Top Scotland Budget Short Cruise Trips & Packages 2025/2026

Our 21 most popular Scotland Budget Short Cruise Trips & Packages trips. Compare tour itineraries from 10 tour companies. 3 reviews.

21 Trips match your criteria (1 - 21 shown)

10 Day Taste Of Scotland & Ireland
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5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

  • Enjoy a true Scottish Evening
  • Enjoy a Dublin Canal Cruise Dinner
  • Visit Bunratty Castle Medieval Banquet
  • Embark on a Loch Ness Scenic Cruise
  • Visit the Cliffs of Moher
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Themes

Cultural, 50 Plus

What travelers are saying

"We used CIE for an amazing tour of Ireland. The food and the locals were amazing. Here is my issue: we were told that another CIE tour from Scotland would be joining us in Dublin. The majority of those travelers had some type of respiratory virus and joined our tour. Tour director knew they were sick as she pointed out pharmacies at every tour stop. Every scheduled breakfast, lunch or dinner was restricted to certain tables since we had limited reserved seating and that virus spread like wildfire among the original Dublin travelers. My understanding is that CIE has a policy that “sick” passengers are not permitted on the tour. My wife got the “sickness” and I got COVID. Ruined such an amazing place. I placed a customer service ticket with CIE on 21 May 2014 and have heard nothing back. I will probably see Bigfoot before a response."

Trip dates & details
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6 Day Taste Of Scotland
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4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

  • Glorious Highland Scenery The Highlands cover most of the northern part of Scotland with hills and mountains. This unspoilt region provides wonderful scenic views of hills, valleys, lakes and coastline. Scottish Evening This fun evening starts with a 4-course dinner where you can sample the traditional Scottish dish of haggis, neaps and tatties. Then the music, dance and storytelling begins and offers you an insight into many aspects of Scottish life. Blair Athol Distillery Blair Athol Distillery is one of the oldest working distilleries in Scotland. After enjoying a leisurely conducted tour, you can mull over the distinctive character of the finished article as you sip your dram of Blair Athol 12 Year Old. Loch Ness Cruise This large, deep, freshwater loch in the Scottish Highlands is approximately 23 miles long and forms part of the Caledonian Canal. It is the second largest Scottish loch by surface area at 21.8 square miles after Loch Lomond, but due to its great depth, it is the largest by volume. Loch Ness is best known for the alleged sightings of the legendary Loch Ness Monster, also known as “Nessie”. St Andrews - Home of Golf Golf has been played on the Links at St Andrews since around 1400 AD and the Old Course is renowned throughout the world as the Home of Golf. By the 19th century it was part of the way of life for many local people and golf. Golf still plays a major part in the culture and economy of St Andrews today. Edinburgh Castle The rock on which today’s castle stands has been a stronghold for over 3000 years and Edinburgh Castle has dominated its surroundings for centuries. See the 12th century St. Margaret’s Chapel, the monumental great hall of James IV, opened in 1511, the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone of Destiny.

Themes

Cultural, 50 Plus

What travelers are saying

"We used CIE for an amazing tour of Ireland. The food and the locals were amazing. Here is my issue: we were told that another CIE tour from Scotland would be joining us in Dublin. The majority of those travelers had some type of respiratory virus and joined our tour. Tour director knew they were sick as she pointed out pharmacies at every tour stop. Every scheduled breakfast, lunch or dinner was restricted to certain tables since we had limited reserved seating and that virus spread like wildfire among the original Dublin travelers. My understanding is that CIE has a policy that “sick” passengers are not permitted on the tour. My wife got the “sickness” and I got COVID. Ruined such an amazing place. I placed a customer service ticket with CIE on 21 May 2014 and have heard nothing back. I will probably see Bigfoot before a response."

Trip dates & details
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Scottish Isles & Glens
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4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

  • Scottish Evening in Edinburgh: This fun evening starts with a 4-course dinner where you can sample the traditional Scottish dish of haggis, neaps and tatties. Then the music, dance and storytelling begins and offers you an insight into many aspects of Scottish life.
  • Eilean Donan Castle: This iconic castle is surrounded by majestic scenery. The first fortified castle was built in the mid 13th century and re-built through the centuries. Partially destroyed in a Jacobite uprising in 1719, Eilean Donan lay in ruins for the best part of 200 years. It took 20 years to restore from 1912 until its opening to the public in 1932.
  • Stay 2-Nights on Isle of Orkney: Experience island life on the largest island of the Orkneys and enjoy the majestic and historic sights throughout the island. Stay in the capital, Kirkwall, where you will have free time to browse around on your own and dine independently..
  • 5,000-Year-Old Village of Skara Brae: These 5,000-year-old ruins are of an incredibly well preserved stone settlement containing an intricate maze of dwellings. The site was revealed in 1850 by a violent storm and is now one of the most famous Neolithic sites in Northern Europe.
  • Whisky Tasting on Isle of Arran: Scotland is world-famous for its whisky, which is distilled all around the country. Walk through a working distillery to view the many steps of how whiskey is produced from the simple ingredients of malted barley and water. Try a sample “wee dram” at the end of the tour.
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Themes

Cultural, Culinary & Wine, 50 Plus

What travelers are saying

"We used CIE for an amazing tour of Ireland. The food and the locals were amazing. Here is my issue: we were told that another CIE tour from Scotland would be joining us in Dublin. The majority of those travelers had some type of respiratory virus and joined our tour. Tour director knew they were sick as she pointed out pharmacies at every tour stop. Every scheduled breakfast, lunch or dinner was restricted to certain tables since we had limited reserved seating and that virus spread like wildfire among the original Dublin travelers. My understanding is that CIE has a policy that “sick” passengers are not permitted on the tour. My wife got the “sickness” and I got COVID. Ruined such an amazing place. I placed a customer service ticket with CIE on 21 May 2014 and have heard nothing back. I will probably see Bigfoot before a response."

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Scottish Dream
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4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

  • Enjoy the exquisite eye candy on the largest lake in Scotland.
  • Scotland was beautiful and the tour really showed it off.
  • Explore the legendary Royal and Ancient Clubhouse and the Old Course at the birthplace of golf

Themes

Local Immersion & Homestays, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"We used CIE for an amazing tour of Ireland. The food and the locals were amazing. Here is my issue: we were told that another CIE tour from Scotland would be joining us in Dublin. The majority of those travelers had some type of respiratory virus and joined our tour. Tour director knew they were sick as she pointed out pharmacies at every tour stop. Every scheduled breakfast, lunch or dinner was restricted to certain tables since we had limited reserved seating and that virus spread like wildfire among the original Dublin travelers. My understanding is that CIE has a policy that “sick” passengers are not permitted on the tour. My wife got the “sickness” and I got COVID. Ruined such an amazing place. I placed a customer service ticket with CIE on 21 May 2014 and have heard nothing back. I will probably see Bigfoot before a response."

Trip dates & details
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English & Scottish Discovery
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4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

  • Visits and admissions to St Paul’s Cathedral
  • See the Dove Cottage, Famous Blacksmith’s Shop at Gretna Green
  • Explore central Edinburgh, starting in the 200-year-old “New Town” with its planned streets
  • Pass the beautiful shoreline of Loch Ness with views of this deep lake.
  • Opportunity to Beatles Tour of Liverpool

Themes

Cultural, Nature & Wildlife, 50 Plus, National Parks, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"We used CIE for an amazing tour of Ireland. The food and the locals were amazing. Here is my issue: we were told that another CIE tour from Scotland would be joining us in Dublin. The majority of those travelers had some type of respiratory virus and joined our tour. Tour director knew they were sick as she pointed out pharmacies at every tour stop. Every scheduled breakfast, lunch or dinner was restricted to certain tables since we had limited reserved seating and that virus spread like wildfire among the original Dublin travelers. My understanding is that CIE has a policy that “sick” passengers are not permitted on the tour. My wife got the “sickness” and I got COVID. Ruined such an amazing place. I placed a customer service ticket with CIE on 21 May 2014 and have heard nothing back. I will probably see Bigfoot before a response."

Trip dates & details
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Norway and Scotland: Fjordlands to the Inner Hebrides
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3.5/5 Great
30 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

  • Kayak the mirror-like waters of Norway’s Sognefjorden, and discover hidden inlets by Zodiac.
  • Spot puffins, guillemots, and razorbills along the cliffs of Noss, and visit a renowned seabird research station on Fair Isle—located on the migration flyway.
  • Hike to the lighthouse at Sumburgh Head, explore splendid gardens at Loch Ewe, and dive the historic wrecks of Scapa Flow.
  • Discover an archaeological treasure trove: Viking longhouses in the Shetlands, Stone Age megaliths in the Orkneys, and the sacred Christian sites of Iona.

Themes

50 Plus, Sailing, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"We booked a National Geographic expedition Holland and Belgium by River. The promotional literature promised a 14-day deposit refund window. The “invoice” was marked “non-refundable” deposit. We completed the National Geographic Traveler Information. About 8 days later we received the “Travel Agreement” to be signed. We both approved and signed the National Geographic documents. A Cruise Line Travel agreement was enclosed but had no signature line. This document contained language which was unacceptable. We submitted the signed NatGeo documents. The following day we canceled the trip due to the unacceptable Cruise Line language. Cancellation was made 12 days after booking and no deposit was returned. We were told on the phone that the refund deadline was triggered by the 14 day window OR signatures on the Travel Agreement which ever came first. This was NEW information. To date, we have received NO refund of our $1000. We cancelled our trip within the advertised 14 day window."

Trip dates & details
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Highlights of Scotland & Ireland
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4.1/5 Great
100+ reviews
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

  • Edinburgh Hop-on Hop-off City Bus Tour (24 hours)
  • The Complete Loch Ness Experience (ASA)
  • Glasgow City Sightseeing Hop-on/Hop-off Bus Tour - (24 hrs)
  • Dublin Big Bus Essential Hop-on/Hop-off - 48-hour
  • Blarney Castle
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Themes

Cultural, Hiking & Walking, Local Immersion & Homestays, Relaxing Retreats

What travelers are saying

"All was awesome"

Trip dates & details
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York, the Lake District & Edinburgh
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4.1/5 Great
100+ reviews
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

  • Want to stay longer? You can extend this trip up to a total of 8 days!
  • Ten Lakes Spectacular - Full-Day Tour (From Windermere)
  • Secrets of the Royal Mile Walking Tour

Themes

Hiking & Walking, Local Immersion & Homestays, Relaxing Retreats

What travelers are saying

"All was awesome"

Trip dates & details
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Scotland Budget Short Cruise Trips & Packages Reviews

D

Dads trip

Nov 2020

Written on

Our Guide was awesome. John did an amazing job

I took my 80 year old Dad and he bragged about it every day till he passed 5/2...

J

Jerome & Katherine

Aug 2015

Written on

We had a phenomenal time

We had a phenomenal time on our Taste of Scotland and Ireland tour. Pat, our driver, and Malackey, our tour guide for Scotland, were so informative and funny. Pat wa...

V

Valerie & Dennis

Aug 2015

Written on

Best vacation ever

Best vacation EVER!!! The locations and landscapes were breathtaking. There is beauty everywhere in both countries. The hotels, meals and attractions were top notch....

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