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Scotland Small Ship Cruises & Tours

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Shetland Islands
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 hiking.  Contact our travel experts to start planning your adventure!
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10 Best Scotland Cruises & Tours for 2025-2026

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10 Best Scotland Cruise Deals for 2025-2026

Trip Name From Days Next Departure Summary
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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Shetland, Orkney & Hebrides $6,850 8 Oct 04, 2025 Sail into the heart of Celtic shores on this 8-day cruise aboard the Le Bellot. See essential places like the old and new parts of Edinburgh, which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Visit the islands of Shetland, Orkney, and the Hebrides in the north.
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Shetland, Orkney & Hebrides $6,500 8 May 31, 2025 Set sail on an 8-day cruise aboard Le Laperouse, exploring Scotland's stunning archipelagos from Edinburgh to Glasgow, including the Shetland, Orkney, and Hebrides Islands. Each port offers a unique excursion, from the Calanais Standing Stones to the Ben Nevis distillery, finishing in Glasgow’s vibrant cultural hub.
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Wild Islands & Lands of Legends $5,595 12 May 17, 2025 Embark on a 12-day expedition aboard the Sea Spirit in historic Edinburgh, Scotland. Explore Orkney's rich heritage, Fair Isle's birdwatching, and the scenic landscapes of Lerwick before delving into the unspoiled beauty and Viking history of the Faroe Islands aboard this unforgettable journey.
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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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Wild Islands & Lands of Legends $6,495 12 Mar 17, 2026 Embark on a 12-day expedition aboard the Sea Spirit, beginning in Edinburgh and traveling to the Orkney Islands to explore historic sites and natural beauty. Experience the rugged charm of Fair Isle, Lerwick's heritage, and the stunning landscapes of the Faroe Islands, which are filled with Viking history and seabird colonies.
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Scottish Isles and Norwegian Fjords Voyage – with Smithsonian Journeys $7,550 8 Jun 21, 2026 Embark on an 8-day cruise aboard Le Champlain to discover Scotland's rugged isles and Norway's stunning fjords. Highlights include the Isle of Skye, Orkney's ancient Standing Stones, Shetland's Jarlshof, Olden's Briksdal Glacier, the Flam Railway, and Bergen's historic Bryggen Wharf.
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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 $8,590 8 Jun 21, 2025 Embark on an 8-day cruise aboard Le Laperouse to explore Scotland’s rugged isles and Norway’s stunning fjords. Highlights include the Isle of Skye, the Briksdal Glacier, and UNESCO sites like Orkney’s Standing Stones and Bergen’s Bryggen Wharf.
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Scotland, The Faroe Islands, & Iceland: North Atlantic Saga $5,395 11 Jun 23, 2025 On this 11-day expedition aboard the Ocean Endeavour, cruise from the craggy coastline of Scotland, past the staggering cliffs of the Faroe Islands to the volcanic plains of Iceland. Emerging from the mists of legend, the north Atlantic isles are wonders of geology, ecology, and human history. You'll see puffins, skuas, and other wildlife along the way.
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10 Best Luxury Cruises of Scotland for 2025-2026

Trip Name From Days Next Departure Summary
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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Wild lands of Scotland, the Faroe Islands and Iceland $10,770 12 Jul 09, 2026 Discover the beauty of Europe’s wild west coast on this 12-day cruise from Glasgow to Reykjavik aboard the Le Laperouse. Journey through historic cities and picturesque landscapes, blending rich cultural experiences with natural scenery. Explore Belfast’s Titanic history, visit Lerwick, and witness the wildlife-rich cliffs of the Faroe Islands.
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Scottish Isles and Norwegian Fjords $5,410 8 Jul 02, 2026 Embark on an 8-day cruise on Le Laperouse, exploring Scotland and Norway's Celtic and Viking heritage. Discover stunning landscapes, ancient sites, and breathtaking wonders from Bergen to Glasgow, including the Orkney Islands and Isle of Skye.
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Scottish Legends $6,349 12 Sep 20, 2025 Discover the rich tapestry of Scottish legends and European highlights on a 12-day cruise aboard the World Voyager. Visit Dublin's medieval charm, the Isle of Man's folklore, and Belfast's Titanic heritage and Giant’s Causeway.
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Crossing the Arctic Circle $6,795 13 May 27, 2025 Embark on a 13-day expedition cruise from Edinburgh to Longyearbyen aboard the Sea Spirit, exploring Scotland's capital, Orkney's ancient sites, Fair Isle's wildlife, and the Faroe Islands' culture. Experience the Arctic Circle, Jan Mayen's volcanoes, and Svalbard's stunning glaciers and polar bears in an unforgettable adventure.
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Arctic Ocean - Fair Isle, Jan Mayen, Ice Edge, Spitsbergen, Birding $3,050 10 Jun 12, 2026 Join this exciting 10-day Arctic Ocean cruise aboard MV Plancius. Departing from Aberdeen, marvel at orcas off Girdle Ness before immersing in Fair Isle's knitwear and seabirds. Explore Jan Mayen's volcanic landscapes, then navigate ice edges for polar bears near Spitsbergen's fjords.
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Arctic Ocean - Fair Isle, Jan Mayen, Ice Edge, Spitsbergen, Birding $3,050 10 May 27, 2026 Set sail on a 10-day cruise from Aberdeen to Longyearbyen aboard the Ortelius, spotting orcas and exploring Fair Isle's seabird colonies and grey seals. Continue to Jan Mayen and search for polar bears and whales near the sea ice.
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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, 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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Arctic Saga: Exploring Spitsbergen via the Faroes and Jan Mayen $11,495 14 Embark on a 14-day expedition cruise from Aberdeen to Helsinki on the Ultramarine. Explore Fair Isle, the Faroe Islands, Jan Mayen, and Spitsbergen, encountering iconic Arctic wildlife like puffins, seabirds, reindeer, and whales.
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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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