Expedition Through the Scottish Isles: Where Land Meets Legend

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On sale!

£2,309 was £3299

Discount: 30%

Offer end: Feb 02 2026

Duration: 10 days

Begins: Glasgow

Ends: Greenock

Trip Code: XVEGNX

From

£2,309 per person

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    The Isles of Scotland are the stuff of legend — dramatic coastlines, ancient stories, and a culture all their own. On this 10-day expedition cruise through the Shetland, Orkney, and Hebrides islands, you’ll experience it all. Starting in Glasgow and journeying northward, you’ll sail through wild, remote landscapes teeming with seabirds, history, and rugged beauty. From the craggy cliffs of St. Kilda to the white-sand beaches of the Shetlands, each island has its own vibe and its own story to tell. With every Zodiac ride and misty horizon, you’ll fall a little more under Scotland’s spell.
    Is this tour for me?
    Travel Style
    Marine
    Small-ship adventures on the world’s great seas, rivers, and other places only accessible by boat.
    Physical Rating
    3 - Average
    Some tours may include light hiking, biking, rafting, or kayaking in addition to walking.
    Age requirement
    12+
    All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
    What's Included
    • 9 nts aboard the Expedition
    • Arrival transfer
    • Zodiac excursions with our expert expedition team
    • Lectures and educational programs
    • Insulated, waterproof boots supplied for USA sizes 4 - 16
    • Expedition parka

    Day 1 : Edinburgh/Leith

    Embark aboard the Expedition in the afternoon and depart Leith in the late afternoon. Arrival transfer included.

    Please make sure you drop your checked luggage off at the meeting point between 9am - 12pm. A local representative will be in the luggage storage room. They can provide general information about the town or your embarkation process.

    All passengers will be transferred to the ship as a group for embarkation at 4pm. Please ensure that for embarkation you have your passport accessible (not in your luggage which is being transferred separately to the ship).

    Please ensure your flight arrives by 1pm at the latest in order to be on time for today's 4pm embarkation.

    Arrival Transfer

    Edinburgh Airport - Leith 0h30m 16km

    You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel to start your adventure.

    Embarkation of the Expedition

    Leith 16:00

    In the afternoon, join your fellow passengers to take your group transfer and begin your journey on the Expedition. Please refer to your welcome letter or the joining instructions posted in the lobby of the start hotel. Make sure you have your passport handy as you are about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime.

    Meals Included:

    Dinner

    Day 2 : Leith to Kirkwall/Orkney Islands

    Sail north to the Orkney Islands, known for their unique blend of rich history, gorgeous natural landscapes, and some of the oldest and best-preserved Neolithic sites in Europe. Stop to visit Kirkwall, the ‘Heart of Neolithic Orkney’ where a group of 5,000-year-old sites reside. Enjoy time to explore here and see places like Skara Brae and Maeshowe. Make sure to also search for a diverse array of wildlife.

    Zodiac Excursion

    Scotland

    Jump into a Zodiac, and head out to explore. Keep an eye out for wildlife. The expert Expedition staff will teach the group about the flora and fauna along the way. This activity depends on weather conditions.

    Expedition

    Leith - Kirkwall

    Not too big, not too little, our 128-passenger polar expedition ship is just right.

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

    Day 3 : Shetland & Orkney Islands

    Sail to the Shetland Islands where dramatic landscapes, rich Viking and Scottish heritage, diverse wildlife, and unique cultural traditions await. Over the course of the next three days the ship will visit different parts of the islands like Lerwick, Hermaness National Nature Reserve, Papa Stour with its population of 15 people, and Foula. Search for wildlife and see ancient Viking settlement sites. Then, sail south to the Orkneys once again and visit North Ronaldsay and Papa Westray, where you will be able to search for puffins and seals.

    Zodiac Excursion

    Scotland

    Jump into a Zodiac, and head out to explore. Keep an eye out for wildlife. The expert Expedition staff will teach the group about the flora and fauna along the way. This activity depends on weather conditions.

    Expedition

    Shetland Islands - Orkney Islands

    Not too big, not too little, our 128-passenger polar expedition ship is just right.

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

    Day 4 : Shetland & Orkney Islands

    Sail to the Shetland Islands where dramatic landscapes, rich Viking and Scottish heritage, diverse wildlife, and unique cultural traditions await. Over the course of the next three days the ship will visit different parts of the islands like Lerwick, Hermaness National Nature Reserve, Papa Stour with its population of 15 people, and Foula. Search for wildlife and see ancient Viking settlement sites. Then, sail south to the Orkneys once again and visit North Ronaldsay and Papa Westray, where you will be able to search for puffins and seals.

    Zodiac Excursion

    Scotland

    Jump into a Zodiac, and head out to explore. Keep an eye out for wildlife. The expert Expedition staff will teach the group about the flora and fauna along the way. This activity depends on weather conditions.

    Expedition

    Shetland Islands - Orkney Islands

    Not too big, not too little, our 128-passenger polar expedition ship is just right.

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

    Day 5 : Shetland & Orkney Islands

    Sail to the Shetland Islands where dramatic landscapes, rich Viking and Scottish heritage, diverse wildlife, and unique cultural traditions await. Over the course of the next three days the ship will visit different parts of the islands like Lerwick, Hermaness National Nature Reserve, Papa Stour with its population of 15 people, and Foula. Search for wildlife and see ancient Viking settlement sites. Then, sail south to the Orkneys once again and visit North Ronaldsay and Papa Westray, where you will be able to search for puffins and seals.

    Zodiac Excursion

    Scotland

    Jump into a Zodiac, and head out to explore. Keep an eye out for wildlife. The expert Expedition staff will teach the group about the flora and fauna along the way. This activity depends on weather conditions.

    Expedition

    Shetland Islands - Orkney Islands

    Not too big, not too little, our 128-passenger polar expedition ship is just right.

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

    Day 6 : Shetland & Orkney Islands

    Sail to the Shetland Islands where dramatic landscapes, rich Viking and Scottish heritage, diverse wildlife, and unique cultural traditions await. Over the course of the next three days the ship will visit different parts of the islands like Lerwick, Hermaness National Nature Reserve, Papa Stour with its population of 15 people, and Foula. Search for wildlife and see ancient Viking settlement sites. Then, sail south to the Orkneys once again and visit North Ronaldsay and Papa Westray, where you will be able to search for puffins and seals.

    Zodiac Excursion

    Scotland

    Jump into a Zodiac, and head out to explore. Keep an eye out for wildlife. The expert Expedition staff will teach the group about the flora and fauna along the way. This activity depends on weather conditions.

    Expedition

    Shetland Islands - Orkney Islands

    Not too big, not too little, our 128-passenger polar expedition ship is just right.

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

    Day 7 : Orkney Islands/Thurso

    Search the dramatic cliffs at Duncansby Head and Dunnet Head for puffins, fulmars, and Guillemot. Visit Thurso today, the northernmost town on the mainland of Scotland. During your stop here, there are plenty of options to choose from including, the Caithness Horizons Museum, the Wolfburn Distillery, and the ruins of Thurso Castle. Enjoy the charm of this town surrounded by beautiful landscapes.

    Zodiac Excursion

    Scotland

    Jump into a Zodiac, and head out to explore. Keep an eye out for wildlife. The expert Expedition staff will teach the group about the flora and fauna along the way. This activity depends on weather conditions.

    Expedition

    Orkney Islands - Thurso

    Not too big, not too little, our 128-passenger polar expedition ship is just right.

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

    Day 8 : Thurso/St. Kilda Archipelago

    The ship will sail to the tallest sea stack in Britain, known as Stac Lee, part of the St Kilda archipelago. Home to northern gannets and other bird species. Then, continue along the coast to Hirta, the largest and most hospitable island of the St Kilda archipelago. You’ll stop here briefly for a chance to view puffin colonies in the wild.

    Zodiac Excursion

    Scotland

    Jump into a Zodiac, and head out to explore. Keep an eye out for wildlife. The expert Expedition staff will teach the group about the flora and fauna along the way. This activity depends on weather conditions.

    Expedition

    Thurso - St. Kilda Archipelago

    Not too big, not too little, our 128-passenger polar expedition ship is just right.

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

    Day 9 : St. Kilda Archipelago/Hebrides

    Sail to the Isle of Lunga, which is part of the Treshnish Isles and known for its diverse wildlife, especially its large breeding colony of puffins. The landscape offers a rugged and wild experience with no man-made facilities. The perfect destination for an immersion into nature. Half the group will start with the zodiac cruise near the cliffs and the other will walk up the hillside to where the puffins are, then the groups will switch. Then, travel to the Isle of Iona, known as the “cradle of Christianity” home to the famous Iona Abbey, and an ideal place to learn more about Scotland’s rich history. Visit the Abbey on a guided tour and see for yourself.

    Expedition

    St. Kilda Archipelago - Hebrides

    Not too big, not too little, our 128-passenger polar expedition ship is just right.

    Zodiac Excursion

    Scotland

    Jump into a Zodiac, and head out to explore. Keep an eye out for wildlife. The expert Expedition staff will teach the group about the flora and fauna along the way. This activity depends on weather conditions.

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

    Day 10 : Greenock/Glasgow

    Shortly after breakfast, disembark at the Port of Greenock. From here, you will need to transfer to Glasgow Airport for your departing flight.

    For guests departing on disembarkation day, G Adventures will provide a complimentary transfer at 8:00am to Glasgow International Airport from the port.

    For guests who are planning on staying in Glasgow post trip, taxis will be available for hire at the port to transfer them to their accommodations.

    All transfer arrangements will be confirmed while on board prior to departure, to ensure that all needs are met.

    Please do not book onward travel prior to 12:00pm.

    Departure Day

    Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.

    Private Vehicle

    Greenock - Glasgow Airport 0h30m 26km

    Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

    Meals Included:

    Breakfast

    dates start-End Availability remaining spaces Price Per Person
    May 2026
    Thu, 07 May - Sat, 16 May 7+ available £2,309 Request a quote