Scotland Cruise: Best Cruises to Scotland 2024 & 2025

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Cruises to Scotland

Scotland cruises bring you to a world rich in legend, history, and extraordinary beauty. Mist-shrouded mountains are reflected in glassy lochs. Wild deer graze on hillsides purple with heather. Towering cliffs plunge into water that is as turquoise as anywhere in the Caribbean. Brooding castles lie amid dense forest, guarding the secrets of the centuries.

A cruise to Scotland offers you a thrilling range of places to visit. Stroll the Royal Mile in chic Edinburgh and tour Edinburgh Castle. Join a whisky tasting—you’ll find opportunities to sample the country’s finest at every turn. Take a cruise along the tranquil shores of Loch Lomond, hemmed in by forested, sometimes snow-dusted mountains. Further north, the islands of Orkney are dotted with fascinating Neolithic remains, while Shetland is famed for its birdlife, white-sand beaches, craggy mountains, and shaggy little ponies. Scotland and its islands are without doubt a highlight of Europe cruises in every sense, from history and nature to cuisine and culture.

Scotland Cruise Highlights

Haggis & Whisky

Scotland’s cuisine is unique, with specialties you’ll want to try. Haggis—a dish of spiced meat and offal—is a classic, served with neeps and tatties (turnips and potatoes). The game and seafood here are spectacular. You’ll find opportunities for whisky tasting everywhere; at the 150-year-old Glengoyne Distillery, you can even create your own blend. Have a “wee dram” on your oatmeal in the morning, or try a whisky-flavored “tablet”, which is similar to fudge.

Historic Castles

Scotland is dotted with magnificent, turreted castles and stately homes, many of which are open to the public. The fairytale Inveraray Castle, on Loch Fyne, is home to the Duke and Duchess of Argyll and houses priceless treasures in its soaring Armoury Hall. From Glasgow, you could also spend a day at the imposing fortress of Stirling Castle. Another option is to travel to Edinburgh and explore Edinburgh Castle, perched on the black crag of Castle Rock.

Remote Islands

Cruises to Scotland visit Kirkwall, the capital of Orkney, and Lerwick in Shetland. Both are remote archipelagos scattered off the north coast. In Shetland, you’ll find jaunty, red timber-framed houses that cling to the treeless hills and seals basking on creamy-white beaches under vast skies. In Orkney, meanwhile, you can explore five-thousand-year-old Skara Brae, one of the best-preserved Neolithic villages in the world.

Featured Scotland Cruise Ports

Edinburgh, Scotland

Beautiful Edinburgh lies on the shores of the Firth of Forth, the dramatic Edinburgh Castle at its heart, which clings to Castle Rock. Stroll the Royal Mile, lined with historic buildings and medieval alleys. Visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Scottish residence of the royal family. Royal enthusiasts can also tour the Royal Yacht Britannia for an inside glimpse into the life of the late Queen Elizabeth II. Make time for a whisky tasting while you’re in the Scottish capital.

View Edinburgh Port Guide

Glasgow (Greenock), Scotland

Imposing architecture, world-class museums, and a lively pub scene make Glasgow a captivating city to explore. Follow the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Trail to admire the work of the city’s pioneering architect. Gaze at the Monets and Renoirs at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, and admire the blooms at the impressive Botanic Gardens. Out of town, take a trip to Inveraray Castle, gazing over the shore of serene Loch Fyne, or visit Stirling Castle, dating back to the 12th century.

VIEW GLASGOW PORT GUIDE

Lerwick, Scotland

A remote archipelago off the northern tip of Scotland, Shetland is a landscape of towering cliffs, sweeping beaches inhabited only by seals, and grassy hills where hardy Shetland ponies graze. In Lerwick, the bustling little capital, speed through 5,000 years of history at the excellent Shetland Museum and visit the Textile Museum to learn about the islands’ famous knitwear. Take a trip to the fascinating Jarlshof archaeological site to see settlements dating back to the Stone Age and Iron Age.

VIEW LERWICK PORT GUIDE

Scotland Cruise Itineraries

Cruise itineraries featuring ports in Scotland last 11 or 12 nights. There are multiple choices of itinerary available. You could sail from Rotterdam on a cruise visiting Ireland, Liverpool, Glasgow, and Lerwick, in the Shetland Islands. Alternatively, sail from Rotterdam to Kirkwall in Orkney, Iceland, and Lerwick. Round-trip Iceland and Ireland cruises from Southampton include a day in Kirkwall, while Iceland and Scotland itineraries include both Glasgow and Kirkwall.

Why Cruise to Scotland With Celebrity Cruises

On board a Celebrity cruise to Scotland, you’ll find a spa, a state-of-the-art gym, and live music and entertainment all over the ship. Multiple restaurants and bars offer everything from delicious sushi and seafood to French classics. If you’ve chosen Celebrity Apex, then take in sweeping views of the wild Scottish Highlands from the vantage point of the Magic Carpet. On Celebrity Silhouette, get into the spirit of the destination with a Highlander cocktail featuring Scotch whisky at the intimate World Class Bar. On either ship, choose The Retreat® for suite accommodation, and try signature dishes created by chef Daniel Boulud in the exclusive Luminae at The Retreat.

Marvel at the highlights of Scotland and its islands as you explore Neolithic ruins, majestic castles, whisky distilleries, towering mountains, and serene lochs. Whether you’re shopping for tartan, tracing your family’s roots, following in the steps of the Vikings, or learning why Scotland is so beloved by Britain’s modern royals, you’ll be endlessly surprised by this multilayered country.

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