The Scots Irish Tour
Special Offer
Book now and save 5% on all departures
Day 1 - Edinburgh & “Britannia”
Your trip starts in Edinburgh Airport with a group transfer to your hotel, departing at 8:00 am, 10:00 am or 12:00 noon. Passengers arriving later will transfer to the hotel at their own expense. At 2:00 pm tour the Royal Yacht “Britannia”, former floating home of The Queen. Learn about the famous guests and the state visits made by the Royal Family. Enjoy a welcome drink at your hotel and dine at the Heights Restaurant with views of Edinburgh Castle. (D)
Day 2 - Edinburgh Castle & City Tour
This morning explore Edinburgh to compare and contrast the wide streets and elegant mansions of the Georgian 200-year-old “New Town?? with the narrow lanes and medieval townhouses along the Royal Mile. See Princes Street, the main shopping thoroughfare that separates the two areas. Learn about many prominent Scottish inventors, doctors and writers. Finish your tour at Edinburgh Castle to see historic buildings and enjoy splendid views of Edinburgh. The balance of the day is free for independent exploring, shopping and dining. On August 5 to 19 departures enjoy the Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle. (B)
Day 3 - Sheepdog Trials & Culloden
Drive into the Highlands to visit Leault Farm where dogs herd sheep and ducks through various obstacles. Learn how each dog responds to individual whistles and see seasonal activities. Tour Culloden Moor Visitor Centre to walk around the battlefield where, on 16th April 1746, British Government forces defeated Bonnie Prince Charlie's army in just one hour and ended hopes of restoring the Jacobite Stuarts to the British throne. After dinner enjoy a ceilidh, traditional Scottish music, in your hotel. (B, D)
Day 4 - Isle of Skye & Clan Donald Centre
Drive through wild Highland scenery to cross the bridge to the Isle of Skye, pausing for photos at the picturesque Eilean Donan Castle. Drive through part of the island and visit the Clan Donald Centre at Armadale Castle 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 loveliest scenery, stopping for photos at the Glenfinnan Monument. (B, D)
Day 5 - Rabbie Burns & Belfast
This morning drive south to Alloway to visit the Burns National Heritage Park and learn about Scotland's popular folk writer. Stop for photos at Burns Cottage and continue to the visitor center and you can walk to the picturesque Brig o' Doon, the Burns Monument and the Auld Kirk. Travel along the coastline to Cairnryan for a short ferry ride to Larne. Drive to Belfast, check in to your centrally-located hotel and enjoy free time to relax or head out for to see some of this vibrant city before dinner. (B, D)
Day 6 - Belfast Tour & Mount Stewart
A local guide will show you Belfast's Victorian buildings, the imposing City Hall in Donegall Square and the Shankill and Falls Road areas where many 20th century political events took place. Also visit the Titanic Quarter to see the Harland and Wolff Shipyards, where the famous liner was built in 1912. In the afternoon tour Mount Stewart House and Gardens to see antiques and world-famous paintings. Hear stories about the many prominent political visitors. The extensive gardens were planted in the 1920's by Edith, Lady Londonderry, and have been nominated a World Heritage Site. (B, D
Day 7 - Giant's Causeway & Derry's Walls
Drive north along the scenic route of the “Nine Glens of Antrim,” for lovely views of mountains, valleys and coastline. Stop at the Giant's Causeway, enormous hexagonal columns formed by volcanic activity 60 million years ago which have spawned legends about the mythical giant, Finn McCool. In Derry join a local guide for a short walking tour around the defensive walls that encircle the compact old city before driving to nearby Letterkenny. (B, D)
Day 8 - Glenveagh Castle & Donegal
Travel into Donegal to Glenveagh National Park where Captain Adair evicted 225 tenants to build Glenveagh Castle in 1870. Learn about the history of the mansion, owners and guests as you tour the rooms and walk around the extensive gardens filled with exotic plants. Return to Derry where a local guide will join your coach for a drive around the Bogside, where many struggles took place during the past 50 years. Then walk along part of the medieval city walls which completely encircle the city center and visit the Tower Museum to learn more about the history of this city. (B, D)
Day 9 - Belleek China & Kilronan Castle Stay
Drive south through the Barnesmore Gap and the Blue Stack Mountains for a look around Donegal town. Visit the Belleek Pottery Factory to see how the craftspeople shape and decorate clay, creating the world-famous fine china. Pause at Drumcliffe Churchyard to view the grave of W. B. Yeats, the Nobel prize-winning poet, who based many poems on the delightful countryside around Sligo. A short drive will take you to Kilronan Castle Hotel for leisure time to relax and enjoy the lovely setting. (B, D)
Day 10 - Strokestown House & Cliffs of Moher
Visit Strokestown Park House in County Roscommon. There are three parts to see - the 18th century mansion with its original furnishings; the four-acre walled garden, restored to look as it would have during the heyday of the estate; and the Famine Museum, which explains the circumstances of the 1840's Great Irish Famine through a combination of original documents and images. Travel south passing the city of Galway to view the Cliffs of Moher, a dramatic wall of rock that plunges to the Atlantic Ocean. In the evening head to 15th century Bunratty Castle for a fun medieval-style banquet with entertainment by the lords and ladies of the castle. (B, D)
Day 11 - Tour Ends Shannon Airport
Take a group transfer from your hotel in Ennis to Shannon Airport for your flight home. (B) B: Breakfast; D: Dinner