cruise ship dock in Greenock for one day

I would check with the ship about land tours. Glasgow is about 37 mins. Edinburgh is an hour from Glasgow. Both have many attractions. Times are by vehicle (Taxi). Save the "Highlands" for when you have more time.

Hi, aimebelle,

A lot will depend on how much actual time you have on shore. Is it overnight, e.g.: 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. the following morning, or is it only for the day that you arrive in Greenock. If it's the latter, and you have to return to the ship the same day, how much actual time will you have on the ground? Where is your next port of call after Greenock?

You probably will not have enough time to tour the Highlands by taxi or public transportation. However, stand or sit on the port side of your ship as you sail up the Firth of Clyde. You'll see Goatfell, the highest peak on the island of Arran, the mountains of the Cowal Peninsula, and as the ship turns east in to the River Clyde, if it's a clear day, you'll see the peak of Ben Lomond way off in the distance. The high plateau on the north side of the Clyde is the Kilpatrick Hills. Technically, you have crossed the Highland fault line when you're halfway up the island of Arran, so Goatfell and the Cowal Peninsula are in the Highlands.

If you decide that you'd like to go to Edinburgh, it's about 2 1/4 hours by train, changing trains in Glasgow. Has your tour company arranged for any ground transportation while you're in Scotland, or have they left you to your own devices?

Best wishes for your travels, and Happy New Year!

Mike (Auchterless) .

If you want to see some highland scenery without spending most of your day in transit, you could go to Loch Lomond and take a boat cruise on the loch. There are boats out of Balloch and, further north and more scenic IMO, out of Luss. See, for example:
https://www.cruiselochlomond.co.uk/

According to Rome2Rio, the public transport connections would require you to go into Glasgow and then change. It would be much faster, and therefore probably worthwhile for you, to take a taxi or an Uber.
https://www.rome2rio.com/map/Greenock/Luss

Cruise lines and local companies offer a 6-8 hour coach trip from Greenock 'Taste of the Highlands'.
Alternately, some folk agree onboard to share costs and book a driver guide (search STGA) with a 5-8 seat vehicle which can get places a coach can't. The 'Taste' route includes Loch Lomond side, the 'Rest and be Thankful' mountain pass, sea lochs, glens, Inverary Castle, (a view of) Dumbarton and Newark Castles and a ferry across the Firth of Clyde.