Cruise Scotland, the national body representing Scotland’s cruise sector, has expanded its port membership with the addition of three strategically significant harbours, reinforcing the country’s position as a leading northern European cruise destination.
Port of Aberdeen, Greenock Cruise Port and Fraserburgh Harbour have joined Cruise Scotland as port members for 2026, further strengthening the organisation’s national network and geographic reach.
Their addition brings Cruise Scotland’s port membership to 27, reflecting continued investment and confidence across Scotland’s cruise infrastructure. Together with three major ground handlers, Cruise Scotland represents the principal gateways and service providers supporting cruise calls around Scotland.
The expanded membership reinforces Cruise Scotland’s role as a unified voice for the sector, enabling closer coordination between ports, operators and tourism partners at a time when Scotland continues to attract strong interest from international cruise lines.
Cruise tourism has become an established contributor to Scotland’s visitor economy, bringing in over £130 million annually, with the sector supporting jobs and economic activity across ports, shore excursion providers, transport operators and hospitality businesses. Cruise Scotland also works to promote the country internationally, support sustainable growth and ensure that the economic benefits of cruise are realised across coastal and island communities.
The organisation has also welcomed Gearrannan Blackhouse Village as a new associate member. The membership includes destinations, attractions and sector partners that play a vital role in shaping the visitor experience and strengthening Scotland’s overall cruise proposition.
Melanie Henderson, Chair of Cruise Scotland, said: “We are pleased to welcome the Port of Aberdeen, Greenock Cruise Port and Fraserburgh Harbour to Cruise Scotland at a time of continued momentum for the sector. Their decision to join reflects both the strength of Scotland’s cruise market and the importance of having a strong, unified industry voice.
“Cruise Scotland exists to represent and promote the collective interests of ports and industry partners, and the growth of our membership ensures we are better placed to support sustainable development, strengthen international relationships and maximise the economic opportunities cruise tourism brings to communities across the country.
“We are also delighted to welcome Gearrannan Blackhouse Village as an associate member. The success of cruise tourism depends not only on our ports, but on the quality and authenticity of the visitor experiences available across Scotland. Our associate members play a vital role in delivering those experiences and enhancing Scotland’s reputation as a world-class destination.”
Quotes from new members
Christopher Whetham, Key Account Manager at Port of Aberdeen, said: “Our £420 million investment in Aberdeen South Harbour has opened up the North East of Scotland to a new scale of cruise tourism. We’re seeing consistent year-on-year growth that reflects real demand for the region’s high-quality visitor experiences. Cruise Scotland has a crucial role in promoting the country as an attractive cruise destination and we look forward to working together to bring more international cruise lines to our shores.”
Allison McGuire, Head of Operations at Greenock Cruise Port, said: "We are delighted to join Cruise Scotland at such an exciting time for the sector. This partnership allows us to better showcase the strength of Greenock and the wider west coast offer, while working collectively with partners to drive sustainable growth and deliver an excellent experience for cruise lines and their passengers."
Pamela Neri, Development Manager at Fraserburgh Harbour, said: "We are delighted to join Cruise Scotland as an early step in welcoming cruise vessels to Fraserburgh. This marks an important milestone in developing our services in this respect for the port and our stakeholders. We also look forward to learning from the experience and expertise of our colleagues who have successfully established and advanced their own cruise operations.”
Iain MacArthur, Chair of Gearrannan Blackhouse Village, said: “We are delighted to have joined Cruise Scotland and are looking forward to promoting our unique attraction as well as our island to cruise lines and their guests from all over the world.”