11 Day The Scots Irish Tour Itinerary
Day 1 : Edinburgh & Stirling
Castle
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 depart your
hotel for a short drive to visit the massive Stirling Castle, associated with
“Braveheart” William Wallace and Mary, Queen of Scots. Enjoy splendid views and
explore the Great Hall, kitchens and chapel. Return to Edinburgh for a welcome
drink and a pub dinner, followed by a ghost walking tour.
(D)
Day 2 : Edinburgh & Royal Yacht
Britannia
This morning tour 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. In Leith
tour the Royal Yacht Britannia, floating home of The Queen on many of her
travels around the world. The balance of the day is free for independent
exploring, shopping and dining. On August 4 to 18 departures enjoy the Royal
Edinburgh Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle.
(B)
Day 3 : Whisky Tasting &
Ceilidh
Travel north to Pitlochry to visit Blair Athol Distillery to
see how whisky is made and enjoy a “wee dram” at the end of the tour. Continue
through majestic Highland scenery to Leault Farm to watch specially-trained
working dogs herd sheep through various obstacles and learn how each dog
responds to individual whistles. Drive to Inverness, a major town in the
Highlands, and check in to your hotel beside the River Ness in the center of the
town. After dinner, take part in a ceilidh, a musical evening.
(B, D)
Day 4 : Isle of Skye & Clan
Donald Centre
Drive alongside Loch Ness and through wild Highland
scenery, pausing for photos at the picturesque Eilean Donan Castle and cross to
the Isle of Skye by bridge. 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 : Glen Coe & Rabbie
Burns
This morning enjoy final views of peaks and glens of the
magnificent Highland scenery as you drive south through Glen Coe and alongside
the lovely shores of Loch Lomond. Stop in Alloway for a brief visit at the Burns
National Heritage Park to see famous landmarks from Burns' poetry. Travel along
the coastline to Cairnryan for a short ferry ride to Larne. Drive to your hotel
in Belfast to arrive in time for dinner.
(B, D)
Day 6 : Titanic Belfast Tour &
Mount Stewart
This morning a Belfast guide will show you Victorian
buildings, the imposing City Hall in Donegall Square and the shipyards where RMS
Titanic was built in 1912. Visit Titanic Belfast to learn about this famous
liner through state-of-the-art displays. In the afternoon tour Mount Stewart
House and Gardens to see antiques and world-famous paintings while hearing
stories about the many prominent political visitors.
(B, D)
Day 7 : Giant's Causeway, Derry's
Walls & Donegal
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 &
Ulster Folk Park
Travel into the heart of 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. Visit
the Ulster American Folk Park to see traditional cottages and learn about
emigration to the United States. Continue to Kilronan Castle for a 2-night
stay.
(B, D)
Day 9 : Innisfree Boat Ride &
Belleek
Visit the historic 17th century Parke's Castle, set on the
shores of Lough Gill followed by a boat ride on the scenic lake. View the tiny
island of Innisfree, which inspired many works of W. B. Yeats, the Nobel
prize-winning poet, who based many poems on the delightful countryside around
Sligo. View his grave in Drumcliffe and visit the Belleek Pottery Factory to see
the creation of delicate china. Return to Kilronan Castle Hotel for leisure time
before dinner.
(B, D)
Day 10 : Galway Bay & Cliffs of
Moher
Travel south to Galway city for a panoramic drive around the
main sights and take some free time to browse around. Drive through the
limestone hills of the Burren to view the Cliffs of Moher, a dramatic wall of
rock that plunges to the Atlantic Ocean. Check in to your hotel in the heart of
the marketing town of Ennis and 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 to nearby Shannon Airport where your
tour concludes at either 7:30 am or 10:30 am to allow time to check in for your
flight home.
(B)
B: Breakfast; D: Dinner