Step aboard our Hebridean Odyssey Cruise and embark on a voyage with Hebridean island cruises to explore the spectacular highlands and islands of Scotland. This small ship journey blends iconic sights, serene landscapes, and rare wildlife encounters into an unforgettable experience. Sail past the cliffs of Skye, wander the deserted shores of Iona and Mingulay, and spot dolphins and seabird colonies along the route. Go ashore to explore whisky distilleries, charming villages, and historic landmarks, all from the comfort of a luxury cruise ship. Enjoy tea and coffee, soft drinks, and food and wine onboard as part of our all-inclusive offering, guided by enthusiastic and knowledgeable guides. Whether booking cruises for 2025 or planning for 2026 cruises, every journey promises a holiday of a lifetime with scottish small-ship cruising.
Hebridean Odyssey Cruise – Voyage with Hebridean Island Cruises
Night Cruise
Ensuite Cabin
Private Charter
Cruise Summary
Arran – Start Your Scottish Cruise
Often called “Scotland in miniature,” Arran features rugged mountains, rolling lowlands, and Brodick Castle with exquisite gardens. Explore the Isle of Arran Heritage Museum for a nostalgic step back in time.
Gigha – God’s Island on Your Hebridean Cruise
Gigha boasts the breathtaking Achamore Gardens, with over 50 acres of rare and exotic plant species.
Jura – Tranquil Stop on Your Hebridean Island Cruise
Discover Loch Tarbert’s raised beaches and peaceful landscapes, perfect for those seeking a quiet retreat.
Iona – Spiritual Hebridean Island Cruise Experience
This green, spiritual haven exudes peace. Visit Iona Abbey or wander to the west coast’s shell sand beaches, searching for cowries. This green, tranquil island offers ashore visits to Iona Abbey or shell beaches.
Staffa – Legendary Fingal’s Cave on Your Hebridean Island Cruise
Home to the legendary Fingal’s Cave, created by dramatic basalt columns and the forces of the Atlantic. Keep watch for basking sharks as we approach. Marvel at dramatic basalt columns and the forces of the Atlantic. Watch for dolphins and seabirds.
Barra – Cultural Highlights on Your Hebridean Cruise
Explore Kisimul Castle standing proudly in Castle Bay or climb Heaval for panoramic views of the Scottish isles. Barra is famously known as the island of Whisky Galore.
Mingulay – Scenic Island Stop on Your Hebridean Island Cruise
Wander through the hauntingly beautiful deserted village, surrounded by soaring dunes and alive with seabird colonies, including puffins.
The Shiants – Birdwatching on Your Hebridean Cruise
A paradise for bird watchers where 250,000 seabirds thrive each summer. Step onto the connecting beach between Eilean an Tighe and Garbh Eilean.
Skye – Scottish Highlands on Your Hebridean Island Cruise
Cruise beneath sheer cliffs dotted with sea caves, with the Black Cuillin mountain range as a backdrop. This island’s beauty has inspired poetry and song for centuries.
Canna – Unspoiled Nature on Your Hebridean Cruise
Serene and unspoiled, Canna offers wildflower meadows and opportunities to spot golden eagles, minke whales, dolphins, and basking sharks.
Eigg – Outer Hebrides Experience on Your Hebridean Cruise
Serene landscapes and opportunities to spot wildlife in the outer Hebrides.
Cruise Itinerary
Day 1: Begin Your Hebridean Island Cruise in Arran
Board the small ship Splendour at 1400 hrs in Holy Loch Marina, Sandbank. After a champagne welcome and safety briefing, we set sail toward Arran, dropping anchor in Brodick Bay for dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Explore Arran and Sail Toward Campbeltown
Discover Brodick Castle or the Arran Heritage Museum. After lunch, cruise toward Campbeltown or, if weather permits, the island of Sanda for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Jura or Gigha – Scottish Coast Adventure
Catch the morning tide for an exhilarating journey around the Mull of Kintyre to Jura or explore the lush Achamore Gardens on Gigha.
Day 4: Scenic Hebridean Cruise to Colonsay
Navigate through the Sound of Islay to Loch Tarbert for a guided walk before continuing to Colonsay for the night.
Day 5: Visit Iona on Your Scottish Cruise
Sail to Iona and explore the abbey or the shell-strewn beaches. Overnight in Bunessan, keeping an eye out for playful dolphins.
Day 6: Staffa and Muck – Hebridean Cruise Adventure
Visit to Staffa with its many caves, most notably Fingal’s Cave with its basalt and tuff layers of lava. Enjoy a tender trip right into the cave for an unforgettable experience. Now it’s north past the other worldly Treshnish Isles to the peaceful island of Muck. On this trip we hope to see sea eagles and perhaps large pods of common dolphin and some minke Whales. Walk to the north bay on Muck to look for otters and porpoises.
Day 7: Barra – Culture and Scenic Views
Set course for Barra, landing in Castlebay to visit Kisimul Castle or enjoy a local pub. Overnight at anchor.
Day 8: Mingulay – Explore Deserted Villages
Cruise to Mingulay, where you can wander through its evocative abandoned village before setting sail for the Uists and an overnight stay in Loch Boisdale.
Day 9: Uists and Benbecula – Hebridean Exploration
Cruise the beautiful east coast of the Uists and Benbecula, with their attendant archipelago of jewel-like islands. Tarbert is well worth a stop over with an easy walk to the west loch and a look at the tweed shop and the amazing general store.
Day 10: The Shiants – Birdwatching Experience
The Shiant Islands lie 2 hours east of Tarbert and seethe with birdlife in the summer months. Go ashore from the anchorage at Molmor to explore Eilean An Tigh (Island of the House) and if no one’s at home, sneak a peek into the Nicolson’s cottage with its rough stone chess set and throne-like chair but be sure to close the door! Next we’re off to Dunvegan on Skye for overnight anchorage.
Day 11: Skye – West Coast Wonders
Visit Dunvegan Castle and after lunch cruise down Skye’s awe-inspiring west coast with amazing cliffs, caves and sea stacks. If it’s calm enough we can go by tender into one of the caves, which is pitch dark inside and full of nesting shags. Overnight off the Talisker Distillery in Loch Harport with the towering mass of the Black Cuillin ridge as a backdrop.
Day 12: Canna – Wildlife Stop
A visit to the distillery is possible this morning or better still to Loch Coruisk in the heart of the Cuillins and onto the jewel in the Hebridean crown, the Island of Canna. Here we will overnight with the grey seals and hope a visiting trawler overnights at the pier so that we can trade for prawns fresh from the sea.
Day 13: Canna and Tobermory – Dolphin Spotting
Walk on Canna with its three churches to the neighboring island of Sanday, which is carpeted with wild flowers at this time of year. Truly sublime. We now travel south past the other Small Isles watching out all the way for whales, sharks and dolphins, to the enchanting, colourful village of Tobermory for a shopping trip before dinner and a well earned rest.
Day 14: Return to Oban – Concluding Your Scottish Cruise
Down the sound of Mull during breakfast for a final cruise to Oban, gateway to the Islands, for fond farewells and then the journey back to Sandbank.
This Hebridean Island cruise delivers a classic Scottish small-ship cruising experience, perfect for those seeking a boutique holiday with all-inclusive comforts. Relax in the welcoming Tiree Lounge, enjoy a carefully curated menu of locally sourced dishes, and explore with ship’s bicycles and fishing tackle included. Whether you’re looking for cruises for 2025 or planning ahead for Hebridean Island 2026 cruises, your unforgettable adventure awaits.
Onboard Experience on Hebridean Cruises
The floating country house accommodates 48 guests, providing a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere. Relax in the Tiree Lounge, enjoy ship’s bicycles and fishing tackle, or take in the views from the deck. All Hebridean island cruises are all-inclusive, with tea and coffee, soft drinks, and food and wine served onboard.
Dining & Luxury Amenities
Savour locally sourced dishes on the luxury cruise ship. Enjoy fine wines, breakfast, lunch, and dinner in cosy settings. Each voyage includes gratuity, passenger taxes, and shore visits, creating a holiday of a lifetime.
Why Choose a Hebridean Odyssey Cruise?
A hebridean princess cruise offers a boutique cruise ships experience ideal for solo travellers and couples. Recognised among the best cruise lines, these small ship cruises highlight the Scottish isles, Scottish highlands, and spectacular highlands and islands. Guests enjoy board and ashore activities, use of the ship’s bicycles, and bicycles and fishing tackle, guided by enthusiastic and knowledgeable guides. Perfect for cruises for 2025 or 2026 cruises, each journey is a holiday of a lifetime.
Cruise Map
| Cruise Dates | Nights | Spaces | Price p/p | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02 Jun 2026 - 15 Jun 2026 | 13 | 0 | ---- | Cruise Full |
| - Indicates single cabin available. | ||||



“Thank you for a wonderful trip and for taking us to fabulous places. Food was excellent.” Paul and Christine Edwards
Arran and Ailsa Craig Wildlife Explorer | April 2023
“A wonderful week cruising around the Clyde, Arran and Ailsa Craig. Superb company and excellent food. Thank you Ted and Iggy.” John
Arran and Ailsa Craig Wildlife Explorer | May 2022
“Everything we’d hoped for and more. We so enjoyed the walks, food, company, scenery and laughter.” Denise and Allan
Inlets and Islands of Wild Argyll | May 2022
“What a wonderful adventure. Thank you Ted and Thomas.” Michael and Ginger Barr
Private Charter | May 2023
“A fabulous trip and something we will long-remember . . . Would highly recommend this trip for adventurous people of all ages.”
Private charter | July 2023