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4.9
Read 70 reviews

Travel back in time with us

This fast-paced Scotland and Ireland tour focuses on their rich history, with plenty of castle tours and museums to help bring the past to life. It's the perfect trip for those interested in exploring Scottish and Irish heritage. 

Trip details

Tour start Edinburgh

trip-destination

Tour end Shannon

11 icon

Days

10 icon

Nights

19 icon

Meals

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Highlights

Edinburgh Castle

Tour the iconic castle at the heart of the capital, which boasts the Crown Jewels of Scotland.

Cliffs of Moher

Marvel at the stunning views from these cliffs, rising 700 feet above the Atlantic.

Isle of Skye

Admire the rugged coastlines and ancient ruins of this Scottish island.

Glenveagh Castle

Revel in the wild beauty and the incredible gardens of this former hunting lodge.

Giant’s Causeway

Created by volcanic activity 60 million years ago – or, according to Gaelic legend, by a giant – mammoth hexagonal stone columns rise from earth in a striking formation.

Crosskeys Inn
Crosskeys Inn Irish Night – CIE Tours Exclusive

Enjoy a pint and the craic by a crackling fire in Ireland's oldest thatched-roof pub.

Stirling Castle
Stirling Castle

Stirling Castle is one of Scotland’s grandest castles, with its imposing position and impressive architecture, and the scenery will take your breath away.

Titanic Belfast
Titanic Belfast

Take a guided tour of central Belfast to see 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 ill-fated liner.

Arigna Mining Experience
Arigna Mining Experience

Learn about coal mining life in the Arigna Valley from the 1700's until 1990.

Medeival Castle Banquet

Experience the magic of Ireland's Medieval Castle Banquet, where you can indulge in a lavish feast, immerse yourself in medieval ambiance, and enjoy captivating entertainment.

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Itinerary

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slide Day 1Edinburgh | Scotch Whisky Experience*
Your tour departs from your hotel at 2:00 PM. Head out to The Scotch Whisky Experience on the famed Royal Mile. Learn about the art and aromas of whisky production, taste a dram of single malt or blended whisky, and view the world’s largest collection of Scotch whisky. For dinner you’ll hear colorful tales of Scottish history and culture while tasting a range of flavorful whiskies paired with local dishes. (August 4 – 20 departures will visit the Scotch Whisky Experience but will dine independently.) (D*)
See the highlights of central Edinburgh including the bustling Princes Street and the 200-year-old Georgian “New Town.” Walk along part of the Royal Mile and visit Edinburgh Castle to see the Scottish Crown Jewels. The remainder of the day is free to relax or explore. Dine independently this evening. (The August 4 – 20 departures attend the spectacular Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on the Castle Esplanade.) (B)
Travel through the scenic countryside of Perthshire to visit Iain Burnett Highland Chocolatier for a tasting of award-winning chocolates with an expert chocolatier. All the chocolates are made on-site with sustainable ingredients, including local heather honey and berries, and fresh cream from local herds of Scottish Friesians. In Pitlochry, spend free time exploring and have lunch independently. Next, visit Blair Castle; this citadel, with its romantic turrets and towers, dates back to the 13th century. Continue through majestic Highland scenery to Inverness (Sunday departures) or Nairn (Tuesday departures). (B, D)
Travel alongside Loch Ness, passing the picturesque Eilean Donan Castle. Cross to the Isle of Skye by bridge and visit Armadale Castle, returning by ferry. Take the “Road to the Isles” past lochs, lush woodlands, and heather-covered moors of the majestic Highlands, stopping for photos around scenic Glencoe. Continue through The Trossachs to your hotel in Dunblane. (B, D)
Tour Stirling Castle, perched on volcanic rock above the town, and explore the richness of this 16th-century palace that was once home to Mary Queen of Scots. Drive on through southwestern Scotland to Cairnryan and board the ferry to Belfast, where you’ll dine in your hotel this evening. (B, D)
Discover the Ulster-Scots history and heritage of the scenic Ards Peninsula on a drive with a local guide. This area was where Scottish colonizers landed in the 1600s; some of their descendants would move to America and become known as the “Scots-Irish”. Then visit Titanic Belfast to delve into the history of the doomed ocean liner. Spend time exploring Belfast as you wish in the afternoon. Visit Crosskeys Inn for dinner and entertainment in a CIE Tours Exclusive. (B, D)
Enjoy ocean and mountain scenery as you travel the Nine Glens of Antrim. Discover the Giant’s Causeway, enormous hexagonal columns rising out of the sea, and pause for photos at the Dunluce Castle ruins. Head to Derry for a walking tour with a local guide to see how this city, with its painful history, has been transformed into a thriving cultural hub. Proceed on to your hotel in Letterkenny. (B, D)
Visit Glenveagh National Park where Captain Adair built Glenveagh Castle in 1870. Enjoy a guided tour and stroll the extensive gardens. Continue to Donegal town for a visit to CIE Tours preferred shopping partner Triona Design and free time to explore. Next, watch skilled craftspeople create delicate ceramic pieces at Belleek Pottery. Travel to luxurious Kilronan Castle with time to relax before dinner in the castle’s fine restaurant. (B, D)
Visit the Arigna Mining Experience to discover local history and life as a coal miner in the Arigna Valley. Visit Lough Key Forest Park to explore how humans have shaped the landscape on this old estate over thousands of years. Walk through tunnels used by servants in the 19th century, see the sunken garden, and then walk along with the Tree Canopy Bridge for panoramic views of nature and the shimmering lake. Return to the charming village of Ballyfarnon and relax in your castle hotel before dinner. (B, D)
In Galway, a local guide will take you on a walking tour through the narrow streets to see the medieval city walls and Lynch’s Castle. Travel through the Burren and see its limestone hills, often blooming with a vast array of wildflowers. Visit the Cliffs of Moher, soaring high above the Atlantic. This evening, enjoy a medieval-style banquet at a castle. (B, D)
11-day tour ends in Shannon. (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. >

Where you’ll stay

Dalmahoy Hotel and Country Club Exterior

Dalmahoy Hotel and Country Club Edinburgh, Scotland

In addition to a full-service spa, Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club features a golf course and...
Columba Hotel exterior

Columba Hotel Inverness, Scotland

This grand hotel has a great location in the heart of Inverness, yet in a ...
Muthu Newton Hotel

Muthu Newton Hotel Nairn, Scotland

Muthu Newton Hotel is close to the Nairn golfing links and the Moray Firth offering unrivalled...

DoubleTree by Hilton Dunblane Hydro Stirling, Scotland

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Dunblane Hydro opened in 1878 as a luxurious Victorian health spa...
Europa Hotel

Europa Hotel Belfast, Northern Ireland

The world famous Europa Hotel in Belfast is located in the heart of Belfast City Centre...
Station House Hotel - Letterkenny

Station House Hotel - Letterkenny Donegal, Ireland

Station House Letterkenny is a 3-star modern contemporary boutique hotel, offering high-...
Kilronan Castle

Kilronan Castle Roscommon, Ireland

Located just 45 minutes drive from Sligo Airport, Kilronan Castle Hotel & Spa features an...
Temple Gate Hotel

Temple Gate Hotel Ennis, Ireland

In the center of historic Ennis, Temple Gate Hotel features free Wi-Fi and free parking, just 20...
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Inclusive package with no hidden extras

What's included?

  • Full daily breakfast and many meals*
  • Traditional entertainment
  • Transportation (Buses, shuttles & ferries)
  • Welcome drinks with your group
  • Free Wi-Fi on luxury coaches
  • All entrance fees to attractions
  • Comprehensive travel itinerary

 

*Breakfast is not included on Day 1

Our welcome gift to you

  • A travel backpack
  • Travel adapter
  • Rain poncho
  • Luggage strap and tags
  • Documents wallet

From our travelers

Giant's Causeway

The itinerary for our trip was excellent, and so were the hotels (two castle stays!) but the absolute best part of the trip was the Tour Director. Joe not only organized and took care of all of us the entire trip, but he shared with us his personal insights and experiences that enhanced the history of Ireland and made it very real for us. I feel this was what made our group become so close, and some of us still keep in touch and plan on taking another trip next year!

CIE Tours Customer
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See what people are saying about this trip

4
Brenda Lee Bowers
1 month ago
Great vacation to Scotland/Ireland the guides/driver were wonderful.

Fantactic itinerary, hotels and locations and meals.

5
CIE Tours Customer
1 month ago

Included were trips to exciting towns and cities, emotional visits to historic battle grounds (Glencoe), clan history, music and Irish dancing at night, whiskey and beer tastings, horse drawn cart rides, car-ferry rides, wonderful bridges, sheep sheering, a ride through the Irish coastal towns, lots of story telling, a coal mining visit, enchanting parks, historical museums and several unforgettable walking tours.

Breakfast every morning was glorious! Dinner (or included lunch) so we had two wonderful meals every day! Nice hotels and estates to sleep in every night and a place to charge your phone on the bus. The bus was clean and safe!

One bathroom stop was amazing: Circle K shopping with McDonalds Hamburgers and a Crispy Creme store! In Belfast the Kentucky Fried Chicken tastes the same as at home...these were nice reality breaks but also culturally fun to chat up the locals.

Highlights: the chocolate shop stop and Cross Roads Inn. Top notch experiences.

5
CIE Tours Customer
1 month ago

It was everything I hoped it would be.

5
CIE Tours Customer
1 month ago

Our Tour Guides were fantastic the tour covered a large range of interests in and pretty much kept the schedule as much as possible, and was very organized and well thought out

5
Thomas Griffin
1 month ago
Lifetime vacation

Very easy tour. Great service. Beautiful stops. Lots of history

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