1-855-602-7447
Experts available 7 days a week!
Hotels & Resort Deals
Select a destination...
View All Hotels & Resort Deals
Vacation Interests
Miscellaneous
Tours By Type
Tour Deals
Select a destination...
View All Tour Deals
Cruises From
Vacation Interests
Career Discounts
Featured Destinations
Select a destination for info and deals...
Destination Ports
Cruises sailing in each region...
- Transfer Your Booking To Us
- Book Shore Excursions
- Book Land Tours
- Save on Passport & Visa Services
-
![Arrow]()
View All Customer Service Resources
Saving Tools
- Access Reservation (web-made bookings only)
- Make a Payment
- Add Travel Insurance
- Pre-Cruise Registration
For Existing Reservations
- Land Vacation FAQs
- Cruise FAQs
- Cruise Port Directions
- Contact Us
Useful Links
The Scottish Isles: An Expedition Through History & Highlands
-
Length
10 Days
-
Quality
This indicates the overall quality of the tour operator's products. A low rating does not mean it is not good - it just means that it does not include as much, or perhaps is of a more standard quality than the higher quality tours. For example, a 3 star quality rating means that it is a more standard/economical tour, while 5 stars is a very luxurious tour that often includes a lot of amenities. -
Starts in
Glasgow (Scotland)
-
Ends in
Leith
-
Available Tour Start Dates
APR 28, 2026 to MAY 25, 2026
-
Activity Level
Easy
-
Style
Fully-Guided
-
Guaranteed Date(s)
Yes means that there is at least one tour date that the vendor guarantees will occur. No means that there is not at least one tour date that the vendor guarantees will occur, which usually means that the vendor wants a certain amount of reservations on each tour in order for each one to occur. Of course, the terms and conditions of the vendor do allow for the vendor to cancel guaranteed tour dates for certain reasons (for example, a natural disaster).Yes
-
Special Interest(s)
Includes Cruise, Sailing and/or Rail
Small-ship adventures on the world's great seas, rivers, and other places only accessible by boat.
From
Pricing listed is per person, based on double occupancy, and is the least expensive price for at least one departure date of this tour. Price is for the tour only. Additional items, including but not limited to, airfare (unless noted otherwise), travel insurance, and more, are additional.
$2,501.95
Contact Us for a Special Price!
Overview
Climb aboard for an unforgettable expedition through the wild, windswept Isles of Scotland. Starting near Glasgow, you'll sail along the rugged northeast and northwest coasts, weaving through some of Europe's most enchanting and remote islands before wrapping up in historic Edinburgh. Think dramatic cliffs, misty hills, and ancient landscapes that feel straight out of folklore. Keep your eyes peeled for incredible wildlife - especially seabirds - and soak up the rich traditions, bold flavours, and untamed beauty that make Scotland feel like its own magical world.
Visited During Tour
Glasgow (Scotland) | Hebrides | Leith (Edinburgh, Scotland) | Orkney Islands (Scotland) | Shetland Islands (Scotland) | St. Kilda Archipelago | Thurso | Troon
Dates, Offers & Prices
Tour Itinerary
More Details
Dates, Offers & Prices
The following are The Scottish Isles: An Expedition Through History & Highlands tour dates available from G Adventures. Select a bonus offer graphic to view its details, including its terms.
Tour Itinerary
G Adventures Tour Code XVGENX-10846
-
Day
1Glasgow/Troon
Embark aboard the Expedition in the afternoon and depart Troon 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.
- Meals Included:
- Dinner
Exclusive Inclusions:
Arrival Transfer
Locate the G representative for your included arrival transfer.
Embarkation of the Expedition
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.
-
Day
2Troon/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.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Exclusive Inclusions:
Zodiac Excursion (Arctic)
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 and ice conditions.
Expedition
Not too big, not too little, our 128-passenger polar expedition ship is just right.
-
Day
3Hebrides/St. Kilda Archipelago
The ship will sail to Hirta, the largest and most hospitable island of the St Kilda archipelago. You'll stop here briefly for a visit to the remains of the village and church, where you will learn about the last Hiortans who were evacuated from here in 1930 after years of struggling to live on the island. Cruise along the coast of the islands here and pay a visit to the tallest sea stack in Britain, known as Stac Lee. Home to northern gannets and other bird species, Stac Lee offers stunning views of the surrounding archipelago and ocean.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Exclusive Inclusions:
Zodiac Excursion
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
Not too big, not too little, our 128-passenger polar expedition ship is just right.
-
Day
4St. Kilda Archipelago/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.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Exclusive Inclusions:
Zodiac Excursion
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
Not too big, not too little, our 128-passenger polar expedition ship is just right.
-
Day
5Orkney Islands
Today the ship will head to Papa Westray and North Ronaldsay, part of the Orkney Islands, where there is a distinct sense of community, ancient sites, diverse wildlife and stunning coastal scenery. The first stop is able to be explored by foot or bike. Look out for puffins, seals, and other birdlife, and perhaps visit the oldest surviving house in Northern Europe. FInish up in North Ronaldsay, an excellent spot for stargazing. Choose to visit the island's lighthouse, the North Ronaldsay Bird Observatory, or learn how traditional farming practices contribute to its community's unique character.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Exclusive Inclusions:
Expedition
Not too big, not too little, our 128-passenger polar expedition ship is just right.
Zodiac Excursion
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.
-
Day
8Shetland Islands
Sail to the Shetland Islands where dramatic landscapes, rich Viking 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 Foula, Papa Stour with its population of 15 people, Hermaness National Nature Reserve, and Lerwick. Spend the days searching for wildlife and seeing ancient Viking settlement sites as you delve deeper into the history of the Shetland Islands.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Exclusive Inclusions:
Zodiac Excursion
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
Not too big, not too little, our 128-passenger polar expedition ship is just right.
-
Day
9Kirkwall/Orkney Islands
Pass back through the Orkney Islands and stop to visit Kirkwall, the 'Heart of Neolitic Orkney' where a group of 5,000-year-old sites reside. Enjoy time to explore on land and perhaps see Skara Brae.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Exclusive Inclusions:
Zodiac Excursion
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
Not too big, not too little, our 128-passenger polar expedition ship is just right.
-
Day
10Edinburgh/Leith
Shortly after breakfast, disembark at the Port of Leith. From here, you will need to transfer to Edinburgh Airport for your departing flight.
For guests departing on disembarkation day, G Adventures will provide a complimentary transfer at 8:00am to Edinburgh International Airport from the port.For guests who are planning on staying in Edinburgh 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.
- Meals Included:
- Breakfast
Exclusive Inclusions:
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
More Details
G Adventures is informing us of the following additional details regarding their The Scottish Isles: An Expedition Through History & Highlands tour:
Group Size
Max 128 aboard the Expedition.
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.
Highlights
Cruise by Zodiac through iconic highlights of the Scottish Isles, Spot seabirds and other wildlife along remote coastlines, Step into the past at charming villages and ancient sites in the Hebrides and beyond, Gain insight through onboard lectures and expert-led briefings, Sail past mist-shrouded islands and uncover the legends that bring them to life
Message from G Adventures About Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your leader, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy we require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency evacuation and repatriation. A minimum coverage of USD200,000 is required. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. Some tours include adventure activities that require extra coverage (e.g. crampon use); please review your itinerary and make sure that you are covered for all included activities. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip (a receipt of credit card statement) with a credit card in your name. Contact your bank for details of their participating insurer, the level of coverage and emergency contact telephone number.
Accommodation Summary
Aboard the Expedition in triple-, twin-share cabins, or suites (all with en suite bathrooms and porthole or window, 9 nts). Please note that all cabins consist of twin-size berths and are ocean-facing. Suites have one queen-size bed.
Meals Included
9 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 9 dinners
What are the meals like on this trip?
Onboard our expedition ship you’ll find a diversity of gourmet international cuisines prepared and catered by professional chefs; all meals are included in the price of your expedition. Dining is casual, tables are unassigned and the dining room is capable of seating the entire passenger compliment at one time. There is always a selection of different meals available, and vegetarians will find plenty of options. Special dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice, please advise us at time of confirmation. Coffee, tea and water are all provided free of charge. All other beverages, alcoholic and non-alcoholic are not included and can be purchased in the dining room, pub, or in the lounge.
Group Leader
One expedition team member per 10 guests.
What is the group leader like?
A carefully chosen team will lead our voyage. Our expedition ship boasts an international team of professional naturalists and lecturers. Their goal is to provide an informed and balanced interpretation of the destination, accomplished through stimulating lectures, day-to-day briefings, and informal discussions. Your lecturers and Expedition Leader will cover all aspects of the voyage including ornithology, marine biology, geography, geology, history and the environment, as well as practical things like photography. The Expedition Staff work conscientiously with you on deck and in the field, improving your observational skills to allow you to experience all that the destination has to offer. Their strong sense of ethics and ecological knowledge make for stimulating and mindful conversation whether onshore or at the dinner table. The expedition staff will pilot the Zodiac landing craft used for shore landings and Zodiac cruises; they are experienced drivers who operate the Zodiacs in a responsible manner.
Transportation
Expedition, Zodiac, private vehicle, walking.
Minimum Age
Minimum age of 10 years for this trip.
Checklist
Documents:o Flight info (required) (Printouts of e-tickets may be required at the border)o Insurance info (required) (With photocopies)o Passport (required) (With photocopies)o Vouchers and pre-departure information (required)o Visas or vaccination certificates (With photocopies)Expedition:o Waterproof pants (required) (Mandatory for all Zodiac landings, preferably with elastic cuffs to avoid any water seeping in during landings.)o Binoculars (highly recommended)o Camera (With extra memory cards and batteries)o Credit cards (Please note the Expedition is cashless and only accepts credit cards for payment.)o Day pack (Used for daily excursions or short overnights)o Drybag (To protect your camera and belongings on Zodiac landings)o Ear plugso First-aid kit (should contain lip balm with sunscreen, sunscreen, whistle, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, bandaids/plasters, tape, anti-histamines, antibacterial gel/wipes, antiseptic cream, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, water purification tablets or drops, insect repellent, sewing kit, extra prescription drugs you may be taking)o Flashlight/torch (Recommended for Antarctic camping)o Fleece jacket or warm layero Fleece top/sweatero Footwear (good gripping) (Please note that open toed shoes are not allowed in public spaces on the Expedition.)o Hato Long pants/jeanso Moisturizer/lip balmo Moneybelto Motion sickness tabletso Outlet adapter (Electricity onboard is 220AC electrical outlets, with European 2 pin round holes, as well as 110-volt shaving sockets in the bathroom for electric razors only.)o Personal entertainment (Reading and writing materials, cards, music player, etc.)o Scarf (Or neck warmer.)o Shirts/t-shirtso Sleepwearo Sunblock (Antarctica is a desert!)o Sunglasseso Swimwearo Thermal base layero Thermal underwearo Toiletries (Shampoo and shower gel are provided aboard the Expedition.)o Walking poles (if desired)o Warm hato Warm waterproof gloveso Watch and alarm clocko Wool/Heavy socksHealth & Safety:o Face masks (Clients will be only be required to wear a face mask where it is mandated by local regulations.)o Hand sanitizero Pen (Please bring your own pen for filling out documents.)
When can I do my laundry on this trip?
Aboard the Expedition, laundry is available to be serviced by our shipboard team at an additional charge.
Pricing and availability are subject to change and must be confirmed by one of our travel advisors, who can contact the vendor to do so. Intra-vacation air (also referred to as internal air) is usually based on economy class seating (do not assume otherwise, unless explicity noted otherwise) and may be 100% non-refundable at time of final payment. Air quotes (including intra-vacation airfare) may be subject to change until final payment has been received by the vendor. Flight confirmation may be based on availability. Air reservations may not be able to be confirmed until a passport copy is received by the vendor. The following charges are not included in the vacation price unless otherwise noted: airfare to and from the start of your vacation; airline baggage fees including checked and/or excess baggage fees; Federal inspection fees for the Federal U.S. Customs and Immigrations; International Air Transportation tax; agricultural tax; other per person taxes imposed by government entities; airport taxes and fees, including the September 11th Security fee, passenger facility charges, Federal domestic flight segment fees, and U.S. and international arrival and departure and other government-imposed fees added by the airline and applicable at time of booking; port taxes; passports; visas and vaccinations; tips to your Cruise Director, Local Host, driver, Local Guides, and/or ship's crew; gratuities on ferries, trains, and cruise ships; laundry; telephone; minibar; alcohol, beverages, and food outside of the contracted menu as presented at a hotel or restaurant or onboard your vessel (these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel, ship, or restaurant); airport transfers on non-qualifying flights; optional excursions; additional activities and excursions purchased online; porterage at airports and train stations; Travel Protection; and all other items of a personal nature. Itinerary details are provided by the vendor. Vendors may reserve the right to change itineraries, even on existing reservations. There may be instances where the name of a tour contains a tour length in it, but where there is a version of the tour that is a different number of days in length. You can check the true length of a tour by referring to the length value listed in association with that tour. Destination images displayed on this web page, some which are supplied by the related vendor and some which are not, are intended to simply give a general representation of the region of the world being visited during the tour. Such images are not necessarily of the exact areas being visited during the tour. Hotel details (including, but not limited to: rating/class, descriptions, images, amenities and addresses) are provided by G Adventures. Hotel amenities may be communicated in shorthand by G Adventures (for example, if "Laundry" is listed that may only mean that the hotel has an optional fee-based service that would allow for your laundry to be done by their staff). We reserve the right to correct errors.