Scotland by Sea & Land

Scotland by Sea & Land

Scotland is a land of mountain wildernesses, incredible wildlife, lonely sea lochs and islands, remote fishing villages, Gaelic speaking communities and deep glens. The country is famed for its long and dramatic history, archaeology and the warmth and kindness of its people.  Scotland’s capital is Edinburgh and its castle, which dominates the city, is home to Scotland’s crown jewels.  The city is a delightful mixture of medieval, Georgian and neoclassical buildings. On Scotland’s west coast is the port city of Glasgow rightly famous for its vibrant culture, museums, and Victorian and art nouveau buildings.

Visiting Scotland by both sea and land allows the visitor to truly appreciate the multi-faceted depth of this wonderful country: from Highlands to Lowlands; from city to village; and the rugged beauty of the Hebridean Islands. It is a unique experience when you spend part of your holiday on land and the other part at sea.

Scotland by Sea: Any of our cruises can be combined with a customised land tour which can be before or after your cruise. Take a look at our 2025 or 2026 Cruise Calendars in order to choose your cruise.

Scotland by Land: Our partner Clans and Castles will be organising the land part of the voyage. Their driver/guide will look after you before or after your cruise with us. The land tour includes all accommodation reservations, ferries, rental car and perhaps a tour guide or tickets for a specific event. There is also the option of a 'self-drive' tour. 

Clans and Castles specialise in tailoring holidays to match your interests – whether in history, art and architecture, family history, wine and whisky, food and gastronomy, fly fishing, golf, walking, nature and scenery or simply a relaxed journey seeing the best of what Scotland has to offer.

They work closely with us and provide a range of accessible experts with specialist knowledge. These include clan chiefs, art historians, crofters, folk musicians, celebrity chefs, wine and whisky critics, historians, soldiers, fishing ghillies and many more who can provide unique insights into Scottish culture. Whatever the requirements – solo travel, a family holiday, a trip with friends or a romantic getaway – Clans and Castle and St Hilda Sea Adventures can help.

The following is a brief example of a land tour assuming that guests arrive in Glasgow or Edinburgh before their cruise. Land tours can, of course, be designed to fit any timescale.

Experience shows that people prefer to give themselves at least a full day to recover from the flight, adjust to the time zone and explore a little on their own. Therefore, included in the land tour is a couple of nights at a chic Bed and Breakfast close to either Glasgow or Edinburgh city centres before you meet the tour guide.

Day 2 

We all meet in the foyer and set off for the West Highlands. Past Stirling or Loch Lomond and over the ‘Rest and Be Thankful Pass and into the Argyll Highlands. A visit to Inveraray with its magnificent castle – seat and home of the Chiefs of Clan Campbell and Dukes of Argyll. We stay in a nearby Inn.

Day 3 

We drive deeper into the West Highlands. A seaside visit to the ancient crosses at Kilmory and Castle Sween – Scotland’s first stone-built fortress. Then on to Saddell, one of the original centres of the Macdonald Lords of the Isles.

Day 4 

We tour the legendary Kilmartin Glen, capital of Dark Age Dalriada and site of a remarkable collection of neolithic stone circles and burial chambers. Then up the stunning West Coast of Argyll to the fishing port of Oban for two nights.

Day 5 

Exploring the West Coast. Ardchattan Priory, dramatic GlenCoe, scene of the infamous massacre, and back via Glenorchy and Kilchurn castle on Loch Awe.

Day 6 

Time to take to the waves. Your driver/guide leaves you in the hands of the captain and crew.  Your departure point is Dunstaffnage Marina (Oban), in the lee of the famous Clan MacDougall castle.