Bonnie Badger, Lobster Shack or Rocketeer

Tour Highlights

Gannet Courtship on Bass Rock

Bass Rock off the coast of North Berwick

View from North Berwick Law

Tremendous views over the Firth of the Forth & Bass Rock

Gannet Diving at 60mph

Alongside Harbour Porpoise

Cute Puffin

Resident of Craigleith

Cliffs of Tantallon Castle

What Makes This Tour Special

Up-Close Wildlife Encounters

Visit the islands of Bass Rock and Craigleith, home to over 100,000 Gannets and 10,000 Puffins as well as Razorbills, Guillemotsand other seabirds. Cruising around these islands lets you see them up close in their natural habitat, perfect for wildlife lovers and photographers. There's also a chance of Seals and Dolphins to.

Epic East Lothian Castles

Explore two of the most beautiful clifftop castles on the east coast: Tantallon Castles and Dirleton. Not only are they extremely dramatic and perfect for photos but full of interesting history.

Expert Local Guide

Enjoy a personalised, private day tour with a local guide with over 6 years of guiding experience and 1,500+ five-star reviews on TripAdvisor & AirBnB means you're in safe hands.

Bass Rock Tour Highlights

Guest Stories & Reviews

 
 
 
 
  EXCELLENT  
  
 Based on 233 reviews 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor 
 
 Geoff B profile picture 
 
 
 Geoff B 
 
 
 
 Verified 
Highly recommended
Rob’s tour was amazing and highly recommend. A good mix of Harry Potter facts and history of Edinburgh. Rob has some great “dad jokes” and banter to keep interest.
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor 
 
 bdduker profile picture 
 
 
 bdduker 
 
 
 
 Verified 
Outlander and Highland Coos
Rob Carr Tours was awesome. He was extremely responsive and flexible to customize our tour. He has a very comfortable van and was super accommodating. We jointly worked out the best agenda for us and my wife and I had the best time on a 1day tour from Edinburgh. He was super knowledgeable and even found some hidden gems. Literally one of the best tours we have been on.
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor 
 
 Natalie S profile picture 
 
 
 Natalie S 
 
 
 
 Verified 
Love this tour!
The tour was amazing. Rob is super friendly. I love how the tour brings you into places in Edinburgh I wouldnt have normally seen. So great this was my 2nd time taking the same tour!
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor 
 
 Marcy S profile picture 
 
 
 Marcy S 
 
 
 
 Verified 
Unforgettable Scotland experience with Rob Carr Tours
We just returned from a 9-day tour with Rob. What an unforgettable experience! Our tour was the perfect combination of history, culture, and nature. Rob is the consummate tour guide - knowledgeable, friendly, fun, and dedicated. His commitment to making sure we had a positive experience was evident. We were super happy with the itinerary and with all the accommodations he chose. Not only did we enjoy the activities we shared, but Rob skillfully helped us all enjoy each other's company as well. Book the tour! You won't be sorry!
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor 
 
 Lory H profile picture 
 
 
 Lory H 
 
 
 
 Verified 
Simply the BEST!!
My trip to Scotland was truly an experience of a lifetime, and so much of that was because of our incredible hiking and travel guide, Rob Carr. Our group consisted of seven people—four family members traveling together, along with me and two of my friends. We didn’t know the other four when the trip began, but Rob had such a natural way of bringing everyone together and creating an atmosphere where we all felt comfortable and included. By the end of the trip, it truly felt like we had shared something special together. Rob gave us the opportunity to experience some of Scotland’s iconic sights, including the breathtaking Old Man of Storr, but what made the trip especially memorable were the lesser-known trails and hidden gems he introduced us to along the way. We experienced parts of Scotland we likely never would have discovered on our own, making the trip feel incredibly special and personal. Our group also had a wide range of fitness and hiking abilities, and Rob was wonderfully accommodating to everyone. He had a remarkable ability to make sure each person felt comfortable, included, and able to enjoy the experience at their own level. No one ever felt rushed or left behind. His patience and attentiveness allowed all of us to truly appreciate each adventure while still feeling like we were experiencing it together. Beyond being an exceptional guide, Rob is simply an amazing person. He is kind, personable, knowledgeable, and genuinely interested in the people he is traveling with. He took the time to engage with us not only as a group, but individually. He got to know each of us, shared plenty of laughs with us, and made us feel like so much more than just people on a tour. It is difficult to put into words how much Rob added to my Scotland experience. I came home with incredible memories, beautiful stories, new friendships, and a genuine appreciation for the person who helped make it all possible. If you have the opportunity to explore Scotland with Rob Carr, do it! I cannot recommend him highly enough. He is an extraordinary guide and an even more wonderful human being. Thank you, Rob, for making an already beautiful country and adventure truly unforgettable!
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor 
 
 MJ C profile picture 
 
 
 MJ C 
 
 
 
 Verified 
From Edinburgh to Skye to Harris and then some - the tour that exceeded every expectation
When I found Rob Carr Tours on Instagram, I knew this was the trip I wanted. Booked the 9-day Scotland tour from Edinburgh to the Isle of Skye and Harris. Rob is gem. His high energy is contagious and set the tone for the entire journey. The itinerary was jam-packed in the best way, yet still left us wanting more. He looked after us with real care - attentive, patient, and thoughtful. Just a fun, authentic person to be around, and that made all the difference. Skye was pure magic - beautiful landscapes, dramatic castles, awesome hikes, endless views, and the crystal-blue beaches (yes, in Scotland!). The beauty, the stories, the whisky, the laughter, the quiet moments, they all added up to an indescribable, incredible experience I will forever cherish. Thank you, Rob, for making this trip everything it was❣️
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor 
 
 Sara B profile picture 
 
 
 Sara B 
 
 
 
 Verified 
Highlands and Islands tour
Rob provided us an amazing Scotland experience, taking us to places I never would have seen if I had been on my own. He made sure we were immersed in a true Scotish experience. I would highly recommend his services!
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor 
 
 Lucy R profile picture 
 
 
 Lucy R 
 
 
 
 Verified 
A Scotland Adventure
Our tour with Rob Carr Tours was absolutely fantastic! From start to finish, it was an incredible experience filled with beautiful scenery, amazing adventures, and unforgettable memories. The tour included an Edinburgh walking tour, fantastic hikes through the breathtaking Isle of Skye and Isle of Lewis, visits to charming towns like Portree and Pitlochry, whiskey tasting, and so much more. Every day brought something new and exciting, and Rob did an amazing job making sure we experienced the very best of Scotland. Rob was enthusiastic, attentive, incredibly passionate about his work, and—best of all—funny! His knowledge, energy, and personality made the entire trip even more enjoyable. You could tell how much he genuinely loves Scotland and sharing it with others. If you’re looking for a tour that combines incredible sights, adventure, history, and plenty of laughs, I highly recommend Rob Carr Tours. It was truly a wonderful trip, and we would absolutely do it again! 🥃🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿❤️
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor 
 
 Tabetha D profile picture 
 
 
 Tabetha D 
 
 
 
 Verified 
An Unforgettable Scottish Adventure with an Amazing Guide!
Rob Carr was an absolutely incredible tour guide, and I couldn’t recommend him more! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Our private tour started with the Ben A’an hike, and I have to say… my hiking experience was minimal. I was determined to make it to the top and not give up, and Rob was so incredibly patient and encouraging with me the entire way. He never made me feel rushed or like I was holding things up, and he adjusted to my pace with so much understanding and kindness. When I finally made it to the top, the views were absolutely AMAZING and made every step worth it! Throughout the day, Rob shared so much Scottish history, stories, and interesting little details that made the experience even more special. The hike took much longer than anticipated (because I was SO slow 😂), but Rob improvised and found other stops and experiences for us to enjoy since we couldn’t make it to everything originally planned. We truly had the time of our lives, and this is a day I know I’ll look back on for the rest of my life. And when the jet lag finally caught up with us and we asked if we could cut the day a little short, Rob was completely understanding and accommodating. Thank you, Rob, for an unforgettable day, for your patience, encouragement, and for making the experience so special. You were absolutely fantastic! 10 out of 10 — HIGHLY recommend! ⛰️
  
 
  
 
 
 
 Posted on Tripadvisor Tripadvisor 
 
 Lexi H profile picture 
 
 
 Lexi H 
 
 
 
 Verified 
Amazing tour - perfect blend of Harry Potter and history
Rob gave an amazing tour. He's funny, knowledgeable, and provided a perfect mix of Harry Potter and history spots/facts. We had a blast and would love to take more of Rob's tours after experiencing this one!

Enquire Today

From £450 Per Group

Pick up 8am: Your Accommodation

Duration: 7-9 Hours

What's Included: Private Guide & All Transport including Boat Trip

Max 8 people

English

Available: 1st April to 15th September

Enquire below for availability


Frequently Asked Questions

We leave Edinburgh around 8am and head east towards the coast. The first stop is to fuel with some breakfast at Bostock Bakery. From here, we continue into North Berwick. There’s time to walk to climb up North Berwick Law for beautiful views across to Bass Rock, the Firth of the Forth and Tantallon Castle. Before we wander towards the harbour to visit St Andrew’s Church that played a part in the 1590 Witch Trails and check-in to our scheduled boat trip.

 

The 1.5-hour wildlife cruise takes you around Bass Rock, Craigleith, and past Tantallon Castle from the water. This is the main event of the day, with time spent out at sea watching Gannets, Puffins, Guillemots and hopefully some sealife! After returning to shore, the afternoon is relaxed. You can enjoy lunch in North Berwick before heading back to Edinburgh.

 

Or for those wanting to add more to the day an optional extension , entry can be included for both Dirleton Castle and Tantallon Castle before returning to the city.

To book, simply enquire through the contact form on the right-hand side of this page. Once we receive your enquiry, we’ll get back to you to confirm availability and guide you through the next steps.

Pricing & Deposit

🏰 Total price: £450–£650 per group.

🏰 Deposit: Pay a 20% non-refundable deposit at the time of confirmation to secure your place.

🏰 Balance: The remaining 80% must be paid no later than 30 days before your scheduled tour date.

🏰 All tours of one day or more require a 20% deposit to confirm your booking.

Cancellation & Changes

🏰 Changes or cancellation: You can make changes or cancel your tour up to 30 days before departure without losing your deposit.

🏰 Boat trip: Please note that the boat trip may occasionally be cancelled due to sea conditions or other safety considerations. In this case, we will offer either: an amended itinerary or a full refund if the alternative does not suit you.

🏰 For full details, please read the terms and conditions in the FAQs below this page.

Complimentary hotel pickup and drop off, all transport including boat tourvand private guide 

Start – All guests will be picked up from accommodation between 8am

Finish – Approximately 2-3pm drop at accommodation

Recommended: Travel insurance, waterproof jacket, trousers, comfortable walking shoes, warm clothing for boat, reusable water bottle and power bank

Private tours in peak months (May–September) can book out quickly, so earlier is better. For off-season dates, the sooner the better but flexible or day before bookings are usually more likely.

A comfortable and modern Renault Trafic 9 Seater, suitable for Scottish roads. Plenty of space for luggage and camera gear. 

More Tours We Offer

Grey Seal Pupping Season Day Tour

Full Tour Details

4-Day Winter Isle of Skye & Puffin Tour

Full Tour Details

Edinburgh Harry Potter & History Walking Tour

Full Tour Details

9-Day Isle of Skye, Outer Hebrides & Puffin Tour

SEASONAL SPECIAL: Small Group Tour starting 29th July 2026
Full Tour Details

Enquire Today