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Authentic Europe · Partly guided

Cruise the Scottish Hebridean Islands

13-day small-group Hebridean islands cruise from Edinburgh with a train to Oban

Illustration of Cruise the Scottish Hebridean Islands

Authentic Europe's Cruise the Scottish Hebridean Islands is a 13-day, partly guided trip that pairs a small-ship cruise with rail travel, starting and ending in Edinburgh. After a night in Edinburgh, day 2 takes the train to Oban in the Highlands, where the group boards the ship for an 8-night cruise around the Hebridean islands and the Isle of Skye, described as sailing past dramatic island coastlines, sea cliffs and wild mountains. Onboard, a local skipper and chef serve all meals, including wine with dinner, and on certain departures a photographer, art tutor or wildlife specialist joins the group. Day 11 is a day at leisure back in Oban before the train returns the group to Edinburgh on day 12. The ship carries a maximum of 11 guests. This suits travelers who want a small-group cruise with wildlife and coastal scenery, built around hikes and island walks, rather than a fully scheduled land tour.

What to know before you look closer

  • Two hotels are named for Edinburgh, Ibis Edinburgh Centre South Bridge and Market Street Hotel, without indicating which is used or how they differ.
  • The 8 nights onboard are in a shared cabin, so this is not private cabin accommodation.
  • The photographer, art tutor or wildlife specialist is only included on certain departure dates, so it is not guaranteed on every sailing.
  • No current departure dates or months are listed in the evidence; confirm scheduling directly with Authentic Europe.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Edinburgh

    Arrival in Edinburgh

  2. Day 2overnight: Oban

    Travel to Oban in the Highlands

  3. Day 3overnight: Onboard ship

    Cruise around the Hebridean islands

  4. Day 4overnight: Onboard ship

    Cruise around the Hebridean islands

  5. Day 5overnight: Onboard ship

    Cruise around the Hebridean islands

  6. Day 6overnight: Onboard ship

    Cruise around the Hebridean islands

  7. Day 7overnight: Onboard ship

    Cruise around the Hebridean islands

  8. Day 8overnight: Onboard ship

    Cruise around the Hebridean islands

  9. Day 9overnight: Onboard ship

    Cruise around the Hebridean islands

  10. Day 10overnight: Onboard ship

    Cruise around the Hebridean islands

  11. Day 11overnight: Oban

    Final day of the cruise / Day at leisure in Oban

  12. Day 12overnight: Edinburgh

    Return to Edinburgh

  13. Day 13

    Departure from Edinburgh

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2The group travels by rail from Edinburgh to Oban in the Scottish Highlands.
  • Day 3The cruise begins around the Hebridean islands, described as sailing against a backdrop of dramatic, pristine island coastlines, sea cliffs and wild mountains.
  • Day 11The final day of the cruise is a day at leisure in Oban.
  • Day 12The group returns to Edinburgh by rail.

Included

  • 4 nights hotel accommodation in standard room with private shower and/or bath/WC, including full Scottish breakfast
  • 8 nights onboard the ship in a shared cabin including breakfast, lunch, and dinner
  • All meals include: fruit on demand, coffee breaks, afternoon tea, pre-dinner aperitif, wine with dinner, and the services of the crew
  • On certain departure dates the cruise has a photographer, art tutor or wildlife specialist
  • Rail ticket Edinburgh - Oban - Edinburgh
  • Services onboard of local skipper and chef
  • Electronic travel documentation, including a detailed travel itinerary and travel vouchers
  • 24/7 emergency phone service while travelling

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes, a rail ticket from Edinburgh to Oban and back is included, framing the cruise portion of the trip.
Is it escorted or independent?
It is partly guided; day 11 is a day at leisure in Oban, and the cruise includes a local skipper and chef, with a maximum of 11 guests.
What is included?
4 nights of hotel accommodation with a full Scottish breakfast, 8 nights onboard the ship in a shared cabin with all meals including wine with dinner and a pre-dinner aperitif, a rail ticket Edinburgh to Oban and back, and the services of a local skipper and chef.
What hotels are used?
Ibis Edinburgh Centre South Bridge and Market Street Hotel are both named for Edinburgh; the evidence does not specify which is assigned.
How much walking is involved?
The cruise description notes that guests can take hikes and island walks and swim from the boat during stops.
When does it run?
The evidence does not list specific departure months; it notes that a photographer, art tutor or wildlife specialist is included on certain departure dates, implying the cruise has fixed sailing dates to confirm with the operator.

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