Top Scotland Budget Short Cruise Trips &amp; Packages 2025/2026

none

5/5 Excellent

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

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."

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10 days From$1,477

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6 Day Taste Of Scotland

none

4.5/5 Excellent

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."

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6 days From$967

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Scottish Isles & Glens

none

4.5/5 Excellent

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.

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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13 days From$2,541

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Scottish Dream

none

4.5/5 Excellent

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."

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8 days From$1,975

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English & Scottish Discovery

none

4.5/5 Excellent

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."

By National Geographic Expeditions

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8 days From$1,608

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Norway and Scotland: Fjordlands to the Inner Hebrides

preferred

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."