Scotland Cruise

13 Days from
$11,595 $8,116 USD
Ship Trip
Highlights

Highlights

  • Appreciate Scotland's picturesque shorelines and fascinating maritime heritage
  • Wander among monuments at the heart of the Neolithic Ornkey UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Marvel at the largest collection of prehistoric megalithic structures in western Europe
  • Experience island life on Foula in the Shetlands
  • View the largest seabird colony in the United Kingdom at the cliffs of St. Kilda
Map

Map

Map for Scotland Cruise

Tour Overview

In the isles of Scotland, the past is present. Music, dancing, and stories. Rugged ruins. Ancient villages. Soaring seabirds. Visit mystical, coastal Scotland by ship!

Scotland, like good whisky, is best savoured slowly. Nature and culture thrive on the isles. Hear music and stories. Revel in wildlife. Absorb the scenery. Immerse yourself in history.

Explore in comfort aboard our ship. Visit historic Glasgow, the Western Isles, Pentland Firth, Orkney, the Shetland islands, and Aberdeen. Learn from Scottish experts as we go.

Scotland is spectacular in springtime. June is breeding season for birds. Search for whales on a Zodiac outing. Meet the locals and get a glimpse of island life. Raise a dram at world-famous distilleries. Wander among Neolithic ruins. Explore sea caves and bird cliffs. Savour Scotland—slowly.

Departures & Cabins

DEPARTURES & CABINS

What's Included

Tour Price Includes

  • Passage aboard the ship
  • Applicable taxes and credit card fees
  • Complimentary expedition jacket
  • Special access permits, entry, and park fees
  • Expert expedition team
  • Guided activities
  • Sightseeing and community visits
  • All Zodiac excursions
  • Port fees
  • Pre-departure materials
  • Educational program
  • Interactive workshops
  • Evening entertainment
  • All shipboard meals
  • Internet access

Tour Price Does Not Include

  • Commercial and charter flights
  • Program enhancements/optional excursions
  • Gratuities
  • Personal expenses
  • Mandatory medical evacuation insurance
  • Additional expenses in the event of delays or itinerary changes
  • Possible fuel surcharges and administrative fees
  • Pre- and post-trip hotel accommodation

Itinerary

Day 1: Aberdeen, Scotland

Many of Aberdeen’s historic stone buildings are made of locally quarried granite; high in mica, they can sparkle like silver. The city is famed for its forty-five parks, gardens, and floral displays. 

In recent years, Aberdeen has become the gateway to the North Sea oil industry, but the city retains its old-world charm and is a wonderful place for a walkabout.

The Mercat Cross is located in the Center of Aberdeen

Day 2: Fair Isle

Journey to charming Fair Isle, once a Viking hub and now an idyllic island colony of artists and shepherds.

Keep your binoculars handy to spot some of the 350 bird species that the island boasts, including puffins and great skuas in substantial numbers.

Take a tour of the local museum, dedicated to preserving the island's heritage.

Atlantic Puffins, Fair Isle, Shetland

Day 3: Foula

Call in at sweet and petite Foula, home to just a few dozen folks, many of whom preserve traditional methods of agriculture and subsistence.

Keep an eye out for the Arctic terns, red-throated divers, and great skuas that may be found here.

Day 4: Vágur, Suðuroy Island, Faroe Islands

Visit Vágur, where the warm hospitality of its 1,300 residents awaits you. Relish in the opportunity to witness Faroese chain dancing and share in stories of Vágur‘s captivating past.

Enjoy the abundance of birdlife that the island boasts.

Let your senses feast on the view of Suðuroy’s towering west side. Admire majestic cliffs, stunning mountains, sea stacks, and the magnificent Beinisvørð mountain as it stands tall from afar.

See for yourself why the island is famed for its dramatic cliffs towering over the North Atlantic and enjoy this paradise for birds, including European storm petrels and Atlantic puffins.

Gásadalur, Vagar, Faroes

Day 5: Western Faroe Islands

Take in the drama of Vágar, one of the remote Western Islands, where soaring cliffs kiss the sea and emerald valleys cradle charming villages. This is a place of quiet wonder, where every path leads to a new story, and nature’s raw beauty makes you humble.

Puffin on Mykines cliffs and blue sky background. Faroe islands

Day 6: Orkney, Scotland

Wander through the 4,000-year-old standing stone circle, the Ring of Brodgar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Step back 5,000 years to the Neolithic village of Skara Brae. Considered one of the most important Neolithic ruins in Europe today, wander the well-preserved stone houses and learn what daily life was like here.

Tour the Hall of Clestrain, childhood home of Arctic explorer John Rae.

In Kirkwall, let yourself be charmed by the city’s sights, dominated by the massive St. Magnus Cathedral dating back to 1137.

Experience its lively pubs, vibrant music scene, fabulous shopping opportunities, and thriving artisan community.

Ring of Brodgar, Orkney

Day 7: Stornoway, Lewis

Visit Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis, a Gaelic stronghold and the capital of the largest of the Hebrides. Browse colourful shops to purchase the island’s famous tweed.

Meander through one of Britain’s most important Stone Age sites, the Calanais Standing Stones, which are said to be giants who were punished by St. Kieran for refusing to convert to Christianity.

Experience the living history at Gearrannan Blackhouse Village, where you can learn about a typical crofting township of the last century. Explore the blackhouses and traditional activities, including the weaving of the famous Harris Tweed.

Discover Dun Carloway Broch, a uniquely Scottish site perched on a rocky mound. See this ancient structure, standing at an impressive nine metres tall.

Callanish Stone, Lewis

Day 8: Outer Hebrides

Reach out-of-the-way, uninhabited islands that are only accessible by Zodiac during an expedition landing to the Outer Hebrides—a fantastic collection of over 100 islands seventy kilometres off Scotland’s west coast.

Take note of archaeological remains that reveal the oldest evidence of human habitation in Scotland, with influence from Pictish, Norse, and Scottish cultures.

Search out the rich marine and bird life of the islands as conditions permit.

Clouds of seabirds, gannets, fulmars and skuas flying around the dramatic cliffs of Boreray, the precipitous island in the North Altantic archipelago of St. Kilda, the remote islands far west of the Outer Hebrides, Scotland.

Day 9: St. Kilda

The St. Kilda archipelago was inhabited until 1930, and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, protecting fascinating ruins as well as natural heritage features.

Seabirds thrive on the island of Hirta, which is also home to feral sheep left by the departing islanders. Enormous cliffs offer dramatic ocean views for our hikers!

St. Kilda

Day 10: Isle of Skye

Whether you’re a hiker, photographer, or birder, you will love a visit to Skye.

Cruise the southwestern shore of this large island keeping a keen eye out for species like common sandpiper, oystercatcher, gannets, and razorbills. Delight in the opportunity to witness these remarkable creatures in their natural environment and add unique sightings to your birdwatching list.

Immerse yourself in the beauty of Skye's mountainous landscapes and choose the level of activity that suits you best for a walk, hike, or trek among the awe-inspiring Cuillin Hills, one of Britain's finest mountainscapes.

Black Cuillins, Isle of Skye

Day 11: Iona and Staffa

Visit Iona, where St. Columba established his monastery—the burial place of kings.

Admire the beautifully restored Iona Abbey complex, which preserves two outstanding crosses dating as far back as the eighth century.

Take a Zodiac cruise at the Isle of Staffa, famed for basaltic formations and numerous caves, the best-known being Fingal’s Cave.

See for yourself why it is originally known in Gaelic as “the melodious cave” and provided the inspiration for Mendelssohn’s overture, The Hebrides.

Staffa and Fingal's Cave

Day 12: Islay

Explore the renowned Loch Finlaggan Historic Site, tucked away in the enchanting Islay, also known as the Queen of the Hebrides. Immerse yourself in the rich history and heritage of the region. Indulge in the stories of Scottish nobility at the ancient seat of the Lord of the Isles and Clan Donald. Delve into its captivating past and marvel at the artefacts on display in the site's museum.

Whisky barrels on Isle of Islay

Day 13: Oban/Glasgow, Scotland

Nestled on the west coast, Oban is a striking seaside town surrounded by miles of dramatic shores and beautiful countryside. Here, we’ll disembark and depart via coach to Glasgow. 

George Street with St George's Tron Church of Scotland in downtown Glasgow, Scotland.

What to Expect

Our small ship Scotland cruise program allows you to experience the best of the natural world, while enjoying the comforts of our friendly floating hotel. The ship generally makes crossing between islands at night, so every morning you awake to new vistas and discoveries. Every day we offer a combination of interesting shore excursions and fun shipboard activities. You can choose which elements of the program you want to participate in.

This expedition cruise necessitates passengers to be in reasonably good health. Zodiac cruises and transfer times can be lengthy. You must be able to climb stairs between decks on the ship, as well as the external gangway stairs to transfer between the zodiac and ship.

Some of our shore landings will be ‘wet’, requiring waterproof boots. Once you have left the zodiac, you’ll find our shore excursions accommodate both those who wish to enjoy a gentle stroll and those who prefer more active hikes. The excursion may involve walking over uneven or sandy terrain in variable weather conditions. Our onboard specialists will join us on these shore excursions to provide interpretation and narration to these wonderful landscapes and experiences.

Each evening we will gather in the lounge to recount the day’s events and share memorable stories. Our onboard musician will provide some lively entertainment during happy hour and the expedition leader will outline the following day’s schedule. Our resource staff of naturalists, historians, and other guest speakers will give informative talks at various times throughout the voyage.

Meals in the ship’s dining room are a great opportunity to meet new friends and recount the day’s adventures. Special diets can be accommodated with advance notice. Safety is also a top priority with Eagle-Eye Tours – our team has extensive experience in the field, and all of our Voyages are run in conjunction with operators with the highest safety standards.

When the ship is underway, it is a wonderful time to join a naturalist on deck, take photos of the stunning scenery, or get caught up on some reading in the library.

Weather, ice, government regulations, and community requests may necessitate changes to the planned itineraries and/or the cancellation of certain shore excursions and enhancements. Published itineraries are examples only and we reserve the right to change or modify the itinerary and landing sites at any time prior or during an expedition. Changes will be communicated at your expedition orientation or during your onboard expedition briefings.

We know that everyone travels for different reasons. Over the years, however, we have found one common element among the guest who choose to travel with us – a thirst of knowledge and authentic experience. Knowing this drives us to ensure the highest quality learning experience on our trips, by taking time to carefully design each trip we offer.

Ship & Deck Plan: Ocean Nova

Ocean Nova

Ocean Nova

The Ocean Nova offers a classic expedition experience. Built in Denmark in 1992 for Greenland’s icy waters, this compact ship sails with a lighter carbon footprint than most expedition vessels.

Designed for intimate and immersive journeys, this nimble and sturdy ship accommodates just 78 guests. With the ship’s shallow draft and ability to anchor close to shore, you’ll spend less time ferrying and more time exploring.

Cosy cabins feature large windows for breathtaking views, while a glass-enclosed lounge offers sweeping 200-degree views—perfect for whale watching and seabird spotting. The open decks are a dream for photographers and scenery lovers. Meals feature open seating and ocean views, with globally inspired options to suit all tastes.

With one of the best guide-to-guest ratios, the Ocean Nova is perfect for those seeking an enriching experience.

 

 

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