Updated: 25 June 2025
admin posted: 13 October 2024
Our pick of the best Scotland cruises for 2025 and 2026 offer you a unique way to explore its stunning landscapes, remote Scottish islands, and rich history. Options for sailing around include small ship cruises around Scotland’s rugged coastlines. Or why not cruise around Scotland’s islands such as Skye in the Inner Hebrides and the Outer Hebrides and mini cruises to Orkney and Shetland? From the dramatic cliffs of the Highlands to the wildlife-packed Hebrides, a Scottish cruise holiday promises unforgettable scenery, ancient historical sites, and close encounters with nature. Whether you’re sailing through scenic lochs or discovering hidden island gems, there’s no better way to experience Scotland’s untamed beauty than from the water.
You can cruise around the Scottish islands on various itineraries that explore the Inner and Outer Hebrides, Orkney, and Shetland. Cruises depart from locations such as Rosyth, Southampton, Newcastle and Liverpool. Explore remote villages, historic castles, and wildlife watching on ships ranging from luxury vessels to small expedition ships.
Small ship cruises around Scotland are great if you want a more intimate cruising experience.
Explore Scotland’s wild islands, home to vast seabird colonies including puffins and Arctic terns. A paradise for birdwatchers, you can spot species like fulmars, kittiwakes, guillemots, gannets, and shags. Get up close to wildlife from your ship or on Zodiac trips, where seals, dolphins, and whales could be seen. On land, explore ancient sites, towering monoliths, and charming villages in Skye and across the Hebrides, Shetland, Orkney and other remote isles such as Iona, Eigg and Fair Isle. If you’re interested in wildlife and history or are looking for a mini cruise to Orkney and Shetland, this small ship cruise around Scotland’s islands is perfect for you.
Highlights
The M/V Greg Mortimer is a state-of-the-art polar expedition vessel designed for immersive exploration. It features a 180-degree indoor observation lounge, a 360-degree outdoor deck, and hydraulic viewing platforms for exceptional views of wildlife and landscapes.
Accommodating up to 130 passengers, this small ship offers a range of comfortable cabins, from outward-facing triples to balcony staterooms and luxury suites. Onboard amenities include a gym, sauna, spa, jacuzzis, wellness centre, and library.
With only 130 people on board and running just once a year, this small ship cruise from Edinburgh to Orkney and Shetland isles is likely to have limited availability for its next scheduled sailing in 2026.
Find out more about this cruise from Explore!
This five-night mini cruise around Scotland’s Hebridean islands is a great way to get a taste of the Hebrides or try out a cruise if you’ve never been on one before. Departing from Liverpool, your first port of call is Kirkwall in Orkney where you’ll have a day to explore this incredible island.
You’ll then set sail from Orkney to arrive in Stornoway, Lewis in the Outer Hebrides (also known as the Western Isles). I highly recommend a visit to the incredible Callanish Standing Stones.
The following day, you’ll be cruising past the Small Isles of Eigg, Rum, Canna and Muck. Next, you’ll see the iconic Dutchman’s Cap which is one of the Treshnish Isles, before sailing past Fingal’s Cave, a basalt sea-cave with distinctive columns and a remarkable symmetry. The following day you arrive back in Liverpool as your Scotland island cruise draws to a close.
With Bolette’s spacious design you can relax with a drink in one of the bars, read a book in a lounge, or enjoy the entertainment in the theatres. Take a stroll on the wide open deck spaces and soak up the stunning scenery on this mini cruise around Scotland’s Hebrides. With just 690 cabins, you can enjoy a small ship cruise whilst enjoying the company of your fellow passengers.
Find out more about small ship Scottish island cruises from Liverpool on the Fred. Olsen website which includes other departure dates in 2025 and 2026.
This cruise departs from Newcastle for Kirkwall, the capital of Orkney. Take a trip to visit the ancient settlement of Skara Brae before you cruise along the Pentland Firth renowned for some of the fastest tides in the world where you might see seals and porpoises, and if you’re lucky dolphins, orcas and minke whales.
Your journey continues past Fingal’s Cave, the Small Isles, the Dutchman’s Cap, the dramatic landscape of Loch Hourn framed by steep mountains and the Small Isles of Canna, Rum, Eigg & Muck.
Arriving at Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, you can learn more about Gaelic culture and visit Callanish Standing Stones before setting sail for the picturesque port of Ullapool on mainland Scotland.
Your final destination on this small ship Scottish island cruise is Lerwick, the capital of Shetland before arriving back in Newcastle.
Find out more about this small ship cruise to Orkney, the Inner Hebrides and the Outer Hebrides on the Fred. Olsen website.
Find out more about all Fred. Olsen’s Scotland cruises
Departing from London Tilbury, this Iceland and Scotland cruise sails to the Highland port of Invergordon on the east coast of Scotland. Next stop is the historic town of Kirkwall in the Orkney Isles before you continue to Iceland.
Find out more about this cruise from Ambassador Cruises and explore their other cruises to Scotland.
You might also be interested in the best Scottish Highlands coach holidays or have you thought about a train holiday in Scotland? This could be an escorted trip around Scotland by train or a self-guided tour. There’s a fantastic selection of holidays by train where you can explore a huge part of the Scottish Highlands and Islands plus some time in the cities.
A cruise is a good way to see Scotland’s coastal landscapes, islands, and historic ports. Cruises offer scenic routes through the Highlands, Hebrides, and Orkney, with stops at castles, distilleries, and fishing villages. Smaller ships provide access to remote areas, while onboard comfort makes it a relaxed travel option.
Cruise ships stop at major Scottish ports including Edinburgh (Leith), Glasgow (Greenock), Invergordon, Kirkwall, and Portree. These ports provide access to popular sites like Edinburgh Castle, Loch Ness, the Isle of Skye, and Orkney’s Neolithic ruins. Stops vary by cruise line and often include guided shore excursions.
Scottish cruises typically cost between £1,000 and £4,000 per person for 7 to 10-day itineraries. Prices vary based on cruise line, cabin type, and included excursions. Luxury small-ship cruises with guided tours and gourmet dining can exceed £6,000, while shorter trips or off-season options may start around £700.
Yes, on a Scotland cruise you can explore its stunning landscapes, remote Scottish islands, rich history and have close encounters with wildlife. Scottish cruise destinations include the Scottish islands of Skye in the Inner Hebrides, the Outer Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland and mainland ports.
Holiday Scottish Highlands & Islands
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