Newhaven-Rosyth-Queensferry, Scotland Cruise from Leith to Reykjavík — 15 Days

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.

Isle of May Scotland (Scenic Stop)

Invergordon

Invergordon sits on the Cromarty Firth, where the Highlands meet a deep-water estuary shaped by centuries of maritime history. From the quayside, travel to Inverness, Culloden Battlefield or Loch Ness. Each offers a distinct view of Highland history and landscape. Closer to port, Invergordon’s murals tell local stories, while the waterfront reflects the town’s enduring connection to the sea.

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 Noss

Just east of Bressay, Noss’s cliffs rise nearly 600 feet above the North Sea, a striking approach by boat. This uninhabited Shetland island is a National Nature Reserve, famed for its seabird colonies. Thousands of gannets crowd the ledges, while fulmars and guillemots wheel above the water. A seasonal boat from Bressay provides access, weather permitting; paths lead to close views of the cliffs.

Runavik

Runavík occupies the eastern shore of Skálafjørður on Eysturoy, the Faroes’ second-largest island. Its working harbour faces the country’s longest fjord, framed by steep slopes and scattered settlements. The town is a practical base for exploring Eysturoy by road. Nearby Toftavatn offers quiet waters and birdlife, while mountain roads lead to small fishing villages. Expect a compact port town, with the archipelago’s dramatic landscape close at hand.

Vestmanna (Ask Travel Agent)

Seydisfjordur, Iceland

Seyðisfjörður sits at the end of a deep fjord, framed by steep mountains and waterfalls. Its colorful wooden houses and blue church give the small town a character unlike Iceland’s larger ports. Walk the rainbow-painted street, visit the Skaftfell arts centre, or follow trails toward nearby cascades. The road over Fjarðarheiði offers wide views, though weather can change quickly. Here, East Iceland feels close, quiet, and distinctly local.

Coastal Cruising (Coastal Cruising)

Raufarhofn (Ask Travel Agent)

Husavik, Iceland

Húsavík sits on Skjálfandi Bay, where whale-watching boats search for whales and other marine life. The compact center is easy to explore on foot, from the harbor to the 1907 Húsavíkurkirkja. At the Húsavík Whale Museum, exhibits trace the region’s close ties to the sea. For a different view, GeoSea’s seawater baths look out across the bay toward the Arctic horizon.

Fjord Cruising (Fjord Cruising)

Hofsos (Ask Travel Agent)

Djupavik, Iceland

At Djúpavík, on Iceland’s remote Strandir coast, a vast herring factory commands the shore. Built in 1935, it was once central to a booming fishery that brought industry to this sparsely settled fjord. Production ended in 1954, yet the factory’s machinery and workers’ stories still give the place its force. Join a guided tour, then see the waterfall spilling beside the old walls. Beyond the buildings, steep mountains and dark water convey the scale and solitude of the Westfjords.

• Grimsey Island Iceland (Scenic Stop)

Bolungarvik (Ask Travel Agent)

Vigur Island Iceland (Scenic Stop)

Fjord Cruising (Fjord Cruising)

Reykjavik, Iceland

Reykjavík is a capital with one foot in the wild. The Atlantic frames the city, volcanic mountains rise on the horizon, and geothermal water warms its pools. Start at Hallgrímskirkja, whose tower commands broad views, then walk down to the harbor and Harpa concert hall. Cafés, design shops, and museums make the compact center easy to explore on foot. Beyond town, geysers and waterfalls make a striking day trip; return for a soak in a neighborhood pool.