Rosyth, Scotland Cruises

Sometimes considered the "Gateway to Edinburgh," the cruise port of Rosyth, Scotland was originally founded as a garden city (self-contained communities that focus on agriculture); today, it's mostly known for its large dockyard. Rosyth is located in the council area of Fife and on the Firth of Forth, an estuary of Scotland's River Forth where it flows into the North Sea. The dockyards were the first in the Royal Navy to become privatized, when Babcock International acquired them in 1987; other developers are looking to expand ferry service to other European and domestic ports, as well as boost the local economy with the addition of new types of business. With picturesque houses tucked away from port and surrounded by rolling hills, it's a pleasant spot to while away the hours if you're not headed to Edinburgh or Glasgow. Here are some of our favorite experiences when cruising to Rosyth, Scotland:

• The 15th century Rosyth Castle was built by Sir James Stewart of Rosyth and is close to the docks. Once surrounded on almost all sides by the Firth of Forth, land reclamation in the early 1900s made it more land-locked.
   
• There are plenty of walking paths for some exercise and to see local landmarks. Try the North Queensferry coastal circuit; the three-mile walk takes you under the Forth Rail Bridge and down a lovely section of the Fife Coastal path where you can see a mix of industrial landscape broken up by the coast (and maybe some wildlife).
   
• If it's Scotland, there must be golf – and there are 27 golf courses within 15 miles of Rosyth. One of the closest is the Pitreavie Golf Club in Dunfermline, about three miles north. Tee times can be reserved up to a week in advance, and there's also high tea available.
   
• The Gothenburg Hotel (called "The Goth" by locals) is a fantastic place to have a bite, thanks to the Ghillies Steak House and Grill within. With a warm atmosphere and utterly Scottish dishes, such as haggis and cheddar mash, you'll wrap up this UK port happy and full.