Lonely Planet has named the tiny Scottish island of Inchcolm one of the "best day trips from Edinburgh" in a new list of 11 attractions near the capital. The travel guide described the island as "the most beautiful of the Firth of Forth islands", highlighting its wildlife and historical significance.
On Tuesday, November 3, Lonely Planet shared its roundup of the "11 best day trips from Edinburgh". Inchcolm, located in the Firth of Forth just off the south coast of Fife and north of Edinburgh, was among the destinations singled out.
History and wildlife on Inchcolm
Inchcolm covers around 22 acres and has a long history, with humans living there hundreds of years ago. It has long been an important site of religious worship in Scotland. The island is best known for Inchcolm Abbey, a medieval abbey founded in the 12th century and considered one of the best-preserved groups of monastic buildings anywhere in Scotland. The abbey was abandoned during the Scottish Reformation in 1560.
The island is also renowned for wildlife spotting, with seals commonly seen basking on neighbouring outcrops. Inchcolm is a haven for seabirds, with puffins often seen on its northern rockface between April and July.
Wartime defences and Lonely Planet's praise
Inchcolm is home to coastal defences, including gun emplacements used during World War One and World War Two. These were constructed to help protect the Rosyth naval base, the Forth Bridge and especially Edinburgh from attackers.
Lonely Planet wrote: "Considered the most beautiful of the Firth of Forth islands, Inchcolm is just six miles from Edinburgh. It is famed for its wildlife, including seals, puffins and many other seabirds; a 12th-century abbey that is said to be the best preserved collection of monastic buildings in Scotland; and a fascinating collection of wartime fortifications."
Top spot goes to The Helix
Elsewhere, The Helix between Falkirk and Grangemouth topped the travel guide's overall list of the top day-trip destinations from Edinburgh. The park and tourist attraction, which covers 350 hectares, can be reached from the Scottish capital in less than an hour by car.
Lonely Planet singled out The Helix for being home to The Kelpies, a pair of 30-metre steel horse heads that claim the title of being the world's largest equine sculptures. Also praised was the Falkirk Wheel, which links the Forth and Clyde Canal to the Union Canal and is the world's only rotating boat lift.
The travel guide stated: "The 30m-tall Kelpies, mythical water-dwelling, horselike creatures, were created by Scottish artist Andy Scott and are the largest equine sculptures in the world. Surrounding these magnificent silver beasts forged in stainless steel is the Helix, a vast area of parkland featuring 500km of connected paths, a lagoon with canoeing and kayaking, an extension to the Forth and Clyde Canal, a playground, a visitors center and a cafe."
"While you're in the area, don't pass up the chance to see the Falkirk Wheel, a feat of 21st-century engineering and the only rotating boat lift in the world."
The full list of the 11 best day trips from Edinburgh can be found on the Lonely Planet website.
