12-Day Scotland and Ireland Tour from edinburgh

Welcome to Europamundo! Arrival in Scotland, Edinburgh and transfer to the hotel.



IMPORTANT:
- Remember that hotels check-in time is usually at 14:00 hrs. If you require more hours of room availability, consider booking an additional night at the beginning of your trip.
- IF YOU REQUESTED ADDITIONAL NIGHTS upon arrival at the hotel, you would have your room booked, but your trip guide would normally contact you at the beginning of the included activities. At the reception you can also find an informative sign, indicating the telephone number and hours of assistance of our staff. YOUR TIME THEREFORE BEFORE THIS MOMENT IS FREE. The hotel staff can help you with all the information you need.

Note: The schedules that you will find in this itinerary are indicative. The guide, depending on the situation and in order to improve the development of the trip, may adjust the schedules.





We begin our route in EDINBURGH.
13.15 hrs. - Sightseeing tour with a local guide to the Scotland’s capital city and one of the most active cities in Northern Europe. Its monumental centre has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its castle overlooks the city, its steep streets and its parks. During the summer the “Edinburgh Festival” is celebrated and the city comes alive with its shows. Free time after the tour. Transfer to the hotel afterwards.

Free day. You can enjoy the charm of this city. Free time to explore and discover memorable places.

Total distance covered: 305 km

Scenery: Lush scenery throughout this region, especially in the afternoon, when we will pass through the Cairngorms mountains.


08.00 hrs. - Edinburgh –departure. On our way we will make a stop to photograph The Kelpies,
enormous sculptures of two horses with water heads from Scottish mythology. They represent the strength and beauty of horses, as well as their connection to water and land. We continue to another historic city near Edinburgh.

09.00hrs. - Stirling – Arrival in this city with an impressive historic center dominated by the great castle, one of the most important in Scotland as it has witnessed numerous historical events, including not only legendary battles, but also the coronation of several kings. Reservation and tickets included to the castle.

12:00 hrs. - After that we continue our route towards the north of Scotland.
13:15 hrs. - Pitlochry - picturesque city in the center of the Scottish region where the majority of whiskey is produced. We visit a traditional whiskey distillery in the area (entrance included). Time for lunch.

15.30 hrs - Pitlochry – departure. Continuing north, we make a stop at Culloden, where one of the main battles in Scottish history took place against the British forces with a crushing victory for the English army. The battle had consequences for Scotland as laws and policies were imposed that sought to suppress its culture and traditions.

18.45 hrs.- Inverness, arrival at the “Capital of the Highlands”, a maritime city very close to Loch Ness, where its castle stands out. We suggest enjoying a walk along the banks of the River Ness and the iconic suspension bridge.


Note: depending on the time of year and sunlight, the stop in Culloden might be organized on Monday.
Note: due to capacity limitations in traditional distilleries, sometimes we can carry out this visit in a different town/time than in previously scheduled Pitlochry.

Total distance covered: 250 km Scenery: Magnificent scenery, lakes, high mountains sometimes with snowy peaks.
Notes: We recommend having some warm clothes to hand, you may need them to enjoy the boat trip. The schedules of this day may change depending on the time assigned for crossing the Loch Ness.


08.00 hrs - Inverness –Departure-. We have a thrilling day ahead, amidst very beautiful scenery, forests, lakes, empty lands and fields in the North of Scotland.
10:30 hrs - EILEAN CASTLE, a very picturesque castle in the waters of the fiord. We will be reminded of the ghosts that fill the castles of Scotland. Tickets included.


11:30 hrs - Eilean Castle –Departure-. We can observe mountains and lakes in this route.
12:45 hrs - FORT AUGUSTUS where we will get to know the sluice system and have time to stroll and find a place for lunch.


14.00 hrs - Fort Augustus –Departure- . We go round LOCH NESS. We will see the medieval URQUHART Castle in ruins by the lake (tickets included).


At around 15:30 hrs we include a boat trip from Urquhart Castle in the dark waters of the lake, for around 30 minutes to Clansmann.
16.30 hrs - Inverness. Arrival in the capital of the Highlands and the only city of the region on the mouth of the river Ness. Accommodation in INVERNESS.

Total distance covered: 370 km

Countryside: Once more, beautiful lake and mountain scenery, huge open spaces, isolated areas and thick forests.


07:30hrs - Inverness –Departure-. We travel back to Aviemore through isolated regions, subarctic flora and mountains. On our way, we will make a brief stop at Spean Bridge, by the monument to the commandos who trained here for the Normandy invasion in the Second World War. We photograph Ben Nevis, the highest peak in the British Isles.
10.00 hrs - Fort William –Time for a coffee in this tourist city.


10:45 hrs - Fort William –Departure-. We follow some sections of coastline, fjords by the ocean. - On our way we will pass Kilchurn Castle. A castle in ruins that projects its image over a beautiful lake.


13:30 hrs - Inveraray –Arrival-. A historic, picturesque small town by a lake with a beautiful castle (tickets not included). Time to have a stroll and for lunch.


15:30 hrs - Inveraray –Departure-. Our road takes us round part of Loch Lomond with its beautiful scenery,
17:30 hrs - Glasgow –Arrival-, free time in which we suggest a stroll around the centre of this Victorian capital. -

Total distance covered: 295 km.

Scenery: Seaside, hills, woods.
Notes: Remember to keep your passport; it will be requested at the point of embarkation. It is helpful if you can travel with some Scottish bank notes. Scotland mint their own notes, as does the North of Ireland. These Scottish or Northern Irish bank notes can be used easily in Scotland and Ireland respectively, but they may not be accepted in England and they are not valid in international banks. That is, if you have any Scottish or Irish notes left over, you will not be able to exchange them outside the United Kingdom. We recommend that you make sure you don´t have any Scottish bank notes left over on leaving Scotland and especially after our crossing to Belfast.
The schedules for this whole stage may vary depending on the boat.


08.00 hrs -Glasgow- Brief tour on the coach while leaving the city and then we travel toward the east coast of Scotland.


In Cairnryan we board a modern ferry to Ireland. Normally the boat leaves at 11.30 hrs. Crossing. The boats are very modern; you can shop in its stores or have lunch in its bars.

13.45 hrs - We get off the boat in Belfast. Arrival in this city of Victorian architecture which reminds us of the difficult coexistence between Protestants and Catholics in this area.- After a look round the Catholic and Protestant neighbourhoods that remind us of their troubled past, we visit the famous murals. Free time in the city centre.


16:30 hrs - Belfast –Departure-. We continue to the Republic of Ireland (Eire).
18:30 hrs - Dublin –Arrival at hotel-.

Dublin - Sightseeing tour of the city. A guide will tell us about the history of the city, its Georgian neighbourhoods, its bustling city centre streets and the University. Afternoon free in the Irish capital. You will be able to wonder round the lively banks of the River Liffey and visit its museums or the famous Guinness brewery (admission not included).
(Note: Occasionally, depending on our time of arrival in Dublin, the sightseeing tour of the city may be made on the previous afternoon).

Total distance covered: 330 km

Countryside: Pleasant countryside, forests, hills, picturesque villages on the way.


08:30 hrs - Dublin –Departure-. We start our trip to Powerscourt, very close to Dublin.
09:15 hrs - POWERSCOURT, with our tickets included, we will visit the magnificent Palace Park designed in the eighteenth century, considered one of the prettiest parks in Ireland with its fountains, its Japanese garden and its pet cemetery.


10:30 hrs - Powerscourt –Departure-. We go on our way towards the south of Ireland, passing through the Wicklow National Park.
12:30 hrs - KILKENNY we have time for lunch and a stroll in this city full of life with its castle, cathedral and beer houses, etc.


14:30 hrs - Kilkenny –Departure-.
15:30 hrs- CASHEL –Arrival-. A mediaeval fortress that symbolises the Irish’s struggle against the English. Tickets included to Cashel Castle-Rock and time in the village.


17.00 hrs - Cashel –Departure-.
18.15 hrs - CORK, Arrival at the end of the afternoon. Time for a stroll around the centre of Ireland’s second largest city. Dinner in the hotel included.

Total distance covered: 245 km

Countryside: Pretty countryside, above all in Killarney National Park


08:15hrs- Cork –Departure-.
09.00hrs - KINSALE –Arrival, we stop alongside Charles Fort to admire the views over the ocean beside the seventeenth century fortress. After this, we come to the centre of the village considered the prettiest of all of Ireland’s fishing villages. Time for a stroll in the historic centre with its maritime flavour.


10:30 hrs - Kinsale -departure.
12:30 hrs - KILLARNEY, a tourist city in the heart of Ireland. After time for a stroll and to have lunch, we include a romantic ride in a horse-pulled carriage through the national park, amidst gardens and by the lake. In our carriage we come to ROSS CASTLE and its marvellous views by the lake. Here we include a short boat cruise with magnificent views of the lake.


16.00hrs - Killarney –Departure-. We continue on our way. We take a brief stop in ADARE, a small village that maintains its picturesque stone houses with thatched roofs, and the ruins of an ancient abbey.
18.00 hrs - LIMERICK Arrival and free time to stroll by the river, to visit the cathedral or see its castle, etc.
19.30 hrs - Transfer to the hotel, dinner included.

Total distance covered: 190 km

Countryside: Impressive scenery on the Moher cliffs


08:30 hrs - Limerick –Departure-. Near this city.
09.00hrs - Bunraty Folk Park. We include tickets to this open air museum complex, a marvellous park where we will get a glimpse of what life was like in Ireland in the past, it’s typical cottages, its ancient trades and mediaeval castle. Time to stroll.


11.30hrs - Bunraty Folk Park –Departure-. We travel to the coast amidst green scenery and hills.
11.30 hrs- MOHER CLIFFS, overlooking the ocean (entrance included). Those who want to, can walk to O’Brien’s Tower (tickets not included, sometimes closed because of the weather). Time for lunch.


14.00 hrs -departure.
15.00 hrs - Caherconnel Fort, Arrival at this circular stone Celtic Fort in the heart of the carstic scenery of BURREN NATIONAL PARK. Maybe we can see the display of shepherd dogs, and see how they drove their sheep.


16:30 hrs - Departure. We stop to take photos in this area, where we find the Poulnabrone Dolmen. Our road goes on through attractive scenery and little isolated villages.


18.15hrs- Arrival in GALWAY, time to see the city and its university atmosphere, with a picturesque pedestrian area.
19.45 hrs.- Transfer to the hotel.

Total distance covered: 295 km

090 hrs - Galway –Departure-.
10.00 hrs - Cong- Arrival in this small picturesque town in the magnificent area of lakes where John Ford filmed “The Quiet Man”. We will see the ruins of the Royal Abbey and stroll around the fantastic Ashford Castle, now turned into a hotel. Time to have a stroll.


11.30 hrs - Departure. We going towards the centre of Ireland.
13.00 hrs - Clonmacnoise: Time for lunch before we visit the ruins of the Celtic monasteries. (Ticket and tour included).


15.45 hrs– Clonmacnoise –Departure-. We continue on our route.
17.15 hrs - Dublin; Arrival. -


NB: The Clonmacnoise complex only allows a certain number of people to enter at a time. Sometimes your visit may be at a different time, depending on what we are allowed to do. We will adapt the stage for all of the planned visits to be made.

After breakfast, end of our services.

Note: Remember that hotels check-out time is usually at 10.00 hrs. In most cases, you can leave your luggage at the hotel reception at check-out time, so you can enjoy the city and pick it up at the time you require that same day. If you need more time to use your room, please consider booking an additional night at the end of your tour.