Taste of Scotland & Ireland

Overview
Itinerary
Hotels
The Experience
Reviews

The perfect combo

See the most-beloved attractions of two countries at a lively pace. Feast in a medieval castle, cruise Loch Ness, take a jaunting car ride, watch sheepdogs on a farm.

Trip details

Tour start Glasgow

Tour end Dublin

Days

Nights

Meals

Available Promotions for this tour

Featured Attractions

Sheepdog Demonstration

Get a little taste of farm life—and enjoy watching the hardest working dogs in the business herd their flocks.

Loch Ness Cruise

Cruise along Scotland's most famous Loch, enjoying views of Urquhart Castle above—and keeping an eye out for the mysterious "Nessie" below.

Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

Enjoy reserved seats for the spectacular Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on the Castle Esplanade with August 3 - 24 departures.

Cliffs of Moher

Let the view from these 700-feet-tall shale and sandstone cliffs take your breath away.

Edinburgh Castle

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

Titanic Belfast

Learn the history of the making—and sinking—of this legendary ocean liner, in the city where it was built.

Blarney Castle

Kiss the Blarney Stone and get the gift of gab at this historic castle, with beautiful gardens to enjoy.

Medieval Castle Banquet

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

Trip Itinerary

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Day 1Glasgow Highlights

Your tour departs at 2:00 PM from your Glasgow hotel. Set out on a panoramic tour of central Glasgow - a city that flourished in Victorian times due to the shipbuilding industry and international trade. Drive around George Square with its ornate City Chambers. Visit Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, a splendid, Spanish Baroque-style building housing one of Europe's finest art collections, including masterpieces by Rembrandt, Titian, and Dali. Enjoy a welcome drink with your group before dinner. (D)

Day 2Loch Lomond | Loch Ness Cruise

Travel alongside the famous Loch Lomond, renowned for its beauty. Drive across the haunting Rannoch Moor and through Glencoe, admiring the wild and spectacular scenery. Continue through Fort William and on to Fort Augustus. Embark on a short cruise on Loch Ness before heading to your hotel. (B, D)

Day 3Whisky Tasting | St Andrews

Visit Blair Athol Distillery, founded in 1798, to discover traditional whisky production and taste a sample. Travel to St Andrews, a town rich in medieval heritage and the home of golf; take a panoramic drive and have time to explore independently. Continue on to your elegant manor house hotel outside Edinburgh; three centuries old, it's set on 1,000 acres of beautiful parkland. Explore as you wish and dine independently this evening. (B)

Day 4Edinburgh Castle | City Tour | Scottish Evening*

Explore the principal sights of central Edinburgh from the bustling Princes Street through the gracious, wide streets of the 200-year-old Georgian “New Town.” Walk along part of the Royal Mile where compact medieval houses reach several stories tall. Visit Edinburgh Castle perched high above the city on volcanic rock, home to the Scottish Crown Jewels. The rest of the day is free. Experience a lively Scottish evening with dinner and traditional entertainment. The August 1 - 23 departures attend the spectacular Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on the Castle Esplanade. (B, D*)

Day 5Ferry to Ireland | Belfast

Depart Edinburgh and travel through Ayrshire and along the coast. Embark on a ferry ride to Belfast. Take a panoramic drive through Belfast, seeing the highlights of this fascinating city, where the Titanic was built in the once-bustling shipyards. Visit Titanic Belfast to explore the fascinating story of the doomed ship. Then travel to Dublin, where you will enjoy some free time for dinner on your own. (B)

Day 6Dublin Sightseeing | Christ Church Cathedral | Canal Dinner Cruise

Explore Dublin on a panoramic tour with a local guide, discovering its history and viewing its elegant Georgian buildings, Trinity College, the River Liffey, and more. Visit Christ Church Cathedral, the spiritual heart of the city for more than 1,000 years. This evening, dine on a former Guinness barge as you cruise the Grand Canal, listening to traditional Irish music. (B, D)

Day 7Farmhouse Tea with Sheepdog Demonstration | Blarney Castle | Killarney

Travel through the countryside to a traditional farm, where you'll savor tea and homemade scones and watch sheepdogs display their skills at herding sheep. Head to Blarney Castle and climb the winding stairs to kiss its famous stone, or enjoy the gardens. Move on to the lively lakeside town of Killarney, where you'll have dinner. (B, D)

Day 8Jaunting Car Ride | Ring of Kerry | Skellig Experience

Step back in time as a jaunting car drives you past Ross Castle on Lough Leane. Head to the scenic Gap of Dunloe to visit Moriarty's, a CIE Tours preferred shopping partner. Embark on the Ring of Kerry drive - a winding route with breath-taking sights of mountains and coastal views. Cross the bridge to Valentia Island to visit the Skellig Experience, which explains the life of early Christian hermits on Skellig Michael, a rocky offshore island featured in the film “Star Wars VII.” Enjoy a casual lunch before a pause at Moll's Gap for panoramic mountain views. Return to Killarney where the evening is free. (B, L)

Day 9Cliffs of Moher | Medieval Castle Banquet

Cross the Shannon Estuary by ferry on your way to visit the Cliffs of Moher. Take in the spectacular views from these awesome cliffs, soaring 700 feet above the Atlantic. Head on to Bunratty, where you'll have a little time to relax in your hotel or have a drink in the famed Durty Nelly's Pub nearby. Your dinner will be a medieval-style feast in a castle, complete with serenading lords and ladies. (B, D)

Day 10Galway | Clonmacnoise | Dublin

Head to lively Galway for a walking tour around the city center with a local guide. Drive to Dublin, stopping to visit the picturesque monastic ruins of Clonmacnoise, founded in 544 AD by Saint Ciaran. Your evening is free to explore Dublin's restaurants and pubs. (B)

Day 11Tour Ends in Dublin

Your tour ends after breakfast today. (B) B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner >

Where you’ll stay

DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Central Glasgow, Scotland

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Glasgow Central boasts 300 elegant guest rooms and suites, each with...

Muthu Newton Hotel Nairn, Scotland

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

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...

Hyatt Centric The Liberties Dublin, Ireland

Boasting a garden, a fitness centre as well as a bar, Hyatt Centric The Liberties Dublin is set in...

Killarney Avenue Hotel Killarney, Ireland

The Killarney Avenue Hotel is a warm and comfortable haven guaranteed to offer a charming welcome...

Bunratty Castle Hotel Bunratty, Ireland

Nestled in the heart of the historic countryside of Bunratty, this hotel is an ideal base for...

Maldron Hotel Pearse Street Dublin, Ireland

Maldron Hotel Pearse Street is one of the most centrally located hotels in Dublin city centre,...

Inclusive package with no hidden extras

What's included?

Full daily breakfast and many meals*
Scottish & Irish 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

We take care of everything: authentic experiences, expert local tour directors, and more. Check out the CIE Tours difference!

See what people are saying about this trip

Fred Edward Morgan

4 weeks ago

Taste of Scotland and Ireland Tour

Loved that we had a great variety for everyone, esp Scotland Tattoo outside the castle. One thing that I want to point out is that a few people on our bus became ill at the end of the trip - we tested positive for the flu A when we got home. It went around to a few people. But other than that - it was great!! Thanks

Mark Hinkebein

1 month 1 week ago

It was our first coach tour and we were very impressed. We enjoyed the excursions. We did not have to wait in line for tickets.

Aaron Mills