St Kilda, Outer Hebrides Cruise, Scotland
Highlights
Tobermory, Isle of Mull| Isle of Oronsay | Rum Island National Nature Reserve | Loch Scresort | Canna | Sanday | Barra | Berneray | Barra Head lighthouse | St Kilda archipelago and Hirta | Monach Island | Lochboisdale on South Uist | Loch Skipport | Eigg | Muck | Soay | BoreayTravel Team
If you'd like to chat about this vacation or need help finding one we're very happy to help. The Travel Team.
Toll free 1-866-821-6866 Calling from outside the US? rosy@responsibletravel.comCheck dates, prices & availability
This vacation is designed for families, small group and solo travelers
Our small ship cruises in Scotland take place on a choice of three converted small ships: St Hilda (a traditional wooden ex-tall ship with maximum capacity for 6 guests), Seahorse II (a former ferry cruiser from Norway with maximum capacity for 12 guests) or Gemini Explorer (a converted lifeboat cruiser with maximum capacity for 7 guests). All three ships have been converted to cruise the western islands of Scotland in comfort and style and are especially suited to families, solos or groups of friends. Children from 5 years old to the most demanding teenager love the experience. Included in the price are all meals and your onboard skipper and chef who will provide an unforgettable vacation for everyone on board. This vacation is operated by a company based in the vacation destination and they will be able to provide expert local knowledge. If possible they will tailor-make your vacation to suit your requirements including length and start date of trip.
Responsible tourism
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we screen every trip so you can travel knowing your vacation will help support conservation and local people.

We are proud to say we have recently been awarded The Green Tourism's Silver Award.
We are also a gold member of the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) so we will only be serving fish, from local fish-mongers, which are sustainable and approved by the MCS.
We are a corporate member of the Shark Trust, and have adopted the magnificent basking shark. Our adoption is helping fund vital basking shark research in our cruising area.
We are also a corporate partner of the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust which means we foster environmental awareness and we work to safeguard the future of Scottish seas and cetaceans.
Our crew are officially WiSe Scheme Trained which means they are taught about watching marine wildlife the wildlife-safe way in our cruising area.
We are committed to excellence in offering vacations to people who have a feel for the sea and its wildlife, both below and above the waves, as well as ashore. Our aim is to respect the sea and the local marine and shore-based environment. To leave everything as we find it is our motto, respecting the delicate eco-system balance of sky, sea and shore. To achieve our “Leave Only a Wake” policy we have a series of aims:
Our aim is to create sustainable tourism by respecting the local sea and shore-based environment. We adhere to high standards of economic, environmental and social policy and practice in our interactions with clients, staff, core suppliers and partners as well as the wider social and ecological environment. We buy free range eggs, free range chicken and organic meat.
We look after our clients to the best of our ability and supporting them on the vessel in personnel safety and creating a respect for the marine environment. Our on board skills training aims to develop confidence and competence and we have extensive briefing of our safety and environmental procedures to our crew.
We have responsible standards of crew recruitment and development. At all times there are always two team members available. Our fully qualified skippers have sailed many thousands of sea miles. All activities in the water are monitored to protect both humans and the marine life.
Our onboard policy is that all rubbish is brought ashore and we have a strict recycling policy of all non-organic waste.
Our skippers and onboard wildlife guides discuss the local shore and marine environment, wildlife and ecosystems. We explain how to behave in a responsible manner to the animals (for example puffin and seal colonies) and birds (especially breeding colonies) that we encounter. We also help clients gain an awareness of local marine environment by encouraging them to study the nautical charts of the region as well making them aware of the ever changing Scottish weather patterns. The skipper keeps the clients regularly informed of local meteorological reports.
The Impacts of this Trip
We employ the services of the local marina, shops, services, restaurants and guides. These suppliers all employ local staff.
We encourage our guests to visit locally important heritage sites, visit local gardens, craft shops and participate in cultural events. We also work with local wildlife rangers and tour guides. Tourism is increasingly a vital part of the income for the local residents of this somewhat remote, isolated but beautiful region of the Inner and Outer Hebrides. Thus we use all local products and local services with the intention of helping to support local businesses, create employment and contribute to the overall sustainable development of not only our starting point of our voyage but also in the islands and communities of the Inner and Outer Hebrides.
We aim to create a good relationship with tourism and the local communities and at all times are aware and try to bring awareness to the fragile marine ecosystems through which we sail.


We are proud to say we have recently been awarded The Green Tourism's Silver Award.
We are also a gold member of the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) so we will only be serving fish, from local fish-mongers, which are sustainable and approved by the MCS.
We are a corporate member of the Shark Trust, and have adopted the magnificent basking shark. Our adoption is helping fund vital basking shark research in our cruising area.
We are also a corporate partner of the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust which means we foster environmental awareness and we work to safeguard the future of Scottish seas and cetaceans.
Our crew are officially WiSe Scheme Trained which means they are taught about watching marine wildlife the wildlife-safe way in our cruising area.
We are committed to excellence in offering vacations to people who have a feel for the sea and its wildlife, both below and above the waves, as well as ashore. Our aim is to respect the sea and the local marine and shore-based environment. To leave everything as we find it is our motto, respecting the delicate eco-system balance of sky, sea and shore. To achieve our “Leave Only a Wake” policy we have a series of aims:
Our aim is to create sustainable tourism by respecting the local sea and shore-based environment. We adhere to high standards of economic, environmental and social policy and practice in our interactions with clients, staff, core suppliers and partners as well as the wider social and ecological environment. We buy free range eggs, free range chicken and organic meat.
We look after our clients to the best of our ability and supporting them on the vessel in personnel safety and creating a respect for the marine environment. Our on board skills training aims to develop confidence and competence and we have extensive briefing of our safety and environmental procedures to our crew.
We have responsible standards of crew recruitment and development. At all times there are always two team members available. Our fully qualified skippers have sailed many thousands of sea miles. All activities in the water are monitored to protect both humans and the marine life.
Our onboard policy is that all rubbish is brought ashore and we have a strict recycling policy of all non-organic waste.
Our skippers and onboard wildlife guides discuss the local shore and marine environment, wildlife and ecosystems. We explain how to behave in a responsible manner to the animals (for example puffin and seal colonies) and birds (especially breeding colonies) that we encounter. We also help clients gain an awareness of local marine environment by encouraging them to study the nautical charts of the region as well making them aware of the ever changing Scottish weather patterns. The skipper keeps the clients regularly informed of local meteorological reports.

The Impacts of this Trip
We employ the services of the local marina, shops, services, restaurants and guides. These suppliers all employ local staff.
We encourage our guests to visit locally important heritage sites, visit local gardens, craft shops and participate in cultural events. We also work with local wildlife rangers and tour guides. Tourism is increasingly a vital part of the income for the local residents of this somewhat remote, isolated but beautiful region of the Inner and Outer Hebrides. Thus we use all local products and local services with the intention of helping to support local businesses, create employment and contribute to the overall sustainable development of not only our starting point of our voyage but also in the islands and communities of the Inner and Outer Hebrides.
We aim to create a good relationship with tourism and the local communities and at all times are aware and try to bring awareness to the fragile marine ecosystems through which we sail.

5 Reviews of St Kilda, Outer Hebrides Cruise, Scotland
Reviewed on 23 Jul 2019 by David Schofield
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
For Wendy and I arrival at Hirta after a dramatic sea crossing, to a long dreamed of adventure. Within Village Bay, kayaking amidst rafts of thousands of puffins in the evening. Whilst moored at Eigg we were kayaking with Dolphins at our bow.
Most of all the union of fellow guests and crew.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Just be prepared for all weathers, as suggested in trip preamble. A wetsuit (full/part) useful re kayaking/paddlebording/snorkelling. The additional one we purchased for twenty+ pounds at Tesco in Oban.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
All our spending we felt was of benefit to the places visited, be it artists, retail outlets, our trip organisers. Small group travel always better re the environment.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
The Crew and fellow travelers pulled together as members of an 'expedition'. None of the trip would be enjoyable without this fellowship !A well organised itinerary. Food amazing !
Reviewed on 20 Jul 2019 by Elizabeth Glenn
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Getting out to St Kilda for a day and a half and the wide range of wildlife we saw
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
The journey out to St Kilda can be a bit 'bouncy' so pack sea sickness tablets
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes we supported a local enterprise, and supported conservation on St Kilda. We also learned about the impact of over fishing/global warming on sea birds and other wildlife
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent - lovely crew, great food, comfortable cabins and stunning scenery and wildlife
Reviewed on 27 Jul 2019 by Sandra Rhind
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The stacks at St Kilda with thousands of birds in the air.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
If booking a twin cabin be aware it is very small and not easy for person in top bunk to get down.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Neither, as we only had 2 destinations where we could spend and the ship uses diesel. But as we were a small group we didn’t have an adverse effect on the environment.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
I would rate my vacation an 8 out of 10. Crew excellent. Food fantastic.
Reviewed on 12 Jul 2018 by Joan Adams
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
We loved sailing on the little ship St.Hilda. The captains Christophe and Chris kept the sailing trouble free all the way to St.Kilda and we even did some under
sail only. It was beautiful. We saw seals, dolphins, a minke whale and all sorts of sea birds. There were plenty of books to reference what we saw. Morag our
cook was brilliant serving up tasty meals and even making bread for my husband who is gluten intolerant. We sailed all around St.Kilda too, to look at the bird
colonies on the sea stacks. It was amazing with the weather being kind to us too. We also stopped off at Barra, Vatersay, Canna, Tobermory and Loch Aline.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
We were all good sailors but sea sickness pills are needed if you are susceptible.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Not many people get out to St.Kilda which is supervised by the national trust for Scotland. We were encouraged to take nothing on to the island and leave
nothing behind. At our stopping off points we all used the local shops for souvenirs and coffees etc.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
We enjoyed every moment of the vacation. We were with like minded travelers who were good company. The crew looked after us so well.
Reviewed on 11 Jul 2018 by Vivienne Clarke
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Reaching the ultimate destination StKilda in fine weather
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Be prepared for some long hours at sea - and take sea sickness tablets , even in fine weather the North Atlantic swell is significant
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
This trip was a fantastic opportunity to observe birds and sea animals in pristine environments, no rubbish was left behind and a contribution was made to the local economy with purchases from the crew and passengers for each stop en route.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
I rate this vacation as one of the best I’ve had. Everything worked to perfection. The crew were helpful, friendly and skilful. It was a very happy band of travelers who were privileged to visit a seldom visited, beautiful part of the world.
Our travel guides
Our travel guides
Popular similar vacations
Skye and the Small Isles sailing vacation
Sail Scotland's Small Isles and visit spectacular Skye
From £1360 - £2280 9 days excluding flights
Hebrides cruise, The Sounds of Mull, Luing, Shuna and Jura
Cruise the Sounds of the Hebrides: Mull, Luing, Jura, Shuna
From £990 - £1710 7 days excluding flights
Caledonian Canal cruise, Scotland
Cruise the Caledonian Canal in a wee ship
From £1780 7 days excluding flights
Mull circumnavigation cruise, Scotland
Staffa, Iona and Ross of Mull from our small cruise ships
From £1020 - £2280 7 days excluding flights