Greenock cruise terminal - your gateway to Glasgow and the Highlands

As your cruise ship heads north through the Firth of Clyde, the wide sea inlet to the southwest of Glasgow, you note the Isle of Arran to the west, with its rugged mountains and rolling lowlands. The ship turns to your right as the Firth bends to the east and narrows, and you approach the Greenock cruise terminal on the southern edge of the River Clyde. This terminal is also part of an active, working shipping and dockyard, and is Scotland’s leading west coast container terminal. But for cruise guests, the real excitement is the possibilities this area opens up for visitors. This is the arrival port for Princess Cruises’ Highlands, Glasgow and Edinburgh itineraries.

Greenock is a strategic port of call because it provides convenient access to Glasgow, Loch Lomond, Edinburgh and the Scottish Highlands while fitting naturally into Northern Europe and British Isles cruise itineraries. Its location on the Firth of Clyde also offers a deep-water harbor that can accommodate large cruise ships and serves as an efficient gateway between Scotland, Ireland, Iceland and other North Atlantic destinations.

The modern Greenock Ocean Terminal is designed for a smooth arrival, with cruise guests walking directly from the ship into a spacious arrivals and departures hall for processing before continuing to shore. The terminal’s layout provides an efficient flow from the berth to the visitor facilities, making embarkation and disembarkation straightforward. 

At this deepwater port, ships berth directly alongside the quay, so guests can walk ashore without the need for tender boats. 

Upon arrival, guests will find a visitor center with tourist information, a restaurant and roof terrace, museum and gallery space, plus comfortable waiting areas and other passenger amenities located within or adjacent to the terminal.

By far the best way to experience the variety of historical, cultural and scenic wonders of this area is by booking a curated Princess excursion of your choice. This way, all transportation and any tickets are arranged for you and you’ll be assured to return to the ship on time. For longer day trips such as those to Edinburgh, a pre-booked excursion is practically a necessity. However, for those who wish to explore the area on their own, there are rail, bus and taxi options available near the terminal. 

Greenock is about 45 minutes travel time from Glasgow (depending on which transportation method) and Edinburgh is a roughly 2 to 2.5 hour drive each way. So booking an excursion and removing the hassle of arranging transportation pays huge dividends for cruise guests who just want to relax and enjoy the area.

Loch Lomond and the Scottish Highlands

Loch Lomond is Scotland’s largest freshwater loch (lake), and is strikingly beautiful, with deep, clear, dark water surrounded by green highland hills and golden pastures. The Princess Best of the Scottish Highlands excursion is a full-day, moderately active guided tour via ferry and motorcoach and includes stops on the banks of the loch. You’ll visit the charming village Luss on the west shore, where you can shop local boutiques, before touring Inveraray Castle and its collection of more than 1,300 pieces of art. Lunch at a local country hotel is included, then you return via a scenic route past Loch Eck and Holy Loch. 

There’s also a four-hour, Easy Scottish Lochs excursion option, and if you prefer actually cruising in a pleasure boat on Loch Lomond, you’ll enjoy the Loch Lomond Cruise and Scenic Drive excursion.

Castles worth the trip

• Inveraray Castle, mentioned above (and seat of the Duke of Argyll during the 18th century) will hold great interest for historians and art lovers.
• Culzean Castle is a striking yellow-tan, clifftop castle designed by the famed Scottish architect Robert Adam in the 18th century.
• If you had to pick one castle in Scotland to visit, though, Stirling might be the one — a mountaintop fortress with structures dating to around the 12th century, reachable independently on the Falkirk Wheel, Kelpies and Stirling on Your Own excursion.

A taste of Scotch: Glengoyne Distillery

The Glengoyne Distillery & Whisky Tasting excursion is an ideal half-day option for guests who want one focused experience rather than a multi-stop shore day. Obviously this is tailored for those who enjoy Scotch or want to learn more about it, but the tour of the 1833-founded distillery and grounds is still fascinating, even for non-drinkers.

Highlights of Glasgow

There are several ways you can explore Glasgow, including a guided Highlights of Glasgow tour that features the world-famous Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, as well as a Glasgow on Your Own excursion that transports you to and from the city center at appointed times and provides you with maps, but then you’re free to take off on your own to explore the cathedrals, museums, art galleries, top class cafés, restaurants and pubs found throughout the city.

A family-friendly excursion option for guests traveling with youngsters is the Highland Cow Encounter. A scenic drive along the River Clyde leads to Ardardan Estate where a farmer will take you on a tractor-driven tour. Then, you'll get up close and personal with a Highland cow, surprisingly gentle creatures known for their shaggy orange-brown coats and long horns. You’ll have time to explore the farm shop, enjoy a refreshment and homemade shortbread from the award-winning tea room, and take in the country atmosphere before returning to port.

A day in Edinburgh

Edinburgh is only about 75 miles away from the Greenock terminal, but due to the necessity for passing through Glasgow and the suburbs of Edinburgh, the journey typically takes about 2 to 2.5 hours each way. The Best of Edinburgh excursion includes visits to Princes Street, Edinburgh’s primary shopping district, the Sir Walter Scott Memorial, historic Holyrood Palace and a tour of Edinburgh Castle at the top of the Royal Mile as well as a delicious lunch at a local hotel.

If you book early, you might be lucky enough to participate in the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo excursion, which is a special, limited-entry evening event that typically fills up seven or more months ahead. This includes an escorted motorcoach journey to the Castle Esplanade for the 1.5-hour performance, featuring massed bands, bagpipes, drum corps and the famous lone piper finale. Note that this excursion is open-air in any weather, so wear warm, layered clothing (a waterproof outer layer is preferred), and it involves a roughly 1-mile walk uphill on cobbled streets to reach the castle.

Greenock terminal is the gateway providing easy access to Glasgow, the Highlands, important castles and world-famous whisky. It’s up to you to decide the best way to experience this remarkably beautiful, historic area. Explore Princess European cruises and find the ideal journey for you.