When to go on a small ship cruising vacation in Scotland
SHIPPING FORECAST
Best time to go on a small ship cruise in Scotland
A month by month guide
Wildlife trips to the Outer Hebrides and, in particular, St Kilda archipelago, tend to favour July and August. The machair dunes are in bloom, which attracts the corncrake, seals come ashore in their hundreds and birds are prolific. Plus the conditions for getting out there are generally calmer.
May is a great time to see nesting birds on the west coast and islands.
Edinburgh goes nuts in August with the International and Fringe Festivals. If you want to see the capital as part of your trip to Scotland, arrange a small ship cruise in remote waters during Festival time and head to Edinburgh at the end of your trip.
If you are traveling on inland waterways through rural Highland areas, April is a wonderful time as it is lambing season and the fields are a-jumping.
Seals love to bask on the islands but particularly when they are ready to moult. For common seals this is August and for grey seals, February to April.
You might think that October is too late for hitting the waters here. But not so. Apart from the fact that the light is amazing, foodies will love October in Scotland. Seafood is superb from lobster to langoustines, monkfish to mussels. And the game is on, with wild duck, grouse and pheasant going from ‘flight to fork.’
Around late September and October you may even be lucky enough to glimpse the Northern Lights. Lewis, Harris and the most northerly tip of Skye are popular spots for the Aurora to appear.
The best time of year to watch whales and dolphins around the Hebridean waters is between April and September.
Midge season is May until October, but only at dusk and on the water’s edge. Skippers are experts at avoiding them and will often keep on the move at this time. So do not let the midges get you down. If you are keen on evening walks along the Caledonian Canal, for example, during this time, you will need a head net and some serious repellent. Ask your tour operator for their best brand. And don’t be embarrassed about wearing a net; they are the norm.
May is a great time to see nesting birds on the west coast and islands.
Edinburgh goes nuts in August with the International and Fringe Festivals. If you want to see the capital as part of your trip to Scotland, arrange a small ship cruise in remote waters during Festival time and head to Edinburgh at the end of your trip.
If you are traveling on inland waterways through rural Highland areas, April is a wonderful time as it is lambing season and the fields are a-jumping.
Seals love to bask on the islands but particularly when they are ready to moult. For common seals this is August and for grey seals, February to April.
You might think that October is too late for hitting the waters here. But not so. Apart from the fact that the light is amazing, foodies will love October in Scotland. Seafood is superb from lobster to langoustines, monkfish to mussels. And the game is on, with wild duck, grouse and pheasant going from ‘flight to fork.’
Around late September and October you may even be lucky enough to glimpse the Northern Lights. Lewis, Harris and the most northerly tip of Skye are popular spots for the Aurora to appear.
The best time of year to watch whales and dolphins around the Hebridean waters is between April and September.
Midge season is May until October, but only at dusk and on the water’s edge. Skippers are experts at avoiding them and will often keep on the move at this time. So do not let the midges get you down. If you are keen on evening walks along the Caledonian Canal, for example, during this time, you will need a head net and some serious repellent. Ask your tour operator for their best brand. And don’t be embarrassed about wearing a net; they are the norm.
BEST TIME TO GO on a cruise in SCOTLAND
RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL RECOMMENDS

Colette Dubois co-founder at our supplier, St. Hilda Sea Adventures: “The best time to see birdlife and other wildlife in Scotland, where we take our guests, is June. The autumn is also a lovely time but you will see fewer birds. For the weather, June is often also the best month. People do worry about midges in Scotland, but we absolutely never have midges on the boat because there is always a breeze. And when we go onto the mainland, we always carry Avon Skin So Soft which is a fantastic product to stop the midge bites. But on the boat we never get them.”
Photo credits: [Temp chart - Isle of skye: David Jones]
[Colette Dubois quote - birdlife: Scott Presly]
St Kilda, Outer Hebrides Cruise, Scotland
Cruise to St Kilda, Monachs, Outer Hebrides and Small Isles
From
£2750
12 Days
ex flights
Hebrides cruise, The Sounds of Mull, Luing, Shuna and Jura
Cruise the Sounds of the Hebrides: Mull, Luing, Jura, Shuna
From
£960
7 Days
ex flights
Wildlife sailing vacation in Scotland
Extraordinary wildlife above and below the waves
From
£750
6 Days
ex flights
St Kilda and the Outer Hebrides cruise, Scotland
Scottish Cruise to St Kilda and the Outer Hebrides
From
£4480
11 Days
ex flights
Skye and the Small Isles sailing vacation
Sail Scotland's Small Isles and visit spectacular Skye
From
£1280
9 Days
ex flights
Southern Hebrides and Sea Lochs of Argyll cruise
A Scottish cruise to the Islands of the inner Hebrides
From
£2260
7 Days
ex flights
Scottish traditional cruise, 4 days
Short break cruise in Argyll on the west coast of Scotland
From
£920
4 Days
ex flights