Hebridean Island Cruises – Cruise Traveller

Scotland & Beyond

Did you know that the Late Queen Elizabeth II chose Hebridean Island Cruises for her special celebrations travelling through her beloved Scotland?

Hebridean Island Cruise is one of the smallest and finest luxury cruise lines in Europe. Their focus is their commitment to ensure everyone on board receives the best care and attention.

Not only are Hebridean Princess and Lord of the Highlands welcoming and comfortable ships, but also places where lasting friendships are made. A Scottish or Ireland cruise with Hebridean Island Cruises is a truly unforgettable experience.

Travel to unique places like the Caledonian Canal, remote Scottish Islands, Ireland coasts and more. Discover history, culture, nature and rugged un-changing vistas around every bend – the Hebridean Island Cruises way.


Fascinating Locations

Finding new and beautiful places is a Hebridean speciality. The Hebridean Island Cruises team tirelessly seeks locations that will thrill, inform and excite.

Small luxury cruise ships like Hebridean Princess are able to sail where larger ships cannot. Their cruises allow you to explore the rich culture and history of each destination.

Perhaps you’d like to discover the inner reaches of Scotland’s Highlands? Lord of the Highlands takes a small number of guests along the Caledonian Canal in style. Be on Loch Ness, not beside it.

The Great Glen Way runs the entire length of Scotland’s longest glen and follows the natural geological fault line. Starting in Inverness, the capital of the Highlands to Fort William in the shadow of Ben Nevis mountain, ramble your way along.

Hebridean Princess extends the itinerary from her home port of Oban to destinations like, Northern Ireland, Eire, Wales, Isle of Man, Orkney and Shetland…

There can be no more a convincing endorsement than the fact that during her last cruising season, more than 70% of guests had previously travelled with Hebridean.


The Hebridean Difference

Small is personal – Hebridean, believe it is simply not possible to look after large numbers of guests properly and give them the personal service that differentiates an extraordinary holiday from a merely good one. With a crew to guest ratio of almost 1 to 1 allowing them to deliver unobtrusive service, you can enjoy your time to the full.


House party style – The small size of Hebridean Princess and the even smaller, Lord of the Highlands, means that each cruise is always a carefree and convivial affair where good conversation flourishes and new friendships are formed, creating a house party atmosphere that is unfussy and unpretentious.


Cossetted and relaxing – Leave the frantic pace of land behind and voyage into a world of relaxation few people have experienced. There are neither talent shows nor glitzy cabarets on board, just good conversation with fellow travellers and quiet corners in which to relax.

Delectable – With an ever-changing menu, dining on board is a sensational feast. The talented and dedicated chefs use only the freshest, locally sourced ingredients allowing the creation of the most delectable breakfasts, lunches, afternoon teas and dinners.


Genuinely Fully-Inclusive

Onboard Dining Experiences

Dine at the picture-windowed Caledonian Restaurant aboard Lord of the Highlands, or the elegant Columba Restaurant when travelling onboard Hebridean Princess.

Barbeques and picnics ashore may also be offered (weather dependent). No matter where or how you are dining, the focus is on locally sourced, highest quality ingredients prepared by top chefs.

Shore excursions

All shore activities have been carefully curated to make the most from each port of call, whether that be wildlife, walking, learning or local artisans, Hebridean includes it.

No need to choose prior, no need to pay a bill at the end, just sit back and enjoy each activity to the fullest.

Complimentary drinks

Compliment each meal with Hebridean’s specially selected wines of the day. Even when you are not dining, there are house wines, spirits, soft drinks and beers available whenever you like, all included in your fare.

Toast your new friends with a glass of Taittinger Champagne – available by the glass – throughout your cruise, or catch up for a tea or coffee anytime.

Stateroom amenities and gratuities

All ship and shore gratuities are included in a Hebridean Island Cruises fare, along with port taxes – so rest easy.

Onboard in your stateroom a warm bathrobe and slippers await your pleasure after cleaning up in your private ensuite. Enjoy Molton Brown toiletries onboard, your own mini fridge and tea/coffee making facilities. Wifi is also available onboard.

Bicycles for loan

Hebridean Princess has bicycles onboard for those wanting to enjoy the stunning scenery of Scotland on many of the traffic-free islands that are visited. (Not available on Lord of the Highlands)

Guides and guest speakers

Knowledgeable guides accompany most cruises, both onboard and ashore. Renowned guest speakers are also a highlight of our voyages, bringing new life to our destinations.


Discreet & Exceptional Service

If you would like to be known by your name within moments of stepping on board, to have your smallest preferences remembered, then mass-market style cruising will never be a satisfactory alternative.


Everything Hebridean Island Cruises does receives the same level of care and attention; from the carefully conceived shore visits to the spectacular overnight anchorages, the exquisite menus and the unique and individually designed cabins, every
little detail aims to ensure that the whole experience is so complete that you will never even notice.


Discreet service is the bedrock of their reputation and the uncannily accurate anticipation of your needs is a skill that the crew has developed into almost an art form. This is in the pursuit of perfection – something for which, in their view, there is no alternative.


Multi-award winning Hebridean Princess has been synonymous with luxury cruising for over 30 years and during this time has established a reputation for the highest of standards and attention to detail.


Ship Specifics

Hebridean Princess Ship Specifications

Length: 235 feet / 71.62 m

Draft: 3 metres

Cruising Speed: 12 knots

Classification: Lloyds

Flag/Registration: UK MCA / Glasgow

Guest Decks: 5

Guest Capacity: 48

Crew Members: 38

Crew Nationality: European

Staterooms: 28

Restaurants: 1 – Columbia

Zodiacs: 2 x Hardy Fisher 20 Tenders, 1 x Flatacraft Force 7 RIB, 2 x Sillinger beach boats

Gross Tonnage: 2112

Installed Power: 240V AC Standard UK 3-pin sockets

Refurbished: Each UK Winter


Lord of the Highlands Ship Specifications

Length: 43 metres

Maiden Voyage: 2021

Draft: 2.5 metres

Cruising Speed: 10 knots

Classification: Bureau Veritas

Flag/Registration: Scotland

Guest Decks: 3

Guest Capacity: 38

Crew Members: 18

Crew Nationality: European

Staterooms: 19

Restaurants: 1 – Caledonian

Zodiacs: none

Gross Tonnage: 745

Installed Power: Main engines 1200 kW and UK standard 3 pin plugs


Did you know that Hebridean Princess has staterooms dedicated for solo travellers?


Elegant staterooms

Lord of the Highlands

Hebridean Princess


Themed Cruises

Food & Drink Theme

Scotland is renowned for some of the most mouthwatering cuisine throughout the world and these gastronomic cruises will introduce you to some of the finest restaurants in the Western Isles. Visiting some of the oldest and newest distilleries in the Hebrides, taste some of the rich malt whiskies for which the area is world-famous.

Walking Theme

Footloose walking cruises are accompanied by three highly experienced guides, two of whom are specialist walking guides with an intimate knowledge of the terrain. These exhilarating itineraries cater for all, whether you are a seasoned
walker, prefer to stroll, or wish to vary the pace from day to day.

If you are bewitched by wildlife, inspired by history, invigorated by bracing walks, tempted by the finest Scottish malt whiskies or stimulated by stunning gardens, Hebridean’s specially themed itineraries may appeal to you.

Garden Theme

Relish the magnificent splendour of some of Britain’s most beautiful gardens, cossetted by the warming effects of the Gulf Stream; a true
horticultural extravaganza.

History & Heritage Theme

Scotland has a rich history and heritage. Epic landscapes were carved out by icy glaciers millennia ago, towering castles have stood for
centuries and mesmerising stories, traditions and legends have been passed down for generations. Explore ancient sites that date from the Neolithic era, uncover the history of the Scottish clans or soak up the unique atmosphere of the double
UNESCO World Heritage Site of St Kilda.

Wildlife Theme

The Hebrides, one of the last untouched natural landscapes in Europe, are home to some of the
finest wildlife in the world. White-tailed eagles soar over the rugged coastline, red deer roam over the
moorland and otters swim off shore. The islands are also a popular bird watching destination as well as the prefect place for marine wildlife spotting.


Hebridean Island Cruises in pictures


Featured Hebridean Island Cruises Itineraries

Voyage to the Emerald Isle

Oban to Dun Laoghaire

8 Nights Hebridean Princess

Starts 23 July 2024

Cruise only fares start from

GBP 6,670*pp

WITH DAVID HARPER ONBOARD

Links between Scotland and Ireland are many and varied, reaching back into the mists of time. Two supremely rich Celtic and Gaelic cultures add history and romance against the stirring scenery of a cruise on board Hebridean Princess through the Irish Sea to the Emerald Isle.

With a sense of anticipation, set sail from Oban to Londonderry. Here, you embark on a walking tour of Ireland`s only completely intact historic Walled City. Experience the magic and awe of the basalt miracle, the Giant`s Causeway on the Antrim Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and observe the stunning birdlife of Rathlin Island, Northern Ireland`s largest seabird colony.

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Lure of the Loch Ness

Oban to Inverness

6 Nights Lord of the Highlands

Starts 24 October 2024

Cruise only fares start from

GBP 3,490*pp

TRAVEL THE CALEDONIAN CANAL

Leaving the Hebrides in your wake, you head for The Highlands. Rich in heritage and surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery, the Great Glen cuts right through the heart of Scotland. You transit this geological fault, via the manmade sections of the Caledonian Canal and four immense lochs, Loch Lochy, Loch Oich and most famous of all, the legendary Loch Ness and Loch Dochfour.

Lochs & Isles of the Lower Clyde

Greenock to Greenock

6 Nights Hebridean Princess

Starts 5 November 2024

Cruise only fares start from

GBP 2,890*pp

VISIT THE DISTILLERY OF LAGG

Explore the lochs and isles of the sheltered waters of the Lower Clyde. Relish their tranquility and magnificent scenery on this tantalising cruise where rich and rewarding treasures await discovery. Hebridean Princess introduces you to the delights of this area in comfort and luxurious style.

The Giant Redwood Avenue at Benmore Botanic Gardens forms one of the finest entrances to any garden in the world and gives a glimpse of the sheer variety of trees and shrubs beyond. Go ashore on Bute to explore the wondrous Gothic structure of Mount Stuart House, home to the Stuarts of Bute, direct descendants of Robert the Bruce, which sits in 300 acres of glorious gardens.

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Featured Themed Cruises

Flavours of the Hebrides

Roundtrip Oban, Scotland

7 night cruise only

Hebridean Princess

8-15 October 2024

Fares start from

GBP 4,510*pp

Including accommodation in Glasgow before heading to

Scotland is rightly proud of its reputation for its wonderful natural larder and those who produce mouth-watering creations. Join Hebridean Princess, on this gastronomic voyage, as you explore the wonderful culinary offerings of the Highlands and Islands.

On Colonsay, meet the man who supplies Hebridean Princess with oysters and learn about his other passion – honey and the native black bees he keeps. Sample his wares ahead of a cruise of the Small Isles which highlights their diversity. At Armadale we learn of Clan Donald history and heritage at the Museum of the Isles and sample highland hospitality with lunch at Kinloch Lodge, a jewel nestled on the hills of Skye. A gentle stroll ashore at Shieldaig creates an appetite for lunch at the fine dining restaurant at the Torridon Hotel before relaxing on board as we relish a scenic sail of stunning Loch Torridon and the east coast of Skye.

Steaming into Loch Dunvegan we visit the oldest continually inhabited castle in Scotland, Dunvegan Castle, and savour lunch at the world renowned Three Chimneys Restaurant. Step ashore on the wildlife haven of Rum for refreshing walks and enjoy a drink at the most remote pub on the British mainland, the Old Forge at Inverie. Tour Scotland`s greenest distillery, Ardnamurchan, and travel to Isle of Mull Cheese, the only dairy farm on the island, to learn how the local cheeses are made by hand. Your culinary adventure concludes with a champagne reception at Duart Castle, hosted by Sir Lachlan Maclean, Chieftain of Clan Maclean.

Highland Garden

Kyle of Lochalsh to Inverness, Scotland

7 night cruise only

Hebridean Princess

13 – 20 May, 2024

Fares start from

GBP 4,480*pp

Scotland boasts a diverse collection of gardens which are home to a vast collection of plants from around the world, in spectacular natural settings. Experience the rich diversity of Scotland`s west coast gardens and explore botanic beauty on this horticultural extravaganza. Visit some of the area`s best kept secrets including Attadale in Wester Ross and Ardchattan Priory.

Attadale Gardens were skillfully restored by their owner, Nick MacPherson, as an artist`s garden after the 1980 storm, with an impressive sculpture collection scattered throughout the 20 acre site. Sail the coast of Wester Ross to Gairloch to visit Sir Osgood Mackenzie`s masterpiece, Inverewe Garden, home to over 2,500 exotic and tropical species of plants and shrubs. The remote, hidden gem of Lip na Cloiche Garden is situated on a steep hillside on the north west coast of Mull with views of Ulva, the Treshnish Isles and Ben More. Ardchattan Priory Garden, originally planted by medieval monks, affords breathtaking views over Loch Etive to Mull and Ben Cruachan. After sailing Loch Linnhe, you reach the Caledonian Canal at Corpach and ascend Neptune`s Staircase, a set of eight interconnected locks, which lift the vessel 64 feet to Banavie. Onwards through Loch Lochy before transiting the tranquil, tree-lined Laggan Avenue to your overnight berth at Fort Augustus. A scenic sail of Loch Ness leads you to your final visit at Cawdor Castle Gardens, forever immortalised in Shakespeare`s `Macbeth.` The castle boasts three very different gardens, each with their own unique history and appearance. Displaying a wealth of flora and fauna, the gardens at Cawdor Castle are ever changing with the seasons.

Talk luxury small ship cruising aboard Hebridean Princess or Lord of the Highlands with an Australian expert at Cruise Traveller today.

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