Scotland and Ireland—18 day tour
Explore the Celtic legends and culture of Scotland and Ireland on this detailed tour. Visits to the historic cities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Derry, Galway and Dublin are combined with the wild and strikingly beautiful rural landscapes of the Scottish Trossachs and the rugged Antrim and Atlantic coasts of Ireland.
Included Highlights
- Edinburgh City Tour
- Scottish Entertainment Night
- Stirling Castle
- Robert Burns Birthplace
- Giant's Causeway
- Aran Islands
- Ring of Kerry
- Waterford Crystal Factory Tour
- Dublin City Tour
- Irish Entertainment Night
Hotel Nights
- Edinburgh 3
- Ayr 2
- Ballygally 1
- Derry 1
- Sligo 1
- Galway 2
- Killarney 2
- Midleton 1
- Waterford 1
- Dublin 3
Day 1 Edinburgh
On arrival at Edinburgh or Glasgow airport a professional local guide greets and accompanies us by motor coach on a panoramic tour of Edinburgh. Travel along Princes Street and catch a first view of Edinburgh Castle and The Royal Mile.
Overnight Edinburgh
Day 2 Edinburgh
A local guide joins us for a morning tour of the city, which includes a visit to Edinburgh Castle. The castle stands guard over the city, captivating visitors with its ancient buildings and marvellous views. This afternoon is free for independent exploration. Tonight enjoy a Scottish themed dinner accompanied by traditional musical entertainment. Groups visiting Edinburgh in August may wish to include tickets to the world-famous spectacle of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
Overnight Edinburgh
Day 3 The Trossachs – Stirling
A full day excursion to enjoy a beautiful area of Scotland, known as 'Scotland in Miniature'. We take a cruise on picturesque Loch Katrine and visit the Scottish Wool Centre to see sheepdogs at work and weaving demonstrations. Our day ends with a guided tour of Stirling Castle, one of Scotland's grandest castles, towering over battlefields associated with William Wallace and Robert the Bruce.
Overnight Edinburgh
Day 4 Glasgow – Ayr
A short journey brings us to Glasgow, Scotland's largest city. Glasgow is an exciting city with a wealth of heritage attractions and an impressive portfolio of museums and galleries. We visit St Mungo's Cathedral, the stunning Mackintosh House and the unique Burrell Collection before travelling to the coast for a stay in Ayrshire.
Overnight Ayr
Day 5 Burns Country – Culzean Castle and Gardens
This morning begins with a stop in the village of Alloway to visit the birthplace cottage of Scotland's Bard, Robert Burns, and the medieval Brig o' Doon. A stop will also be made at the unusual illusion, the Electric Brae, where objects appear to roll uphill! Continuing south we devote the afternoon to visiting the magnificent Culzean Castle and its extensive grounds.
Overnight Ayr
Day 6 Largs – Northern Ireland – Glens of Antrim
After our breakfast spend a peaceful morning in the seaside resort of Largs before catching the ferry across to Northern Ireland. We begin to explore the Glens of Antrim before arriving at our hotel on the coast.
Overnight Ballygally
Day 7 Giant's Causeway – Bushmills Distillery – Derry
Today we visit the World Heritage Site of Giant's Causeway. Learn the story of Finn McCool and his rival Benandonner and take a walk around the fascinating honeycombed rock formations. Next stop is the Old Bushmills Distillery, Ireland's oldest licensed whiskey distillery dating back to 1608. An afternoon arrival in Derry, where we stroll along the famous walls to see the historic cityscape and marvel at the views across the Foyle Bridges.
Overnight Derry
Day 8 Donegal Bay – Belleek – Sligo
Following Donegal Bay we reach the Atlantic Ocean and pause in the Irish seaside resort of Bundoran before arriving in Belleek in County Fermanagh for a visit to Belleek Pottery. Travelling south we enter "Yeats' Country" and visit the grave of W. B. Yeats at Drumcliffe Church.
Overnight Sligo
Day 9 Kylemore Abbey – Connemara National Park – Galway
Today visit Connaught and the Connemara National Park. A visit is made to Kylemore Abbey before re-boarding the coach for the dramatic journey through the wild landscape of the Connemara National Park. A stop is also made at a workshop that makes the Bodhran, a traditional Irish instrument. Try out your own music skills before continuing on to Galway.
Overnight Galway
Day 10 Aran Islands
This morning we board our ferry across to Inis Mor, the largest of the three Aran Islands. Visit the ancient Christian site of The Seven Churches, the dramatic stone fort of Dun Aengus and take in the picturesque limestone landscape. Our island tour concludes at the Aran Islands Hotel where a 2-course lunch is served. There is free time to visit the shops and heritage centre in the village before returning to the pier for the return ferry crossing.
Overnight Galway
Day 11 Cliffs of Moher
This morning we journey through the incredible limestone landscapes of The Burren before we reach the ocean again and the visitors centre at the dramatic Cliffs of Moher. Travelling through southern County Clare we take a ferry across the mouth of the majestic River Shannon and proceed to the resort town of Killarney.
Overnight Killarney
Day 12 Ring of Kerry
Today's excursion explores the Ring of Kerry, a route along some of the most dramatic roads in the country with wonderful views. See the famed Lakes of Killarney, keep an eye out for red deer, travel through Moll's Gap and admire the stunning Ladies View. We even get a chance to experience life in 18th Century Ireland with a visit to the Kerry Bog Village.
Overnight Killarney
Day 13 Blarney Castle – Cork – Cobh
We bid a fond farewell to Killarney and journey to Blarney Castle, where you may wish to kiss the legendary Stone of Eloquence. Travelling via Cork we visit the evocative Cobh Heritage Centre and Queenstown Story. Cobh was the last port of call for the ill-fated 'Titanic' and also the last place in Europe seen by 2.5 million émigrés en route to the New World.
Overnight Midleton
Day 14 Midleton – Waterford
Before leaving Midleton we take a tour of the Old Midleton Distillery, associated with Jameson and Powers. Afternoon arrival in Waterford, where a visit to the famous Waterford Crystal Factory Visitors' Centre is included. This is not just a museum but also a working factory where you can admire generations of craftsmanship.
Overnight Waterford
Day 15 Avoca – Dublin
Travelling towards County Wicklow we drive into an isolated and beautiful valley where we pause to visit the Avoca Hand Weavers. They have been weaving here since 1723, making it Ireland's oldest working woollen mill and longest surviving business. A journey through the gentle countryside brings us to Dublin for an orientation tour of the city's highlights.
Overnight Dublin
Day 16 Dublin
A local guide takes us on a morning tour of this lively city. Visits are included to St Patrick's Cathedral as well as Trinity College where we see the famed illustrated medieval manuscript known as The Book of Kells. See O'Connell and Grafton Streets and stroll along the banks of the River Liffey. The afternoon is free to explore some of the city's other attractions such as The Jameson's Whiskey Centre or The Guinness Storehouse.
Overnight Dublin
Day 17 Dublin
A day at leisure in Dublin. Enjoy a coffee at Bewley's on Grafton Street, visit Dublin Castle, soak up the atmosphere of Temple Bar or pick up some last minute souvenirs along O'Connell Street. Tonight enjoy an Irish themed dinner and traditional musical entertainment.
Overnight Dublin
Day 18 Dublin
Group transfer included to Dublin airport. We will be pleased to tailor your tour to suit your preferred arrival and departure airports.
You can find out more about our service on the Your Tour and Tour Price page. Please do email or call us to discuss your requirements. All quotations are provided free of charge and without obligation. We look forward to hearing from you.