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Scotland Small Ship Cruises & Tours

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Michael S. Nolan
Shetland pony in the Shetland Isles.
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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 hikingContact our travel experts to start planning your adventure!
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10 Best Scotland Cruises & Tours for 2025-2026

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9 Best Scotland Cruise Deals for 2025-2026

Trip Name From Days Next Departure Summary
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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Historic Trails & Wilderness: Scotland, Faroes & Iceland $14,795 13 May 17, 2026 Embark on a 13-day cruise from Aberdeen to Reykjavik aboard the Greg Mortimer. Explore Aberdeen's landmarks, birdwatch in Fair Isle, discover Jarlshof's archaeology, the Faroe Islands' landscapes, and Iceland's natural wonders.
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Arctic Saga: Exploring Spitsbergen via the Faroes and Jan Mayen $13,095 15 May 02, 2026 Join this 15-day Arctic Saga cruise starting in Aberdeen. Discover Fair Isle's seabirds, the rugged Faroe Islands, Jan Mayen's volcanic landscapes, & Spitsbergen's majestic fjords. Watch for whales, puffins, & polar bears while enjoying Zodiac cruises, guided hikes, & cultural experiences. Lastly, visit Longyearbyen before returning to Helsinki.
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Scotland, The Faroe Islands, & Iceland: North Atlantic Saga $10,995 11 Jun 23, 2026 Explore Scotland on this 11-day Scotland, The Faroe Islands, & Iceland: North Atlantic Saga cruise on board the Exploris One. Discover the stunning landscapes and rich history of the Isle of Skye, the Faroe Islands, and the Westman Islands. Cruise past towering cliffs, explore picturesque fjords and immerse yourself in Nordic traditions.
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Scotland and Faroes: Isles and Wonders $11,595 13 Jun 04, 2026 Embark on a 13-day Arctic cruise aboard the Ocean Nova through Scotland and the Faroe Islands. Explore rugged coastlines, ancient ruins, and thriving wildlife habitats. Sail to Orkney and the Outer Hebrides, and marvel at prehistoric sites. Visit the UNESCO-listed St. Kilda, hike through Skye’s landscapes, and explore the historic Isle of Iona.
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Scotland, The Faroe Islands, & Iceland: North Atlantic Saga $9,995 13 Jun 16, 2026 Embark on a 13-day Scotland, The Faroe Islands, & Iceland cruise aboard the Ocean Nova. Explore the breathtaking Isle of Skye and the Gaelic heritage of Stornoway. Visit the Faroe Islands’ picturesque villages, dramatic cliffs, and rich birdlife. Experience the volcanic wonders of Heimaey. Discover ancient ruins and spot diverse wildlife.
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Crossing the Arctic Circle $7,795 13 May 27, 2026 Embark on a 13-day expedition from Edinburgh to Longyearbyen on the Sea Spirit, exploring Orkney's ancient sites, Fair Isle's wildlife, and the Faroe Islands' culture. Experience the Arctic Circle's volcanic landscapes and Svalbard's pristine wilderness with expert-led excursions and breathtaking scenery.
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Ireland & Scotland: Saints, Saviours and Secrets $14,995 14 May 15, 2026 Sail through Ireland and Scotland on a 14-day cruise packed with history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes aboard Douglas Mawson. Enjoy guided excursions and independent exploration in vibrant cities and remote landscapes.
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Exploring Scotland’s Wild Isles: Shetlands, Orkneys & Inner Hebrides $8,111 8 Apr 12, 2026 Embark on an 8-day cruise through Scotland's Wild Isles aboard National Geographic Endurance. Traverse the Shetland and Orkney Islands, explore the Isle of Skye's rugged coast, and visit Rathlin Island's seabird colonies. Delve into Viking heritage, ancient ruins, and dramatic landscapes guided by experts.
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4 Best Luxury Cruises of Scotland for 2025-2026

Trip Name From Days Next Departure Summary
Scotland's Highlands and Islands $9,678 8 Jul 07, 2025 Embark on an 8-day Scottish Highlands cruise aboard the Lord of the Glens, exploring iconic lochs, historic castles, and sacred islands like Iona. Discover charming towns like Oban and Tobermory, with guided walks, whisky tastings, and wildlife encounters amid breathtaking Highland scenery.
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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 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 Dawn 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 Bellot 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 Explorer.
  • 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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