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Scotland Small Ship Cruises & Tours

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Take a tour or small ship cruise of Scotland's wild northern islands, where the birds outnumber the human population of this nation of around 5,000,000 inhabitants. Cruise through the Shetland, Orkney, and Hebrides Islands in Scotland's far north. In Edinburgh Old Townthe oldest part of Scotland's capital city, or tour Scotland's National Museum, the historical Edinburgh Castle, or walk through the Kelvingrove Art Gallery Museum one of Scotland's most popular free attractions. Travel to the granite city of Aberdeen on your way to the North Atlantic's Faroe Islands, Iceland, and Spitsbergen, Norway. During our Scotland tours and cruises, you will enjoy activities such as visits to villages and archeological sites, wildlife viewing, and hiking.  Contact our travel experts to start planning your adventure!
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10 Best Scotland Cruise Deals for 2025-2026

Trip Name From Days Next Departure Summary
Wild Scotland $11,995 12 May 18, 2025 Embark on a 12-day cruise aboard the Greg Mortimer, exploring the stunning landscapes of the Inner and Outer Hebrides. Experience highlights like Fingal's Cave, the ancient island of Iona, and the rich history of Orkney before concluding your adventure in Aberdeen.
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Scotland's Highlands and Islands $9,678 8 Jun 16, 2025 From Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh, explore the historic sites of Scotland on this week-long cruise on the Lord of the Glens. Lochs, castles, villages, pubs, and ancient ruins highlight this tour, which features inland visits like Loch Ness and Duart Castle.
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European Classic Cruise - Scotland $6,090 7 Apr 20, 2025 Discover the beauty of Scotland on a 7-day getaway cruise aboard the cozy barge hotel Scottish Highlander. Explore the mystical waterways of Scotland and be amazed at its geographical beauty. See the beautiful stone castles of Scotland that the country is famous for.
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Best of British Isles $6,195 13 May 06, 2025 Embark on a 13-day expedition aboard the Sea Spirit, starting in Portsmouth and exploring the Scilly Isles, Ireland's scenic coast, Wales' Snowdonia, and Northern Ireland's Giant's Causeway. Discover Scotland's Orkney sites and Fair Isle's seabirds, and finish in Edinburgh's lively port of Leith.
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Scotland Slowly $7,395 11 Jun 03, 2025 Explore Scotland's ancient past on this 11-day expedition cruise through Scotland's western and northern isles aboard Ocean Endeavor. In this land of abundant culture, heritage and natural history you'll discover islands that preserve some of the oldest monuments in Europe dating back to the Stone Age with visits to Glasgow & Shetland & Orkney Islands.
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Wild Scotland $13,595 12 May 07, 2026 Join this 12-day expedition from Edinburgh to Aberdeen aboard the Greg Mortimer. Explore Scotland's isles, cruise rugged coastlines, spot wildlife, and visit historic sites.
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Wild Scotland $13,595 12 May 26, 2026 Set sail on a 12-day cruise from Edinburgh to Aberdeen aboard the Sylvia Earle, exploring Scotland's untamed islands. Discover the ancient Hebrides and lush Orkney Islands, encounter wildlife along scenic coastlines, and experience local culture in charming villages while enjoying Scotland's renowned whisky.
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Ancient Isles: England, Ireland and Scotland $12,245 12 May 02, 2025 Embark on a 12-day cruise from Portsmouth to Edinburgh aboard the National Geographic Explorer. Explore Britain's, Ireland's, and Scotland's lesser-known wonders. Discover ancient megaliths, mysterious sea caves, historic dockyards, and lush botanical gardens.
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The Jewels of Scotland $7,295 9 May 18, 2025 Embark on a 9-day roundtrip cruise on Scotland’s stunning coastlines and wild islands from Aberdeen aboard the Ocean Albatros. Sail to remote gems like Scrabster, Stornoway, and Kirkwall. Visit historic landmarks such as the Castle of Mey, the Calanish Standing Stones, and the bustling port of Lerwick.
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European Classic Cruise - Scotland $6,550 7 Apr 20, 2025 Discover the beauty of Scotland on a 7-day getaway cruise aboard the elegant barge hotel Spirit of Scotland. Explore the mysterious Lochs of Scotland and be amazed of its geographical beauty. See the beautiful castles of Scotland that are featured in different movies.
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4 Best Luxury Cruises of Scotland for 2025-2026

Trip Name From Days Next Departure Summary
Scottish Isles and Norwegian Fjords Voyage - with Smithsonian Journeys $8,160 8 May 30, 2025 Embark on an 8-day cruise aboard Le Bellot, exploring the captivating landscapes of the Scottish Isles and Norwegian fjords. Start in Glasgow, then visit Fort William, Isle of Skye, Eilean Donan Castle, Kirkwall, Lerwick, Nordfjordeid, and Flåm. Conclude in Bergen, known for Bryggen's Hanseatic wharf.
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Scottish Isles and Norwegian Fjords Voyage - with Smithsonian Journeys $9,474 8 Jul 04, 2025 Discover the Norwegian fjords and Scottish Isles on an 8-day cruise aboard Le Bellot, featuring highlights like the Flam Railway, Briksdal Glacier, and ancient Jarlshof. Explore iconic sites, from Orkney’s Standing Stones to Eilean Donan Castle, before ending in Glasgow.
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Celtic Voyage: The Hebrides and the Irish Sea – with Smithsonian Journeys $7,070 9 May 07, 2026 Embark on a 9-day cruise aboard Le Bellot, exploring iconic landmarks, historic castles, and scenic coasts around the Irish Sea. Highlights include Dover Castle, the Giant’s Causeway, Tresco Gardens, and the Hebrides before ending near Glasgow.
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Celtic Voyage: The Hebrides and the Irish Sea – with Smithsonian Journeys $7,880 9 May 04, 2025 Discover the Irish Sea's rich history and breathtaking landscapes on this 9-day cruise aboard Le Bellot. Highlights include Dover Castle, Tresco Gardens, Belfast's Titanic Museum, and the enchanting Hebrides, ending in Glasgow.
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Top 10 Scotland Cruise Ships for 2025-2026

Best Scotland Cruise Lines for 2025-2026

  • Silversea Cruises offers Millennium Class ships Silver Whisper and sister ship Silver Shadow that invite you to enjoy world-class accommodations, shipboard conviviality, and warm, individualized service, paired with the enhanced spaces and amenities of a larger ship. Discover the prismatic beauty of Scotland, with its rolling moors, silent fjords, towering mountains, and dense emerald forests.
  • Ponant has voyages that include transfers to and from the ship, talks and discussions aboard the ship by world-class Smithsonian Journey experts, and a shore excursion or activity in each port of call that encourages guests to embrace the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of the local environment and culture. Board Le Dumont-d'Urville on an exceptional itinerary to discover the beauty of the Norwegian fjords and the rugged landscapes of the Scottish Isles. 
  • Lindblad Expeditions has garnered numerous awards for its commitment to environmental stewardship, conservation, and geographic education. Discover Scotland's grand castles, lyrical moorlands, mysterious lochs, sacred abbeys, and sweeping mountains on the National Geographic Endurance.
  • European Waterways have specialized in creating luxury barge holidays for over 40 years on some of the most beautiful waterways in Europe. Cruise sedately through the Great Glen between Inverness and Fort William, navigating beautiful lochs and the Caledonian Canal's engineering masterpiece aboard the eight-passenger hotel barge Scottish Highlander.
  • Aurora Expeditions aim to take small groups of travelers on voyages of discovery to regions that inspired them, thereby creating lifelong ambassadors for preserving and protecting these sacred places. Explore the wild isles of Scotland, from the windswept Hebrides, inhabited for over 8,000 years, to the verdant Orkney Islands, where ancient Neolithic and Viking sites conjure images of civilizations long gone aboard the 132 passengers Greg Mortimer.
  • Poseidon Expeditions is a leading operator of polar expeditions in the cruise industry. Since 1999, they have offered voyages to the Arctic, Antarctica, and the North Pole that combines the spirit of adventure with a generous measure of onboard comfort and well-being. In Scotland, explore early Christian history on the peaceful Isle of Iona, magnificent archeological sites in the Orkney Islands, and exciting birdlife on Shetland’s beautiful Fair Isle aboard the Sea Spirit.
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