We know that the London-centric nature of the UK's travel infrastructure can be a source of frustration to many outside the South East, whether it's the limited choice of destinations offered by regional airports, or the fact that most ex UK cruises sail from ports on the south coast.
We're always on the lookout for interesting cruise itineraries from Scotland, as we know our clients generally prefer to avoid the hassle of connecting flights to London and long journeys south via rail or road. A number of our most popular cruise lines offer voyages sailing from Scottish ports, so we've put together this selection of some of the most appealing itineraries...
1. Windstar Cruises - Lands of the Midnight Sun
In July 2022 Windstar's recently 'stretched' Star Pride embarks on a fantastic 12-night voyage from Edinburgh to Iceland via the magnificent Norwegian Fjords and the remote Faroe Islands. Highlights include the spectacular Geirangerfjord, the old Hanseatic wharf at Bergen and an overnight stay in Kirkwall, giving you plenty of time to explore the fascinating Orkney Islands. Your cruise ends in Reykjavik, where we recommend staying for a couple of nights before flying back direct to Edinburgh.
2. Silversea - Iceland & The Faroes
Silversea's lovely 388-guest Silver Whisper is an occasional visitor to Scottish shores, and we particularly like the look of her 24 June 2022 sailing from Edinburgh to Reykjavik. This 11-night voyage calls at Kirkwall and Torshávn before embarking on a semi-circumnavigation of Iceland, with highlights including the wild and unspoilt Eastfjords, the whale watching hotspot of Húsavík, and the amazing bird cliffs and waterfalls of the Westfjords.
3. Hebridean Island Cruises - Pearls of the Clyde
We could hardly talk about cruising from Scotland without mentioning one of our favourite little ships, the inimitable Hebridean Princess. This tiny vessel is based in Scotland all year round, carrying just 50 travellers in cosy and comfortable surroundings. Hebridean offer a number of short taster cruises, including this 4-night round-trip from Greenock departing on 12 November 2022, which is a great opportunity to get a feel for what life is like on board without committing to one of the longer (and pricier) sailings.
4. Ponant - Celtic Voyage: The Hebrides and the Irish Sea
Take a trip around Britain's Celtic fringe on board Ponant's stylish 184-guest yacht Le Dumont d'Urville, sailing from Glasgow on 17 June 2022 on a short 6-night voyage in conjunction with Smithsonian Journeys. This varied itinerary includes Iona's historic abbey, the buzzing cities of Belfast and Dublin, and the Welsh port of Holyhead, gateway to the enchanting island of Anglesey.
5. Oceania Cruises - Nordic Trailblazer
This rare Edinburgh round-trip on board Oceania's lovely 684-guest Sirena sets sail on 23 July 2022, visiting the Faroe and Shetland islands en route to Scandinavia. Explore some of the highlights of southern Norway, including Stavanger and Oslo, along wonderful Copenhagen and the lesser known Baltic ports of Lysekil and Skagen.
