Easter in Scotland – Cruise direct from Belfast
Join Bolette in Belfast to explore Scotland’s wild coastlines and remote islands on this special Easter cruise. This 7-night journey reveals some of the country’s most awe-inspiring scenery, from the dramatic cliffs of the Butt of Lewis to Orkney’s striking Old Man of Hoy and sea stacks of Yesnaby. You’ll sail past the remarkable basalt columns of Fingal’s Cave and uncover the islands’ rich traditions, from Gaelic language and music to Harris Tweed, crofting, and Norse heritage. Before arriving back into Belfast, enjoy a visit to the historic city of Liverpool
What’s Included:
- No flights required!
- 7 nights onboard 4* Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, MS Bolette
- Full board dining – à la carte dinners, casual dining, and self-service tea & coffee
- Evening shows, live music, dancing, and dance classes
- Use of swimming pool & jacuzzis, fitness centre & classes
- Free shuttle service (for ports over one mile from the ship)
- Porterage of luggage between the port and cabin
- Taxes and unlimited baggage
Holiday Highlights
- Scenic Cruising: Sail past the breathtaking Butt of Lewis (dramatic cliffs), the Old Man of Hoy, and the magnificent basalt columns of Fingal’s Cave.
- Northern Charm: Uncover the islands’ rich traditions, from Gaelic language and music to Harris Tweed, crofting, and Norse heritage.
- Ancient Sites: Step back in time at ancient sites such as Skara Brae (Orkney) and Dun Carloway Broch (Isle of Lewis).
- City Break: Enjoy a visit to the historic city of Liverpool before returning to Belfast.
- Upgrade Options: Add a Premium drinks package for €45 per person per night.
Your Day-by-Day Cruise Itinerary
Day 1: Belfast, Northern Ireland
You board the MS Bolette in Belfast Harbour. She sets off on your holiday in the early evening.
Day 2: Cruising by Fingal’s Cave
Created around 60 million years ago, this basalt sea-cave with distinctive columns and remarkable symmetry is said to be the corresponding piece of road built by the giant Fionn mac Cumhaill to the Giant’s Causeway. Looming 69 metres out of the ocean, it appears like a piece of contemporary art. The cliffs are often covered with native seabirds, including guillemots, razorbills and puffins.
Day 3: Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Scotland
Located on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, Stornoway is a thriving town best seen from the top of ‘Gallow’s Hill’ – reached via the impressive grounds of Lews Castle. Originally built in 1847, the castle now serves as a noteworthy museum. This is a perfect opportunity to see the town’s busy port.
Day 4: Kirkwall, Orkney Islands, Scotland
The Orkneys archipelago was once the centre of innovation in the British Isles. Today, Skara Brae is a preserved settlement. Kirkwall stands as the capital of the islands and is the perfect starting point for exploring Orkney’s fascinating historical sites, including burial and ceremonial sites.
Day 5 (Morning): Cruising by The Small Isles
Part of the Inner Hebrides, the Small Isles are comprised of four beautiful islands: Eigg, Rum, Canna, and Muck. They are famed for their dramatic scenery, variety of wildlife, and natural wonders. Mighty volcanic peaks surround Kinlock Castle on Rum.
Day 5 (Afternoon): Cruising Sound of Mull
The Sound of Mull is situated between the Isle of Mull and mainland Scotland. The sound is surrounded by sweeping green meadows, rocky shorelines, magnificent stone castles, and wild hills. It is also a treat for nature lovers, home to wildlife including seals, otters, over 260 species of bird, and occasionally basking sharks and orca.
Day 5 (Evening): Cruising past Duart Castle
Duart Castle dates back to the 13th century and guards the sea cliffs of the Isle of Mull. It treasures over 700 years of history of one of Scotland’s oldest clans, the Macleans, and is one of the last surviving privately owned clan castles in Scotland.
Day 6: Cruise past Ailsa Craig
As you sail past the tiny, uninhabited island of Ailsa Craig, you will be afforded incredible vistas of this unusually shaped volcanic plug from a long extinct volcano. Designated as an RSPB Reserve, it is home to Europe’s largest gannet colony and is renowned for producing blue-hone granite used for curling stones.
Day 7: Liverpool, England
Liverpool is one of Britain’s most iconic cities, famously home to the Cavern Club and The Beatles. A former European Capital of Culture, it is globally renowned for its music, arts, culture, and diverse architecture. Explore the historic waterfront district and Albert Dock, home to some of the city’s best-known galleries and museums.
Day 8: Belfast, Northern Ireland
Return to Belfast for disembarkation.
Holiday Highlights
Prices
| Dates | Price (pps) | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 Apr 2026 | Inside | €1009 | Enquire Now |
| 01 Apr 2026 | Oceanview | €1119 | Enquire Now |
| 01 Apr 2026 | Superior Oceanview | €1399 | Enquire Now |
| 01 Apr 2026 | Terrace | €1909 | Enquire Now |
| 01 Apr 2026 | Balcony Junior Suite | €2239 | Enquire Now |
| 01 Apr 2026 | Single Inside | €1919 | Enquire Now |
| 01 Apr 2026 | Single Oceanview (Obstructed) | €1929 | Enquire Now |
| 01 Apr 2026 | Single Oceanview | €2099 | Enquire Now |
Agent
Booking Remarks
Prices are per person based on two sharing, inclusive of taxes.Non-refundable or transferable booking deposit of 15%.
Full balance is due 16 weeks before departure date.
Optional Insurance available (conditions apply).
Onboard gratuities are not included.
Prices are correct at time of going to press.
FO
Itinerary
Belfast, Northern Ireland
You board the MS Bolette in Belfast Harbour. She sets off on your holiday in the early evening.
Cruising by Fingal’s Cave
Created around 60 million years ago, and said to be the corresponding piece of road built by the giant Fionn mac Cumhaill, to the UNESCO-listed Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland, Fingal’s Cave is a basalt sea-cave with distinctive columns and a remarkable symmetry. Looming 69 metres out of the ocean, it appears to look like a piece of contemporary art, but is completely shaped by nature. Often, the cliffs and ledges are covered with native seabirds, including guillemots, razorbills and puffins.
Stornoway, Scotland
Stornoway
Located on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, Stornoway is a thriving town with a busy port, best seen from the top of ‘Gallow’s Hill’ – reached by the impressive grounds of Lews Castle. Originally built in 1847, the castle has had some well-known owners, including Lord Leverhume, who founded the company now known as Unilever. He gave the castle to the people of Stornoway, where it served as a naval hospital and college, but is now a noteworthy museum.
Kirkwall, Orkney Islands, Scotland
Kirkwall
The Orkneys archipelago, around 70 islands in the far north of Scotland, were once the centre of innovation in the British Isles, where farmers in the Stones Ages brought various cattle, pigs and sheep, thus establishing farmsteads on the islands. Today, Skara Brae is a preserved settlement, along with excavated burial and ceremonial sites. Kirkwall stands as the capital of the islands, and is the perfect starting point for exploring Orkney’s fascinating historical sites.
Cruising by The Small Isles
Part of the Inner Hebrides, lying just south of the Isle of Skye, are the Small Isles. Comprised of four beautiful islands; Eigg, Rum, Canna and Muck, they are all famed for their dramatic scenery, variety of wildlife and natural wonders. Mighty volcanic peaks surround Kinlock Castle on the largest island, Rum. The basalt cliffs of Canna, charming villages of Eigg, and Muck’s fertile lowlands and beautiful beaches make this archipelago the perfect scenic cruising destination
Cruising Sound of Mull
Cruising Sound of Mull
Situated between the Inner Hebridean island of Mull and mainland Scotland, the Sound of Mull forms a part of the Atlantic Ocean. The sound is surrounded by sweeping green meadows, rocky shorelines, magnificent stone castles and sweeping wild hills; and is also a treat for nature lovers, with the sound being home to wildlife including seals, otters, over 260 species of bird and even larger mammals such as porpoise, minke whale, and occasionally basking sharks and orca.
Cruising past Duart Castle
Duart Castle dates back to the 13th century and guards the sea cliffs of the Isle of Mull, giving it one of the most spectacular positions for prominence in West Scotland. The castle treasures over 700 years of history of one of Scotland’s oldest clans, the Macleans, and is one of the last surviving privately owned clan castles in Scotland. Duart Castle was deliberately chosen to be sited on a high crag at the end of a peninsula, jutting into the Sound of Mull
Cruise past Ailsa Craig
As you sail past the tiny, uninhabited island of Ailsa Craig, you will be afforded incredible vistas of this unusually shaped volcanic plug from a long extinct volcano. Designated as an RSPB Reserve, it is home to Europe’s largest gannet colony, as well as guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes, and puffins, and is also renowned for producing blue-hone granite that’s been used for curling stones over the last century, most notably for the Olympics and Paralympics. Ailsa Craig is steeped in Scottish legend and is said to be a pebble that fell from the apron of the female giant, Cailleach, or ‘fairy rock’ when translating from its Gaelic spelling
Liverpool, England
Liverpool
Liverpool is one of Britain’s most iconic cities, and famously home to the Cavern Club and The Beatles. A former European Capital of Culture, it is globally renowned for its music, arts, culture and diverse architecture, and attracts visitors from around the globe. Liverpool is also known for the Liver Building, with views across the city, the historic waterfront district, and Albert Dock, where some of the city’s best known galleries and museums can be found
Belfast, Northern Ireland
Return to Belfast for disemarkation