Passengers vary from gregarious couples to groups of friends, families (who sometimes charter a whole ship; otherwise, children under 12 are not permitted) and singles (two cabins on every sailing are sold without a single supplement). Most are from the U.K., including Scots keen to discover more of their own country, although occasional North Americans and Australasians also make up the passenger mix. The age range varies, but the relatively high prices of the cruises and the unstructured nature of each voyage tends to attract an older clientele.

Absolutely not. The dress code is extremely casual. Warm clothing, good walking boots and waterproofs are more important than a dress for the evening. Nobody bothers to dress for dinner beyond changing out of the day's walking clothes.

Not quite. House wine is poured generously with lunch and dinner, while other alcoholic treats are presented from time to time, not least a generous slug of whisky to have with your porridge (oatmeal) at breakfast. Bar drinks cost extra, as do crew gratuities.

There is no organized entertainment, so passengers make their own -- doing crosswords together, chatting and reading. During the day, you're dropped ashore by tender to explore independently or hike, with all walks self-guided. Other popular activities might include visiting a local castle or finding a decent village pub. Dining is also a top activity as each ship carries fishing tackle and lobster pots, and the fish and seafood for all meals is freshly caught or bought.

Best for: Brits or anyone of Scottish descent looking to explore tiny, rarely visited ports

Not for: Introverts, late-night party animals and claustrophobes