Scottish and Irish Dream

Overview
Itinerary
Hotels
The Experience
Reviews

4.6

Regal majesty and scenic splendor

Discover Scotland’s castles, art, and history as you tour its cities and the Highlands. Cross over to Ireland for music, a medieval castle banquet, and the beauty of the Ring of Kerry.

Trip details

Tour start Glasgow

Tour end Bunratty

Days

Nights

Meals

Available Promotions for this tour

Highlights

Exploring Edinburgh

Explore the wide streets of New Town and the medieval houses along the Royal Mile.

Inveraray Castle

Find yourself in the home of the Downton Abbey series as you tour the locale where it was set and filmed.

Blarney Castle

Kiss the famous Stone of Eloquence and see if it gives you the gift of gab.

St Andrews

See the birthplace of golf, and Scotland's oldest university.

Cliffs of Moher

Take a ferry across the River Shannon Estuary and view the Cliffs of Moher, a spectacular wall of sandstone that reaches high above the Atlantic.

Skellig Experience

This prizewinning interpretive center gives visitors a rich and evocative experience of "the islands at the edge of the world."

Ring of Kerry

Take a scenic drive around the peninsula to take in rugged, verdant coastal landscapes and rural seaside villages.

Edinburgh Castle

Walk in the footsteps of soldiers, kings and queens, and even the odd pirate or two, in this medieval-era royal residence, military garrison, prison and fortress, alive with many exciting tales.

Titanic Belfast

Explore the history of the ill-fated ocean liner and its first (and last) voyage, in the city where it was built.

Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

Our July 30th to August 20thst departures get to enjoy the precision and performance of pipe and drum corps from around the world.

Dublin Castle

Tour the impressive State Apartments at Dublin Castle - once serving as living quarters, they are now the site of state ceremonies and presidential inaugurations.

Itinerary

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Day 1Glasgow City Tour | Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum

Your tour departs at 2:00 PM from your hotel. Set out on a panoramic tour of the highlights of Glasgow, a city built on industry but now known for its stunning Victorian architecture and creative cultural scene. Visit Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, housing one of Europe's finest art collections. Enjoy a welcome drink with your group at the hotel, then you are free to explore the city and dine as you wish.

Day 2Loch Lomond Cruise | Inveraray Castle

Embark on a short cruise of Loch Lomond with views of Highland peaks. Stroll through Inveraray and have lunch on your own before touring Inveraray Castle, which you may recognize from the “Downton Abbey” series. Drive through Glencoe, one of Scotland's most beautiful places, and continue on to Ballachulish on the shore of Loch Leven. (B, D)

Day 3Isle of Skye | Loch Ness

Travel on the scenic “Road to the Isles”, stopping for photos at the Glenfinnan Monument. Ferry to the Isle of Skye to visit the romantic ruins of Armadale Castle. Back on the mainland, travel along the shores of Loch Ness. End the day at your hotel in Nairn, a lovely manor house set on spacious grounds near the North Sea. (Saturday departures from July 29 to August 19 stay at the Marriot Inverness Airport Hotel). (B, D)

Day 4Culloden | Sheepdog Demo

Visit the Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre to learn about the historic battle. Walk around the serene moorland to see monuments commemorating the troops. Immerse yourself in farm life at a local farm as you watch dogs herd sheep. Travel to your gracious manor-style hotel near Pitlochry. (B, D)

Day 5Blair Castle | Whisky Tasting

Visit Blair Castle, home of the Dukes and Earls of Atholl. Delve into the history of Mary, Queen of Scots, Bonnie Prince Charlie, and how Queen Victoria's famous stay led to the creation of Europe's only private army, the Atholl Highlanders. Go behind the scenes at Blair Athol Distillery for a tour and sample of the finished product. Spend the afternoon at leisure exploring the hotel gardens and museum, or browsing around Pitlochry town. (B, D)

Day 6Glamis Castle | St Andrews | Scottish Evening*

Visit Glamis Castle, the legendary setting of “Macbeth”. Head to St Andrews, the “Home of Golf”. See the famous Royal and Ancient Clubhouse and the Old Course on a panoramic drive. Enjoy a traditional Scottish evening with dinner and entertainment. July 30 - August 20 departures enjoy an evening free to dine independently. (B, D*)

Day 7Edinburgh Castle | City Tour

Take a panoramic tour of Edinburgh, from the narrow lanes and medieval townhouses of the Royal Mile to the elegant mansions and wide streets of the 200-year-old Georgian “New Town”. Tour the imposing Edinburgh Castle with its splendid views of the city. The rest of the day is free for independent exploring, shopping, and dining. July 30 - August 20 departures attend the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on the Castle Esplanade. (B)

Day 8Belfast Ferry | Titanic Belfast | Dublin

Say farewell to your Scottish guide and embark on a ferry ride to Belfast. Immerse yourself in the history of the Titanic through displays at Titanic Belfast. Drive on to Dublin, where you have a free evening to explore the city's excellent restaurants and famed pubs. (B)

Day 9Dublin | Merry Ploughboy Pub

Explore Dublin independently on a Hop-On, Hop-Off bus tour, and choose one of four top attractions to visit with your included voucher: GPO Museum, Teelings Distillery, or EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum. At 2:00 PM meet your new Irish guide/driver and tour group in the hotel lobby. Join a local guide for a Dublin City tour, and then take a guided tour of Dublin Castle. Enjoy a traditional Irish dinner and show at Merry Ploughboy Pub. (B, D)

Day 10Blarney Castle | Killarney

Head for Blarney Castle today, stopping for a photo opportunity at the Rock of Cashel along the way. You might choose to climb the steep winding staircase to kiss the famed Blarney Stone, which legend says will give you the gift of the gab. Drive through Macroom, built around a fine old castle, and into County Kerry where the scenery becomes more mountainous. Arrive in Killarney, picturesquely set beside lakes with Ireland's highest mountains, Macgillycuddy's Reeks, forming a backdrop. Check in to your hotel and relax before dinner. (B, D)

Day 11Ring of Kerry | Skellig Experience

Take the Ring of Kerry drive - a winding route with awesome mountain and coastline views. Stop off in the beautiful Gap of Dunloe to visit our CIE Tours preferred shopping partner Moriarty's. Enjoy lunch before crossing to Valentia Island and the Skellig Experience, which tells the story of nearby islands. Watch a demonstration of highly skilled dogs herding flocks of sheep. Spend a free evening in Killarney. (B, L)

Day 12Cliffs of Moher | Medieval Castle Banquet

Take a ferry across the River Shannon Estuary and visit the Cliffs of Moher, a spectacular wall of sandstone that reaches high above the Atlantic. Check in to Bunratty Castle Hotel, relax and enjoy free time before heading out for a memorable medieval-style feast complete with songs and harp music evocative of the Middle Ages. (B, D)

Day 13Tour ends in Bunratty

Your tour ends this morning after breakfast. (B) B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner * Meal counts vary on Tattoo departures, as the Scottish Evening is replaced with the Tattoo and an independent dinner. >