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The Royal Yacht Britannia should need no introduction; it carried the Royal family, and political leaders, for over 4 decades on diplomatic missions, and visits, abroad. It is now permanently moored in Leith docks, just a short distance from Edinburgh city centre.

It was used as a floating palace whenever the Royal Family needed a base abroad; this could be a base for a visit or merely a holiday. The yacht hosted dignitaries from nearly every state in the world and provided a fine setting when the UK needed to impress.

The official title of the yacht is HMS The Royal Yacht Britannia, reflecting the fact that the yacht was included in the Royal Navy's Order of Battle. In wartime its role was that of a hospital ship; though it never saw active service it was battle tested every year.

Built and launched at John Brown's Shipyard in Clydebank (Glasgow) in 1953 it remained in service for 44 years before it's final decommission in 1997. At the time there was much discussion as to a replacement but the political climate did not allow it.

Their was also much discussion as to what to do with the Yacht, the options ranged from selling it to private business to taking it out into the Atlantic and using it for naval target practise!! After much discussion it was decided to preserve the Yacht as a floating display, the discussion then began on where it was to be moored.

Intense competition finally ended in April of 1998 when the government announced that Edinburgh had been chosen to be the final resting place of the Yacht.

Work quickly started on the docks at Leith so that the ship could be moored on a permanent basis and be presented as a visitor attraction. The ship is now owned and run by the Trust of The Former Royal Yacht Britannia and is open for public viewing, no trip to Edinburgh is complete without seeing this majestic example of floating opulence and history.