Fàilte!  A Scottish Gaelic expression of welcome. ElegantCruises.com, small ship cultural and expedition cruising company welcomes you to the best site for booking a Scottish cruise of Scotland’s western and northern islands.

A Scottish Cruise Evokes Extraordinary Images
Imagine mysterious and enchanting islands with heather covered hills, deserted golden beaches, clear green seas, and tranquil lochs. Visualize looming, windswept islands with ancient castles and weathered natural rock arches and caves. In wonderment gaze upon the uncanny Neolithic sentinels that jut skywards, just as awe inspiring and powerful as they must have appeared when once an active part of their islands' culture. On our early summer Scottish cruise aboard the Andrea, a small scale cruise ship renovated in the elegant 18th century Gustavian style, relax as you glide past dramatic islands of enormous natural beauty.  Starting in the lovely western coast port of Oban, your Scottish cruise will wind its way through the Inner and Outer Hebrides, to the remote rugged northern islands of the Shetlands and the windy Orkneys finally ending in the sparkling granite city of Aberdeen on the other side of Scotland.

On a Scottish Cruise See Thousands of Birds and Other Wild Life
Whether you are an ardent birdwatcher or just enjoy seeing wild life in their natural habitats, the coasts and seas of Scotland are home to spectacular seabird colonies and other marine life. ElegantCruises.com has chosen the early summer for its Scottish cruise, not only for the weather, but also for the opportunity to view the thousands of breeding birds. The islands in the west, the Hebrides, the Shetlands and Orkneys, are famous for the huge nesting colonies of such birds as Gannets and Skuas. In fact your Scottish cruise will take you to the remote St. Kilda islands created thousands of years ago from volcanic rocks. Some of these rocky havens have cliffs rising to over 400 meters high and are home to one of the largest nesting grounds in the world for the Northern Gannet. The Shetland Islands also are renown for their astounding seabird colonies of the Great Skua as well as breeding Guillemots, Puffins, Razorbills, Kittiwakes, and Fulmars. More than half the world population of the Great Skuas, also called Bonxies, breed in the Shetlands which is also a summer home to such diverse birds as the Red-throated Divers, waders and moorland birds such as Snipe, Dunlin, Golden Plover, Redshank, and the Ringed Plover among others. Due in no small part to the geographic position of the country, Scotland's natural marine heritage is unique. The Gulf Stream brings warm waters to the west coast while cold sub-Arctic waters reach down to the Northern Isles. The extremes of life underwater are particularly striking on the west coast of Scotland. During your ElegantCruises.com Scottish cruise you will observe the differences between the more sheltered sea lochs and wind and ocean swept exposed cliffs and beaches of the islands. Our Scottish cruise itinerary is especially designed for people who not only love exploring these memorable islands, but also enjoy observing birds and other marine creatures such as seals and dolphins that ply the surrounding waters.

Experience the Wonder of Neolithic Ruins During a Scottish Cruise
One highlight of your Scottish cruise is a visit to the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. While the stone ring of Callanish is the most prominent and visually striking of the rocks in the area, they are only one part of a large cluster of some twenty megalithic ruins within a two-mile radius. Although the rings had both an astronomical observation function and a sacred temple function, exactly how and why the prehistoric builders used these monumental rings archaeologist may never exactly know. Wandering across the desolate wind-swept moors of the Isle of Lewis, you will stand in awe. In the Orkney Islands the Neolithic people of Scotland left many breathtaking, mystical remains as well. Traveling northward on our Scottish cruise you will have more opportunities to visit other fantastic archaeological sites on the distant, windswept Shetland Islands. Dating as far back as 6,000 years, this area is scattered with ancient treasures not only of the Neolithic peoples but also of the Celts and Vikings. The itinerary of our Scottish cruise includes an afternoon exploration of Maes Howe, the finest chambered tomb in North West Europe that is older than even the Egyptian pyramids and the nearby archaeological sites that include Skara Brae, a seaside Stone Age settlement, and the Standing Stones of Stenness. This Neolithic monument originally had 12 stones creating a 104 feet diameter circle. Now only four of the unusual stones remain.  Not far away is an 18.5 ft high stone called the Watch Stone, which may have linked the standing stones with the henge monument of the Ring of Brodgar. These are just a few of the outstanding archeological sites you will visit during your Scottish cruise arranged by ElegantCruises.com.

Snapshots From A Scottish Cruise
We have mentioned the amazing opportunities you will have seeing thousands of birds nesting, as well as visiting mysterious weather worn ancient ruins. But there are many other delightful Scottish cruise snapshots that will help inform you about the adventure you are about to embark on. Our Scottish cruise travels to some of Scotland’s most dramatically beautiful lochs, as well as to the often mystical, otherworldly west and northernmost Scottish islands with their diverse and astonishing terrains. On the most southerly of the Hebridean Islands, is the magnificent Gigha, with its breathtaking sandy beaches surrounded by an extraordinary colored sea. Here you will have the opportunity to visit the lovely gardens of Archamore House. Stroll about its 50 acres of not only towering rhododendrons and vibrant azaleas, but also other exotic plants. Even though Gigha has one of the warmest climates in Scotland, it may be surprising how many sub-tropical plants you will find among the plantings. In contrast to lovely island of Gigha, ElegantCruises.com Scottish cruise brings you to the dramatic island of Staffa, with its steep basalt cliffs and sea craved caves. Its most famous cave known as Fingal’s Cave was the creative incentive for Mendelssohn's 'Hebrides Overture'. The cave’s unique structure is formed completely by hexagonally jointed basalt, a visually stunning natural masterpiece. Such spectacular scenery will amaze you every day of your Scottish cruise trip. Near the end of your Scottish cruise journey there is a stop at Fair Isle, Scotland's most remote inhabited island. Known internationally as a haven for over 240 different species of flowering plant and 345 species of birds, more than anywhere else in Great Briton, the island is home to multi colored rabbits as well as sheep. Perhaps what the island is most well known for is its Fair Isle knitting. Developed on Fair Isle hundreds of years ago, the unique style evolved when local knitters discovered that fine yarns stranded into a double layer produce durable, warm, yet lightweight garments. Copied elsewhere, today the only source of the genuine article is still from the island of Fair Isle.

A Memorable Scottish Cruise with ElegantCruises.com
You may wonder what makes an ElegantCruises.com Scottish cruise such a successful adventure. We believe it is not only the sheer range of attractions and activities offered among the stunning diversity of the Scotland Islands landscape, but also a small intimate cruising vessel and crew whose professionalism and concern is for your comfort. Come aboard and discover some of the most remote and beautiful places among the Scottish Islands of the Inner and Outer Hebrides as well as the spectacular northern islands of the Shetlands and Orkneys. Your Scottish cruise awaits you aboard the ElegantCruises.com ship, the Andrea. Give us a call at 800-683-6767.