Scottish Highlands and Islands Cruises
Explore the rugged coast of Scotland, scattered with hundreds of islands and islets shaped by the sea or perhaps discover the country’s fascinating capital, Edinburgh, the traditional fishing village of Ullapool or Invergordon with its rich naval history on a small ship cruise.
Cruise Collection
Caledonian and Great Glen Explorer
Nothing to clutter the view, just hauntingly beautiful Scottish Highland scenery brought effortlessly to your panoramic window. This, together with excellent cuisine and delightful accommodation, provides for a truly unique travel experience.
Inverness to Oban
Inland Waterways and Idyllic Isles
A 7-night leisurely voyage of the endlessly beautiful Caledonian Canal, hidden sea lochs and islands of Scotland’s western shore.
Kyle of Lochalsh to Inverness
Secrets of the Highlands and Islands
A unique 7-night cruise on Lord of the Glens from Inverness through the scenic Great Glen and Loch Ness to the Hebridean Islands of Mull, Skye, Iona and Eigg - full board cruise including excursions
Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh
Voyage through the Heart of Scotland
Explore Scotland as few people have, on this enchanting Scottish highland cruise. Purpose-built for these waters, Lord of the Glens will transport you in comfort and style from Oban, along scenic sea lochs and the narrow Calednonian Canal.
Oban to Inverness
The Scottish Isles - Island Hopping in the Hebrides
Special OfferSave up to 25%!
Glasgow, Brodick, Isle of Arran, Isle of Islay, Isle of Gigha, Treshnish Isles - Isle of Iona, Expedition day, Shiant Isles - Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Loch Scavaig, Isle of Skye - Isle of Eigg, Sound of Mull, Colonsay Island, Glasgow
12-Night Scotland Intensive Voyage
Special OfferUp to $1000 OBC per stateroom on selected sailings!
Southampton, Leith, Aberdeen, Invergordon, Kirkwall, Orkney Islands, Lerwick, Shetland Islands, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Oban, Greenock, Dublin
12-Night Scotland Intensive Voyage
Special OfferUp to $1000 OBC per stateroom on selected sailings!
Copenhagen, Leith, Aberdeen, Invergordon, Lerwick, Shetland Islands, Kirkwall, Orkney Islands, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Oban, Greenock, Dublin
16-Night Norway Intensive Voyage
Special OfferUp to $1000 OBC per stateroom on selected sailings!
Leith, Olden, Ålesund, Svolvær, Trollfjord, Tromsø, Honningsvåg, Cruising Along North Cape, Alta, Harstad, Bodø, Trondheim, Eidfjord, Stavanger, Copenhagen
Scottish Isles and Norwegian Fjords Voyage - with Smithsonian Journeys
Glasgow , Fort William , Kyle of Lochalsh , Kirkwall, Orkney Islands , Lerwick, Shetland Islands , Ålesund , Geiranger - Hellesylt , Olden , Flåm , Bergen
British Isles Discovery
Tilbury, Aberdeen, Lerwick, Shetland Islands, Tobermory, Isle of Mull, Belfast, Liverpool, Cobh, Saint Mary's, Isles of Scilly, Tilbury
Celtic Voyage: The Hebrides and the Irish Sea - with Smithsonian Journeys
London (Greenwich), Dover, Cowes, Isle of Wight, Saint Mary's, Isles of Scilly, Kinsale, Holyhead, Belfast, Iona, Hebrides, Tobermory, Isle of Mull, Glasgow
Cultural treasures and Scandinavian panoramas
Rosyth, Aberdeen, Stromness, Egersund, Arendal, Oslo, Gothenburg, Copenhagen, Bornholm Island, Karlskrona, Visby, Stockholm
About Scotland Cruises
Cruise from Scotland
Join small ships Lord of the Glens and Lord of the Highlands in Inverness for a cruise along the dramatic Caledonian Canal through the majestic lochs of Scotland’s Great Glen, including Loch Ness to Fort William in the shadow of mighty Ben Nevis. Continue on to the hauntingly beautiful Hebridean Islands of Mull, Skye, Iona and Eigg. Visit colourful Tobermory and imposing Duart Castle on Mull, revel in the peace and quiet at Iona’s historic abbey and enjoy a drink at the most remote pub in the British Isles at Inverie before crossing the sea to Skye and the picturesque town of Portree.
Luxurious 50-passenger Hebridean Princess offers itineraries from Oban exploring the beautiful Hebridean Islands of Canna, one of the earliest Christian settlements, Skye, the largest of the Inner Hebrides and Eigg, owned by its community since 1997. The ship also calls at ports off the beaten track including the privately owned Shiant Isles and the remote Orkney Islands.
Itineraries visiting Scotland
Cruises around the British Isles often visit the remote Orkneys, Outer Hebrides and Isle of Mull as well as the town of Invergordon on the shores of the Cromarty Firth and Newhaven, gateway to the grand city of Edinburgh.
Lerwick, the capital of the rugged Shetland Islands and Kirkwall, capital of the remote Orkneys are visited en-route to the breathtaking Norwegian fjords and Iceland, the Land of Ice and Fire. Lerwick was founded as an unofficial marketplace to service 17th-century Dutch herring fleets. Today, it is home to the Shetland Museum which features archaeological and maritime exhibits. The town of Kirkwall is dominated by the magnificent St Magnus Cathedral, Britain’s most northerly cathedral and known as the Light in the North.
Scotland Highlights
Edinburgh
The city of Edinburgh is visited from the ports of Rosyth and Leith, the latter being home to the Royal Yacht Britannia, now open to visitors. Elegant Princes Street is lined with shops, and overlooked by cliff-top Edinburgh Castle. The famous Royal Mile stretches from the castle to the Palace of Holyrood House. Tours can be taken by open-top bus around the city, which has an old town and numerous museums and galleries.
Greenock
The city of Glasgow is served by the port of Greenock. Glasgow has a variety of shopping areas - the new Buchanan Galleries near famous Sauchiehall Street, the elegant Argyll Arcade and open markets. The Glasgow School of Art, designed by Charles Rennie Mackintoch, offers tours, and Glasgow is also home to the magnificent Burrell Collection. The Museum of Transport has a fascinating collection of exhibits and Clyde-built ship models, and in the harbour visitors can board the restored Tall Ship Glenlee.
Invergordon
Invergordon in Easter Ross is a gateway to the Scottish Highlands and lies on the Cromarty Firth, an area of natural beauty with a wide diversity of marine and birdlife, including a colony of bottlenose dolphins. Nearby are 14th-century Cawdor Castle and gardens, the site of the Battle of Culloden and several distilleries, including Glenmorangie. There is little of interest in Invergordon itself.
Tobermory
The colourful waterfront houses of Tobermory are instantly recognisable. It is a small harbour town on the island of Mull, with galleries selling artwork and jewellery by local craftspeople and a choice of cafes. There is a short coastal walk to Aros Park and to the lighthouse where there are views to the Ardnamurchan peninsula. Further afield on Mull are Glengorm, Torosay and Duart Castles and gardens.
Customer Reviews
Scottish Highlands And Islands Cruise
by J.ElliottWe recently returned from the splendid Scottish Highlands and Islands Cruise and must say that it is one of the best cruises we have ever experienced
Initially whilst booking we thought the price high compared with other river cruises. We were later to realise how unique the Caledonian Canal journey really was and taking into account that the excursions were covered by the price we finally felt that the holiday was value for money.
The scenery was stunning and views of Ben Nevis were magnificent!
The Crew were always so pleasant and this led to a very happy atmosphere aboard the ship. Brian the Hotel manager kept us all amused with his talks and his attention to every detail ensured that events went like clockwork. Konia our guide was a fount of knowledge and added even greater interest to excursions. Seeing so many Dolphins in the open sea was an extra bonus!
Above all the food was so good and varied, fresh, locally produced and well presented that this really made our holiday!
Great Glen And Inner Hebrides Cruise
by P.BrownWe travelled in June 2013 from Inverness to Kyle for 7 days. The competence of the sailing crew cannot be doubted - the locks on the Caledonian canal leave only inches each side of the vessel yet there was never the a hint of a ding which meant operating the vessel was most precise. The weather was generally kind, it rained when it didnt matter and our times on-shore were mostly dry, if a bit cool. To be able to see and learn of so much of Scotland in such a short period was a delight as was being in the company of such agreeable fellow passengers. The ship is very pleasant: comfortable and reasonably spacious public areas, cabins lacked nothing and even had plenty of space to stow luggage. But the real bonus was the staff who made our holiday such a pleasure. Quite how the confined galley could magic 52 covers for every mealtime at such a consistently high standard is a mystery. The serving staff were attentive, cheerful and efficient and worked well both as individuals and together. Together with the Hotel Manager who seemed to be everywhere all the time, they are a superb credit to the operators of Lord of the Glens - professional is the word that seems to come most to mind so bravo to all! While not very experienced cruisers, we have been on 5 or 6 and this experience beats all of them by far - for us, it set a standard others should strive to match.
Scottish Highlands And Islands
by C.RobinsAn absolutely wonderful holiday. The itinerary was great, the scenery incredible and the ship very comfortable. However special thanks must go to the Captain, Brian, (the hotel manager) and crew of the Lord of the Glens whose hard work, dedication and enthusiasm made it such an enjoyable experience. Your tour manager, Konia, was brilliant and gave us so much information about everywhere and everything. The quick and responsive action when our coach broke down on the way back to Inverness showed how efficiently everyone works together.
We have done and enjoyed a great deal of river cruising but this trip was something unique and special and one which we very much hope to repeat.
Many thanks to all concerned and to all at Blue Water Holidays - the booking arrangements were easy and clear and information and advice freely given.