If you want to experience and explore the real Scotland and Ireland then we have the perfect balance with our unique 11 Day Tour experience.
Explore the dramatic beauty of wild Scotland and Ireland as jump into a world of picturesque landscapes, rugged coastlines, quaint villages and towns, and pristine lochs with rolling hills set in the background. Experience ancient forts, battlefields and the magical national parks for walking and hiking or even take a majestic kayak tour on the Lakes of Killarney.
You can experience all this and more, as we take you off the beaten track to discover the real Scotland and Ireland that will forever capture your heart.
Dynamic Earth, Holyrood Rd, Edinburgh EH8 8AS, Scotland
Heuston Station, Saint John’s Road West, Dublin
Monday
09:00 am – Please arrive by 8:30 am for a prompt departure
Your Scotland adventure starts off in the hilly capital, Edinburgh. Our direction is north west to Stirling Castle, where we will take our first stop on our amazing adventure of Scotland.
The castle is one of Scotland’s most historically important sites and. Its origins are ancient and over the centuries it grew into a great royal residence and a powerful stronghold for the Stewart kings and queens. Its dominating setting upon a vast volcanic rock above the river Forth at the meeting point between Lowlands and Highlands offers spectacular views of the surrounding landscapes.
Afterwards, we continue our journey north to Fort William in the Scottish Highlands. A perfect destination for the outdoor enthusiast and where we will our first night beneath the foothills of Ben Nevis, Scotland’s highest mountain.
Today’s adventure takes us first to Steall Falls, a dramatic and beautiful route through Nevis Gorge, one of the best short walks in Scotland.
From here, we take the road north-west towards the Isle of Skye, famous for its wild picturesque scenery that will take your breath away. The Island is 50 miles (80km) long, the largest of the Inner Hebrides and its capital is Portree where we will perch our feet up for two nights. The following day we will discover this magical island as we will explore its unique landscapes, wildlife, rich history and geological wonders.
Today’s adventure takes you off the beaten track to explore the real beauty of the Isle of Skye. Our first stop is at the Old Man of Storr, one of Scotland’s most iconic places. The Old Man is a unique rock feature and offers stunning views out over the Sound of Raasay.
From there, we make our way around the top of Skye to Duntulm Castle where you can have a picnic lunch and explore this magnificent setting. Afterwards, we will make our way to Neist Point Lighthouse, one of the most famous in Scotland and can be found on the most westerly tip of Skye and offers stunning views of the high cliffs and the lighthouse itself. It is a landscape photographer’s dream.
That afternoon, we will make our way back to Portree where we experienced its vibrant streets, fantastic culinary delights, meet the locals or simply relax.
We depart the beautiful setting of the Isle of Skye, making our way east through undulating valleys and along picturesque lakes to Fort Augustus which sits on the edge of Loch Ness. Here we will stop for a nice bite to eat before making our way north for a quick visit of Boleskine Burial Ground (the final resting place of all the Frasers of the region) and for fans of Outlander, this is a place you really must visit, however, there is no guarantee you will meet Jamie Fraser!!
Onward we go and in search of the Loch Ness monster we take a stop at Dores. The village of Dores and its beach by the Loch is probably the most spectacular viewing point for you to get that memorable and lucky photo of Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster. The Loch itself is over 37 miles long and has more freshwater than all the lakes of England and Wales combined.
Afterwards, we make the short drive to Inverness where you can explore this colourful ancient cathedral city in the Scottish Highlands and sample its lively atmosphere.
This morning you take a short drive to Culloden where you get to experience this emotionally powerful site of the final Jacobite Rising – the last and most harrowing pitched battle to be fought on British soil.
Explore its interactive visitor centre, view fascinating artefacts from both sides of the confrontation, experience the battle in the immersive surround cinema and interactive displays that reveal the background to the conflict. There is no escaping the emotions Culloden stirs up inside you as you discover how a bloody fight that lasted only an hour changed life in the Highlands forever.
That afternoon, you return to Inverness where you have free time to explore this beautiful highland city by taking a tour exploring its unique historical places of interest, sampling its wide variety of food and whisky or even experience a Hootananny!!!
Your adventure today brings you through the Cairngorms National Park, the largest national park on the British Isles, to the hilly capital of Scotland, Edinburgh.
Five of the UK’s six highest mountains lie inside the park, alongside 55 Munros – mountains over 3,000 ft – which can be found here too. There are huge forests of ancient native trees, cascading waterfalls, more wildlife than you can imagine and where you can take a variety of walking routes or take a watersports adventure on Loch Morlich.
After a bite to eat in Pitlochry, you make your way south towards Edinburgh, where you can relax or if you feel energized take the opportunity to soak in Edinburgh’s vibrant colourful streets or sample some its local cuisine.
This morning you have the opportunity to explore Edinburgh before that afternoon we take an afternoon flight to Dublin.
This morning is yours in Dublin, where you have the opportunity to visit many of its historical attractions, jump aboard the Dublin Hop-on Hop-off City Tour or simply relax and explore its vibrant streets. That afternoon, we will head south to Killarney and the Kingdom of Kerry.
After we arrive in Killarney, you have the evening to experience Killarney’s great food offerings, vibrant musical nightlife or take a stroll through its majestic national park.
Dingle is your destination today, as you explore these dramatic and beautiful areas of Ireland that are littered with archaeological and historical wonders.
Heading due west to the edge of Europe, also known as Slea Head. Feast your eyes on breathtaking scenery of wild rugged coastline, golden beaches and the magnificent Blasket Islands. You will explore its vast Gaelic culture and learn a cupla focal (some words) in Irish along the way.
Then visit and have lunch in the colourful and vibrant town of Dingle before making your way to Inch Strand, famous for being the place where an inch is actually three miles long and where you can take a short stroll along its golden sands and watch long rolling waves that come crashing ashore before making your way back to Killarney.
Today’s adventure takes you off the beaten track to unlock the real beauty of the world famous Ring of Kerry. Considered one of the most beautiful destinations to explore in Ireland, the Ring of Kerry offers dramatic landscapes of wild rugged coastline, golden beaches, glistening lakes, picturesque villages and spectacular mountain ranges.
Even better, we will take you on an incredible tour of the spectacular Valentia Island where you can delve into its incredible history and heritage, explore its magical setting on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and if you are lucky get a glimpse (weather permitting) of the dramatic Skellig Islands (Star Wars famed).
After a well-earned bite to eat, we slowly make our way back to Killarney stopping off at many spectacular viewing points to learn of their historical importance and the opportunity to take that picture that will ensure an everlasting memory of paradise.
Today is your chance to discover the majestic setting of Killarney and Ireland’s first National Park. You can choose to relax and unwind, explore its national park and vibrant town or take one of many adventure experiences to truly discover Killarney.
In terms of adventure, you have the opportunity to take a gentle self-guided hike of Torc Mountain with magical view of the Lakes of Killarney from its summit, explore Muckross Estate which is home to a spectacular 15th Century Franciscan Friary, Torc Waterfall and the majestic setting of Muckross House & Gardens. Even more amazing, you can combine one of those experiences by adding in a mesmerizing kayak tour on the Lakes of Killarney or a self-guided Killarney Cycling Tour of its national park.
Later that evening, we will say a fond farewell as you take the train back to the fair city of Dublin. We really hope you have had an amazing time exploring some of Scotland’s and Ireland’s most unique destinations and remember they are now forever your home away from home.
