Cruise · 10 nights · with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Scenic Summertime Scottish Isles
A ten-night cruise on Fred. Olsen’s Balmoral, tracing the Scottish Isles from Southampton with time in Rosyth for the Edinburgh Tattoo and stretches of cruising past Duart Castle and Fingal’s Cave.
- Duration
- 10 nights
- Departs
- 8 Aug 2027
- Sails from
- Southampton
- Returns to the same port
- Ship
- Balmoral
- From
- £1,649
- per person, sharing
Highlights
What makes this one worth it
Two nights in Rosyth for the Edinburgh Tattoo
Call at Lerwick, Shetland Islands
Calls at Stornoway and Portree Isle of Skye
Cruising past Duart Castle and Fingal's Cave
Visit to Belfast, Northern Ireland
About the trip
Setting off from Southampton, Balmoral crosses the North Sea to Rosyth, just outside Edinburgh, allowing for a stay long enough to take in the famous Tattoo. The ship then heads north to the Shetland Islands, calling at Lerwick, known for its windswept harbour and the solid presence of historic Lews Castle.
Turning south, the cruise visits Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis before calling at Portree on Skye. Both offer stark landscapes closer to the Highlands, with Portree’s harbour fronting hills that catch the shifting light. The days spent cruising are no less scenic, passing through Loch Hourn and the Sound of Mull, alongside Duart Castle—a fortress with a gaunt profile—and Fingal’s Cave on Staffa, where basalt columns line the shore.
The final port of call is Belfast, on the other side of the Irish Sea. Balmoral then returns to Southampton, a quiet run along the southern English coast to finish. The itinerary delivers a fairly brisk tour of Scotland’s isles with opportunities to step ashore and long moments from the deck.
- 1 Southampton
- 2 Rosyth
- 3 Lerwick
- 4 Stornoway
- 5 Portree
- 6 Belfast
Itinerary
The route, day by day
Day 1
Southampton, England
Day 2
At sea
Day 3
Rosyth, Scotland
Day 4
Lerwick, Shetland Islands, Scotland
Day 5
Stornoway, Scotland
Day 6
Portree Isle of Skye, United Kingdom
When to go
Departures and prices
Lowest price each month, per person.
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines confirms exact dates, availability and prices when you book.
Need to know
Before you book
- Price based on
- Two people sharing a cabinThe operator confirms the exact basis when you book.
- Travelling alone
- Check with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
- Flights
- Not needed if you join at Southampton
- What’s included
- Check with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
- Accessibility
- Check with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
- Cabin
- Interior Room
For full details of what’s included, check with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. See the full details on their site
Questions people ask
- How long is Scenic Summertime Scottish Isles?
- Scenic Summertime Scottish Isles is a 10 nights cruise holiday.
- Where does Scenic Summertime Scottish Isles depart from?
- Scenic Summertime Scottish Isles departs from Southampton.
- Who operates Scenic Summertime Scottish Isles?
- Scenic Summertime Scottish Isles is operated by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines aboard Balmoral.
- How much does Scenic Summertime Scottish Isles cost?
- Prices for Scenic Summertime Scottish Isles start from £1,649, subject to availability.
The operator
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Smaller-ship cruises, many from UK ports
A Norwegian family name in shipping since the nineteenth century, known for smaller ships that can reach the narrower fjords and harbours.
You book with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines directly. They confirm your place, take payment, and look after you from the moment you leave home; Atlas & Passage’s part ends when you click through.
New to United Kingdom? Our United Kingdom guide has the practical essentials: money, plugs, visas and when to go.
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