Scotland · CRUISES & BOAT TOURS

The 15 Best Boat Trips in Scotland

34 tours  ·  from $24 a head

Half of this country only makes sense from the water. The 15 below run from an hour on Loch Ness to a full day out of Oban, each priced and clear about how long you are actually afloat.

Loch Ness & Highlands Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh with Cruise - Glencoe: beauty with a hard story
Boat Tours in Edinburgh, Cruises & Boat Tours, Edinburgh Tours, Highlands Day Trips, Loch Ness Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Loch Ness & Highlands Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh with Cruise

1.Loch Ness & Highlands Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh with Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 6,022 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $84Our pick

Review of Rabbie’s Loch Ness and Highlands tour from Edinburgh, with Glencoe, a Loch Ness cruise, scenic stops, price, tips, and drawbacks.

“This was a great tour from Ediburgh. The ride was very comfortable, our tour guide was super friendly and informative, and funny too! Great way to see the Highlands in comfort with knowledgeable guides!”

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Loch Ness Cruise, Outlander & Urquhart Castle Tour from Inverness - Clava Cairns and the Outlander Connection
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Loch Ness Cruise, Outlander & Urquhart Castle Tour from Inverness

Loch Ness & the Highlands Day Tour from Glasgow Including Cruise - Comfort, luggage, food, and mobility
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Loch Ness & the Highlands Day Tour from Glasgow Including Cruise

3.Loch Ness & the Highlands Day Tour from Glasgow Including Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,211 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $83

Review of the Glasgow to Loch Ness and Highlands day tour, with Glencoe, Loch Lomond, Cairngorms views, a cruise, costs, and practical tips.

“Tour was quite long but very enjoyable. Scenery was majestic and James’s knowledge was outstanding but his jokes not so much( sorry James). We stopped enough to enjoy the scenery and memorials.”

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Loch Ness and Caledonian Canal 2-Hour Cruise from Dochgarroch - The Caledonian Canal Sets a Slower Pace
2-Hour Experiences, Boat Tours in Inverness, Cruises & Boat Tours, Inverness Tours, Loch Ness Tours, Tour Reviews

Loch Ness and Caledonian Canal 2-Hour Cruise from Dochgarroch

4.Loch Ness and Caledonian Canal 2-Hour Cruise from Dochgarroch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,158 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $42

Review of the 2-hour Loch Ness cruise from Dochgarroch, with canal views, Urquhart Castle, Nessie lore, prices, tips, and practical advice.

“Great trip along the loch! Guide was very fun and filled us in on tons of facts. Also chatted with us individually, making the experience nice and personal. Love seeing the loch and perfect amount of time. Definitely recommend!”

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Loch Ness 1-Hour Cruise with Urquhart Castle Views - Searching for Nessie with the onboard sonar
1-Hour Experiences, Boat Tours in Inverness, Castle Tours, Castle Tours in Inverness, Cruises & Boat Tours, Inverness Tours, Loch Ness Tours, Tour Reviews

Loch Ness 1-Hour Cruise with Urquhart Castle Views

5.Loch Ness 1-Hour Cruise with Urquhart Castle Views

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,102 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $30

Review of the Loch Ness one-hour cruise from Inverness, with Urquhart Castle views, Nessie lore, onboard comforts, prices, and practical tips.

“The one-hour cruise fully met my expectations for our adventure on the waters of Loch Ness. While it's getting chilly this time of year (and I'd suggest a lined wind-breaker or other waterproof jacket with a hood), the upper deck was manageable. If it hadn't been, the fully enclosed lower deck would have accommodated all of us comfortable. Polite crew, good navigating, interesting lessons on the public-address - just right!”

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Loch Ness Cruise and Urquhart Castle visit from Inverness - Cruising Loch Ness from Dochgarroch Lock
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Loch Ness Cruise and Urquhart Castle visit from Inverness

6.Loch Ness Cruise and Urquhart Castle visit from Inverness

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 572 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $78

Review of the Loch Ness cruise and Urquhart Castle tour from Inverness, with practical details on timing, value, guides, transport, and stops.

“Great tour, and Katie was a wonderful guide. She kept up an ongoing narrative during the drive from the Inverness Bus Station to the boat dock and back again after the boat tour. Very clear instructions about meet-up location after the boat tour. The Loch Ness boat tour was awesome - so incredibly peaceful, and perfect weather that day for it! Commentary was great, too. The only downside is that one hour at Urquhart Castle is not nearly long enough for exploring the site. Could easily have used twice that amount of time.”

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Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond and Cruise Day Tour from Glasgow - Meeting at Buchanan Bus Station
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Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond and Cruise Day Tour from Glasgow

7.Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond and Cruise Day Tour from Glasgow

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 566 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $98

Explore Stirling Castle, the Trossachs, and Loch Lomond by small coach and cruise on a scenic full-day trip from Glasgow.

“Lots of opportunity to explore Stirling Castle and the cruise of Lock Lomond was nice. Ally P was knowledgeable about history and current actors & musicians. The only thing was that sometimes the mic was not near his mouth so harder to hear. We were very lucky to be at Stirling Castle to see the Highlanders in their full dress marching to the bagpipe strains. Loved the military museum as well as the rest of the castle. Driving through the Trossachs was a treat despite the winding roads. Thank you!”

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Edinburgh Three Bridges Cruise - Leaving South Queensferry for Inchcolm Island
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Edinburgh Three Bridges Cruise

8.Edinburgh Three Bridges Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 442 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $27

Review of Edinburgh’s Three Bridges Cruise, with Inchcolm Island views, seals, puffins, practical tips, costs, access, and honest drawbacks.

“The boat tour was fun, with lots of facts about the area and wildlife, and of course the bridges. The staff were friendly and had lots of extra stories and fun facts to offer as we sailed. Getting off at Incholm Island was the highlight, the Abbey had so much to see, plus walking to the war area was great too. Going through that tunnel and then the views from the top, amazing. Would absolutely recommend the boat tour with the island stop!”

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Fort William Seal Island Cruise - Loch Linnhe views and Ben Nevis from the water
Cruises & Boat Tours, Fort William & Ben Nevis Tours, Tour Reviews

Fort William Seal Island Cruise

9.Fort William Seal Island Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 422 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $52

Review the Fort William Seal Island Cruise on Loch Linnhe, with Ben Nevis views, seals, local stories, practical tips, and honest value advice.

“Great trip, really enjoyable. Lovely views and great to see the seals. Very friendly staff (you should have a tip bucket for on the way off the boat :)). Only issue was that it was tricky to hear the commentary downstairs (unless directly under the speaker!).”

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Stunning 90-Minute Firth of Forth Sightseeing Cruise Adventure - Hawes Pier and the Queensferry departure
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Stunning 90-Minute Firth of Forth Sightseeing Cruise Adventure

Boat Seafari Adventure - Looking for dolphins near the harbour
Cruises & Boat Tours, Tour Reviews

Boat Seafari Adventure

11.Boat Seafari Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 192 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $52

Review of Dundee’s Boat Seafari Adventure, a fast Tay Estuary trip with live commentary, dolphin and seal sightings, small groups, and practical tips.

“Unfortunately , weather was not and trip was cancelled by the tour operator. Ian (Tour Operator) tried to call and left a voice message. The one good thing is you can reserve the place much ahead and payment is taken just 48 hours before the trip which is great.So, i have reserved again in July 24.”

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Loch Ness Cruise, Scenic Walk, Whisky & Glencoe Tour - Edinburgh - The Hermitage woodland walk and waterfalls
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Loch Ness Cruise, Scenic Walk, Whisky & Glencoe Tour – Edinburgh

Cruises & Boat Tours, Tour Reviews

Gaskan cruise – Golden Eagles!

13.Gaskan cruise – Golden Eagles!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 100 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $48

Review of the Loch Shiel Golden Eagles cruise, with Glenfinnan views, Harry Potter landmarks, wildlife tips, price, timing, and practical advice.

“Looking forward to it but sadly the boat broke down. I know these things happen but very disappointed. As we had almost got to the jetty.”

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Glenaladale Cruise - Great for wizard spotting! - Glenfinnan Viaduct and the Jacobite Express
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Glenaladale Cruise – Great for wizard spotting!

14.Glenaladale Cruise – Great for wizard spotting!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 70 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $41

Cruise Loch Shiel from Glenfinnan for Harry Potter filming spots, wildlife, Highland scenery, and views of the famous viaduct.

“Wonderfully friendly and knowledgeable crew! I would recommed doing the cruise first thing and then hiking up to the viaduct viewing point afterward to see the train going back to get the best experience. I would definitely recommend it to friends and family.”

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Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness Sightseeing Cruise - The Caledonian Canal is a pleasant opening
Boat Tours in Inverness, Cruises & Boat Tours, Inverness Tours, Loch Ness Tours, Tour Reviews

Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness Sightseeing Cruise

15.Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness Sightseeing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 59 reviews · from $30

Cruise Loch Ness from Inverness, see Urquhart Castle, hear local legends, and return by coach on this scenic 2.5-hour outing.

“We had a lot of fun. We did not have a lot of time to spend at Loch Ness and that is one of our biggest regrets of our trip to Scotland! We last-second booked this tour as we were going to drive through the area and had a little time to spare (thRead more”

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