Fingal

Fingal, a floating boutique hotel in Leith Harbour

Fingal is a five-star boutique hotel housed in a former Northern Lighthouse Board ship, transformed into luxury accommodation, a multi award-winning restaurant and a venue for weddings and events. It is moored on Leith's waterfront, about two miles from Edinburgh city centre, with a tram connection that brings you close to the Old Town and the Royal Mile.

The project belongs to The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust, which acquired the ship in July 2014. The idea arose to generate an additional income stream not dependent on visits to the former royal yacht, as overnight stays are not permitted on Britannia. The luxury floating hotel concept was developed by the Trust's trading company, Royal Yacht Enterprises. Fingal opened in 2019.

Accommodation: 23 cabins named after lighthouses

The hotel has 23 cabins, each named after a Stevenson lighthouse. The offering is organised into Classic, Luxury and Duplex cabins, with nautical-inspired details. The Skerryvore Suite, the largest, has a separate sitting room and private deck, designed for stargazing and Champagne service.

All cabins include a king-size bed, Wi-Fi, smart TV, tea and coffee-making facilities, hairdryer, iron and ironing board. Private bathrooms include Noble Isle products, bathrobes and slippers.

The Lighthouse Restaurant & Bar

On board is The Lighthouse Restaurant & Bar, open to both guests and outside visitors. The restaurant has received 2 AA Rosettes for culinary excellence. Its offering includes breakfast, afternoon tea, dinner and cocktails, with menus based on seasonal Scottish produce from local suppliers. Breakfast is served in the restaurant itself and combines continental options with hot dishes, as well as teas and coffees.

Afternoon tea consists of five courses of sweet and savoury items. Dinners are made with seasonal ingredients selected by the chefs in the on-board kitchen. Cocktails are served under the restaurant's sparkling ceiling. The Bridge offers a space for private dining. Tables must be booked in advance.

Events, weddings and exclusive use

Fingal is offered as a venue for exclusive-use events, weddings, private functions, product launches and corporate celebrations. The double-height Ballroom has two grand sweeping staircases and can seat up to 60 people for dinner; in cocktail format it accommodates 100 guests. The room features a removable skylight and a raised gallery for music and entertainment.

For weddings, the hotel offers a unique setting: curved walls, portholes, deck spaces and the 23 cabins, including the Skerryvore Suite for the newlyweds.

On-board services and facilities

• Wi-Fi throughout the ship.
• Laundry service with a list of services and prices in each cabin wardrobe; items received before 9:00 are returned the same day.
• Complimentary shoe cleaning service on request.
• The reception team can help with printing.
• Free parking for staying guests.
• There is no gym or pool on board; nearby there is a PureGym at Ocean Terminal a five-minute walk away and a David Lloyd Gym in Newhaven about a ten-minute drive away.
• Smoking is not permitted inside; reception will indicate the designated areas on the quay.
• Assistance dogs are welcome.

Accessibility and arrival

Access from the car park or pavement is along the quay, which has a cobbled surface and a smooth, flat section near the ship. Boarding is via an inclined gangway covered with an anti-slip red carpet, which leads to reception through wooden double doors. The hotel offers assistance on arrival if requested in advance or by calling upon arrival. There is a lift and stairs to all decks, including The Lighthouse Restaurant & Bar, Bridge, the Ballroom and an accessible Classic cabin.

Surroundings and connections

Fingal is located at Alexandra Dock, in the historic Port of Leith, two miles from Edinburgh city centre. The Royal Yacht Britannia, Queen Elizabeth II's former floating residence and now a five-star visitor attraction, is a five-minute walk away; the tour covers its five decks with an audio guide, from the State Apartments to the Crew's Quarters, and includes the Engine Room and the views from the Royal Deck Tearoom.

From Edinburgh Airport you can take the tram to the Port of Leith stop, a two-minute walk from the hotel. By car, the journey from the airport is approximately 40 minutes. The hotel does not provide an airport transfer service, but can arrange transport during your stay.

Booking and payment policy

Check-in is at 15:00 and check-out at 12:00. Cabin cancellation is free until 10:00 local time, three days before arrival; after that deadline, the full stay is charged. No-show is charged 100% of the stay, including taxes. A valid credit or debit card is required as a guarantee, which will not be charged at booking unless it is a group booking. Booking more than five cabins at a time or three consecutive nights triggers the group cancellation policy, with one night's charge at the time of booking. No Blue Light card discount applies. All taxes and fees, including the Edinburgh visitor levy, are included in the prices published on the hotel's website.

Awards

The hotel has been awarded Tripadvisor's 'One of a kind' category and holds AA five stars and a restaurant with 2 AA Rosettes.

Location and contact

Alexandra Dock, Leith, Edinburgh · Phone: 0131 357 5000 · Email: reservations@fingal.co.uk