Northern Ireland Cruise from Belfast to Leith — 11 Days

Belfast

Belfast pairs a proud maritime past with a lively, walkable centre. At Titanic Belfast, the story of the famous liner unfolds beside the shipyard where she was built. Nearby, grand City Hall and the Cathedral Quarter reveal different sides of the city, from civic confidence to café-lined lanes. Across west Belfast, political murals offer a vivid perspective on its recent history. With the Giant’s Causeway within reach, Belfast also makes a compelling starting point for Northern Ireland’s dramatic coast.

St Mary's Island England

St Mary’s Island lies just off England’s northeast coast, reached from the mainland by a causeway exposed at low tide. The red-and-white lighthouse, completed in 1898 and decommissioned in 1984, remains the island’s defining landmark. Climb its tower for wide North Sea views, then explore rocky pools and the surrounding nature reserve. Check tide times before crossing, and save time for nearby Whitley Bay’s promenade, beaches and cafés.

Isle of Islay

Islay rewards those who travel beyond the harbour, with peat-smoked whisky, open horizons and a strong sense of place. On Scotland’s Inner Hebridean island, distilleries meet the coast, while white-sand beaches and quiet lanes invite slower exploration. Look for seals and seabirds along the shore, or visit Bowmore, where a distinctive circular church rises above the village. Here, Scotland feels elemental—and memorably welcoming.

Isle of Iona

Iona is reached by ferry from Fionnphort, on the Isle of Mull, and rewards the crossing with rare stillness. Here, St Columba founded a monastery in 563, making the island one of Christianity’s most enduring destinations. The restored medieval abbey remains its centrepiece, while white-sand shores and open machair invite unhurried walks. Come for history, stay for the clear light, sea air and sense of distance from the mainland.

Lunga Island Scotland

Lunga is the largest of Scotland’s Treshnish Isles, a wild, uninhabited outpost reached by boat from Mull or Iona. In summer, Atlantic puffins nest in burrows above the shore, while guillemots, razorbills and fulmars crowd the cliffs. A landing rewards patient wildlife watchers with close views, but the terrain is uneven and exposed. There are no visitor facilities, so bring suitable footwear and weatherproof clothing.

St Kilda Islands Scotland

St Kilda lies far out in the Atlantic, west of Scotland’s Outer Hebrides. Its main island, Hirta, holds stone cleits and the remains of a community evacuated in 1930. Today, its cliffs shelter vast seabird colonies, including gannets and puffins. UNESCO recognises St Kilda for its natural and cultural heritage. Boat trips reach Hirta when conditions allow, but weather is part of the journey.

Shiant Islands Scotland (Scenic Stop)

Loch Ewe (Scenic Area)

Kirkwall

Kirkwall is Orkney’s compact capital, where Norse history remains part of everyday life. Begin at St Magnus Cathedral, a striking red-sandstone landmark founded in 1137. Nearby, the ruins of the Earl’s and Bishop’s palaces reveal the power once held here. Beyond town, prehistoric sites such as Skara Brae and the Ring of Brodgar make a compelling excursion. Leave time for the harbor, local shops, and a dram of island whisky.

Torshavn

Tórshavn is one of the world’s smallest capitals, yet it offers a revealing introduction to the Faroe Islands. Begin at Tinganes, where red-painted timber buildings cluster on a narrow headland beside the harbor. The Løgting, the Faroese parliament, meets nearby, continuing a political tradition rooted in the islands’ Norse past. In the compact center, cafés, shops and museums offer an easy pause before the Atlantic’s open horizons reclaim your attention.

Fair Isle

Set between Orkney and Shetland, Fair Isle rewards the detour with a rare sense of quiet and distance. Sea cliffs rise above the Atlantic, where puffins and other seabirds gather in season. On land, stone crofts and green pasture frame a close-knit community famed for its distinctive Fair Isle knitting. Its appeal lies in remoteness as much as scenery; allow time to explore, since weather shapes island life.

Isle of May Scotland (Scenic Stop)

Leith-Edinburgh

Leith brings Edinburgh within reach, but rewards those who stay by the water. Once a working port, this lively district pairs maritime history with independent restaurants, galleries and a strong local character. At Ocean Terminal, step aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia, the former royal residence now open to visitors. Trams and buses connect you with the capital: Edinburgh Castle, its museums and Georgian streets make an easy day ashore.