Scottish Small Ship Cruises: Discover Scotland's Wild Isles

Visit Scotland's Wild Isles aboard one of our unique, small cruise ships. We take our passengers (couples, solos, groups and families) from Dunstaffnage Marina, near Oban, to the majestic Outer and Inner Hebrides - beautiful, unspoiled coastlines of spectacular sea lochs, stunning Hebridean landscapes and incredible wildlife. Spring, summer and early autumn are, without doubt, the best times of the year to enjoy Scotland’s Wild Isles. In the summer months the days are long and the nights are short allowing even more time to enjoy the wonderful wildlife and scenery. 

The spectacular Isle of Skye, the nearby Small Isles (Canna, Rum Muck Eigg), the Southern Hebridean Islands of Islay and Jura and the Outer Hebridean islands of Uist, Harris, Lewis and the Shiants are just some of the Scottish islands you can explore. You can even venture off-shore to St Kilda. 

At this time of the year Scotland’s Wild Isles are at their best for wildlife sightings. See whales, basking sharks, dolphins, seals, otters, sea and golden eagles, seabirds, including nesting puffins and the unique St Kilda wren and the special plants, orchids and butterflies of the Machair of the Outer Hebridean beaches. We have even seen a breaching humpback whale! There are rock pools to explore, spectacular coastal walks and kayaking from our small ships even entering, for example, Staffa’s Fingal’s cave. 

A Small Ship Cruising Holiday With A Difference

Our four small ships offer you a truly unique experience.  People of all ages can learn about the sea but also find out about nature and explore the local marine environment while enjoying the exhilaration of cruising the wonderful west coast of Scotland on our unique small ships. 

Our Scottish cruises will take you through a pristine environment, spectacularly rich in wildlife and breathtaking mountain and seascapes. A cruise aboard St Hilda, Seahorse II, Gemini Explorer or Speideren is a voyage of discovery.

Book Your Scottish Cruise 

Our 2024 and 2025 cruise calendars are all onlinePlease get in touch with us to talk through your requirements - we are flexible and very happy to help. Contact us via phone on 01631 564121 or +1 (800) 281 4980 (if calling from the USA) or e-mail  info@sthildaseaadventures.co.uk

Book The Whole Boat

All of our Scottish cruises are perfect for small groups or families. Groups, friends and families often charter the whole boat. Any un-booked cruise can be booked for a private charter. However, as soon as a cruise has just a single booking a private charter is no longer possible for that date - so early booking is recommended. All ages can enjoy fishing, sea kayaking, swimming, wild swimming, coastal walks, rock pooling, dinghy trips and even hoisting the sails on St Hilda.

Solo Travellers

We host many solo travellers. We have single cabins available on Seahorse II and Gemini Explorer and various cabin-sharing options in twin cabins on all four small ships.

Guest Reviews

We receive fantastic feedback from our passengers who think that our Scottish cruises and our cruising areas offer something truly unique at very good value. Take a look at our latest reviews HERE. 

Our Fleet

Our four small ships are authentic, traditional vessels: a Norwegian ferry that plyed the rough North Sea and the fjords of Norway; a cruising lifeboat that spent days at sea in the Western Approaches; a Norwegian rescue ship that worked the unpredictable waters of the North and Arctic Seas, rescuing and towing many a crippled vessel; and a sail training vessel that raced across the North Sea on a number of occasions with merchant navy cadet officers being trained under highly experienced Master Mariners. All four small ships have been modernised for passenger safety and comfort but, where possible, keeping the traditional "look" and insides in their traditional state so as to reflect the roles they once played. Many of the cabins are finished in their original hardwood and the berths have been kept as they originally were so as to keep the passengers safe in a seaway and when sleeping at night. Of course the bathrooms and heating systems have all been updated.


St Hilda

an ex-Tall Ship

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Seahorse II

an ex-Norwegian Ferry

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Gemini Explorer

an ex-Cruising Lifeboat

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Spiederen

an ex-Norwegian Rescue Ship

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Our four small ships are St Hilda (max 6 passengers), Seahorse II (max 11 passengers) and Gemini Explorer (max 8 passengers) and Spiederen (max 8 passengers). All of our ships have been converted to cruise the western islands of Scotland in comfort and style. 

Flagship St Hilda – Sunset In The Inner Hebrides

St Hilda Sea Adventures started in 2006 with the beautiful ex-tall ship St Hilda.

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