Royal Deck Tearoom
Annual Pass
- Our Green Tourism
- Weekly Snaps
- Things to do in Edinburgh
- What's On
- Private Events
- Private Dining
- Drinks Reception
- Private Tours
- Burns Supper
- Meet The Team
- Bestsellers
- Gift Vouchers
- Historical Timeline
- Explore Britannia
- Royal Residence
- Life Below Decks
The Royal Yacht Britannia, Ocean Drive, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6JJ
Tel: 0131 555 5566 Email us: [email protected]
Please pre-book your tickets to guarantee admission
Tripadvisor’s No.1 UK Attraction 2023 - 2024
Step aboard the royal yacht britannia.
Please pre-book your tickets to guarantee admission. Start your tour at our entrance on the Ground Floor of Ocean Terminal.
A great day out for all the family, explore each of the five decks at this top attraction in Edinburgh and discover what life was like on board Queen Elizabeth II's former floating palace.
9:30am - 4pm
(Last Admission 6pm)
Ticket information, opening times and more.
Buy Tickets
Pre-book your tickets to visit The Royal Yacht Britannia, top attraction in Leith.
Find souvenirs and gifts from Britannia's online Gift Shop.
Homemade soups, sandwiches and cakes, along with speciality teas and coffees.
Apply for 12 months' free admission after your first visit.
Stay at our luxury floating hotel, Fingal, Tripadvisor's No1. UK Luxury Hotel, AA Hotel of the Year Scotland.
Visiting Britannia
TRIPADVISOR'S NO.1 UK ATTRACTION 2023 - 2024
Click on the Visit page for more information before you visit.
Step aboard to enjoy a great day out!
Fingal Hotel
Get away from the everyday aboard Britannia’s sister ship, Fingal. Extend your visit with a stay in one of Fingal’s luxurious cabins, your own oasis by the sea.
TRIPADVISOR'S NO.1 UK LUXURY HOTEL TRIPADVISOR'S NO.1 UK SMALL & BOUTIQUE HOTEL AA Hotel of the Year Scotland, AA five-star hotel and 2 AA Rosettes
Learn more: fingal.co.uk
Early Bird Tickets now available for the 2024 ASVA Conference! Find out more about this key industry event and book your tickets here .
Hospitality Server
Organisation: The Royal Yacht Britannia
Salary: £12.00 per hour + 10% service charge
Location: Edinburgh
Role: Part and full time roles available Hours: Weekend and evening shifts Pay: £12.00 per hour + 10% service charge
The Royal Yacht Britannia is an award-winning, five-star visitor attraction and exclusive evening events venue in Edinburgh, which employs more than 160 staff. This former floating palace of Queen Elizabeth II, usually attracts circa 350,000 visitors a year from around the world, and would normally host circa 100 exclusive evening events per annum.
Britannia provides an exceptional experience for visitors. This dedication to excellence has led to the Royal Yacht being rated as Tripadvisor’s No.1 UK Visitor Attraction (AGAIN), and the top 1% in the world in its category.
Fingal is a luxury floating hotel permanently berthed on Edinburgh’s vibrant waterfront. This historic ship started life as a lighthouse tender, helping maintain lighthouses and transporting their keepers, equipment and supplies to some of the most treacherous locations in Scotland. Launched in January 2019, she has been transformed into an exquisite 22 cabin five-star hotel and exclusive use venue with the onboard Lighthouse Restaurant & Bar awarded 2 AA Rosettes.
The Hospitality and Events department is now recruiting for a Hospitality Server to join the team. Both The Royal Yacht Britannia and Fingal host exclusive evening dinner and drinks receptions, with the team also providing Britannia’s day visitors with light refreshments in our stunning Royal Deck Tearoom. The role will include supporting the Food and Beverage Events team with many types of events within the Food and Beverage areas, including the Tearoom, Bar, weddings, parties and large corporate events.
We are looking for an enthusiastic individual with previous experience working in a busy hospitality environment, who has a can-do, flexible and positive attitude, smart appearance and excellent communication skills. You will ensure that our visitors have a comfortable and enjoyable visit by delivering outstanding five-star customer service.
Responsibilities will include:
– Greeting and guiding customers to their tables. – Up-selling additional products when appropriate. – Taking accurate food and drinks orders, using a POS ordering software, order slips and memorisation. – Checking customers’ IDs to ensure they meet minimum age requirements for consumption of alcoholic beverages. – Serving food and drinks orders. – Arranging table settings and maintaining a tidy dining area. – Delivering and collecting bill payments. – Meeting with restaurant staff to review daily specials, changes on the menu and service specifications for reservations (e.g. parties). – Following all relevant health department regulations. – Providing excellent customer service to guests.
Company benefits include:
– 10% employer pension contribution with a choice to contribute up to a further 5% yourself, which would then be matched by us as well! (So 20% potential contribution to your pension). – 33 days pro-rata annual holiday entitlement. – Enhanced long service holiday entitlement. – Life Assurance. – Performance and loyalty payment scheme. – Complimentary tickets. – Employee Assistance Programme. – Staff discount in the Gift Shop, Royal Deck Tearoom & The Lighthouse Restaurant & Bar aboard Fingal Hotel. – Free car parking for staff. – Uniform provided.
To apply, please send your CV to [email protected] for the attention of Bruce MacBride and Sarah Telford or postal applications to:
FAO Bruce MacBride/Sarah Telford The Royal Yacht Britannia Ocean Drive Leith Edinburgh EH6 6JJ
No agencies please.
Application Deadline: Sunday 02/06/2024
Looking to work in the attractions industry or for a new challenge within the sector?
Sign up to our job alerts e-mail for up to date job info from ASVA members.
- Trade Members
- Visitor Attractions
- Member Exclusive Offers
- Media Enquiries
- ASVA Board Profiles
- Job Listings
- ASVA Conference 2023
Contact ASVA
Tel: 07458 306982
Email: [email protected]
Copyright © 2020 ASVA. ASVA is a Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered in Scotland No: SC153812
We've noticed that you're using an out of date browser. We recommend that you update to the latest version to enhance your browsing experience.
We've refreshed our website design so things may look a little different if you've been here before. We'll be making more improvements soon so watch this space.
Availability Search for The Royal Yacht Britannia
Terms & conditions.
This booking system and any information appearing on this page relating to the availability of any accommodation is provided by third parties and not by VisitScotland. It is intended to provide real time availability information relating to accommodation which is also provided by third parties. You may use this booking system to place direct bookings with third party accommodation providers. Any booking you make will not be placed with VisitScotland and we will have no liability to you in respect of any booking. If you proceed to make a booking you will leave our Website and visit a website owned and operated by a third party. VisitScotland does not have any control over the content or availability of any external website. This booking system and any information appearing on this page is provided for your information and convenience only and is not intended to be an endorsement by VisitScotland of the content of such linked websites, the quality of any accommodation listed, or of the services of any third party.
The Royal Yacht Britannia
Experience Tripadvisor's Best UK Attraction 2023. Follow in the footsteps of Royalty and explore this floating Royal residence with a fascinating audio tour of five decks (available in over 30 languages).
Tripadvisor's Best UK Visitor Attraction (AGAIN) 2023-2024, Best UK Attraction (Which magazine readers) and Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Best of the Best award winner
Visit this award-winning attraction, just two miles from Edinburgh's city centre at Ocean Terminal. The Royal Yacht Britannia played host to some of the world’s most famous people, from Nelson Mendela to Winston Churchill, but above all was home for the British Royal Family for over 40 years. Now you can discover the heart and soul of this most special of Royal residences.
You'll receive a truly warm welcome at Britannia's Visitor Centre before you board this famous ship where you will discover the history of Royal Yachts and view displays and historical photographs of Britannia's fascinating past before boarding Queen Elizabeth II's former floating palace.
What will you see?
- Tour Britannia’s five decks
- Feel like the captain of the ship in the Bridge
- Follow in the footsteps of Royalty through the State Apartments
- See Queen Elizabeth II's favourite room- the Sun Lounge
- Discover below decks in the Crew’s Quarters
- Admire a tour highlight, the gleaming Engine Room
- Take in the Royal Sailing Exhibition
- Enjoy soups, sandwiches, cakes and scones in the Royal Deck Tearoom and admire the stunning waterfront views.
The tour is available in:
- Audio handset tour, available in over 30 languages
- Children’s audio tour
- Audio tour for those with sight loss
- ASL and BSL tablet
- Braille script
Complete the Britannia experience with a visit to the Gift Shop in Ocean Terminal, where you’ll find exclusive Britannia souvenirs, china, toys, gifts and nautical items.
Berthed just moments away, Britannia's sister ship, floating hotel Fingal, offers 22 luxurious cabins inspired by the former Northern Lighthouse Board tender's rich maritime heritage. For further information, visit Fingal's website .
HELPFUL INFORMATION:
- All weather experience - Highly accessible for wheelchair users, single buggies and those with limited mobility. Read our accessibility statement here . - Free Annual Pass for 12 months admission included - The entrance to Britannia is temporarily on the Ground Floor of Ocean Terminal shopping centre.
How to get here?
By tram: Take the tram to stop 'Ocean Terminal' (Newhaven direction).
By bus: Regal Tour Bus and Lothian Buses 10, 16, 34 and 35 run from the city centre towards Ocean Terminal. Regal Tour buses depart regularly from Waterloo Place / St Andrew Square in the centre of Edinburgh. The Majestic Tour is operated by Edinburgh Bus Tours .
By train: Arrive in the city centre at Edinburgh Waverley Train Station, just 2 miles from Britannia.
By car: Follow signs to Edinburgh and Leith or North Edinburgh. Then follow brown tourist signs for Britannia. Free car parking at Ocean Terminal (level C is nearest). For satnav our postcode is EH6 6JJ. Go inside the shopping centre for Britannia’s entrance and the start of the tour. By plane: Britannia is approximately 40 minutes’ drive from Edinburgh Airport.
For further information on finding Britannia, please see here .
OPENING TIMES
Please check the Britannia website for full opening times and prices. EVENING EVENTS Exclusive dinners and receptions can be hosted on board. Call our events team on +44 (0) 131 555 8800 and see how we can create your event of a lifetime, or visit the events section of our website .
PRIVATE TOURS A private tour on board The Royal Yacht Britannia is an exclusive experience, giving you access to Britannia’s five decks, and a unique insight into the history of the Royal Yacht and how the Royal Family and crew lived and worked on board. Both Morning and Evening tours are available. Call our events team on +44 (0) 131 555 8800 or for more information visit click here . PRESERVING BRITANNIA Britannia is cared for by The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust , a self-funding charity registered in Scotland (SC028070). By visiting Britannia you will be helping us to preserve this important piece of history for future generations.
www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk See our reviews on Tripadvisor Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Pinterest Follow us on Instagram
View our videos on YouTube
Transport and Parking
- On Public Transport Route
- Public Parking Nearby
Accessibility
- Hearing Loop
- Accessible Parking Or Drop-off Point
- Lift or stairlift
- Large print, braille or audio
- Level Access
- Wheelchair access throughout
- Accessible toilets
- Wheelchairs or mobility aids provided
- Suitable for visitors with limited mobility
Dietary Options
Typical Prices
- Baby Changing Facilities
- Public Toilet Facilities
- Lunch Available
- Licensed Bar
- Cafe or Restaurant
Payment Methods
- American Express
- Diners Card
- Credit Card
- Coastal Location
- Sea/Loch View
Awards & Schemes
Related items of interest
- Sailing on Royal Racing Yacht Bloodhound
Cookies are required to view this content. Change your preferences at Manage Cookie Settings
The content of many of our web listings is provided by third party operators and not VisitScotland. VisitScotland accepts no responsibility for (1) any error or misrepresentation contained in third party listings, and (2) the contents of any external links within web listings ((1) and (2) together hereinafter referred to as the "Content"). VisitScotland excludes all liability for loss or damage caused by any reliance placed on the Content. The Content is provided for your information only and is not endorsed by VisitScotland.
What's Nearby
Accommodation, attractions, food & drink, terms and conditions.
| | and RSS by Nancy & Eric Anderson Photographs and montages by Authors It would be hard to find any two cities in Scotland as dissimilar as Edinburgh and Dundee. They both lie on the East Coast in the land of the kilt but tha's about all they have in common. Edinburgh, the capital, somewhat prim and proper, sits above us all like its castle --- the second most popular tourist attraction in the UK after the Tower of London. Dundee, a formerly gritty jute and cloth-manufacturing, ship-building town, until recently had little of interest to tourists. Known in newspaper publishing as the home of the celebrated with its popular family comic strips, Dundee's most famous statue was of Desperate Dan, one of the characters in the funnies section. Until now. Both cities seem to have recalled the poem "Sea-Fever"; by John Masefield, Britain's Poet Laureate until he died in the 1960s. A fascinating man who served many years as a seaman, his poem --- faithfully learned by generations of British schoolchildren --- starts "I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky. And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by..." To a maritime nation whose navy kept the Empire safe for a century, ships surely fascinate. And now tourists coming to either city have a choice of visiting the famed 50 year-old, now decommissioned, royal yacht or the illustrious 100 year-old royal research ship , the sailing vessel used by explorer Scott of the Antarctic for his constant and finally fatal fascination with that frozen continent. Royal Yacht This yacht, 5,862 in gross tonnage and 412 feet in length, was a product of John Brown & Co. Ltd in Clydebank, the Glasgow shipyard that received so many unwelcome visits from the Luftwaffe in World War II. The keel was laid down in 1952, seven years after the war, and Queen Elizabeth II herself launched this, her personal Royal Navy yacht nine months later. Its top speed was 22.5 knots and its range 2,553 miles at 18 knots, a lower speed if her Majesty felt like economizing. It wasn't in the same league as, say, the personal yachts of Onassis or Trump but it had a more diverse crew. Its ship's complement, for example, was 20 officers and 220 yachtsmen; four of those were buglers something we don't think "the Donald" has on his yacht. Nor are millionaire's yachts commanded by an admiral. In its lifetime sailed more than one million miles as an ambassador for Great Britain and as a comfort and Royal Residence for Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen was visibly moved at its decommissioning in 1997 --- a time when Parliament felt continuing the concept would be too expensive. When the Queen came aboard as she did on 968 cruises with five tons of luggage and 45 members of the Royal Household, the orders for staff became more complicated from what beards might be allowed amongst the "Royal Yachtineers"; to what behavior was appropriate if crew met Royal personnel in the corridors (stand to attention and look straight ahead). For harmony and hush orders were given by hand signal, gym shoes were worn by Royal Yachtsmen and the teak decks had to be scrubbed silently and before 8AM. The ship's laundry ran 24/7 because staff changed uniforms six times a day. It was the only laundry in the Royal Navy that worked continuously. It wasn't an easy life for the laundry staff or in fact any of the personnel but they were all volunteers and all carefully chosen. might be fun for visitors can be seen in a short video when a tongue-in-cheek British TV celebrity got exclusive run of the ship followed by his cameraman. It's worth clicking on this link Royal Research Ship although many of the more than 40 aboard were Royal Navy personnel and its leader Captain Robert Falcon Scott, RN did run the expedition along disciplined lines. The Royal Geographical Society ship built in Dundee in 1900-1901 for polar expeditions was one of the last three-masted-wooden sailing ships built in Britain. The Dundee ship builders had learned their skills in the great days of whaling. The ship was double hulled to withstand the challenge of ice and cost £51 thousand then about $5 million in today's US dollars. The ship was well provisioned by the government and by private gifts. Cadbury's, for example, donated more than one and a half tons of chocolate - a reason alone perhaps for sailing on ! The ship set sail for Antarctica in August 1901 and arrived there on February 4, 1902. The crew built a hut as a shelter and storeroom on a rocky peninsula then Scott allowed the ice to advance to encompass the ship as winter advanced into May. Many polar expeditions were carried out including early attempts to find a route to the South Pole. The ship could not be freed the following summer and, in all, the crew spent two years frozen to the ice while Britain waited, holding its breath. Relief ships arrived twice, the last time on January 5, 1904 but explosive charges failed to free . Finally on February 16, 1904 the last charge broke up the ice and the ship was able to return to England. The Hudson's Bay Company bought the ship a year later and used it as a cargo vessel. It was used in expeditions 20 years later, then in 1931 for 48 years it became a training ship in London for the Royal Navy Reserve. By 1979 the ship was in very poor condition but the city of Dundee had a long memory and brought home as a well-needed tourist attraction. The ship tour is very user-friendly. Unlike you are not barred by glass windows from some of the exhibits and the tourists in the Dundee ship get a better feel for what it must have been like to serve aboard. Maybe that's because it's hard for visitors in the port of Leith in Edinburgh to imagine they were Queen even for the day. Allow two hours for the tour in either ship. Both locations are beside mammoth shopping centers with good parking and several restaurants. Discovery Point even has a small café on the premises in the lobby that gives access to the ship. | Tell Eric what you think of his article. In the meantime, here are some of the feedback we have already received:
Ive been there twice and covered it on my KNX radio show when I was on LA radio, and your story and evocative photos brought back a ton of wonderful and poignant memories. This could have been an amazingly brilliant military operation as you both know that might well have ended the War in Europe maybe a year earlier. However, allied misreading -- and in my view disregarding certain aspects of the situation in Holland -- plus the fact that they dropped the paras over 3 days and not in one huge assault at night (and not in the day as they did) doomed the mission to failure. Your clever words and great photos brought all this graphically to life, and it should be required reading for anyone interested in any aspect of WW2, and certainly should be read by todays teenagers. Again Bravo and well done!!!! John Clayton Travel with A Difference We just couldn't leave your website before saying that we genuinely enjoyed the high quality information you offer for your visitors... Would be back frequently to check up on new stuff you post! Raanana * * * * * What a fantastic write-up! I could almost copy and paste most of your narrative verbatim as it reflects our fantastic experience with Fantasy Cruises almost to a tee. It was truly one of the greatest vacations my girlfriend and I have ever experienced. Cheers! Mike Richard, Editor, Vagabondish.com * * * * * One of my dreams is to go to Alaska by way of cruise. This article very much intensifies the longing for that dream to come to fruition. I simply cannot wait much longer. And I will never again be able to think of a waterfall without picturing myself "nosing up" to it. Thank you for this intriguing, virtual journey. Sandra Mines, Seattle, WA Loved your photos from Alaska! Because I am the Director of Sales & Marketing for Westmark Hotels, I am up in AK and the Yukon quite often to visit our hotels and staff! But your pictures were so enjoyable-love to see the "real" Alaskans! Heidi Howeiler, Seattle, WA Enjoyed your realistic and practical comments on Provence. Always wanted to go there ever since reading Peter Mayle's 2 books on Provence. But the two times I went to France, time was always short, so we spent our days in Paris. And now you say, it is losing its unique charm to tourism. (Sigh). It's always a choice between sharing beauty, and keeping it hidden. The world lurches on. Thanks for your thoughts. Dette, Iligan City, Philippines What a great article, especially regarding Louis XIV. I was not aware there was a contemporary account of his execution. It was fascinating. Thank you! Celtic fan, Nashua, MA Nancy and Eric, Enjoyed reading your article on Santa Fe, NM. I was in AZ travel nursing in 2008 and 2009 and made it to Santa Fe. Took a lot of pics and really loved walking around the old town while I was there. Hope to be able to take the wife there in the future. Brett Eidson, Soso, MS Hi dude! Nice to see your site. It's beautiful. My congratulations. New York Hi www.travelingboy.com! Your web-site is very interesting and I want to tell www.travelingboy.com G'night. New York * * * * * This is all genuine. I will return to scan. Keflavik Good article. On Behalf Of Diane, Port Ludlow, WA * * * * * When I was hurt in a boat accident my life would be changed totally. I really don't post much but thanks for the good times I have here. Love this place. Long time lurker, thought I would say hello! Miami * * * * * Dear friends, My name is Adelina. I am a 22 years girl from Italy. I was looking for a free translation software and I found one. Program's name is Babel Fish and it supports 75 languages. I installed it but I could not understand how to use it. I am not a computer expert. Can someone help me please on how to run this.The link is here :http://access.im/3/babelfish. I thank you very much for your help. Adelina, Celaya * * * * * Amiable brief and this mail helped me a lot in my college assignment. Thanks you seeking your information. WordPress Themes, Gray Mountain * * * * * What's up everyone? Great forum. Lots of lovely people. Just what I need. Hopefully this is just what i'm looking for. Looks like I have a lot to read. Spanish John, Benidrom Nice dispatch (http://www.travelingboy.com/travel-eric.html) - and this enter helped me a lot in my college assignement. Thank you as your information. Gray Mountain * * * * * Hello people, I just signed up on this splendid community forum and wanted to say hey there! Have a wonderful day! Jacksonville * * * * * What a fascinating bit of Russian history you wrote about! How sad to learn that 100,000 churches were reduced to create skating rinks and such during the revolution, after seeing the photo of the interior of a magnificent church filled with art! War is so devastating on so many levels! The art of their culture is so beautiful as is shown in the image of the painted box! Thank you, Yoka, Westlake Village, CA Interesting observations.... Very informative and thought provoking. Questions.... What would be the best way to get from Moscow Airport DME to boat dock? taxi? prearranged limo? prepaid Viking Tours transfer? Any idea on cost and travel time for taxi or limo or Viking Cruise pickup from airport to boat? We shall be flying to Moscow on our own. Do you happen to have an address for the river boat dock that Viking Cruises uses in Moscow? I would be nice to Google map the situation. Thanks, Robert Hopwood, Ottawa, Canada . and at . Good luck. Great show Canadas putting on for the Olympics! Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up! Reseller Hosting, London Dear Nancy and Eric Thank you so much for the wonderful article on statues in Europe. Statues are my favorite art form and your descriptions were delightful to read - knowledge and fun together. I do still wonder about that foot in Rome... Peggy - Pasadena, CA I live in Santa Fe and see and delight in it every day, but your writing makes it sparkle even more. How nice to see Santa Fe through your eyes. Great photos! Cynthia Whitney-Ward - Santa Fe, NM Dear Dr. Anderson: I have followed your writing career for as long as I can remember, and I think the thing I enjoy the most about your travel writing is the sense of joy and discovery that leads the reader to anticipate ever corner you turn in your travels.What a delightful traveling companion you are, and I know have always been, with that wonderfully eternally youthful joie de vivre...I wonder:do you feel that East, West, home is best? And where IS that place you have never been, but want to go most of all,yet? Bring we, your devoted readers ever along! CAT -- San Diego (Scrips Ranch), CA * * * * * What a fantastic primer on New York City. I think you have really captured its essence with this exciting overview of its offerings. Well done! Gillian Abramson - New York * * * * * You describe a city on wheels - er, wings - and an absolutely perfect way to travel. SHOWERS & FLOWERS! Amazing! I love that your passion for all-things-aviation comes through in this story about an almost unbelievable airplane. Thanks for breaking the news in such an engaging way! Richard Frisbie - Saugerties, New York * * * * * Enjoyed your blog on Romania. Noticed you called Bucharest "The Paris of the East." I wonder, is there any city not called "The Paris of something." I've read San Francisco is 'the Paris of the West,' Buenos Aires 'The Paris of South America,' and even Tromso, Norway 'The Paris of the Arctic.' Terry Cowan - Fresno * * * * * Eric - Enjoyed your article on Madrid. I noticed that you find it superior to Rome. Most of the Spanish folks that I meet seem to prefer Barcelona. How would you rate that city? Samuel K Seattle * * * * * Great article on Madrid. I've heard there is a rivalry between the people of Madrid and Barcelona. In which city are the people friendlier? How about for hipness? I noticed you were Scottish. I felt a similar thing in Scotland, with a Glasgow v. Edinburgh vibe. Gary Santa Monica * * * * * Dear Eric,
I liked the article. As I read it, I was wondering how you as a physician were influenced by Hippocrates. What influence did this historical figure have on the practice of medicine beyond the obvious 'oath.' Why is Hippocrates considered to be such a paragon of medicine? DWA - San Pedro, CA * * * * * |
Stay tuned. | |