Rivers of Scotland

About the Waterways of Scotland

UNESCO Heritage Sites

Sail the waterways of Scotland with River Cruise Your Way

Ports-of-Call on the Waterways of Scotland

Here you can find a list of some of the more common river cruise ports along the Rivers and Lochs of Scotland. These may be the most common, but there may be others that can be found on select river cruises. Your River Cruise Artist can provide you with the full itinerary and all ports for any river cruise that you may be interested in, on any river cruise operator. Explore the Waterways of Scotland further and learn more about it’s ports-of-call.

Armadale

Scotland

Armadale is a small village near the southern end of the Sleat Peninsula, on the Isle of Skye, Scotland. Like most of the Sleat Peninsula, the area around Armadale is fairly fertile with only small hills. This coastal town looks out over the Sound of Sleat, towards Morar and Mallaig, to its southeast. The Scottish Clan Donald has a visitor center near the ruins of Armadale Castle that is surrounded by beautiful gardens. Nearby Sabhal Mòr Ostaig is a center of Gaelic learning. The village of Armadale is also a small fishing port that has a regular Caledonian MacBrayne ferry service to Mallaig. While walking on the beach near the pier you may encounter otters and seals.

Banavie

Scotland

Banavie is a small town near Fort William in the Highland Council Area of Scotland. One of the closest villages to Ben Nevis, it is about 3 miles northeast of Fort William town center, next to Caol and Corpach. Local history suggests that Banavie is one of the likely birth places of Saint Patrick. The Caledonian Canal, a popular cruise segment, passes through Banavie, before ascending Neptune’s Staircase, the longest staircase lock in the United Kingdom. The canal is crossed by two swing bridges, one carrying the railway and the other the A835 road. Banavie Pier railway station served the canal paddle steamers until 1939. The station building, platform and station master’s house still survive as private dwellings. The scenery around Banavie is exceptional with Ben Nevis being dominant on the skyline.

Craignure

Scotland

Craignure is a small fishing village along the coast of the Isle of Mull not far from the historic restored ruins of Duart Castle. This rural and quaint village of only 200 residents offers a pristine look at the Scottish Highlands life on the waterways. Duart Castle dates back to the 13th century and is the seat of Clan MacLean. The castle was used as a location in the 1945 film ‘I Know Where I’m Going!’ (as “Castle of Sorne”). It was also featured in the 1971 film ‘When Eight Bells Toll’, starring Anthony Hopkins and in the 1999 film ‘Entrapment’, starring Sean Connery (who has MacLean ancestry on his mother’s side) and Catherine Zeta-Jones. It is also the setting for the base of Buffy Summers in the first half of ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ Season Eight.

Eigg

Scotland

Eigg is one of the smaller islands (Small Isles) of the Scottish Inner Hebrides. It is just to the south of the Isle of Skye and to the north of the Ardnamurchan peninsula. Eigg is less than 6 miles long from north to south, 3 miles wide from east to west. With an area of 12 square miles, it is the second largest of the Small Isles after Rùm. The history of Eigg ranges from its earliest settlements during the Neolithic era through the Iron Age and the Vikings occupation. Visit this rural island in the Scottish Highlands to experience a broad history, a friendly people and a beautiful landscape.

Fort Augustus

Scotland

The Gaelic name for today’s Fort Augustus is Cille Chuimein and until the early 18th century the town was called Kiliwhimin. It was renamed Fort Augustus after the Jacobite Rising of 1715. Located at the southern tip of Loch Ness along the Great Glen Way, the historic and scenic Fort Augustus is a popular cruise destination. It lies on the banks of the 60-mile-long Caledonian Canal, about halfway between Inverness and Fort William. Visitors to Fort Augustus can also enjoy the Caledonian Canal Heritage Center which graphically illustrates the history of the canal and the region. Watch the boats navigating the locks or visit the Clansmen Center, where guides in period dress demonstrate 17th century clan weaponry.

Fort William

Scotland

Fort William is a historic and popular town in the Scottish Highlands, located on the eastern shore of Loch Linnhe. Fort William is known as the gateway to Ben Nevis, the United Kingdom’s highest peak, and Glen Nevis valley, home to beautiful Steall Falls. Enjoy one of Fort Williams cozy traditional Scottish pubs and enjoy a distinctly flavored Highland single malt or a traditional ale from the local brewery. You can also browse local treats and artisan wares at shops, cafés and restaurants along and around High Street. Take in the West Highland Museum on High Street where you can get a taste of the rich cultural history of the region from archaeological sites through present day life.

Inverness

Scotland

Known as the ‘Gateway to the Highlands’ by locals, and long regarded as the capital of the Highlands, Inverness is the center for commerce, tourism and industry in the Scottish Highlands. It is also said to be one of the fastest growing small cities in Europe. Inverness attracts great numbers of tourists drawn to the legend of the Loch Ness Monster, which according to mythology is purported to inhabit the Loch Ness that runs south out of Inverness. Enjoy the architecture of Inverness Castle, the history of Inverness Museum, the peace of Old High Church and the Scottish delicacies of the town’s many shops, cafés and restaurants.

Kyle of Lochalsh

Scotland

Kyle of Lochalsh is a small and historic fishing village in the Scottish Highlands. It lies just across the water from Kyleakin on the Isle of Skye and is connected to the island by the Skye Bridge. There are not that many actual sights in the village itself, but Kyle of Lochalsh makes a good base for some nearby attractions. Perhaps use your time here to visit quaint Plockton or even an excursion to the famous Eilean Donan Castle.

Oban

Scotland

Oban is a bustling small town in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It is known as the Seafood & Sea Kayaking Capital of Scotland and probably all of Europe. It is also the shopping and drinking capital of the west coast of Scotland, and home to the excellent whisky of that name. Ferries run from Oban to Mull, Colonsay, Kerrera, Lismore, Islay, Coll, Tiree and the Outer Hebrides giving Oban the nickname Gateway to the Isles. While in Oban visit McCaig’s Tower, Dunollie Castle, Dunstaffnage Castle, and the War and Peace Museum. Also popular is the Oban Distillery as well as the many shops and pubs throughout the town.

Portree

Scotland

Iconic Portree, the capital town of the Isle of Skye, welcomes visitors from afar to explore its quaint streets lined with pastel colored historic buildings that are visible as you near on your cruise ship. Portree is a small town that is easily walkable. Don’t miss the unique local craft shops, small restaurants and cafes and the town square that is home to a wonderful bakery where you can purchase some local delicacies. A main attraction in Portree is the Aros Center which celebrates the island’s Gaelic heritage.

Tobermory

Scotland

Tobermory is the capital of the Isle of Mull in the Scottish Inner Hebrides. It is located on the east coast of Mishnish, the most northerly part of the island, near the northern entrance to the Sound of Mull. Many of the buildings on Main Street, predominantly the quaint shops and restaurants, are painted in various bright colors, making for a beautiful scene as you arrive on your Scotland waterways cruise ship.

Your Scotland River Cruise Awaits!

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