Scotland’s western islands get a deserved amount of attention. But if you want to do something different, why not explore the eastern isles scattered along the Firth of Forth estuary? Mostly uninhabited and reclaimed by nature, they are home to countless wild seabirds and ancient castle ruins, and hold stories of smugglers, military battles, fleeing monks and political treachery.
Here is our guide to these extraordinary islands.
. Inchgarvie
Before it was incorporated into the Forth Bridge in 1882, battleship-shaped Inchgarvie was the main route between South Queensferry in Lothian and North Queensferry in Fife. There are a number of 'inchs' in the Firth of Forth, as it derives from the Gaelic word for island, innis. Innis garbh translates to 'rough island'. Built in 1513, its fortress was used during Cromwell's campaign, through the Napoleonic wars, up until the Second World War. Photo: Getty Images
. Inchkeith
A familiar site from Leith, Inchkeith sits close to Edinburgh and has historic significance defending the Forth from invasion, as an early syphilis quarantine zone, and as the site of a disturbing linguistic experiment. In the 15th century James IV ordered a mute woman and her young children to live there to find out what language they would speak. The island is now owned by Tom Farmer, founder of Kwikfit. Photo: Getty Images via Canva Pro
. Cramond
When the tide is low, the sea retreats to reveal a causeway over to Cramond Island. Found off the coast of Edinburgh, it has an extensive military history all the way up to the Second World War - with the concrete pylons lining the walkway designed to block boats. Incredibly peaceful despite its proximity to a capital city, Cramond Island has striking views of the Forth Bridges over to Queensferry, Fife, and Edinburgh. But be careful you don't get caught by the tide when it comes back in. Photo: Getty Images
9. Lamb
Named after the common Norse word for "small island", Lamb is just 100m long and 50m wide. The illusionist Uri Gellar bought the island in 2009 as he believed Lamb, with Craigleith and Fidra, mirror the layout of the Pyramids at Giza and are the key to an ancient Egyptian mystery. Photo: Getty Images
10. The Isle of May
Take a boat from Anstruther and head across the waves to the otherworldly Isle of May. With a name thought to mean 'gull island', it is populated by more than 200,000 sea birds in the summer - including 90,000 puffins. The eastern most of the Forth Isles, this is a place completely taken over by birds, cramming on the cliff ledges and swooping overhead with tiny fish poking from their beaks. A nature reserve also home to seals, May has a history of smuggling and scientific research is conducted on neighbouring isle Rona. Photo: Getty Images/ Henry Sandercock