The Scots and the Irish - 11 day tour

Day 2 - Edinburgh City Tour and Edinburgh Castle

This morning's tour of Edinburgh will allow us to compare and contrast the wide streets and elegant mansions of the Georgian 200-year-old "New Town" and Princes Street with the medieval Royal Mile.

Walk along part of the Royal Mile to view narrow lanes and townhouses, some of which are 11 stories tall.

Visit Edinburgh Castle, which contains the Scottish Crown Jewels (known as the Honours of Scotland) and the Stone of Scone.

The balance of the day is free, so you can dine in one of Edinburgh's popular restaurants.

Tours departing between 6 and 22 August 2023 have tickets for a performance of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle.

Day 3 - Edinburgh - Blair Castle - Inverness/Nairn

Travel north into Highland Perthshire.  

Visit Blair Athol Whisky Distillery to take a tour and sample a dram of the finished product.

Enjoy free time in Pitlochry before making for nearby Blair Castle, the home of the Dukes of Atholl.

There's a chance to view the castle's many rooms containing fine furniture collections, portraits, lace, china and Jacobite relics.

Continue through the majestic Highland scenery of the Cairngorms National Park to your hotel in Inverness, the principal city of the Highlands (Sunday departures) or Nairn, a popular Victorian seaside resort (Tuesday departures).

Overnight: Columba Hotel, Inverness/The Newton Hotel, Nairn (or similar)

Day 4 - Inverness/Nairn - Isle of Skye - Dunblane

Drive along the banks of Loch Ness and enjoy views of this mysterious lake, famous for tales of the monster “Nessie”.

Continue through wild Highland scenery, pausing for photos at iconic Eilean Donan Castle, then cross to the Isle of Skye by the sweeping road bridge.

Drive through part of the island known as Sleat to visit the Armadale Castle, Gardens and Museum to discover the history of the powerful Lords of the Isles.

Return to the mainland by ferry and take the “Road to the Isles” through some of Scotland’s finest scenery.

Stop for photo’s in the heart of Glen Coe before travelling across desolate Rannoch Moor to reach the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park and our hotel in Dunblane.

Overnight: Doubletree by Hilton Dunblane Hydro, Dunblane (or similar)

Day 5 - Dunblane - Stirling Castle - Belfast

This morning head to the historic city of Stirling to visit its majestic castle, which sits on a volcanic rock overlooking the city.

This impressive fortress has witnessed many historical events in Scotland's history. It was a favoured residence of the Stuart Kings and Queens who built a sumptuous palace within its walls.

Later, travel southwards through "Robert Burns Country, then take the coastal route to Cairnryan for a short ferry ride to Belfast. Check in to your hotel, where dinner is served.

Overnight: Europa Hotel, Belfast (or similar) (2 nights)

Day 6 - Discovering Belfast

Start the day with a visit to Titanic Belfast to learn about this famous liner through state-of-the-art displays

Later take a gentle walk with a Belfast guide to see the imposing City Hall in Donegall Square and Victorian buildings, including the Opera House and the exquisite Crown Liquor Saloon.

This afternoon browse around the city on your own in the afternoon.

Tonight make the short drive to visit the Crosskeys Inn, Ireland’s oldest thatched pub, for dinner and entertainment.

Day 7 - Belfast - Giant’s Causeway - Letterkenny

Drive along the Nine Glens of Antrim scenic route for the splendid ocean and mountain vistas.

Our coastal drive brings us to the Giant’s Causeway, where we view the gigantic hexagonal columns that have inspired legends about the mythical giant Finn McCool.

Stop to capture the scene at ruined Dunluce Castle, dramatically perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the sea.

The tour continues to Derry, where a local guide will take us on a short walking tour around the defensive walls.

Later, head to Letterkenny in beautiful County Donegal for our overnight stay.

Overnight: Station House Hotel, Letterkenny (or similar)

Day 8 - Letterkenny - Donegal - Galway

This morning we travel to the Glenveagh National Park to visit the picturesque Glenveagh Castle, built by Captain Adair, overlooking Lough Veagh.  

The castle opened in 1873, and during the visit, you’ll discover more about the history of this attractive mansion and enjoy time to explore the sprawling gardens filled with exotic plants.

Later, there is time to explore Donegal Town and lunch independently.

Make for Belleek Pottery to watch the skilled artisans at work making delicate and highly decorative pieces.

A real treat is our overnight stay at opulent Kilronan Castle, where there is time to relax before dinner, served in the hotel’s fine restaurant.

Overnight: Kilronan Castle Hotel, Ballyfarnon (or similar) (2 nights)

Day 9 - Arigna Mining Experience and Carrick-on-Shannon Excursion

Visit the Arigna Mining Experience to discover how life was lived for a coal miner in the Arigna Valley. Explore the exhibition, which chronicles over 400 years of history.

Later relax in the pleasant surroundings of Carrick-on-Shannon before returning to your lovely castle hotel in the delightful town of Ballyfarnon.

There is time to relax at your castle before dinner.

Day 10 - Galway - Cliffs of Moher - Ennis

Travel to Galway city for a walking tour with a local guide to see Lynch’s Castle and Eyre Square.  Travel through the limestone hills of the Burren, and view the Cliffs of Moher, a dramatic wall of rock that plunges to the Atlantic Ocean. In the early evening head to 15th century Bunratty or Knappogue Castle for a fun medieval-style banquet and check in to your hotel in Ennis afterwards.

Overnight: Temple Gate Hotel, Ennis (or similar)

Day 11 - Tour Ends in Shannon

Your tour ends after breakfast.