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The perfect scotland and ireland itinerary.

Trips to Ireland and Scotland are some of my favorites to help plan. Both countries are some of my favorites and they can be easily combined. This Scotland and Ireland itinerary will help you plan the best trip!

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• Should I go to Scotland or Ireland?

I often get asked by my readers which trip they should take, Ireland or Scotland? While both destinations are amazing and beautiful with so much to offer, and I always try to help them make the right choice for their needs, I don’t think this has to be an either-or choice. If you’re really struggling with the Ireland vs Scotland debate, why not choose both? When you use this itinerary to travel to Ireland and Scotland you’re getting the best of both worlds within two weeks.

Here's a Short Cut

Best Time to Visit Ireland and Scotland

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The best time to visit Ireland and Scotland is usually off-peak in shoulder season between April-May and September-October. If you go to Ireland and Scotland during these times you’ll avoid the crowds, but still be able to enjoy nicer weather than in the winter.

Getting Between Scotland and Ireland

Trips to Ireland and Scotland offer the best of both worlds and can be done affordably too. Getting from Ireland to Scotland is easy and affordable. There are many companies that offer Ireland and Scotland tours that are great, or you can choose to take the trip on your own.

There are plenty of cheap flights from Ireland to Scotland and from Scotland to Ireland. You can fly with Ryanair for as little as $21 USD! Honestly, that’s cheaper than the cost of a nice dinner! So if you really are having a hard time deciding between Ireland and Scotland, go ahead and do both!

Learn how to find cheap flights to and from Ireland and Scotland by reading my   guide to flying for cheap or nearly free here.

If you have your own car or are using this itinerary as part of a larger European trip, you might also consider taking the ferry from Ireland to Scotland or vice versa. This would also work if you’re planning to fly in and out of the same airport. However, if you are flying into Scotland or Ireland and plan to fly out of a different airport, I would not recommend taking the ferry. Especially since flights between Scotland and Ireland are so cheap! If you do decide to go for a rental car in one country and leave it in the other, it will cost you at least $1500 USD ($500 for a cross border fee and $500 for a one-way rental fee). And then you have the cost of the ferry on top of that which is a few hundred dollars. While sailing across the North Chanel is truly beautiful, It’s not worth the expense if you will be renting a car.

Visiting Ireland and Scotland can seem a little daunting on your own and tours can be a great way to go if you’re feeling a little nervous about it. These are some great Ireland and Scotland tours that will help you get a great overview of these two destinations:

This interactive map should help you plan your Ireland and Scotland itinerary. You can click on each destination to find more information.

I outline a great Ireland and Scotland itinerary below, but if you want to skip all the planning and simply use this downloadable, printable, detailed itinerary , you can find it here.

Get the Full Itinerary I’m giving you a detailed day-by-day Ireland and Scotland itinerary. You can do this itinerary in any order you wish, but this seemed the most logical to me. This itinerary begins in Ireland and ends in Scotland, where you can choose to fly home from, or simply fly back to Ireland for a round trip ticket. The choice is yours. I recommend flying in and out of wherever you can   get the best deals .  I generally find Ireland cheaper to fly to from the United States but have occasionally found great deals to Scotland as well.

Ireland could literally take you years to explore! So if you’re planning a trip to Ireland , I’m giving you just a week in this itinerary of things to do in Ireland , but I think it will show you some of the best places to visit in Ireland in a short amount of time. If you’re interested in a longer, more detailed trip to Ireland, you can check out my full  Ireland Itinerary. 

For the first day of your Scotland and Ireland vacation, arrive in Dublin airport and adjust to the time change. Dublin is Ireland’s capital city, so you’re sure to visit places while you’re here. Keep yourself awake until a reasonable hour (between 8 pm and 11 pm) and wake up early the next morning.

Now that you’re hopefully feeling well-rested and not too jet-lagged, it’s time to explore the capital of the Republic of Ireland. Don’t miss these stops in Dublin:

• St. Patrick’s Cathedral
• Dublin Castle
• Christ Church Cathedral
• Trinity College Library
• St. Stephens Green
• Lunch at Avoca Wool Shop & Cafe
• Little Museum of London
• Take a   Bus Tour   of Dublin
• Howth Cliffs
• Phoenix Park

Take an entire day to explore the west of Ireland. If you’re self-driving it will take about 3.5 hours to get to the west coast known as the Wild Atlantic Way. If you’re feeling nervous about driving in Ireland there are several great day trips from Galway that will take you to the west for this 2-day trip.  This amazing tour   explores the Cliffs of Moher, the Burren, and Killarney National Park, with an overnight stay in Dingle.

Don’t miss these stops on your trip to the West:

• Killarney National Park (learn more about   Killarney   here.)
• Muckross House & Traditional Farm
• Muckross Abbey
• Killarney Town
• Cliffs of Moher
• Blarney Castle

Spend a day in the beautiful County Wicklow. Be sure not to miss these:

• Powerscourt Estate: Dating back over 200 years, these are some of the most beautiful gardens in all of Ireland
• Glendalough: Beautiful lakes surrounded by stunning mountains!
• Silver Strand Beach: A beautiful and secluded beach
• Wicklow Gaol: This old jail is a great place to learn some interesting and sad Irish history.
• Wicklow Town: Adorable Irish town

Spend two days in beautiful Northern Ireland! You can take the three-hour drive yourself or take  this great two-day tour   that will take you to all the best sites. Be sure not to miss these:

• Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
• Giant’s Causeway
• Dark Hedges

In between your exploration, make sure you also visit the city center and get to experience local dishes and listen to traditional Irish music while you’re in town!

Now that you’ve enjoyed a full week in Ireland, it’s time to hop over the Irish Channel and visit the beautiful and rugged Scotland! Most flights will take you into Edinburgh where you can either rent a car or spend a few days in the city then do some tours in the highlands. If you want to experience a great overview of the country, you can do my full  Scotland Itinerary.

I normally like to advise people to get out of the big cities and explore the countryside, but Edinburgh has so much to offer that I think it’s worth spending at least 2 days here. You can learn about what to do in Edinburgh in  my detailed guide here,   but be sure not to miss these top spots:

• Edinburgh Castle
• Holyrood Palace
• The Royal Mile
• St. Gile’s Cathedral
• Scott Monument
• Grass Market
• Princes Street Gardens
• Take a    Harry Potter Walking Tour
• Visit the Elephant House Cafe where JK Rowling ate
• Victoria Street
• Hike Arthur’s Seat
• Calton Hill
• Cairngorms National Park

If you’ve ever dreamed of staying in a castle, be sure to check out these awesome castle hotels in Scotland.

Spend day 4 exploring the highlands of Scotland. Visit Inverness and try and find the Loch Ness Monster! You can drive here or take   this easy day tour from Edinburgh.   Be sure to read my   guide to the highlands   and don’t miss these sites:

• Urquhart Castle
• Fort William

You can’t visit Scotland without taking a trip to visit the breathtakingly beautiful Isle of Skye. It’s rugged beauty and history combined with its rugged island charm is sure to win your heart! Driving to the Isle of Skye can be a little scary if you don’t know what to expect. The roads are one lane so you must share the road with oncoming traffic. If you’re not comfortable driving in those conditions, it might be a good idea to take a tour to the Isle of Skye.

Rabbie’s does an amazing 3-day tour that comes with your own comedic  kilted tour guide to take you through the Isle of Skye while learning all about its interesting past and natural wonders. You can find the  tour here. 

Be sure to read   my complete guide to the Isle of Skye   before going.

Whether you decide to drive to the Isle of Skye on your own or take a tour, don’t miss these sites:

• The Quiraing 
• Old Man of Storr
• Neist Point
• Dunvegan Castle
• Fairy Pools
• Eilean Donan Castle
• Museum of Island Life & Flora MacDonald’s Grave

On the last day of your Scotland and Ireland vacation, travel back to Edinburgh and either fly home from there or fly back to Dublin to fly home.

I hope this itinerary will help plan many trips to Ireland and Scotland. They are both such amazing destinations and I know you’ll love them! If you need help planning, please feel free to reach out  Facebook   or  Instagram , or send me an email me  [email protected]

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Exploring Scotland & Ireland

About this tour.

Bask in the warm Celtic culture and majestic scenery of two remarkable lands. Come to know the regal city of Edinburgh on a panoramic coach tour and by foot. Cruise the famed Loch Ness and explore the ruins of Urquhart Castle. Enjoy a traditional evening of Scottish food and entertainment. Visit the Titanic Experience in Belfast and remember the century-old tragedy that shook the world. Walk the Giant’s Causeway (UNESCO) and soak up incredible views of the Causeway Coast, one of the world’s most breathtaking rail journeys. Visit Ireland’s bustling capital city of Dublin and tour historic St. Patrick’s Cathedral. From rugged natural beauty to vibrant and historical cities, the diverse charms of Scotland and Ireland await.

Your Tour Includes

• 6 Handpicked Accommodations

Included Highlights

• Edinburgh Castle
• St. Andrews
• Loch Ness Cruise

Your Tour at a Glance

11 Breakfasts

Travel Style

Best time for travel, customize your tour.

Optional Excursions

Starting at $80.00

Activity Level

• Level This Tour

For specific details about this tour's activity level and other info to know before you book your trip, click here.

Extension Style

Best time for travel exploring scotland & ireland.

While just about any month is great to visit Scotland and Ireland, there are a few prime times of the year for the Exploring Scotland & Ireland tour. Here are some recommendations from our destination experts.

Spring: Springtime is a wonderful time to visit the region! The countryside comes alive with flowers and shades of green, and the days of sunlight are growing just a bit longer, giving you more time to explore.

Summer: August is the perfect time to visit Edinburgh, as the Military Tattoo and Edinburgh Festival both take place then. It’s crowded, but the city is alive with many cultural events. And generally, it’s good weather (fingers crossed for not too much rain!).

Fall: Daylight hours grow shorter, and the weather is not quite as hospitable as summer, but the changing colors of the landscape are truly lovely. Fewer crowds make it easier to navigate sites and take your time to enjoy them.

Travel Styles

Highlights and inclusions.

Must-See Inclusions:

• Tour the "Fair City" of Dublin with a local guide.

Embark on a scenic cruise on beautiful Loch Ness.

Set out on a walking tour of Derry featuring its medieval city walls.

Cultural Experiences:

Embark on one of the world’s most breathtaking rail journeys along the Causeway Coast.

Explore the Titanic Experience in Belfast.

Discover the heritage of Glasgow with a local guide.

Culinary Inclusions:

Taste apple cider at a family-run farm.

Join in the fun during a night of traditional Scottish food and entertainment.

• Urquhart Castle
• Highland Evening
• Titanic Experience
• Giant's Causeway
• The Causeway Coast Rail Journey
• Cider Farm Tour

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Getting Prepared

Know before you go, travel tips, enhance your tour.

Pre and Post Tour Extensions

Pre and Post Night Stay

Unique Experience

Cultural Experiences

Enhance Your Trip

• Tour Extensions

Start your trip with 3 nights in London – the capital of England and the United Kingdom. Use your included Oyster card to navigate the city with a local expert – hopping on the Tube and taking a walking tour by Westminster, The houses of Parliament, and Buckingham Palace. Your tour will end in Trafalger Square, one of London's most iconic landmarks. Take advantage of your included Tower of London pass. You’ll have ample time at leisure to make your stay in London exactly what you want it to be.Your other option is to book a pre stay? Guided You’re accompanied by a Tour Manager throughout the extension, except for any time that’s set aside for independent discovery.

• Overnight Flight
• You’re on your way to the United Kingdom. Begin in England and enjoy a 3-night stay in London.
• London, England - Extension Begins
• Experience London, the esteemed capital of the United Kingdom. Often described as a world within a city, London is a sophisticated metropolis with a timeless style all its own.
• Navigate the city with a local expert. Using your included Oyster card, hop on the famous underground Tube. Take a walking tour around Westminster, The Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace. Your tour will end in Trafalgar Square, one of London’s most iconic landmarks. Enjoy the afternoon to further explore the city.
• Start your day with a visit to the Tower of London to peek into the city’s storied past and uncover the secrets of this 11th-century fortress. The rest of the day is yours to see London your way!
• London - Edinburgh, Scotland
• Wish London goodbye as you take a high-speed train through the English countryside to Scotland.

Hotel-Radisson Blu Edinburgh

Hotel-Herbert Park Hotel

Enjoy a traditional pub lunch at a historic pub where you will soak up the atmosphere of days gone by. After lunch, continue on to the nearby Guinness Storehouse, Ireland's top international visitor attraction. Learn about the brewing process that creates this beloved beverage and discover the technique needed to pour the perfect pint! Classic Guinness ads and memorabilia create a nostalgic ambiance as you indulge in a complimentary pint and learn about a different yet key part of Ireland's history.

Join us for a rollicking evening of tastes, sights and sounds that are classically Scottish. Feast on a banquet prepared from a selection of local recipes. Your taste buds will savor the true flavor and goodness of this distinctive country. Tonight will be filled with entertainment including Highland pipers and dancers who deliver the very best in Scottish music, song and dance. Be prepared for a Scottish night of food, fun and many fond memories!

Explore one of Ireland's best-kept secrets. Enjoy a fun and engaging evening with a local singer/songwriter and discover how the tale of Derry is intertwined with many of Ireland's most important events. Come and experience a three-course dinner at a restaurant serving pub-style food. See first-hand why Derry was named the UK City of Culture in 2013.

Tour the "Fair City" of Dublin with a local guide.

Accommodations

Arrive earlier.

Pre Night: Radisson Blu Edinburgh From $200 per night

Radisson Blu Edinburgh

Best western palace hotel inverness, hilton glasgow.

Maldron Hotel Belfast City

City hotel derry, herbert park hotel.

Nights 10-11

Stay Longer

Post Night: Herbert Park Hotel From $155 per night

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Ireland and Scotland Tours & Trips

Ireland and Scotland are always among our most popular destinations, and these tours visit both! In Ireland you'll find amazing historical sites, traditional pubs and bars, and the famous friendly Irish hospitality, alongside the modern tech scene of Dublin. Over in Scotland, Edinburgh's impressive hilltop castle and winding old streets will enchant visitors, while the Western Highlands have unrivalled scenery. Check out the Highland Games, or if you're here on December 31st, the unforgettable Hogmanay!

41 Ireland and Scotland tour packages with 1,563 reviews

• In-depth Cultural

England, Scotland and Ireland end Dublin

pretty good considering all

• Coach / Bus

Best of Ireland and Scotland (15 Days)

Great tour director and coach driver

• €100 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Best of Ireland & Scotland (Classic, 14 Days)

Wonderful trip. Saw a great variety of places.

Highlights of Ireland & Scotland

Wonderful! First time traveling outside of the US alone. It was a beautiful tour! Henry was amazing! He was full of knowledge and fun facts. The itinerary was awesome and well organized. So happy I went! I made life long friends sling the way! Recommend and will be using this tour again soon! Just book it! You’ll love it!

• Sightseeing

Highlights of Ireland and Scotland (11 Days)

This is the best way to see Irelamd and Scotland. Trafager handles everything and Travel Diector , Rose Brown is the best. She makes the tour special for each participant and handles the tour like she is doing it for the first time. I have a degree in Environmental Interpretation and 40 years of experience and I have never seen a person handle public education opportunity better than Rose. She is a treasure and Trafager is fortunate to have her on their staff.

Scotland and Ireland with London

The only thing we suggest to improve is to separate English and Spanish speakers to different groups or the tour guide can speak more English for English speakers.

Celtic Highlights

Group of five Canadian women took this tour and were very pleased with every aspect of Globus. The tour director (Julie Ann) was superb, hotels were amazing, food was delicious, side tours were wonderful, each stop en route was worth it. Would not hesitate to take a Globus tour again.

Best of Ireland & Scotland (Small Groups, 14 Days)

The tour itinerary was full allowing a broad experience to be gleaned from both Ireland and Scotland respectively. The quality of the travel, hotels and experiences were a complete delight to share with the whole group. We gelled as a group and this made the excursion thoroughly enjoyable, despite the wet weather! Our driver was exemplary which made for safe and enjoyable travel on the coach throughout. Our tour guide was highly knowledgeable and experienced which added plentifully to the daily tours. A very enjoyable tour, highly recommended.

• Christmas & New Year

England Scotland Ireland – Highlights of UK

Celtic Twist

Ireland & Scotland

Celtic Classic

• Ocean Cruise

Scottish Isles: Historic Trails & Wilderness

Leisurely United Kingdom and Ireland ( 15 days )

Celtic Connections Self-Drive

This is the second trip with Indus 1st trip a self drive tour our itinerary was excellent - hotels were great we had a fabulous trip 2nd trip Egypt and dubai - our guide Ramy made our trip so informative , interesting and fun- he knew each one of our names that was impressive - our hotels were excellent the cruise on the Nile was like a dream loved every minute of our tour - definitely recommend people to take this tour

What people love about Ireland And Scotland Tours

Guides were great and the tour was an excellent way to see lots of places in a short amount of time

Our guide Michelle was excellent. The city sightseeing tours on the bus were a waste of time. Our local tour guide in Edinburgh was awful. Why the laughing through most of her talking? Very irritating. The Fish & Chips dinner in the local dumpy restaurant was the worst meal of the trip. Otherwise just what we expected.

Greg and Arther did and excellent job above and beyond great knowledge of all the history and culture made everyone feel so welcome

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10 Tips for Planning a Trip to Scotland and Ireland

Last Updated on January 4, 2024

by Maggie Turansky

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. That means if you click a link and make a purchase, we may make a small commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, see our privacy policy.

The rugged landscape and emerald green nature of the British Isles leave many travellers longing to jump on the next flight to explore these two fantastic countries. However, planning a trip to Scotland and Ireland takes a bit more preparation than simply booking a flight and packing a bag.

While these two countries are, on the whole, quite easy to travel in — especially if you’re an English-speaker — there are a number of things you need to be aware of when visiting the wild north of Great Britain and the Emerald Isle.

Before we left on our amazing road trips through the Scottish highlands and the west of Ireland , there are several things we wished we would have known. To help you avoid some of the mistakes that we made, we’ve compiled a handy list of ten helpful tips for your trip to the region!

Table of Contents

10 Tips for Travel in Scotland & Ireland

Though Scotland and Ireland are both highly developed Western countries, there are a few anomalies that can throw a wrench in your travel plans if you’re not adequately prepared.

It is also worth noting that, while the countries are quite similar, there are some suggestions in this list that apply more to one country over another.

1. Rent a car

While it is certainly possible to get around Scotland and Ireland while relying solely on public transport, the further out of the bigger towns you get the more difficult it will become.

If you don’t want to spend the majority of your days either on a bus or waiting for one, one of the biggest travel tips I could give is to hire a car. We recommend searching for cars on Rentalcars.com to compare prices across major companies.

While fuel prices can be steep, most cars have quite good mileage and both countries are fairly small, so you won’t have to fill up often. Hiring a car will definitely allow you to see the sites you want on your own terms and gives you a certain amount of freedom that the bus just doesn’t.

It is worth noting that both countries drive on the left side of the road and it can take some getting used to if you’ve only ever driven on the right.

However, it isn’t too hard and many visitors manage to navigate the change without any incidents. If you’re looking for tips about driving in Ireland for tourists, make sure to tell the rental car company your qualms and they are sure to help you out.

It is also worth spending time in the car park to familiarise yourself with the car before hitting the road.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the majority of rental cars in Ireland and Scotland tend to have manual transmissions. If you are confident driving manually, hiring this kind of car can save you a fair amount of money per day.

There are fewer automatic transmission cars available and they, therefore, tend to be a bit more expensive. However, if you don’t drive a manual or are nervous about driving in Scotland or Ireland , then it might be better to rent an automatic.

2. Wild Camp in Scotland

Camping has long been one of the saving graces for the budget-conscious traveller, with campsites coasting a fraction of the price of even the most discounted of hostel dorm beds.

However, in Scotland, while you can certainly drop some cash on a campsite plot, you don’t have to pay a thing if you choose to wild camp — and it’s perfectly legal almost everywhere.

Wild camping is both a really good way to offset the cost of a car hire and an excellent way to get away from it all and to enjoy the stunning natural scenery all to yourself. So, if you find a good spot, go ahead and pitch a tent and spend the night — this is one of the best Scotland travel tips I could give.

If you do choose to wild camp in Scotland, just make sure to do so safely and respectfully. Exercise leave no trace practices and make sure you leave your sleeping spot looking as if you were never there.

Make sure to camp away from main roads, as well, and be sure that it is legal to park your car where you are overnight. If you are unsure if you’re allowed to camp somewhere, a quick Google search for local laws should set you straight.

This tip applies only when planning a trip to Scotland as wild camping is illegal in Ireland. However, camping is still a popular money-saving option in Ireland , you just need to be at a proper campsite to do it.

As many people choose to camp in Ireland, there are hundreds of campsites throughout the country and they rarely cost more than about €10-15 per night. You also get the added benefit of shower facilities…which isn’t offered if you’re wild camping!

3. Take advantage of petrol stations.

The Highlands of Scotland are the most sparsely populated area of the UK and larger towns become few and far between the farther north you venture. This is much the same once you get outside of the bigger cities and towns in Ireland.

This being said, I would recommend that you consider filling up your tank when you’re about half full as it can be a long time before you come across a petrol station.

No one wants to be stranded with an empty tank in the middle of nowhere, so make sure to take advantage of whatever stations you come across. You don’t know when the next one will come along.

Petrol prices can be high in this area of the world, especially if you’re visiting from the United States so that is something to keep in mind when figuring out a budget.

4. It can take a while to travel short distances

One of the best travel tips to keep in mind while you’re road-tripping is that even though your destination might look fairly close by on the map, it can take a while to get there.

This is especially true in the more rural areas, but it can take close to three hours to travel just 60 miles. So make sure to plan accordingly and be realistic about how long it might take you to arrive at your destination.

The same goes when planning a trip to Ireland, especially if you decide to get off of the main motorway and enjoy the bucolic scenery of the smaller country roads.

We recommend getting off the big roads when visiting both Scotland and Ireland because it will help you find some hidden gems and see parts of the countries that few tourists ever even think to, but this can add to your travel time.

If you’re wondering how long it might take you to get somewhere, make sure to check out the travel times on Google Maps rather than just looking at the distance.

If your destination is 100 kilometres (62 miles) away, for instance, don’t expect it to take an hour to drive there as you might in the USA. It will likely take at least 2 hours to drive there.

5. The roads are narrow and full of sheep

One of the reasons it might take you a while to get from point A to point B while on a Scottish Highlands or Ireland road trip might be due to the narrow roads.

The farther away from the bigger towns you go, the roads get steadily narrower — to the point where there might only be one lane with passing places every 100 meters or so.

Another thing to know is that there often tend to be several sheep grazing on the side of these one-lane roads and they have little concern for oncoming traffic.

Michael and I spent about ten minutes at one point trying to get some sheep to move out of the middle of the road and had no success until someone came along and let his Border Collie chase them off.

6. Be prepared for all weather

It is a well-known fact that this part of the world and rainy weather go hand in hand, so one of the best Scotland travel tips I can give is to make sure that you’re prepared to experience every season in one day.

The most valuable thing you can remember to pack when planning a trip is a waterproof/windproof jacket.

Even though a day might start out bright and sunny with not a cloud in the sky, it can turn at the flip of a switch and, without the proper clothing, you can end up getting completely soaked. So do yourself a favour and dress appropriately.

7. Make sure to book ahead during the high season

Gone are the days where you could just search for a vacancy sign the day of, or expect to find a table at the local pub without a reservation. No, if you’re planning a trip, especially in the high season of June to August you’re going to have to book ahead.

If you’re not planning on wild camping or cooking for yourself, you are going to need to have accommodation and dinner booked in advance.

8. Get off the main highways

If you’re going on a road trip make sure to get off of the main highways!

As I mentioned in tip 4, even though rural backroads might be windy, narrow, and full of sheep, they will also provide you with some of the most stunning natural scenery in the world, with every turn giving way to a gorgeous vista.

The smaller roads are infinitely more scenic than the big motorways and will definitely make your Scotland or Ireland road trip all the more memorable.

9. Eat local seafood

While British and Irish food may come with several preconceived negative stereotypes, much of the UK and Ireland is actively trying to remedy this and food is much better today than it ever has been.

And absolutely nothing is comparable to the incredible seafood available all along the Scottish coast or the wonderful oysters and salmon available along Ireland’s wild Connemara region .

Though there are many chippies to be found and the battered and fried fish is out-of-this-world delicious, there are also fantastic restaurants where you can get beautifully prepared, freshly caught local seafood.

Ireland especially is having its own food revolution with many local chefs reimagining their local cuisine and giving it a modern twist.

While the city of Cork is most notable for starting this trend, many other Irish cities have followed suit and there are myriad Michelin-starred restaurants throughout the Emerald Isle.

Even if these restaurants lie a bit outside of your Ireland travel budget , there are some more affordable restaurants, especially in bigger towns and cities, that serve incredible Irish food that will knock your socks off.

10. Drink (a lot of) whisk(e)y

Nowhere in the world can you find so much phenomenal whisky in such a small area. There are over 100 single malt whisky distilleries actively producing Scotland’s most popular export throughout the country and it would be a shame if you didn’t take this opportunity to tour at least one distillery and see how this wonderful spirit is made.

Ireland is no different and although Irish whiskey dropped in international popularity in the past couple of decades, it is seeing a massive resurgence. There are many fantastic whiskey distilleries throughout the country and it is very worth sampling Ireland’s famous firewater.

If touring a distillery bores you but you still love whisky, most pubs in Scotland and Ireland have impressive collections of Scotch or Irish whiskey at better prices than you could get anywhere in the world.

Head to a cosy pub with some live music and order a peaty dram of a fine single malt. That is a recipe for an unforgettable evening in the Scottish Highlands or Irish countryside.

These ten tips will help you have the best trip possible in the British Isles! Make sure to take time to get off of the beaten path and enjoy all of the things that Scotland and Ireland have to offer — you won’t be disappointed!

Are you planning a trip to Ireland and Scotland? Have you been? Let us know in the comments!

Related Posts:

Is Dublin Expensive? A Guide to Prices in Dublin

The Perfect 1, 2 or 3 Days in Cork Itinerary

The Perfect 1, 2 or 3 Days in Galway Itinerary

About Maggie Turansky

Maggie is a co-founder and writer for The World Was Here First. Originally from the US, she has lived in five different countries and has travelled to dozens more, both solo and with her partner, Michael. She particularly loves exploring Spain and spending time in the Caucasus and the Baltics. Read more about Maggie

Maggie: I appreciate your advice to rent a car and I agree. However, my wife and I are in our 80’s (I’m 88) and driving for us would be unwise. What advice do you have for us for a 10-14 trip to Ireland and Scotland? David

Hi David – if you’re unable to hire a car there are train and bus connections between major cities in Scotland and Ireland. If you want to venture somewhere a bit more rural, I suggest hopping on some organised day tours 🙂

Hi, Would you recommend exploring on your own or going on one of the many tours offered from Dublin to the Cliffs of Moher? We are headed to Ireland in June and want to make the most of our time. Thanks, The Jacksons

It makes far more sense to do a day trip to the Cliffs of Moher from Galway city rather than Dublin. You can read about your options here: https://www.theworldwasherefirst.com/cliffs-of-moher-day-trip/

I’m planning on a trip to Ireland and Scotland for 2023-24. What airline do you recommend and what do you think cost would be. I’m planning to visit on my own terms.

My husband and I are planning our first trip to Scotland and Ireland in 2022 to celebrate our 50th Wedding Anniversary. Since we have not traveled abroad before, your website has given me an excellent place to start planning. My ancestral home is a little town called Methven and we would like to do a handfasting ceremony there, if possible. Any ideas on who to contact for something like that?

Hi Linn, thanks for your kind words and I’m happy that our website has proved helpful in planning your trip! Sounds like you’ve got quite the adventure in the works. Unfortunately, I don’t know anything about handfasting ceremonies so I can’t be of any help in that regard. I hope you’re able to find what you’re looking for!

Experiencing a trip to Scotland and Ireland is on “my bucket list”, and I’ve decided to not wait to be invited, so I’m making plans for myself, in two years. Hopefully the world will be back to normal by then! Thank you for the tips and I will be looking for other resources to help plan my future trip.

Glad we could help, Beth! Hope you’re able to plan an unforgettable trip 🙂

Can you give more tips on how to get affordable yet amazing accommodations throughout a 20 day trip to Ireland. After reading your article, might add Scotland. Family of 4 (2 teens). Thanks!

Hi Teresa! I would recommend having a look at booking.com or Airbnb in order to find accommodation that would suit your family’s particular needs.

Hi Hugo. Not sure with the pandemic if you went to Scotland yet. But my husband and I are also looking into a trip to both Scotland and Ireland. We are also from South Africa and are thinking of going next year in September if all goes well. Have you had any luck with the Campervan idea? That sounds kinda brilliant. Thanks for the tips Maggie will definitely use them.

We are planning a Scotland Ireland trip and want to do it with Campervans. We are from South Africa and have never been to these two countries. do you have a prevered company that we can contact for these campervans to rent?

Thanks for your comment, Hugo! Unfortunately, we don’t have a specific campervan company to recommend as we haven’t done this mode of travel before. Scotland and Ireland are the perfect place for it, though!

I’ve physically never been to Ireland or Scotland but my soul has,for sure, and it has been pulling and haunting me to go for some time now!! I’m starting to plan a trip to mark and celebrate turning 50 in my life and I am so glad I came across your site to help me with the planning process where I’m looking to do a more ‘out of the box’ type trip instead of a more typical, traditional,touristy type visit. Thank you for sharing your experiences,suggestions and tips!!!

Thanks for your comment, Janeen! I’m glad you’ve found our website helpful for planning your trip. Scotland and Ireland ar both beautiful countries with so much to offer travellers and I hope you have an amazing time exploring 🙂 If you have any more questions, please don’t hesitate to get in contact

Planning a road trip around Scotland and Ireland in September. First time visiting, thank for the info.

Great tips! I have been to Ireland 2 years ago and now I’m planning a 3 week trip in Scotland and Ireland. I will definitely use your tips, thank you a lot for sharing.

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We're Not In Kansas Anymore!

travel inspiration!

Ultimate 2 week trip to Ireland and Scotland itinerary! (photos!)

Planning a vacation to England Ireland Scotland? you can’t go wrong with this epic itinerary that includes some of the most popular sites in each of these these three fabulous European countries!

The original plan: visit the Republic of Ireland. As I puzzled over maps I noted that at their nearest points Scotland and Ireland are a mere 12 miles apart! Only a thin strip of the Irish sea separates them, a short Ferry ride will take you from Scotland to Northern Ireland. So Scotland was added!

While filling out the Ireland and Scotland vacation itinerary I realized that York was an easy day trip from Edinburgh. That is how a two week trip to Ireland morphed into an England Scotland Ireland trip !

other content you may be interested in:

• Ireland Landmarks: 43 popular famous landmarks in Ireland (photos!)

Table of Contents

Two week trip to ireland and scotland itinerary, plus 1 day in england.

We fit a lot into just two full weeks (14 full days! Plus 2 travel days) ! This is a fast paced trip but if you’re determined you’ll have enough time to fit it all in! Pace too fast ? No problem, just pick and choose your favorites.

Travel style for this trip

This itinerary includes some of the most popular destinations in each country. We will be skipping major cities in favor of smaller towns like Edinburgh (our largest city, population 550,000), York, Stirling and Kilkenny . Add the lovely countryside of the Scottish highlands and Ireland ! It makes a great “ first trip ” itinerary to Ireland, Scotland and England!

Here’s what you can look forward to in this itinerary

• 4 days in Great Britain ( Scotland and England) historic cities, stunning scenery, lovely lochs, And much more!
• 10 days in Ireland! Historic pubs with traditional Irish music and dance, ancient castles, ancient sites, more stunning scenery! And much more!

Trip to Ireland and Scotland route

This route was planned to be as efficient as possible, cutting down on travel times , while adding as many highlights as possible via plane, train and automobile rental.

Transportation

public transport

We’ll forgo a car while in Scotland and England , saving money on a rental. Additionally, this was our first time in the United Kingdom / Ireland. We had 4 full days to become accustomed to the new concept of cars driving on the left hand side before getting behind the wheel.

We’ll rent a car in Ireland to allow us to go at our own pace. My husband easily adapted to driving on the left hand side of the road. Have reservations about driving on the opposite side of the road? It may help to:

• rent an automatic.
• remember, the driver is always in the center of the road, right next to the center line

The Best places to search for the best rates are places like Booking.com . Then book with the rental car company directly.

Do yourself a big favor and add the GPS onto your car rental.

Important: Many credit card companies don’t cover rentals in the UK and Ireland. Check with your card issuer and ask for a letter confirming coverage. If they don’t cover you, you will need to pay the additional cost to purchase coverage through the rental car company .

where to stay

I’ve added some recommendations, want more? search for hotels and other accommodations at Booking.com.

where to eat

Find the best options for places to eat on Trip Advisor . Google best places to eat in “blank” and then navigate to the Trip Advisor results. A Good reason to use Trip Advisor: you’ll find listings of the best places to eat with photos and customer reviews!

First up: England and Scotland Itinerary

*** Day 1 *** The historic city of Edinburgh

night 1: Edinburgh travel time: just your flight in

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own.

Edinburgh Scotland

Our adventure starts at Edinburgh Airport (EDI) airport. Try to arrive early in the morning, so you have a full day to spend in Edinburgh.

getting money

We like to hit the ATM before we leave the airport . It’s easy and you’ll get the best rates . Be sure to refuse the dynamic currency conversion. (convert to your home currency no: you want LOCAL currency rates!) In Scotland and England you’ll be using the British pound (GBP)

airport to (Old town Edinburgh)

Either take a Taxi, tram , or bus to your accommodations.

On the first day we explore Edinburgh, a town oozing with Scottish history. The historic buildings in the old town are dark, Gothic and magnificent! Edinburgh is a medieval dream, You’ll feel as if you’ve been dropped down in the middle of one of the Harry Potter Films!

Know before you go: the tourist areas of Edinburgh are horribly crowded , unfortunate because it does detract from the splendor. The best time to explore is either early morning late evening when the day crowds have dissipated. Avoiding crowds can be as simple as getting out of the heavily touristed old town during midday into the lesser crowded areas of Edinburgh, even just a street or two off of the Royal mile! or take a daytrip.

where to stay in Medieval Edinburgh

Johnston Terrace is located right on the steps of the castle! This comfortable 2 bedroom 1 bathroom apartment has an emergency after hours contact.

Arriving before check in? Ask about luggage storage (quite common in Europe.)

Old Town Edinburgh

Our itinerary focuses on the old town, which contains some of the principal sights of central Edinburgh. Many of the popular sites are part of the Royal Mile, a street that runs between Edinburgh Castle on the hill and Holyrood Palace. (Many buildings along the Mile were added during Victorian times.)

sites along the Royal Mile:

• Greyfriars Kirkyard (graveyard) contains a series of beautifully ornate mausoleums, darkened with age. You’ll find names like McGonagall, Moodie, and Riddle. (Closed on Sunday) Just outside the kirkyard is the Greyfriars Bobby statue, Edinburgh’s beloved mascot.
• St. Giles Cathedral (Gothic 15th-19th century)
• 1688 Canongate Church – The Royal family worship here so don’t sit in the front pew, marked with the crown. If the doors are open, go on in! Sunday, late afternoon, is a good time to try and don’t don’t miss the beautiful kirkyard!
• The Palace of Holyroodhouse is the official Scottish residence of King Charles III. Closed Tuesday, Wednesday, and when the King is in town. Check before you go. Also here: Holyrood Abbey, and the Scottish Parliament building where the Houses of parliament meet. Get tickets here.

more old town options:

• Harry Potter guided walking tour: daily 2 p.m. 2 hours, free! meet 154 High Street on the Royal Mile. Look for tour guides with YELLOW umbrellas!
• National Museum: this natural history museum has Roman, Viking, witch-burning etc. free!
• How about whisky tasting at the Scotch Whisky Experience ?
• Arthur’s Seat, climb this hill in Holyrood Park for outstanding views of Edinburgh.
• National Portrait Gallery (National Gallery)

This 5 star dining splurge isn’t optional! The Witchery By the Castle. Dark candle lit baroque decor, amazing atmosphere, amazing food. Make a reservation (well) in advance.

Scottish evening entertainment

Frankenstein’s fun gothic venue, eclectic menu and a monster show!

*** Day 2 *** Loch Ness / Scottish Highlands tour

night 2: Edinburgh travel time: 8 hours (total tour time, 12 hours)

Scottish Highlands and Loch Ness

We didn’t have a car but weren’t going to let that stop us from seeing the Scottish Highlands and hunting for the Loch ness monster! So we opted to take the 12 hour day trip with Rabbies .

You can’t go wrong with a Rabbies Highlands/ Loch Ness tour, book it now on Get Your Guide! A local guide takes small groups on day tours from Edinburgh. Tours are by van (16 seat coach) for a more personalized experience. Rabbie’s tours are highly recommended, a good time was had by all. Bonus: our Tour guide was great! funny guy!

Highlights of Rabbies Guided tour: Loch Lomond, Cairngorms National Park, Loch Ness, Ben Nevis (the highest mountain in Scotland) plus more! Price: starting at just £56.00 Per person for first class service!

Read more about the Loch Ness boat excursion here.

Rabbies has a LONG list of Scotland tours including: 3-day Isle of Skye (Isle of Sky) tour 1-day St Andrews & the Fishing Villages tour ( famous golf courses of St. Andrews the home of golf)

*** Day 3 *** Medieval York England

night 3: Edinburgh travel time: 5 hours

York England itinerary

Edinburgh to York, England day trip! York is a short 2.5 hour DIRECT train ride from Edinburgh . Take an early train from Waverley Station and spend the balance of the day in York! WE purchased advance LNER tickets , or purchase at the train station.

Get ready for a packed itinerary that equals a wonderful time! Can’t fit it all in? just pick your favorites!

• First stop, Betty’s Tea room for breakfast! They serve a delightful traditional English tea service….scones, deliciously delicate sandwiches, and delectable pastries!
• St. Mary’s Abbey Benedictine Ruins (11th century Gothic)
• The Yorkshire Museum: Roman, medieval, and natural history. (Due to time constraints you may need to choose between this and the Jorvik Experience)
• Walk the City walls : start at Bootham Bar, then descend the wall at Monk Bar (gatehouse.)
• The York Minster (the largest Gothic church north of the Alps! 1220 AD! This massive church holds 2,000 people (4,000 on holidays!)
• Holy Trinity Church, this 12th-14th century Gothic gem looks exactly that old! free entry
• The Shambles is a crooked little street in York, said to be the inspiration for Diagon Alley, of the Harry Potter series. Today, it’s lined with Harry Potter themed shops.
• Jorvik Viking Center: 40,000 real viking artifacts that were dug out of peat bogs here.
• The Ouse river Walk is a 1 mile walk along the riverbanks of York and into the countryside.
• Boat Cruises: City Cruise York offers a short cruise on the River Ouse. Cruises leave from two points: Lendal Bridge or Kings Staith Landing. Every 30-45 minutes. Book here!

where to eat:

York Roast Company is a local restaurant that sells roast meat and toppings wrapped in Yorkshire pudding.

Take a late train back to Edinburgh

for more detailed information on York see my “ 22 Things to do in York ” article! (including Roman baths!)

*** Day 4 *** Edinburgh Castle, Underground Edinburgh, and Stirling Castle

night 4: Edinburgh travel time: 2 hours

Stirling Scotland and more Edinburgh

This is a lot to fit in a day. If you have to choose I would recommend the two castles.

Visit Edinburgh Castle

The castle on the hill was the birthplace of this bustling city 1,300 years ago . The Scottish Crown jewels are kept here . St. Margaret’s Chapel , found inside the castle complex, is Edinburgh’s oldest building (1130). Book a 1.5 hour guided tour with skip the line privileges here on Get Your Guide!

Edinburgh gets even more crowded in the month of August when the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo takes place at the castle. (performances by members of the British armed forces including drills, marching, bagpipes and more)

The Real Mary King’s Close

Tour an underground labyrinth where Edinburgh’s poor lived until the 19th century. Advance tickets recommended, book here on Get Your Guide!

Half day trip from Edinburgh Stirling

After touring the Close we spent the rest of the day in historic Stirling, mini Edinburgh, less crowds (nice!)

Take the train from Waverly Station to Stirling , an easy 1 hour direct train . Purchase return tickets at the train station in Edinburgh.

To fit it all in: upon arrival grab a taxi to the Wallace Monument

• The William Wallace Monument is a very famous landmark in Scotland. The best way to get to the monument is to take the shuttle bus up the hill . You can walk but it’s a haul! Plus, once you get to the monument it is 246 stairs to the top of the tower ( panoramic views of the surrounding countryside! )

You may need to grab another taxi to make the last castle tour. Ask at the ticket counter to have a taxi pick you up and take you to the castle.

• Stirling Castle is a stately 1,000 year old castle perched upon a volcanic crag . Mary Queen of Scots was crowned here in 1543 . We arrived late in the day and joined a small group for the last tours of the day. After the Tour director finished the tour we were allowed to wander the castle unsupervised. We practically had the place to ourselves! a REALLY nice break from the crowds in Edinburgh.

Dinner: The Portcullis, built in 1787, at the base of the castle. Delicious steak and fries!

Get more details in my Stirling Castle article.

*** Day 5 *** Travel day Scotland to Ireland, Kilkenny Ireland

night 5: Kilkenny travel time: 1 hour non stop flight EDI to DUB, PLUS 1.5 hour direct train Dublin to Kilkenny

arrival in Ireland

with its Rich history, spectacular scenery and Beautiful places galore!

fly from Edinburgh Airport (EDI) to Dublin airport (DUB)

Check the best ticket prices at Google Flights

Hit the ATM before you leave Dublin Airport . You’ll need Euros this time.

getting from DUB to the train station

You can take a taxi to Dublin Heuston Station or for a cheaper option you can take the Airlink bus 747 . It will take about an hour. Cost: around 6 euros.

Train from Dublin Heuston Station to Kilkenny

1.5 hour direct train (we purchased advance flex tickets: ride any train on that day) from Irish Rail.

Kilkenny Ireland

Our Ireland itinerary starts in the great little town of Kilkenny, so full of Irish history, where we’ll spend the next couple of days. You’ll likely arrive sometime mid day.

Here’ what you can do with the remainder of the day:

• Canal Walk -there’s a lovely walking trail along the River Nore. You can access it from just behind Kilkenny Castle.
• Talbot’s Tower, 755 year-old tower, remnants of the town wall.
• Kyteler’s Inn Est. in 1324 by the first convicted witch in Ireland.
• Tynan’s Bridge House Bar , established 1703.
• The Hole in the Wall Tavern Est 1592
• live music? Experience traditional Irish music, song, and dance! What a treat!
• Kilkenny Train Tours: leave from Kilkenny Castle throughout the day. I found it difficult to see anything but it was nice to sit back and relax.

Hibernian Inn

is a cute little Boutique hotel across from the Hibernian House is just around the corner from the castle. (currently not booking but the Hibernian Hotel is just next door.

*** Day 6 *** Historic Kilkenny

night 6: Kilkenny travel time : none…enjoy it!

Day 2 in Kilkenny!

• First thing we took a guided walk from Amanda Pitcairn : Guided tours are a Great way to get to know a new town. On the 1.5 hour city tour: witchcraft, history, 3 historic churches/ cathedrals, and Kilkenny’s fun nooks and crannies!
• St. Canice’s Cathedral, Gothic 13th century cathedral (my favorite of the three, just wow!!!) Don’t miss the 1,500 year old ordination chair!
• Black Abbey is another 13th century Gothic. (be respectful of parishners at worship)
• Kilkenny Castle This castle originated as a wooden fort built by Strongbow in 1172. If you happen to be here on a Thursday don’t miss the market in front of the castle.
• Tea at Langton’s: More tea service? My vote goes to the English on this one but it wasn’t bad!
• Early evening and into the night are a good time for a stroll in Kilkenny. Many of the sites are warmly and romantically lit.
• More lively music in the pubs !

*** Day 7 *** Rock of Cashel and Cahir Castles

night 7: near Cork or Cobh ( Ballintotis Castle?) travel time: approximately 2 hours drive time

Castles of Ireland

It’s time to pick up the rental car, because this trip is now officially a road trip ! We rented through Enterprise and arranged for them to pick us up at the hotel (yay! thank you Enterprise!)

Drive to the Rock of Cashel

The rock of cashel.

was the seat of the ancient Kings of Munster from 300-1100 A.D. Ireland’s famed High King, Brian Boru, who is often credited with banishing viking invaders from Ireland for the last time, once ruled here. Today the hill is topped with a 12th-century Romanesque chapel and a 13th-century Gothic cathedral. Don’t miss the Hore Abbey medieval monastery ruins just down the hill.

additional information: find out everything you need to know about visiting the Rock of Cashel Castle !

Cahir Castle

one of Ireland’s largest and best preserved castles. It has a great feel and was a favorite of our group.

Drive to your accommodations for the night

Need laundry service? Now’s your chance! Once we got into Midleton we dropped off our laundry, pick up your clean laundry tomorrow! Awesome!

Ballintotis Castle

Where to stay? Ballintotis Castle is a super rustic castle that you can rent and have the entire castle to yourself CHEAP (at last check they were not renting the castle to overnight guests. I’ll keep you updated here.)

*** Day 8 *** Relax in your own castle OR spend the day in Cobh

night 8: near Cork or Cobh (Ballintotis Castle?) travel time: minimal drive time

Dealers Choice

I took a break from my tour manager duties and spent a glorious day playing Queen of this castle. I relaxed, read, caught up on my sleep, and took a bath. My idea of a great time!

My husband and his sister headed to Cobh (pronounced Cove) for some sight seeing and a round of golf. See the Ballintotis article for more things to do in the area .

dinner options

The Hunted Hog in Castlemartyr (2.5 miles from the castle) traditional Irish Pub food in Castlemartyr.

Wait, what about blarney castle and the famous blarney stone? Was not in fact on my itinerary but you are close! It’s just north of Cork about 10 km. Consider hitting it your way from Cahir to Cobh, or from Cobh to Dingle.

*** Day 9 *** Dingle Ireland

night 9: Dingle travel time: 2.5-3 hours drive time

Dingle Ireland

Drive to dingle. 2.5-3.5 hour drive.

Dingle is a lively colorful harbor town. Local pubs come alive evenings with traditional Irish music (and step dancing.) Gaelic is still commonly spoken here.

Sea Fishing Excursions, we took a deep sea fishing tour on a shared boat from the harbor with Dingle Boat Tours . Then took our catch to John Moriarity’s Pub where they prepared for us.

If fishing isn’t your thing you can take in the beautiful scenery of Dingle Bay on a tour boat, then spend the rest of the day exploring.

Dingle Harbour Lodge , it sits right on the harbor and is within walking distance of all of the fun stuff!

book it now on booking.com!

*** Day 10 *** Dingle Peninsula Drive ( Slea Head Drive ) for stunning views

night 10: Killorglin travel time: less than 2 hours

Dingle Peninsula drive/Slea head Drive

The Dingle Peninsula / Slea Head drive is a 30-mile loop with stunning scenery and ancient structures. We’ll drive it in the recommended CLOCKWISE DIRECTION:

• Celtic and Prehistoric Museum: ancient artifacts, bones and fossils, some of them millions of years old! You may need to make an appointment, contact information here.
• Dunbeg Fort from Ireland’s Iron Age (500 b.c.-500 a.d.)
• Irish Famine Cottages (hold a baby lamb at the Sheep farm!)
• Dun Chain Pier
• Gallarus Oratory, 11th or 12th century chapel and Kilmalkedar Church , 12th century chapel ruins.

Get all the details here! Slea Head Drive, Dingle Peninsula

drive to Killorglin

You can now either drive directly to Killorglin OR take the scenic drive / panoramic tour instead! Conor Pass is a scenic panoramic drive right here on the peninsula.

Tip: stop for picnic supplies for your Skellig Excursion tomorrow. There’s a Eurostar Grocery just a short walk from Kingston’s.

Home base for 4 nights:

We chose to base ourselves in Killorglin because it was central to our activities.

Kingston’s Bar and Townhouse , Killorglin. This beautiful spotless property is a great home base if you plan to see a lot of the sights in county Kerry. On site beautiful old world themed pub, sauna, and game room. book it here on Booking.com!

unique dining opportunity in Killorglin

10 Bridge street is located in a gorgeous old stone church . Open mid March, weekends only and 5 days per week from June – September. Location: Old Church of Ireland, Bridge St, Killorglin

*** Day 11 *** Skellig Michael Landing Tour / Ring of Kerry

night 11 : Killorglin travel time: 2.5 hours drive time

Skellig Experience and the Ring of Kerry

Drive to portmagee marina: 1 hour drive from killorglin., skellig michael.

is an island in the Atlantic Ocean off of the coast of Ireland. A monk colony lived here over 1,000 years ago . Book a landing tour for this Unesco World Heritage Site . Tours allow you 2.5 hours to explore the island. Climb to the 618 treacherous steps to the top for a 20-minute Guided walk among the “beehives.” Don’t miss the tiny puffins on the island!

IMPORTANT: book as soon as you have your travel dates. It is a ridiculously popular spot (thanks in part to it being a Star Wars filming location) The season is short and permits are limited, it books up fast.

This activity is weather dependent (the Wild Atlantic!) so I worked the next TWO days in as alternate Skellig Days.

Get full details (including which tour company we used) in my Skellig Michael article.

Ring of Kerry

Next stop the scenic Ring of Kerry drive located on the (Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry.)

Leave Portmagee after Skellig and head north to Valentia Island.

Sights along the Ring of Kerry scenic drive:

• Tetrapod Trackway fossilized footprints of a prehistoric animal! (350 and 370 million years old!)
• The Kerry Cliffs . While not as impressive as the Cliffs of Moher you won’t want to miss the Kerry Cliffs. Simply mesmerizing! The intense blue water is indescribable!
• Coom Wedge Tomb -2300 BC?
• Ballinskellig Castle Ruins/Abbey (12th-15th century)
• the photogenic coastal stretch (between Waterville and Caherdaniel.)
• Eightercua Stone Row (1,600 BC)
• Loher Stone Fort (9th Century)
• Derrynane Beach – Caherdaniel Stone Fort (600 AD)
• Staigue Iron Age Ring Fort (400 and 300 AD)

drive back to Killorglin

The Oratory Pizza and Wine Bar , Cahersiveen. Why? it’s on your way back to Killorglin, located in an old stone church, and maye I was just hungry but I had some of the best pizza I’ve ever had!

Day 12: Black Valley and a massage!

night 12: Killorglin travel time: 2 hours 45 minutes drive time

Black Valley and Free time

(Alternate Skellig day #1)

The Black Valley is the perfect place to experience some of the most beautiful scenery in all of Ireland . Get details on how to see the Black Valley here.

After spending the day on one of the best local hikes get some relief from your sore tired muscles with a massage. I am a huge fan of Thai massage. Zen Healing is just around the corner from Kingston’s!

*** Day 13 *** The Gap of Dunloe Ireland Tour

night 13 : Killorglin travel time: 1 hour drive time

(Alternate Skellig day #2)

Gap of Dunloe

The Gap of Dunloe is a scenic mountain pass through Killarney National Park. Take a horse drawn jaunting car ride through the Gap with Killarney Januntings Cars AND a boat ride across the lakes, round trip from Ross castle!

Spend the remainder of the day exploring the national park: 15th century Ross Island/Ross Castle, Innisfallen Island and 7th century monastery, waterfalls and more!

The Tomies Wood hike that includes the O’Sullivan’s Cascade waterfall, I hear it’s better than Torc Waterfall!

*** Day 14 *** Travel Back to Dublin

night 14: Dublin travel time: 1 hour drive time, PLUS 3 hour train ride, Killarney to Dublin

Sadly, all good things must come to an end. We chose not to spend any time in Dublin, Ireland’s capital city as well as its largest city, but if you choose to some popular options are:: Trinity college (with the Book of Kells) Dublin Castle, Phoenix Park,, St. Patrick’s cathedral.

Drop off the rental car

in Killarney and then make your way to the Killarney train station.

Note: Rental car companies often charge extra to drop off at a different location. IF prices are exorbitant you may have to drive the 3 hours back to Kilkenny to drop off the car there .

Train Kllarney to Dublin Heuston Station

3 hours. Consider semi-flex ticket (train before or after). Change trains in Mallow.

Dublin Heuston Station to The Castle Hotel

Red Line Bus OR take a taxi

Where to stay

Castle Hotel has a restaurant in a 19th century wine vault. Live music AND it’s on Airlink 747 route to airport. Book it now on Booking.com!

The pace of the trip was catching up with me so I spent the reminder of the day reading. There is also a massage place close. Nick Angie Guinness Storehouse tour.

at the Castle Hotel, neat looking dining room not far from your bed! Looking for something different?

when in Rome

Things to try “when in scotland”.

• Haggis , minced organ meat with herbs and spices. They served it with neeps and tatties (mashed turnips and potatoes.)
• Scotch Eggs , a boiled egg encased in sausage, breaded and deep fried, try them at The Ensign Ewart in Edinburgh (dates back to 1680.)

Things to try “when in Ireland”

• Irish Breakfast , similar to a full English breakfast but the black and white putting isn’t optional! try it!

Two weeks is how much time we had to dedicate to this Ireland and Scotland vacation, (14 days in Ireland and Scotland! plus a bonus day in England!) and that is the absolute minimum! Otherwise, you’ll have to skip some of this fun stuff!

Want to stay in a castle?

Be sure to check out my article on affordable castles to stay at in Ireland !

trip cost and money saving tips

How much does a trip to Ireland and Scotland cost? This 2 week trip to Ireland and Scotland itinerary ” entire trip cost per person ” is based on double occupancy: (as of publication travel prices are quite high now. Let’s hope they go back down!)

Add your airfare ( we fly free, learn here here! ) one-way flight to Edinburgh, Edinburgh to Dublin (prices as low as $87, bag included) Dublin home. Sign up for “Going” (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) to get FREE flight deals sent to your inbox! see the world for less!

Protect yourself with trip insurance

Protect your investment with “cancel for any reason” trip insurance . Did you know that pandemics, as well as a LONG list of other situations aren’t covered by most trip insurance policies (including those airlines offer when purchasing tickets)? MOST of these scenarios are covered when you purchase a “cancel for any reason” policy! Shop for one at Travel Insurance.com! but don’t delay, most CFAR policies need to be purchased within 14-21 days of your initial trip payment, depending on the policy.

Travel Resources

Check out my Travel Resources page to learn how to get the best deals on airfare, rental cars, accommodations, language learning resources and more!

Austrian Landmarks: popular famous Landmarks in Austria (photos!)

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How to Plan the Best Trip to Ireland & Scotland!

So, you’re looking to see Ireland's and Scotland’s beautiful and wild scenery? These European destinations are known for their natural beauty and fun cities. Find out how to plan your trip to Ireland and Scotland to ensure you’re making the most out of your vacation!

Planning a trip to Ireland and Scotland? 

Spectacular coastlines and ancient castles. Loch Ness Monsters and Leprechauns. Guinness beer and world-class whiskey. 

What’s not to love about the Emerald Isle and the wild north of Great Britain? Add to that friendly locals and delicious food, and you’ll want to get the first flight out!

You’ll need a plan when preparing for a trip to these two incredible countries! There are many different things to remember—where to go, how long to stay, where to stay, how to get around, and much more.

The last thing you want is to miss out on anything.

Don’t worry! I’m here to help. I’ve tailored this comprehensive guide to be helpful to any wanderlust-seeking traveler looking to plan a trip to Ireland and Scotland. Get ready for the journey of a lifetime!

How to Plan a Trip to Ireland and Scotland: Step-by-Step

There are lots of amazing things to do when planning a trip to Ireland and awesome places to visit in Scotland . But the two countries are very intertwined historically and geographically, so we've put together the ultimate guide to help you and your friends travel both of them in a single trip!

Step 1: Pick Your Destinations

The first thing you need to do is decide where you want to go! Ireland and Scotland may look small on a map, but these tiny countries pack a punch regarding things to see and do. 

Hit the Internet and do some research. Check out different travel websites to find out more about the countries. Read traveler’s blogs, like this one on things to see in Dublin , to get some ideas.

Here’s what I do that I find extremely helpful when making an itinerary of destinations I want to visit:

• Use a travel planning app to list your destinations and the places you want to see. 
• Create a Google Map and pin those places you want to include on your trip.
• Mark your ‘must-sees’ in one color and the ‘not-as-important’ in another color. This makes it easier to trim your itinerary down.
• Make sure you have a good variety of destinations on your list (ex. You probably want to explore bustling larger cities and spend some time in nature-focused destinations!)

If you’re anything like me, you’ll want to see EVERYTHING. But unless you have endless amounts of time, you’ll need to prioritize.

Step 2: Decide on the Best Time to Travel

There’s nothing worse than bad weather ruining your holiday. It’s best to plan your trip around the weather if you have the option to be flexible.

The best time to visit Ireland and Scotland is between April-May and September-October during the off-peak shoulder season. The weather is pleasant, and you’ll avoid the crazy crowds that arrive in summer.

Step 3: Ask Yourself, “How Long?”  

You’ve made a list of the places you want to see. Now it’s time to be realistic and decide how much time you have to see them all. Your answer will help you to create a perfect itinerary, so you don’t miss anything!

How many days does it take to see Ireland and Scotland? Ideally, 14 days is enough time to experience the best of both worlds. 

With at least 14 days on your itinerary, you can explore cities like Dublin and Edinburgh, take a hike in the Highlands from Glasgow , and tour some very cool castles. However, if you only have 10 days, you can focus on one main city in each country.

Step 4: Research Visa Restrictions

It’s essential to figure out if you need a visa to enter the UK and Ireland. Remember that England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland are part of the United Kingdom, but Southern Ireland is not. So, you may need a visa for one country and not the other.

Suppose you’re from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, or the USA. In that case, you don’t need a special visa to enter Ireland and the UK. You can stay in Ireland as a tourist for up to three months without a visa. In the United Kingdom, you can enjoy six months of visa-free travel as a tourist.

If you are from another country, you can visit Ireland’s Department of Justice and Equality website and the Standard Visitor Visa page of the UK Government to find out what visa restrictions might apply to you.

When you arrive at the airport, you’ll still need to prove your reason for visiting the country to the immigration officer at the border control. They’ll also want to know how long you are planning on staying. 

To avoid any upsets, carry all your travel documents, such as return flights, hotel confirmations, proof of income, etc., with you in a travel pouch .

Step 5: Organize Your Itinerary

An essential step in planning a trip to Ireland and Scotland is to plan your itinerary. Once you have decided on how long you can travel and where you want to go, it’s time to thrash out the details.

Essential details include getting around and finding accommodation in each place. You also want to make sure you have enough time for traveling in between.

Let’s talk about some top tips for planning an itinerary for an Ireland and Scotland trip!

Plan a Route

Google Maps is an excellent tool for estimating travel times between places. Use it to decide the best way to get from one destination to another.

Rome2Rio is another excellent website that offers multi-modal routes between destinations.

Figure Out Mode of Transportation

Once you have decided on your means of travel, check out Busbud , Megabus , and National Express for bus journeys in the UK. For train fares and schedules, go to the National Rail website.

Consider renting a car if your budget allows. It’s a great way of exploring a country or a city in your own time.

Think About Delays

Always schedule extra traveling time between cities for unexpected delays. The last thing you want is silly inconveniences ruining your dream vacation!  

Also, think twice about flying between destinations. While it may seem quicker, if you add all the traveling time in between, it can actually be longer. And far more expensive!

2-Week Itinerary for a Trip to Ireland and Scotland

As I suggested earlier, two weeks is an ideal amount of time to spend exploring Ireland and Scotland. Find ideas for a fabulous two-week itinerary for a trip to Ireland and Scotland below!

Day 1 and 2: Explore Dublin

Don’t miss these must-see attractions:

• Dublin Castle
• St. Patrick’s Cathedral
• Trinity College Library
•  Little Museum of London
• Christ Church Cathedral
• St. Stephens Green
• Lunch at Avoca Wool Shop & Café
• Howth Cliffs

Day 3 and 4: Take an Overnight Trip to the West of Ireland

Check out these top spots along the way:

• Killarney National Park 
• Killarney Town
• Muckross Abbey
• Muckross House & Traditional Farm
• Cliffs of Moher

Day 5: County Wicklow

Be sure not to miss these:

• Wicklow Town
• Wicklow Gaol
• Glendalough
• Powerscourt Estate
• Silver Strand Beach and the Donegal Coast

Day 6 and 7: Northern Ireland and back to Dublin

Don’t forget to check these out:

• Giant’s Causeway
• Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
• Dark Hedges

Next stop—Scotland!

Day 8 and 9: Explore Edinburgh

Be sure to make time to see these hot spots:

• Edinburgh Castle
• St. Giles’ Cathedral
• Scott Monument
• Calton Hill
• Grass Market
• Victoria Street
• Princes Street Gardens
• Holyrood Palace
• The Royal Mile

Day 10: Scottish Highlands

Must-visits include:

• Urquhart Castle

Days 11 – 13: The Isle of Skye

Don’t miss these sites:

• Dunvegan Castle
• Neist Point
• Eilean Donan Castle
• Fairy Pools
• The Quiraing 
• Old Man of Storr
• Museum of Island Life & Flora MacDonald’s Grave

Unfortunately, day 14 is when you’ll need to depart from beautiful Edinburgh! But, you’re taking a whole lot of memories, and hopefully stunning photos, home with you.

Get Ready for Ireland & Scotland With Pilot!

After going through all that, I hope you’re starting to dream about your perfect trip to Ireland and Scotland. Now you really know how much there is to do and see!

Remember, with these tips, tricks, and itinerary ideas, you’ll make your next European journey a reality in no time. To ensure you’re keeping yourself organized, why not use a trip planning app to keep all of your ideas and plans in one place?

Disclosure : Pilot is supported by our community. We may earn a small commission fee with affiliate links on our website. All reviews and recommendations are independent and do not reflect the official view of Pilot.

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Taste of Scotland & Ireland

Starting from $3,195

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Trip details.

Tour start Glasgow

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01 Apr 2024 - 31 May 2024

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.

Blair Athol Distillery

Sample a wee dram of the good stuff—and see how Scotch whisky is made.

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

Trip Itinerary

Day 1 Glasgow Highlights

Day 2 loch lomond | loch ness cruise, day 3 whisky tasting | st andrews, day 4 edinburgh castle | city tour | scottish evening*, day 5 ferry to ireland | titanic belfast, day 6 dublin sightseeing | christ church cathedral | canal dinner cruise, day 7 farmhouse tea with sheepdog demonstration | blarney castle | killarney, day 8 jaunting car ride | ring of kerry | skellig experience, day 9 cliffs of moher | medieval castle banquet, day 10 tour ends in shannon, 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 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...

Limerick Strand Hotel Limerick, Ireland

The 4-star Limerick Strand Hotel is the ideal riverside base when exploring the Wild Atlantic Way...

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

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DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Central, Glasgow

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Glasgow Central boasts 300 elegant guest rooms and suites, each with complimentary Wi-Fi, a 40-inch LCD TV, work desk, and 24-hour room service. Select an executive room for access to the Executive Lounge, serving complimentary breakfast, drinks, and snacks. Nestled in the heart of the city, the hotel features on-site parking, Juvenate leisure club complete with 14m pool, gym, sauna and steam room. They have their stylish 'Cask' bar or signature 'Brisket' restaurant.

Double Tree by Hilton Glasgow Central

• 24-hour Front Desk
• Business Center
• Coffee Shop
• Disabled Facilities
• Dry Cleaning
• Fitness Center
• Laundry Facilities
• Wifi in Public Areas (Complimentary)
• Air Conditioned
• Alarm Clock
• Cable/Satellite Television
• Coffee & Tea-making Facilities in Room
• Daily Maid Service
• In-Room Wifi (Complimentary)
• Iron/Ironing Board
• Private Bathroom
• Room Service
• Work Desk & Lamp

Muthu Newton Hotel, Nairn

Muthu Newton Hotel is close to the Nairn golfing links and the Moray Firth offering unrivalled peace and tranquility. Just 10 miles from Inverness airport and less than a mile from Nairn train station. Once frequented by Charlie Chaplin it stands overlooking the Moray Firth and beyond to the Black Isle. The Hotel has 63 rooms with a lush view, the Highland Conference Centre and a wedding venue. The sea-side town of Nairn is one of the prime locations and one of the sunniest spots in Scotland. 

Muthu Newton Hotel

Dalmahoy Hotel and Country Club, Edinburgh

In addition to a full-service spa, Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club features a golf course and outdoor tennis courts. Dining is available at one of the hotels 2 restaurants and guests can grab coffee at one of the 3 coffee shops/cafés. The property also has a snack bar/deli. Guests can unwind with a drink at one of the hotels 3 bars/lounges. A computer station is located on site and wireless Internet access is complimentary. This 4-star property offers access to a 24-hour business center.

Dalmahoy Hotel

• 24-hour Room Service
• Complimentary Bottled Water

Hyatt Centric The Liberties, Dublin

Boasting a garden, a fitness centre as well as a bar, Hyatt Centric The Liberties Dublin is set in the Dublin City Centre of Dublin, 650 feet from St Patrick's Cathedral. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk and room service, along with free Wi-Fi. All guest rooms come with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a coffee machine, a shower, a hairdryer and a wardrobe. At the hotel all rooms are fitted with a private bathroom.

Killarney Avenue Hotel, Killarney

The Killarney Avenue Hotel is a warm and comfortable haven guaranteed to offer a charming welcome to all guests. With an ideal town centre location, guests can explore all that The Kingdom has to offer including boat trips to The Gap of Dunloe, a walk-through Muckross House & Gardens, a round of golf in some of the most scenic golf courses in the world, or venturing further afield along the famous Ring of Kerry and Wild Atlantic Way.

Killarney Avenue Hotel

Hotel Lobby

Limerick Strand Hotel, Limerick

The 4-star Limerick Strand Hotel is the ideal riverside base when exploring the Wild Atlantic Way offering stunning panoramic views overlooking some of Limericks most historical landmarks. The multi-awarding winning hotel offers 184 newly refurbished bedrooms in a purpose-built state-of-the-art facility with complimentary 200mb Wi-Fi as well as 13 meeting rooms, onsite parking, Energize leisure centre & award-winning dining from Executive Chef, Tom Flavin (Fáilte Ireland Food Champion).

Limerick Strand Hotel

• Luggage Racks

See what people are saying about this trip

Cie tours customer, suburb tour.

Everything was unique and first class! Many hotels were once historical old manor homes.

Guides were fab, some things need a look into.

Guides fantastic why I gave 4 is the out sourced travel agent that CIE had call us. Too many hotel changes, would have rather have had time on own instead of those night excursions, Why would CIE send bags to people not at that address. We all paid for that info and bag. WiFi too limited on coach,

Mrs. Melanie Miles Morgan

Taste of scotland, northern ireland and ireland.

I loved that George took care of us and was so help ful.

Christopher Todd Mccarty

George our driver and tour guide was great.

The itinerary allowed us to see the best of Scotland and Ireland.

Anne Marie Piazza

I enjoyed all the destinations, especially Loch Ness, Loch Lomond, and Holyrood palace. Our guide and driver were very knowledgeable and provided information about Scotland and its people that I would not have known had I been traveling on my own.

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Ireland & Scotland Travel Guide

Get inspired by the Celtic Isles

Travel inspiration for your Ireland & Scotland vacation

Looking for the top things to do on your next trip to Scotland & Ireland? You’re in the right place. As your own personal Celtic Experts, we’re here to introduce you to the wonders and characters that bring our spirits to life. We’ve compiled a list of our favorite locally hosted tours and restaurants to make sure your trip exceeds expectation and awakens imagination as you explore this extraordinary land that we call home.

What to do in Ireland & Scotland

• Lively Cities
• Local Expertise
• Stunning Landscapes
• Fairytale Castles
• The Home of Golf
• Magic, Myths & Legends

Lively cities

From hidden gems to iconic sights, these are the best cities to start your very own Celtic story in Scotland and Ireland. No matter where you decide to go, you’ll get authentic experiences hand-picked just for you.

As Ireland’s largest city, Dublin has a progressive food scene, innovative museums and cultural centers, beautiful historical monuments, and unique activities.

Northern Ireland’s capital, Belfast, is booming. The city is best known for the era of the “Troubles” and the birthplace of the Titanic, but now wandering through the modern-day downtown it is truly hard to believe it’s past.

Cruise Loch Lomond, visit Stirling Castle, spot the Loch Ness Monster, and taste some Whisky during your trip to Scotland in the urban cultural center and idyllic serenity of Glasgow.

Edinburgh is Scotland’s compact, hilly capital with a medieval Old Town and an elegant Georgian New Town. Looming over the city is Edinburgh Castle, home to Scotland’s Stone of Destiny.

Local expertise

They say a place is only as good as the people in it and in this part of the world, it’s absolutely true. See why you’ll be captivated by the stories, myths and anecdotes you can only hear from the locals.

A Nation of Storytellers

Sit right back and you’ll hear many tales in this ever-enchanting region of the world. Enjoy the insights of the places we visit as you’re charmed by the locals.

Irish Folklore

There is no escape more magical than walking in the footsteps of heroes. From local Saints to local superstars, these are the stories that will last a lifetime.

Meet Catherine Reilly

As the head of our Brendan team, Catherine has been making friends within the Celtic community for over 35 years so she’s learned a thing or two about where to go and what to do in Scotland & Ireland. Check out her own personally hand-crafted collection of all the can’t-miss experiences you can have too.

Stunning landscapes

Head outside for a breath of fresh, crisp, Celtic air as you journey deep into the heart of the Isles. From long stretches of smooth, paved roads, to rolling green hills as far as the eye can see; it’s impossible not to smile here.

No Filter Necessary

Discover the natural beauty of Scotland & Ireland as you soak in the breathtaking scenery, so incredible that no filter is necessary. As if pictures could even do it justice…

Cliffs of Moher

Dubbed the most beautiful place in Ireland, this UNESCO World Heritage site rises 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean and surely must be at the top of your Emerald Isle bucket list.

Top Place to Propose

Talk about taking you personally, read all about how we helped two of our very own employees create the perfect proposal; creating a romantic Celtic story that they will never forget.

Unique vacations & experiences

Visit Iconic Movie Sets

Whether you want to head to Winterfell to relive some iconic Game of moments or are excited to see a mystical island straight out of Star Wars, our set-jetting experiences have something for everyone.

Golf At Legendary Courses

Whether you’re a golf enthusiast, or just there for the fun, Ireland and Scotland have plenty of amazing golf courses to help make your hole-in-one Celtic dreams come true.

Trending Ireland & Scotland trips

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It's ARRIVED!

Discover the tale of a giant in the Northern Ireland article featured in ARRIVED, our new, FREE digital travel magazine.

Sustainable Tourism

Our sustainable travel initiatives strive to make a difference globally, locally and individually giving our guests the opportunity to support the people and places we visit.

Save Big With Brendan

We can help you add up the savings to find the best combination of ongoing deals and current specials; making sure you get the most value for your trip.

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The Best Ireland and Scotland Itinerary

Are you planning a trip to Ireland and Scotland? If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, then you must have seen all of the beautiful pictures from my recent trip to Ireland and Scotland. Now that I am back from my trip and able to get back into the groove of things, I figured I would write a post about my Ireland and Scotland Itinerary. I know most of my readers enjoy these pre-planned itineraries and hopefully, this is one you can add to your collection. Here are some of my favorite things and highlights from my Ireland and Scotland Itinerary.

This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a small commission to support this blog at no extra cost to you. Support my blog here . 

Ireland and Scotland Itinerary – best way to see ireland and scotland

Ireland and Scotland are two beautiful countries worth visiting. I feel these two countries are perfect for those of you wanting to take your first solo trip. There are so many things to see and do. Ireland is the country more for those of you who love nature and the beautiful outdoor greenery. Where we visited in Scotland, Edinburgh and Glasgow have a city feel yet, it is a lot slower paced and calm compared to cities like Dublin. We noticed that everyone was very hospitable in all the areas we visited.

RELATED: Most beautiful places in Ireland

TRAVEL PLANNING RESOURCES  

• Flights :  Skyscanner , Google Flights , and  Expedia  are the best sites to search for the cheapest flights and great deals from your home country.
• Accommodation :  Booking.com ,  Agoda , and  HostelWorld are the only platforms you need to book hotels and hostels anywhere in the world.
• Travel Insurance : The best travel insurance available are  World Nomads  or  SafetyWing .  Safety Wing is also perfect for expats or remote workers.
• Transportation : To book trains, Trainline is the best and cheapest website. To book buses within the US and Europe, try using FlixBus . For travel in Asia, we use  12Go .  
• Car Rental :  Expedia is a reliable platform to book rental cars.
• Tours :  Get Your Guide   &  Viator  are the only platforms you will need for most countries. If traveling to Asia, I suggest using Klook or Trazy .
• Luggage : It depends on what type of bags you like. If you are looking to backpack around Europe, I highly recommend the Osprey Fairview 40L .
• What to Pack : Use this ultimate Carry On Essentials list for things you should pack for every trip.
• Send Money Anywhere:  WISE  is the best account for transferring funds abroad.
• Stay Connected:  Staying connected abroad is important for safety and travel. Using Airalo will save you time and money for your trip by getting an eSIM right from the start. Use NordVPN to keep access to websites in your home country or shows on Hulu abroad!

Ireland vs. Scotland: Looking to choose between Ireland or Scotland?

So you can choose between Ireland or Scotland or you can choose to read this entire post on how to visit both Ireland and Scotland in this detailed Itinerary. There is a big difference between the 2 areas and it is difficult to choose but varies on you.

If I had to choose between visiting Ireland and Scotland, I will definitely choose Ireland. There was just so much more to see there and I felt like Irish people were so welcoming, kind, and so much more. I also find alcohol, especially whiskey better in Ireland than in Scotland. I don’t like the smokey flavors and I’ve done whiskey and bourbon tastings in the US< Ireland, and Scotland.

Scotland is a beautiful place to visit and I do suggest visiting both and making that decision for yourself.

Best Time to Visit Ireland and Scotland – When to visit

You must have come to this page wondering when is the best time to visit Ireland and Scotland. Well usually the best time to visit Ireland and Scotland may vary depending on your budget and whether you want to have better weather. The best weather time to visit would be during the summer times to avoid heavy rainy days. If you want to save money and avoid crowds, you are better off traveling in the fall or spring months. We traveled in October and luckily only had one bad rainy day The bad rainy day did affect our visit to Cliffs of Moher, but we were prepared to be stuck in the rain. I found that the best month to visit Ireland and Scotland was in October. I felt the weather was comfortable, it was easy to see a lot and do a lot, it felt less crowded than most places do during summer, and the prices were quite affordable.

RELATED: One Month Trip in Europe

Language in Ireland and Scotland

The main language of Ireland and Scotland is English. The Irish are also taught Gaelic or the Irish language, but it is not used very often and most Irish people do not use it unless needed to by their profession.

Forms of Currency in Ireland and Scotland

Now the currency in Ireland is the Euro. If you head to Northern Ireland, the currency then changes to the British Pound since they are part of the United Kingdom. Traveling in Northern Ireland, they do, however, accept the Euro in most locations since many people from Ireland travel there.

In Scotland, the currency is the British Pound.

How to get around Ireland and Scotland

The best way to get around Ireland and Scotland is by driving, however, they do drive on the left side of the road. If you do not feel comfortable driving in another country, the best way to get around would be by bus or taxi. Just a fun little tip, many of the taxi drivers in Ireland, especially in Dublin love to talk your head off. It makes it fairly easy to learn more from these locals. Only looking to travel to Scotland? Be sure to read about this Scotland Itinerary . A lot of people will take a road trip through Ireland and Scotland. It can be pretty easy to navigate driving especially outside of the city.

RELATED: Scotland Roadtrip

Tips to Save Money in Ireland and Scotland

One of the best ways to save money in Ireland and Scotland is to take full advantage of free things to do. Additionally, I highly suggest you purchase a tourist travel pass whether that be an all-day pass or a 7-day transit pass, it makes it a lot easier to travel around and save money by taking the public transportation card. In Ireland, we purchased a 7 day Leap Card for about 40 euros which was perfect for us since it was a base location. For Scotland, we purchased a daily travel pass for the day.

Another way to save money is by purchasing your Dublin Pass with Bus Tour which includes Free Entry to over 35 Attractions.

RELATED: UK Travel Itinerary

Ireland and Scotland Tours – Make Travel Planning Easy

Are you worried about making plans for your trip? These are some of the best tours for your trips to Ireland and Scotland.  Don’t worry these tours and guides will make the trip smooth and affordable to do on your own. There are a lot of different tours you can easily take in Ireland and Scotland.

These are a few of the Ireland and Scotland Tours that I recommend:

Ireland Tours

Most of these tours can be taken from Dublin making it easy to stay in one location.

• Celtic Boyne Valley Tour
• Cliffs of Moher Full-Day Tour
• Giant’s Causeway & Belfast City Tour
• Belfast, Monasterboice & Birthplace of Titanic
• Guinness Storehouse: Entrance Ticket  Southern Ireland: 10-Day Small-Group Tour

Take all the guesswork out of planning a trip and book the Southern Ireland: 10-Day Small-Group Tour.

Scotland Tours

• Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond, and Whisky Tour
• Underground Vaults Tour
• West Highlands Lochs & Castles Tour from Edinburgh
• Oban, Glencoe, Highland Lochs & Castles Tour
• Alnwick Castle and Scottish Borders Tour

Where you will visit in 8 Days in Ireland and Scotland

• Day 1: Dublin
• Day 2: Dublin
• Day 3: Blarney and Cork
• Day 4: Edinburgh, Scotland
• Day 5: Glasgow, Scotland
• Day 6: Cliffs of Moher
• Day 7: Northern Ireland Belfast, Giants Causeway
• Day 8: Dublin

You can easily add a pit stop to London to this Scotland Ireland Itinerary if you wanted to. I would suggest visiting after Glasgow if possible.

things to do in Ireland and Scotland

Ireland and Scotland Itinerary Day 1 | Dublin

We arrived in Dublin early in the morning, but the first thing was wanted to do before heading out into the world was to shower! It’s one of those things you have to do. So during our adventures and our arrivals, we had an already jam-packed schedule that we needed to attempt to keep and prevent jet lag. We went with the Food Tour with Irish Food Trail, a short visit to the Irish Whiskey Museum, and wandered the Temple Bar area.

RELATED: Best Day Trips from Dublin

Recommended things to do in Dublin Day 1

• Jameson Distillery
• Irish Whiskey Museum
• Visit a Temple Bar
• Dinner at Matt the Thresher

Ireland and Scotland Itinerary Day 2 | Dublin

Today is a jam-packed day full of fun and exciting stuff. Hopefully, now you are starting to get over your jet lag and was so exhausted that you slept well. You will explore the beautiful Dublin Castle which is one of many castles you will explore, then you will check out the famous trinity college with the Book of Kells and the famous Guinness Storehouse . I suggest you save a lot of time to spend at the Guinness Storehouse since it has about 9 floors worth of things to check out and explore. Then afterward, enjoy a whiskey tasting at the Teeling distillery .

RELATED: 2 Days in Dublin

Recommended things to do in Dublin Day 2

• Breakfast at Queen of Tarts
• Dublin Castle
• Trinity College Library and Book of Kells
• Lunch at Klaw
• Guinness Storehouse
• Teeling Distillery
• Dinner at Porterhouse Bar

Ireland and Scotland Itinerary Day 3 | Blarney and Cork

So now there are several Dublin day trips you can take visiting Blarney Castle and Cork. You can either choose to rent a vehicle or there are options to pay to take a day trip with a bus tour . It all depends on your comfort level. We found it very affordable to take the tours and it was more relaxing for us to have someone else drive rather than being exhausted and driving on our own. Book your tour here.  

RELATED: Best Ireland Castle Itinerary

Recommended things to do in and near Cork

• Rock of Cashel
• Blarney Castle and kissing the Blarney Stone
• Cahir Castle

Ireland and Scotland Itinerary Day 4 | Visiting Edinburgh, Scotland

Traveling to Scotland was very affordable by plane. Now the best deal we found was a 22 euro one-way flight from Dublin to Edinburgh with Ryan Air. We were checking at rates and were deciding we wanted to take a visit to Scotland. We were so close and the flights were very affordable that we wanted to make the most of our trip. It was filled with lots of things to do and see. Now I do have to warn you, Ryan Air can be expensive if you travel heavily. Since we were just staying overnight, we decided to make Dublin our home base and leave most of our belongings there.

Edinburgh was a beautiful city to explore especially if you love Harry Potter . Additionally, Edinburgh Castle is one of the most beautiful with the best view of the city. If you want more drinking after all this happens to be a drinking trip lol, be sure to try some Scotch Whiskey at the Whiskey experience. Scotch whiskey is very different than Irish whiskey due to the peat whiskey barrels.

Finally, enjoy some time down Victoria mile where the inspiration for Harry Potter came along. Be sure to read about the Harry Potter Tour in Edinburgh .  Additionally, there is a cute Harry Potter shop you must add to your trip! If you have more time to spend in Scotland, be sure to visit the Isle of Skye. Learn about 10 things to do in the Isle of Skye .

RELATED: One Day in Edinburgh

Recommended things to do in Edinburgh

• Edinburgh Castle
• Whiskey Experience
• Greyfriars Bobby’s Bar
• Royal Mile/Victoria Mile
• Underground Ghost Tour

Ireland and Scotland Itinerary Day 5 | Glasgow, Scotland

Take the train from Edinburgh to Glasgow. I think by this point we were kind of exhausted. We definitely loved Glasgow Cathedral and wish we spent more time at the Riverside Museum. In Glasglow, you will find that most of the things to do there are free like the Cathedral, People’s Palace, the Art Museum and the Riverside Museum. Furthermore, I think we ended up becoming burnt out from all of the museums.

RELATED: One Day in Glasgow

But after you check out the Kelvington art Museum, you must have lunch at the Butchershop Bar and Grill . The food was absolutely fantastic and worth it! Additionally, their customer service was excellent. Finally, take the flight back from Glasgow to Dublin. If you have more time to spend in Glasgow, be sure to visit Argyll.  Read more about things to do in Argyll .

RELATED: Glasgow Tours

Recommended things to do in Glasgow

• Glasgow Cathedral
• People’s Palace
• Kelvington Art Museum
• Lunch at the Butchershop Bar and Grill
• Riverside Museum

Ireland and Scotland Itinerary Day 6 | Cliffs of Moher

Like we did for Blarney Castle, we decided to take a bus tour again to these locations. Unfortunately, it was a very rainy day for us. However, we were lucky since this was the only bad weather day we received and yet we expected a week full of rain. Ireland is known to have ever-changing weather. The Cliffs of Moher was a beautiful location and reminded me a lot of sunset cliffs in San Diego, California. Book your tour here. 

RELATED: Best Cliffs of Moher Tour

Other recommended things to do and places to visit on the way to Cliffs of Moher

• Galway City

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Ireland and Scotland Itinerary Day 7 | Northern Ireland

We took another bus tour, making it one of the best tours we had during the entire trip. Northern Ireland is not part of Ireland the country, they are technically part of the United Kingdom. The form of currency does change from the Euro to the British Pound, however, many of the locations will still accept the Euro because of their close proximity to Ireland. Additionally, the Giant’s Causeway was a beautiful place to wander and explore. We got some of our best photos here. If you are really into Game of Thrones, then the Dark Hedges is the place for you. Supposedly, this location was filmed in Game of Thrones.  Book your tour here. 

Be sure to read about the Game of Thrones Tour .

Additionally, you may have seen famous photos of the Carrick-a-rede bridge. If you have time to stop by Belfast, they are known for building and sending off the Titanic. They are actually very proud of that accomplishment even though most people will say well the ship sunk. However, people in Belfast will tell you well the ship was fine when it left here. If you are traveling with kids, be sure to read things to do in Northern Ireland with kids .

Recommended things to do in Northern Ireland

• Carrick-a-rede
• Giant’s Causeway
• Dark Hedges
• Dunluce Castle

Ireland and Scotland Itinerary Day 8 | Dublin

Unfortunately for us, our time was very limited and we are just heading out of Dublin in the late afternoon. We were a bit jet-lagged on our first day and so it was our time to catch up and see some of the things that we missed out on for the first day. We were able to catch up on some of the things we wanted to see today but our list of places was even more extensive. See below for some other options to check out in Dublin before heading out.

RELATED: Things to do in Ireland

Recommended things to do in Dublin Day 8

• National Museum of Ireland
• Christ Church Cathedral
• National Leprechaun Museum
• Celtic Nights River Dancing
• The Brazen Head

Finally, there you have it, my 8 Day Ireland and Scotland Itinerary! This gives you the option to travel Ireland with or without a car but providing you with daily options. If you have more time or if you are traveling in a better season, be sure to check out the Skellig Michael especially if you are a Star Wars fan. That is the location where they filmed the Force Awakens. If you plan on visiting or moving between Ireland and Germany , this post will breakdown some of the differences and similarities.

Map Scotland and Ireland

You can easily use this map of Ireland and Scotland to plan out your Scotland and Ireland Itinerary.

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Posts Related to this Ireland and Scotland Itinerary

• Edinburgh or Glasgow
• One Day in Glasgow
• One Day in Edinburgh

Hey, I'm NieNie, also known as Stephanie – a California native of hapa heritage (an American with a mix of Korean and German) with an enduring love for travel. Transitioning from my expat life in South Korea to embracing the experience of living in Germany, while also frequenting visits to my family in the Philippines, I'm documenting my adventure as a plus-size woman immersing herself in diverse cultures. Join me on Adventures with NieNie for travel tips, cultural insights, and inspiring stories from South Korea, the Philippines, and Germany. Let's embark on this adventure together!

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Great itinerary, I’ve done parts of it, but not all, so there are some awesome ideas for me to follow up on. I caught the train up to Edinburgh from London because I managed to find a cheap fare (almost as cheap as your RyanAir flight) and I fell in love with Scotland. I wish I’d stayed to go to Glasgow as well.

Scotland was so beautiful and I’m glad I had the opportunity to go. I hope to go to London someday as well, although the bucket list to too big it may be a while til I visit London lol.

We stayed for 6 weeks in Ireland last March and I just fell in love with the country. It’s so beautiful and the people are wonderful. You’re article reminded me of all things that I missed and need to see next time. Scotland’s on my bucket list to and I can’t wait to make that a reality.

This makes my heart so warm. I love Ireland and Scotland and I have such good memories of both. Thank you for this wonderful guide and all the beautiful pictures.

Hi Nie Nie … I’m Wondering if you could give me an idea on your total cost of your Ireland Scotland trip it all sounds wonderful we are debating a cruise but would love to be a bit more adventurous… but of course there’s the budget . Just a rough idea would be wonderful thanks so much Patti

Well it just depends. I was able to save money by going with some friends, so we had a few split costs on the AirBnB. I would say it could be around $2000 per week including the hotel. It’s about $100-150 per night for a hotel. $500 maybe for food, maybe less depending and $500 for activities. This is being generous with your money though. You could definitely do this on a cheaper budget especially if staying at a hostel or not going to a fancy restaurant, etc. Feel free to message me on social media and I can help answer your questions.

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11 Day Ireland and Scotland Tour from Dublin to Edinburgh

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The Perfect Ireland to Scotland Itinerary  

Planning an Ireland and Scotland itinerary can be full of pitfalls if you don’t know the countries and have a limited time to spend. Most folks from the United States and Canada will have a maximum of 2 weeks (14 days) of vacation time to spend and will want to get the biggest bang for their buck on their holidays.  

This Ireland and Scotland itinerary will help you plan the best trip and it won’t take up all your time travelling to get to the places on your bucket list. Don’t fall into the Scotland vs Ireland trap – visit both.

First things first as these are two separate countries and it is important to know the major differences, which truth be told are not a lot logistically.

• Tips on how to plan a trip to Ireland and Scotland

#1 currency – Scotland uses the British sterling and Ireland uses the Euro – make sure you let your bank know where you are travelling to and you can use your credit or debit card in both countries. American Express is not as popular in either country but there are ATMs everywhere. Take a little of each currency with you so you have some cash available but you won’t need a lot.

#2 with a Canadian or American passport you can spend up to 90 days in each country or split between the two, so for a two-week Ireland and Scotland itinerary you are good to go – no visas required.

#3 pick the airport to fly into depending on what you want to see first and what is good value for your flights. From the US and Canada flights to Dublin are as easy to find as Edinburgh and Glasgow’s flights are.

#4 If renting a car arrange for pick up of the car when you need it. I don’t recommend driving from the airport through any of these cities as you just don’t want to drive in that kind of traffic. Take public transport from the airport to your hotel or a taxi then get your rental car when ready to leave.

#5 Renting a car in Ireland can be very expensive so double-check if your credit card or existing insurance will cover you when renting. Often it does not and the additional insurance you require will add considerably to the bill. I highly recommend using My Irish Cousin as they will bring the car directly to you and you can arrange to leave it at various airports around Ireland.

#6 If you plan to fly to Scotland make sure you arrange the car drop-off in Belfast or an airport in Ireland as this can add greatly to your rental costs.

#7 the weather in either country is changeable so make sure you have good walking shoes and are wearing layers you can add to or subtract from. Bring a rainproof jacket or coat and keep your wardrobe simple.  

The Perfect Scotland and Ireland Itinerary

Best time to visit ireland and scotland, ferry ireland to scotland, ireland and scotland tours, scotland ireland itinerary, ireland and scotland itinerary day 1: explore dublin,  day 2 – newgrange, wicklow mountains, glendalough ancient east tour, day 3 – day trip to kilkenny, rock of cashel onto killarney, day 4 – killarney and the ring of kerry, day 5 & 6 – bunratty castle, doolin, cliffs of moher, galway, day 7 – galway city to shannon, days 1-2: explore edinburgh , edinburgh castle, holyrood palace, the royal mile, st. gile’s cathedral, princes street gardens, hike arthur’s seat, calton hill, harry potter tour, tours of the highlands and the isle of skye, callander town, fort william, commando memorial, cairngorms national park, day 1: a spectacular route north to skye, day 2: a full day on skye, day 3: monster spotting on loch ness, day 1: loch lomond – oban, day 2: oban – mull – iona, day 3: oban – glencoe – plockton, day 4: quiraing mountain pass, kilt rock, dunvegan castle, day 5: loch duich – loch ness – edinburgh, day 7: depart from edinburgh.

How to plan your trip to the UK, Ireland and Scotland

The best time to visit Scotland and Ireland is usually off-peak in the shoulder season between April-May and September-October if you can. Flights will be cheaper and the costs of accommodation will also be less expensive. There will also be fewer tourists battling to get into the sites you have on your bucket list. Getting Between Scotland and Ireland A trip of a lifetime to Ireland and Scotland can be done affordably and getting between the two countries is very easy. I would not recommend renting a car and taking a ferry as flights between the two countries can go as low as €25 euros.

I would book the trip to a major centre like Dublin or Glasgow/Edinburgh whichever you prefer and can find a deal on. For example, book a flight into Dublin and do the Ireland road trip and then book a flight out of an airport that you are close to at the end of your Ireland trip.

There are flights to Scotland as follows:

TO EDINBURGH Belfast International to Edinburgh with EasyJet – approx cost 1 way £23.00 Cork to Edinburgh with Aer Lingus and Ryanair – approx cost 1-way €20.49 Dublin to Edinburgh with Ryanair and Aer Lingus Derry to Edinburgh with Ryanair Shannon to Edinburgh with Aer Lingus TO GLASGOW Belfast International to Glasgow with EasyJet Derry to Glasgow with Loganair – approx cost 1-way £55.00 Cork to Glasgow with Aer Lingus Donegal to Glasgow with Loganair Dublin to Glasgow with Ryanair and Aer Lingus Belfast City to Glasgow with Loganair

Links: Aer Lingus , Ryanair , EasyJet , Loganair

You can also find flights to Inverness, Aberdeen and Dundee depending on which airport you want to fly out of. Since Glasgow and Edinburgh are the main international airports you will probably want to book a flight out of either of those to get to your home airport.

If you own a car or if this itinerary is part of a broader European journey , you may want to explore the option of taking a ferry between Ireland and Scotland. This alternative is also viable if you intend to fly in and out of the same airport. However, if your arrival and departure airports are different, and you plan to fly into either Scotland or Ireland, I would advise against taking the ferry. It’s worth noting that flights between Scotland and Ireland are generally very affordable, making them a more convenient choice.

If you opt to rent a car in one country and drop it off in the other, be prepared to spend a minimum of $1500 USD. This cost includes a $500 cross-border fee and a $500 one-way rental fee. Additionally, you’ll need to account for the ferry expense, which typically amounts to a few hundred dollars. While the journey across the North Channel by ferry is undoubtedly picturesque, it may not justify the overall expense if you plan to rent a car.

There are several organized tours available for traveling from Ireland to Scotland and they always include a brilliant funny tour guide. Here are a few options you can consider:

• Rabbie’s Tours : Rabbie’s offers a variety of small-group tours that cover both Ireland and Scotland. The tour includes multi-day itineraries, including visits to popular attractions such as the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland, the Ring of Kerry , the Scottish Highlands, and Edinburgh.
• Wild N’ Happy : Wild N’ Happy offers adventure tours that combine Ireland and Scotland. They provide guided tours with activities such as hiking, cycling, and exploring scenic landscapes. Their itineraries include visits to locations like the Cliffs of Moher, the Isle of Skye, and Loch Ness.
• Haggis Adventures : Haggis Adventures specializes in budget-friendly tours around Scotland and Ireland. They offer multi-day tours with experienced guides, covering highlights such as the Scottish Highlands, Loch Lomond, the Aran Islands, and Dublin.
• Paddywagon Tours : Paddywagon Tours provides a range of tours that cover both Ireland and Scotland. They offer guided tours with options to explore destinations like the Cliffs of Moher, the Scottish Highlands, the Isle of Skye, and Edinburgh. Their website has further details:

It’s recommended to visit the websites of these tour operators to check the availability, itineraries, pricing, and any additional information you may need to plan your trip from Ireland to Scotland.

If you don’t feel like planning your own great Ireland and Scotland itinerary you can download the printable one I’ve designed from here.   

This day-by-day itinerary for Scotland and Ireland can be done in any order. I’ve tried to lay it out in what to me is a logical order that begins in Dublin but you could do the reverse and head to Scotland first. Just make sure you book your flights correctly – so fly into Dublin fly out of Edinburgh for example.   

I haven’t included Northern Ireland in this itinerary just because you would need at least an extra week to be able to travel to all the fascinating sites in that part of Ireland and to make the most of your time in Ireland so this Itinerary concentrates on the Republic of Ireland. In order to see all that the country of Ireland has to offer it can be very difficult to squeeze it all in in a 2-week trip. 

Here are a few of my Irish itineraries

Planning a trip to Ireland? Everything you need to know

The Perfect Ireland Road Trip Itinerary

Ultimate Ireland itinerary 14 days

7 days Ireland Itinerary

Ireland Scotland Itinerary – Ireland road trip

Ireland will take a lifetime to explore but this part of the itinerary focuses on some of your potential bucket list places to see. These are some of the most iconic Irish attractions to see on your vacation.

For the first day of your Scotland and Ireland vacation, you will probably arrive in Dublin early in the morning. Take public transport or a taxi to your hotel and drop your luggage off until you can check in. Make sure you changed your watch time to Irish and then simply relax and explore Dublin as if you didn’t have jet lag. Book a hop on hop off bus tour ahead of time and bring your printed tickets with you.

On the hop on hop-off buses, you can simply relax and see the lay of the land and if you feel up to it jump off and visit the sites you want to. I like to take the full route and then on the second way around jump off at the specific sites I want to see. I find that this is a great way to see what sites are close enough to walk to.

Here are some stops you don’t want to miss in Dublin:

• St. Patrick’s Cathedral
• Molly Malone Statue
• Ha’penny bridge across the Liffey
• Christ Church Cathedral
• Trinity College Library
• St. Stephens Green
• Guinness Storehouse

Articles on exploring Dublin

Dublin off the Beaten Path

34 Great things to do in Dublin

20 Famous Pubs in Dublin for a pint, some craic and traditional Irish music

15 tips for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin

15 Dublin Don’ts – a little bit of Irish craic for you

Dublin Airport tips & tricks from a local

Grab your rental car and head up to Newgrange , Tara and Loughcrew you can spend the morning exploring these ancient Irish sites and then easily head to Glendalough National Park in the afternoon which is around an hour drive. I would book a hotel near Glendalough and you can find some recommendations here, and then the following day head out to visit the Powerscourt Estate in the morning and then onto Kilkenny for the afternoon.

In Kilkenny you can explore sites like Kilkenny Castl e, and the Medieval Mil e if you fancy visiting the Rock of Cashe l the drive from Kilkenny is around an hour long and highly recommended. If you can stand another couple of hours in the car head to Killarney and find your hotel here.

On your way to Killarney and the Ring of Kerry why not stop over and enjoy the English Market in Cork or perhaps visit Cobh for an hour or two?  You may be able to take a visit to Blarney Castle to kiss the Blarney Stone.

The next day you can explore Killarney and do the Ring of Kerry tour . This will probably wear you out and you can head back to your hotel for the night.

Onwards to see Bunratty Castle near Limerick and after that tour head up to the Cliffs of Moher . I would book a hotel in Doolin for the night and the following day you will have time to take a drive along the Wild Atlantic Way through Dunghaire up to Galway.

Book your hotel for Galway and spend a day or so exploring the area and making a visit to Galway City where you want to stay overnight and get to some of those traditional pubs for some authentic Irish music.

Head to Shannon airport where you can catch a flight to Edinburgh for around €25 euros one way. Make sure you have arranged to drop off your rental car at Shannon Airport before your flight. If you have time before your flight you could visit Adare It is renowned as one of Ireland’s prettiest villages and enjoy some great restaurants and relax for a few hours.

Ireland and Scotland Itinerary – Scotland road trip

Flying into Edinburgh again I would suggest taking a taxi or public transport to your hotel and getting checked in or leaving your luggage until check-in time and exploring the city on foot. I suggest 2 days in Edinburgh as there is just so much to see and then from there heading out to explore more of Scotland.

Edinburgh, the historic capital of Scotland , is home to historic sites, modern restaurants, pubs, and nature. Although Edinburgh is on many travellers’ radar, it isn’t filled with tourists like the major cities of Paris or London. A two-day visit to Edinburgh is perfect for travellers looking for a low-key, historic, culture-filled city. You also can’t go wrong finding amazing Harry Potter sites to visit when in Edinburgh.

The 12th century Edinburgh Castle has a long, crazy history. The castle holds the Crown Jewels of Scotland among other historic artefacts and the National War Museum of Scotland. 

Opposite Edinburgh Castle, you will find the Palace of Holyroodhouse. This palace was Mary Stuart’s and now is one of the Queen of England’s second homes which she stays at for a few days every year.

The Royal Mile is the beating heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town. At the bottom, it begins at the Palace of Holyroodhouse and goes up to Edinburgh Castle. The Royal Mile is around 1.8 km long  Its name comes from its tradition as a processional route for kings and queens for the last 500 years.

Located on the Royal Mile, St Giles’ is a stunning Medieval gothic cathedral and is the oldest religious building in the city. It was built in the 12th century but had to be re-built in the 15th because of the terrible fire that destroyed much of Edinburgh in 1385.

Victoria Street & the Grass Market

Victoria Street in the Old Town has to be one of the most photographed locations in the city. Its gentle curve and colourful shopfronts make it a favourite spot for tourist photos, postcards and TV adverts. Grass Market Don’t forget to stop by the Grassmarket for a fabulous lunch or some great artisanal beer tasting.

Princes Street Gardens are two adjacent public parks in the centre of Edinburgh. If you need to take a break from visiting Edinburgh Castle you will find the gardens at the foot of the castle. The Gardens were created in the 1820s following the long draining of the Nor Loch and building of the New Town, beginning in the 1760s.    

If you enjoy hiking, you must go to Holyrood Park. A short bus ride from the city centre (or a longer walk) is a large park with walking trails. This isn’t extreme hiking like you would experience in Colorado, but it can get to be a steep walking path that is rocky. It is best to come prepared with comfortable clothing and good shoes.

Calton Hill is a hill situated beyond the east end of Princes Street and is included in the city’s UNESCO world Heritage Site . Views of, and from, the hill are iconic images of Edinburgh.

The Harry Potter Tour in Edinburgh is a magical 2-hour walking tour of Edinburgh where you can discover the city where the world of Harry Potter was conceived. Test your knowledge with an audio-visual quiz, find out about your Hogwarts House, and visit Tom Riddle’s grave.

Any of these tours can be done with Get Your Guide or you can rent a car and use the itinerary to plan your own tours of the Highlands and other sites you want to visit in Scotland.

1 day Loch Ness, Glencoe, Highlands & Ben Nevis Tour

Out of bed early and get your rental car so you can head up to the Highlands. Or you can take an organized tour by Get Your Guide which includes the luxury coach vehicle so you don’t have to drive. You will depart Edinburgh early and drive cross country where you will pass by Stirling Castle and hear the stories of William Wallace of Robert the Bruce.

Nestled at the foot of the Trossachs National Park your visit will include Loch Lomond and tales of Roby Roy MacGregor.

Follow in the footsteps of James Bond and Harry Potter as you travel through the jaw-dropping Valley of Glencoe. Learn about the Campbell and Clan MacDonald massacre.

On your way to Loch Ness, you will drive by the incredible Ben Nevis which is the United Kingdom’s highest mountain. Loch Ness In the Village of Fort Augustus with its cafes, shops and restaurants you could take a cruise on the Loch to see if you can spot Nessie.

Admire the impressive Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge with views of the Nevis Range. 

Enter the Cairngorms National Park and discover “Monarch of the Glen” country. Drive along Loch Laggan before the roads climb above the Grampian Mountains. Travel over the Pass of Drumochter, linking the northern and southern Central Highlands. Experience the majesty of a mountain pass created by glacial activity during successive Ice Ages. Finally, stop briefly in the beautiful Victorian town of Pitlochry before heading back to Edinburgh city centre, arriving at approximately 8:30 PM.

3-day tour of the Isle of Skye and Highlands

Discover the best of the Highlands and the Isle of Skye on this 3-day tour from Edinburgh. Visit Eilean Donan Castle, explore the Highlands and Culloden Battlefield, take a Loch Ness cruise, tour Urquhart Castle and enjoy a whisky tasting on Skye. This is another guided tour by Get Your Guide.

Tour the Scottish Highlands and explore the Isle of Skye on a 3-day guided tour from Edinburgh. You’ll see castles, craggy mountains, picturesque towns, and maybe even a monster on this excursion. Stay overnight in B&B accommodation.

On the way to Skye, your route takes you past beautiful Stirling Castle, across the brooding expanse of Rannoch Moor, and through Glen Coe. As you near the coast, you’ll see Eilean Donan Castle (optional tour available), which was featured in the film Highlander. Overnight stay in Inverness.

You’ll have the full day to explore the Isle of Skye. If you like, you can take it nice and easy but still see all the sights. Highlights include the craggy Cuillin Mountains, the dramatic hills of the Quiraing, and the stunning Trotternish Peninsula. You might see seals out in the waves as you walk along the coast, or a stag standing on a hillside. Return to Inverness for your overnight stay.

Drive along the banks of Loch Ness where you can take a boat tour to Urquhart Castle or do a bit of monster hunting from the shore. As you head back to Edinburgh, your route will take you through Inverness, the Cairngorms, and Pitlochry. At the Culloden battlefield, the site of the defeat of the Jacobites, there is the option of taking a tour. Continue on through the stunning Cairngorm Mountains and stop to explore the picturesque town of Pitlochry.

5-day tour of Iona, Mull, and Isle of Skye

Spend 5 spectacular days exploring the unruly beauty and fascinating history of the Scottish west coast, and visiting 4 of its beautiful islands with Get Your Guide . On your second day, take a ferry to explore the dramatic coastlines of the island of Mull, and then continue to the island of Iona to visit its ancient abbey and craggy cliff-side. Take advantage of the opportunity to take a small boat to Staffa to explore its beautiful basalt columns, and spend the majority of your third day exploring the famous Isle of Skye.

Your first day of the journey takes you north past Stirling Castle, and then west to Scotland’s first National Park near Loch Lomond. Travel through the mountains of the West Highlands, passing the magnificent white-washed town of Inveraray, and spend the afternoon in the heart of Argyll before arriving to the bustling town of Oban, the gateway to the islands, for your 2-night stay.

Begin early with a ferry ride across the Mull and spend the morning exploring the island’s dramatic coastlines and wild beauty, before taking the small ferry to Iona – the birthplace of Celtic Christianity and the ancient burial ground of Scottish Kings. Visit the historic abbey and its intricate carved crosses or explore the rocky headlands and sandy coves of this island gem.

There is also an opportunity to take a small boat out to the island of Staffa (except Saturday departures in September) and view the dramatic basalt columns immortalized by Mendelssohn in his Hebridean Overture “Fingal’s Cave”. You then return on the ferry to Oban for your second night.

Today takes you north along the west coast around Appin, passing the impregnable Castle Stalker and Glencoe, scene of the infamous massacre of the MacDonald clan in 1692. You then pass through Fort William nestling in the shadow of Ben Nevis which at 1,344 meters is the highest mountain in the British Isles. The tour continues through the Great Glen, a natural fault in the earth’s crust that runs through Scotland and on through Ireland. From here you travel north to the picturesque fishing village of Plockton. You are then dropped off at your accommodation in the early evening.

A flexible Day with many possibilities (depending on the weather). Your driver/guide will use his/her local knowledge to decide on the best day out for the group, which could include travelling north to the stunning Quiraing mountain pass for a walk through some of Skye’s extraordinary geological scenery or a visit to the Kilt Rock, composed of basalt columns and cascading waterfalls. After lunch, you may travel to Neist Point for a walkout to the lighthouse at the most westerly point on Skye, or you may pay a visit to Dunvegan Castle, the ancient ancestral seat of the Clan McLeod, returning to your accommodation in Plockton in the late afternoon to enjoy a free evening in the village.

You will be collected from your accommodation and travel south through the Cuillin Hills, stopping to visit the famous stronghold Eilean Donan Castle, before travelling east to take in the stunning views over Loch Duich and the 5 Sisters of Kintail. Onto Loch Ness for lunch and the possibility of spotting “Nessie,” and then head south through the Grampian mountains and long Loch Laggan, passing Dalwhinnie, home to Scotland’s highest whisky distillery. Stop in at Perthshire for some refreshments before heading back to Edinburgh over the Forth Road Bridge, arriving at approximately 19:00.  

On the last day of your Scotland and Ireland vacation, travel back to Edinburgh and either fly home from there or fly back to Dublin to fly home. I hope this itinerary will help plan many trips to Ireland and Scotland. They are both such amazing destinations and I know you’ll love them

Whether you decide to drive to the Isle of Skye on your own or take this guided tour the choice is yours. Hopefully, this two-week Ireland and Scotland itinerary will help you plan your travels to these two fabulous locations.

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Faith was born in Ireland raised in Canada and has lived in over 10 countries in Europe including England, Ireland, Scotland, France, Spain, Northern Ireland, Wales, along with Mexico, Antigua, the US and has slow travelled to over 40 countries around the world. Graduating with a degree in Anthropology and Women's Studies Faith is a student of history, culture, community and food and has written about these topics for over 40 years.

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The   IRELAND   &  Scotlan d   TRIP

FOR THE LOVE OF

STORYTELLING

LIVE LOCAL MUSIC

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MAJESTIC LANDSCAPES

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IRELAND & Scotland

WHAT TO EXPECT

Our small group trip to Ireland and Scotland caters to travelers in their 20s and 30s looking for Guinness in Dublin barrooms, pastoral beauty in the Scottish Highlands, and sea views from high atop the Cliffs of Moher.  

On this action-packed trip for fans of rich culture, welcoming locals, and rolling hillsides, we’ll kick things off the right way—over welcome pints with new friends. From there, it’s a week of excitement as you traverse a region brimming with culture and character.  

We’ll explore Scotland’s greatest cities, Edinburgh and Glasgow, and ride through the endless Scottish Highlands. Then, we’ll head west to pub crawl through thousand-year streets, dabble in a national sport, and trek out into Martian landscapes. If you’re into timeless architecture, whisky, bagpipes, and haggis, this is the trip for you.

9 days/8 nights

starting at $4 ,6 99 USD

Limited single room upgrades starting from $4,699 are available and can be added during booking, subject to availability.

Payment can be broken down into a $500 deposit + 3 additional installments.

All accommodations in a shared room with one other person with the option to upgrade to a private room (limited availability)

Flight from Edinburgh to Dublin

8 breakfasts

4 dinners (including welcome dinner and farewell)

Welcome drinks

Local Edinburgh bagpiping experience

​ Traditional Scottish food tour in Glasgow

Ireland’s national sport experience 

Underground Scotch whisky experience

Pub crawl through the streets of Dublin

Guided tour of Old Town Edinburgh 

Sheepdog experience in the Irish countryside

Day trip to Cliffs of Moher and the Burren

In-country transfers 

FTLO Trip Leader

* All activities are weather dependent; in the unlikely event that we are unable to run an activity, we will have a suitable alternative in place.

not included

Flights (to Scotland and from Ireland)

Mandatory trip insurance

Meals not mentioned (budget around $200)

Incidental expenses

    Day 1 - Edinburgh Old Smoky

After landing in Edinburgh, head to the hotel to meet up with your new travel crew. With Medieval stone architecture around every bend, this gorgeous city is a surreal window into the past.

We’ll have a quick orientation; then we're heading back in time to check out the Royal Mile. Our local guide will lead us through the Old Town's cobbled streets, past neoclassical landmarks (keep a look out for the imposing fortress of Edinburgh Castle overhead).

If you've got an eye for history, architecture, or culture, this is one tough neighborhood to beat. After a day of exploration, it’s time for a welcome dinner with the crew.

    Day 2 - Edinburgh Scots& Scotch 

After breakfast at your hotel, step out into the city for a day of Scottish adventure with the crew and get ready to groove, because, in this rocky old town, the pipes, the pipes are calling.

That's right; it's bagpipe time. And you're not just listening; you're giving it a go. While we cannot guarantee you'll be any good, we can guarantee the entire experience will make for some fantastic videos. After that, your afternoon’s free, so consider checking out the city's literary legacy at the Writers' Museum, strolling up through imposing Edinburgh Castle, or venturing to the top of Arthur's Seat for panoramic views.

Then, it's time to get local and hit up a historic underground drinking hole for an intro lesson into all things whisky. In the evening, find a pub and some grub with the rest of the crew.

*Itinerary is indicative and is subject to change

SLAíNTE

    day 3 - scottish highlands open country.

Get breakfast in you early; we've got quite the day ahead. We're leaving the big city behind, grabbing a van, and heading out to explore the vast Scottish Highlands.

 The farther we travel, the more you'll get a sense of Scotland's untamed beauty. Near the charming town of Killin, we'll check out the Falls of Dochart, which tumble dramatically over ancient volcanic rocks. From there, we'll continue on, before stepping out into the wild again to explore the steep cliffs of Killiecrankie that tower over the River Garry.

We'll spend that night in one incredible setting, so grab dinner together, and then you can kick back with a few drinks with friends.

    Day 4 - Glasgow Skyfall

Chat it up over breakfast before we twist on through Scotland's epic mountains and gorges.

Today, we're rolling into Glencoe, home to the iconic Three Sisters peaks (you may recognize the dramatic landscape from a certain James Bond flick). Make sure you've got the camera ready; these endless landscapes seem to change constantly—they're raw, rugged, open, and sure to make you feel miniscule in comparison. After that, we'll stop for a stroll in picturesque Luss along the shore of Loch Lomond before moving on to Glasgow.

That night, we'll wind down from the highlands to Scotland's biggest city where we'll chow down on a local food tour (did someone say "haggis"?) and check out a blend of heritage and the modern world along the River Clyde.

    Day 5 - Galway Galway Girls & Guys

Say goodbye to Scotland and hello to the Emerald Isle; today we’re hopping on a flight to Dublin to get a glimpse of all things Ireland.

After touching down, we’re heading to Galway, one of the true beauties of Ireland. It’s a bit of a ride, so we’ll stop for our first Irish bite along the way.

That night, head out with the crew and explore Ireland’s most colorful and charismatic little city. We recommend hitting up Quay Street for dinner, drinks, and some Irish tunes.

    Day 6 - Galway cliffs & country

Have a bite with the group at the hotel before heading south for a day exploring Ireland’s staggering coastline. We’ll meet up with our guide and hit the Burren, the otherworldly rock formation that stretches for 100s of square kilometers across rolling terrain.

Grab lunch and a little Irish coffee pick-me-up before heading over toward the Cliffs of Moher. Formed some 300 million years ago, the towering ledges hang 500 feet over the windswept Atlantic. This is, without a doubt, one of the country’s most incredible sites.

After checking it out, head back to Galway, where the night is yours to grab dinner with friends, explore the lovely streets, and decide for yourself whether the Scots or the Irish have the more difficult accent to get a hold of.

    Day 7 - Dublin Fair City

Catch up with the crew over breakfast, and then we’ll start winding our way to the capital.

It’s a bit of a ride, so before we pull in for Guinness fresh from the source, we’ll keep the good times rolling at a farm along the way to check out one epic sheepdog experience as we get the low down on how to herd with the best of them.

After getting to Dublin, grab a bite and then meet back up with the group in the city center for a night on the town—it’s time to go pub crawling through the famous streets of the capital. Pull up a seat and chat it up with gregarious Dubliners whose stories flow faster than the pints.

  Day 8 - Dublin Gaelic Games

Get a good breakfast at the hotel; you’re going to need your energy today. We’re hitting the pitch and taking a shot at some Gaelic games.

From hurling to handball and football, sports are an integral part of the Irish experience. Of course, there’s no better way to learn than to dive in yourself, so get ready for some good old-fashioned fun with your new friends and teammates.

After a day at the field, explore the city before meeting up for a final meal. Then, the evening is yours to soak up the sights, sounds, and suds of the Irish capital.

    Day 9 - Dublin Mar Sin Leat

Smile because it happened, don’t cry because it’s over.

Unfortunately, the end is here, so eat up with your friends before saying goodbye and heading home or onward to your next adventure. If you’ve got a later flight, hit the streets for one last bit of sightseeing if you can.

If you're in the mood for more European fun, consider popping over to the Basque Country for some of the best food in the world or down to Sardinia for one beachy good time.

"This is a city of shifting light, of changing skies, of sudden vistas. A city so beautiful it breaks the heart again and again.” - Alexander McCall Smith on Edinburgh  

Just for Fun

Hurling is considered the fastest field sport in the world and the sliothar (ball) can travel 120km/hour!

10 million pints of Guinness are produced in Dublin every day!

Scotland has the highest proportion of red heads in the  world.

​ While we can’t guarantee private rooms, you sho uld book your trip earlier if you prefer one, as they usually fill up.

The weather in Ireland and Scotland can be unpredictable, so make sure you pack some warm clothes and a rain jacket. 

Pub culture is a big part of life in Ireland and Scotland, but you’ll never feel pressured to drink if you don’t want to. There are always non-alcoholic choices.

Ireland uses the Euro while Scotland is on the Pound sterling.

On European trips, we stay as close to historic city centers as possible. This means your accommodations will often be on the small side, quirky, and unique (we love this!).

All activities are weather dependent; in the unlikely event that we are unable to run an activity, we will have a suitable alternative in place.

More information regarding visa requirements and Covid restrictions can be found here .

About Ireland & Scotland

​Ireland & Scotland are known for their breathtaking natural beauty, fun and welcoming environments and fascinating histories. Both countries are home to some of the most photogenic places on earth. 

The Irish diaspora is an incredible thing. More than 80 million people worldwide claim some Irish heritage, while the country itself only has a population of 6 million. Scotland’s population comes in just a hair lower at 5.5 million, a figure overshadowed by the local sheep population by more than a million.

Good to know

Ireland’s official languages are Irish and English while Scotland’s is English. Accents in both countries can take quite a bit of getting used to.

Ireland uses the Euro while Scotland is on the Pound sterling. 

Irish surnames that start in “Mac” mean “son of” while those that start in “O” mean “grandson of.”

Weather (especially on the Atlantic coast) can be predictably unpredictable, so make sure to pack a waterproof jacket and some warm clothes.

Though it rains a lot, it's also windy, so not many people carry around umbrellas. You are welcome to bring one, but a good jacket and covers for your backpack or luggage might be more practical. 

Fly into Edinburgh (EDI)

You'll need to be in Edinburgh Airport by 12pm and be at the hotel at 2:30pm on Day 1; however, we do recommend flying in earlier to have some time to explore the city on your own!

Fly out of Dublin (DUB) 

We recommend flying out of Dublin on the last day of your trip.

Want to check out flights for your trip?

Feel free to also set up flight alerts to Ireland and from Scotland so you can grab the best deal!

(Arrival / departure cities likely to change for 2024 trips)

*FTLO is not responsible for any fees or costs related to flights. We strongly suggest that all travelers wait until they receive the official FTLO Greenlight Email to book flights. This will be sent 3-4 months prior to the start date of your trip.

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Why Off Season Is a Magical Time to Travel in Ireland

You’ll be rewarded with blissfully empty beaches and unhurried meandering from cafés to craft studios..

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Gorteen Bay Beach, in County Galway, is wonderfully quiet in the low season.

Photo by Yvonne Gordon

The gray-white pony is standing, almost hidden, beneath bare branches in a frost-covered field. As we drive past, we catch a glimpse of his head, illuminated by the early morning sunlight. As we stop and get out of the car, he approaches the fence slowly but sure-footed on the frozen ground and we gaze admiringly into his huge, gentle face.

The Connemara Pony is Ireland’s native pony, a hardy breed well-adapted to the rough bogland and rocky seashores where it plowed the land or pulled carts of seaweed and turf in times past. Seeing one is on my bucket list for an off-season visit to Connemara in County Galway, in the west of Ireland, and this backdrop of a field carpeted with white frost makes for a magical first sighting.

I am spending a few days exploring the area from my home in Dublin and have brought along a pal. He has donkeys and otters on his wish list; I have ponies and mountain hikes on mine. But there’s a storm forecast so we’ve also brought books and games. Like many regions that are popular with tourists, especially on Ireland’s coast, Connemara is busy during the high-season months of July and August, when school is out and Irish families flock to holiday homes. But there’s a certain magic in the off-season—before the holidaymakers have arrived in June, or after September when they have gone home—and an ethereal, soft light shines on dunes and bogs. While not all of the attractions, restaurants, or accommodations are open out of season (especially from November to March), it’s easier and cheaper to book stays in the places that are open, the beauty spots are crowd-free, roads are quieter, and the pace of life is unhurried.

Bays, bogs, a fine home base

The tiny fishing village of Roundstone makes for a central, peaceful travel base.

We start the trip driving around Galway Bay, where the low sun bathes village harbors in gold, and the roadside gradually reveals the flat, boggy landscape of Connemara. This barren, often tree-less coastline, with its dry stone walls, long beaches, and rocky coves, has long inspired artists and craftspeople. At Ceardlann An Spidéal (Spiddal Craft Village), we admire kiln-fused glass art, stoneware pottery, woolens, and everything from coasters to posters with expressions in the Irish language on them.

When we see a row of clocks saying: Tá sé in am tae — Irish for “It’s time for tea,” we don’t need to be told twice. This is a Gaeltacht or Irish-speaking area, so the road signs are in Irish, and down the road in Caifé Teac na Cúirte (Courthouse Café), we hear native speakers chatting as I try out my own rusty Irish to order tea and toasted sandwiches.

Our base for the next five days is the fishing village of Roundstone. From here, it’s a 45-minute drive to Connemara National Park in Letterfrack where we hike Diamond Hill, a nearly two-hour ascent to a 1,450-foot summit for views over bays, boglands, and pointy peaks. While the park gets up to 3,000 people a day in high season, that drops to somewhere between 100 to 300 in low season.

We also explore the beaches at Gorteen Bay (also known as Port na Feadóige , “bank of the plover”) and Dog’s Bay, two miles from the village. Here, over millions of years, the sea has swept the remains of single-celled sea creatures, foraminifera, into the channel between a small island and the shore, forming two horseshoe-shaped beaches linked by a tombolo.

A yellow and red lifeguard hut indicates the beach’s popularity in summer months, when families come here to swim and picnic. In low season, you have expanses like this to yourself. We inspect the sand close up—it’s made of tiny fragments of worn-down seashells—and we marvel at the rich seaweeds that washed ashore with the tide and might wash out with the next one.

Afterwards, we visit Roundstone Music and Crafts , the studio and shop of master bodhrán-maker Malachy Kearns, who fashions the traditional handheld Irish drum from goatskin and adds his intricate designs. It’s quiet, so he has time for tea and a chat, and he tells me he stops at a local beach nearly every day on his way to work.

Time to get crafty

Basket maker Joe Hogan in his workshop, where you may find him relaxed enough for a chat in the off-season.

Many attractions, such as the visitor center at Connemara National Park, used to close for off-season months but now, since about 2019, they stay open year-round, creating more than seasonal employment for locals.

It is with this ethos that Within the Village , five luxury boutique townhouses set in restored houses in Roundstone, which opened last September, remains open all year. Its aim is to make a positive impact on the area, not only environmentally but also socially and economically—by using and recommending local businesses and sponsoring community events like the annual Tour de Bog cycling race. Products used in the accommodations, from toiletries to bedding, are from local suppliers. “We are showcasing small and medium-size businesses in the area, from the bed linen to tweed. Rather than us selling it ourselves, we encourage the visitor to go directly to the website of the supplier, so they are supporting local industry and sustaining businesses in the area,” says Within the Village co-owner Maria Murphy. The proprietors encourage slow tourism and have created maps showing all there is to see and do in the area. They also offer a one-bedroom, a two-bedroom, and a trio of three-bedroom houses, which can be rented for three, four, or seven-night stays. (Low season prices are from $370 to $960 per night, depending on house size, until the end of May and from the end of September.)

Another sustainability initiative was to collaborate with local craftspeople and artists to outfit the houses, which showcase their work. One of the most interesting art pieces in each is a replica of a small bird’s nest, placed under a glass dome on a side table, made by basket maker Joe Hogan . Hogan creates pieces to order and his work is sold in Joyce’s Craft Shop in the village of Recess. To learn more about his work, we drive to to his studio, in Loch Na Fooey, following the twists and turns of the road as sheets of rain pass sideways across the valley.

Hogan’s workshop overlooks the lake, and even in the wet weather, the orange hue of the bog fills the landscape with warmth. Here, Hogan grows willow to make baskets and collects heather for the nests. The nearest main road is five miles away, the nearest shop is eight miles away. Hogan says being able to grow the material for the baskets and make a living in this remote place was the initial draw when he moved from County Cork 45 years ago.

He started making cribs for babies before moving on to Indigenous Irish baskets, a craft that was disappearing. A big basket could take him 70 hours to make, over six days. He says it’s about getting the texture of the willow just right to ply it into shape—a challenge in cooler temperatures. “You’re not imposing your will on it,” he says. “You’re learning how to work with it. If you pull it too hard, it will break.” His son Ciaran runs basket-making courses , and he says there’s lots of interest, particularly from those visiting from other parts of Ireland.

A focused game, a roundabout drive

Back at Roundstone, we hear there’s a game of “Twenty-five” in King’s Bar. This card game is popular in rural areas, but being a city-dweller in Dublin, I’ve never seen it, so it feels exciting. We take up some stools at the bar to discreetly observe. A group of nine men are playing. Concentration is so fierce, the barman can’t serve us until they have a break. It feels like a special off-season experience—in summer, it’s usually so packed here that the crowds spill out onto the road.

As with any trip in Ireland, luck is on our side for much of the trip—but not all of it. We see so many donkeys, James loses count after it gets into double figures, but otters remain elusive. We have calm days with perfect blue skies where the entire village is mirrored in the water and the early morning sun illuminates the upturned currachs (small wood-framed boats) on the pier.

But as the week goes on, Storm Elin closes in and rain pelts the windows. The accommodation manager Andy brings fresh fluffy scones from J Woods grocery shop across the road. I later visit for supplies and am happy to find the tiny shop has a full butcher’s counter. I get thick slices of bacon to make “BT” sandwiches—modified BLTs, as there’s no lettuce in the village and the next delivery isn’t until tomorrow.

On one outing, driving toward Letterfrack, we decide to take the famed scenic lakeside road, past Lough Inagh. We set off, and enjoy an amazing drive, with bog on both sides, silvery ponds, and the Twelve Bens Mountains in the distance. We don’t pass another soul—or a lake.

After about 45 minutes, we pass a sign for Roundstone. We’ve gone in a circle and are back where we started. We’ve mysteriously taken a road known as the “bog road,” which is said to be haunted. It was a road I had wanted to drive and it looked like it decided it wanted to be driven. We never find the road with the lake.

Thankfully, we’re in no hurry and we just go with the flow on days when the navigation system decides to tweak our route. Off-season travel in Ireland can be stress-free—there are no lines, no bookings, no crowds. Sometimes you can plan the route or for the weather; other times they decide for you. It’s a bit like the willow for the baskets —you have to learn how to work with it rather than imposing your will.

The Border ‘back door’: why are so many migrants crossing into the State from Northern Ireland?

The perception of a leaky border comes against a backdrop of simmering tensions and mounting political pressure on migration.

A protest at the International Protection Office on Mount Street Lower, Dublin, recently. Photograph: Tom Honan

“Rwanda threat is pouring migrants into Ireland,” screamed the headline on the front page of Friday’s Daily Telegraph.

Leaning on quotes from Tánaiste Micheál Martin, the Tory-leaning British broadsheet picked up on the surprising statistic disclosed by the Irish Government this week that 80 per cent of recent asylum seekers arriving into the State had crossed over the Border from Northern Ireland.

The newspaper jumped on Martin’s linking the influx to the UK government’s controversial policy of threatening to deport migrants to the central African nation of Rwanda, a policy that was passed by Westminster on Tuesday.

“Maybe that’s the impact it was designed to have,” Martin was quoted by the Telegraph as saying.

Emergency legislation will allow ‘operational agreement’ between Ireland and UK on return of asylum seekers to come into force, Government says

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[  New laws needed to deal with asylum seekers arriving into State from North, says Taoiseach  ]

The report gave voice to concerns about an open border into the Republic and the impact of a contentious immigration policy in a neighbouring country and the movement of migrants into this one.

“Irish people like a degree of common sense,” Taoiseach Simon Harris told the Oireachtas finance committee on Wednesday. “It is important in the weeks and months ahead to show the people of this country that we have a rules-based migration system.”

Harris was speaking the day after his Minister for Justice Helen McEntee put in a patchy performance at the Oireachtas justice committee, which gave rise to several key moments.

She was unable to give a clear answer to Independent TD Michael McNamara over why asylum seekers had not been returned to countries willing to accept them, and then made the stark assertion that formed the basis of the Telegraph’s story three days later: more than 80 per cent of people seeking asylum in the State are believed to be coming across the Border.

Voters who apparently want to believe that the system is rules-based and common sense may have been left scratching their heads. The idea of a leaky Border back door – or of a system that is not fast enough or efficient in dealing with failed applications – is anathema to the prevailing political winds on immigration.

The Daily Telegraph's front page on Friday, April 26th

McEntee had given an otherwise confident defence of Ireland’s decision to opt in to the EU’s migration and asylum pact over three hours before the committee.

But colleagues at Cabinet now see her moving centre stage as the debate on migration spreads beyond accommodation.

“The politics has moved to Justice and away from [Minister for Integration] Roderic [O’Gorman],” says one Minister, with McEntee now facing the prospect of being the political fulcrum.

With 100,000 refugees and asylum seekers now in State-provided housing, there is a new emphasis on the Border – how people move into the country, and what happens afterwards.

It comes against a backdrop of simmering tensions on migration that boil over with increasing frequency. Pressure on the migration is now unprecedented.

The belief that a huge percentage of people are coming across the Border has been discussed in senior Government circles for some weeks now

The 80 per cent figure is not a hard data point. After McEntee’s assertion, even officials on the British side were grasping around trying to figure out what it was based on.

Asked for comment, the British embassy issued a fairly terse one-line statement, saying there remained a high level of co-operation on migration, asylum and border security between the UK and Ireland.

The figure is in fact an extrapolation from the percentage of people who claim asylum at the International Protection office on Mount Street, Dublin, which has shot up in recent months, rather than at a port of entry. It is a sort of proxy measurement, based on the strong view among officials in the Department of Justice that the overwhelming majority claiming asylum in Mount Street can only be coming across the Border.

Department of Justice figures suggest 5,161 applications had been made to the end of March, meaning more than 4,100 were made at Mount Street, with the overwhelming majority supposedly coming from Northern Ireland. Given the Border is open, one official said: “We will never have accurate numbers.”

The belief that a huge percentage of people are coming across the Border has been discussed in senior Government circles for some weeks now. However, getting a firm answer on what is driving it is difficult.

A Government source working in the area says the assumption is that many who are presenting – many of whom are Nigerians – had some sort of status in Britain, whether a visa or asylum.

The prospect of the UK’s Rwanda policy – where asylum seekers are flown to the east African country while being processed – coming into effect is another.

A third source says officials have speculated that changes to family reunification rules in the UK for lower-skilled migrant workers could be encouraging family members to come here and travel back to Britain.

Another suggestion is simply that with asylum seekers travelling to the UK in huge numbers, a small percentage of that is going to trickle across to Ireland.

Others believe that word-of-mouth effects spread quickly and there may be some theory about Ireland or its system behind the rise, or that bad actors – people smugglers and organised crime gangs – may be engineering passage to Ireland across the Border.

The truth is probably that all of the above, and other factors, form a potent cocktail.

Security sources say – in a view mirrored in political circles – that part of the reason is the effectiveness of Garda operations overseas, checking documents at embarkation at key airports. The feeling is this has forced people away from airports and airlines to an extent, but given the scale of migratory pressures, that flow is merely dispersed elsewhere. This presents a different problem.

Gardaí can inspect trains and buses, but the length of the Border and sheer number of crossing points – an argument emphasised by the Irish side during clashes over Brexit – stack the odds against them.

“The airport piece is actually easier than the North-South piece,” says one security source.

[  Visa-free travel from South Africa may end under immigration plan  ]

Similarly, as pressure begins to mount over the number of people the state actually deports, the gardaí will point to the challenge of actually locating people who have been in the State for many years if, as some expect, the political system begins to demand more action on this front.

The hard political truth, however, is that the Coalition must now be seen to be doing something about it.

“We have a serious systems failure around processing times and upholding the rules as we have them,” says a Cabinet source, criticising the Department of Justice for being “completely hands off”, failing to develop capacity or structures over years and appearing “overwhelmed, ineffective and inefficient”.

Since the elevation of Harris as Taoiseach, Government rhetoric on immigration has shifted away from the perennial problem of accommodation, and towards firmer measures that might reduce the flow into the State – in keeping with an emphasis Harris had when he was in the Department of Justice.

'Common sense': Taoiseach Simon Harris has flagged a change in official attitudes to migration. Photograph: Sam Boal/Collins

The Taoiseach said as much on Thursday, emphasising that the accommodation situation “is an outworking of our migration policy”. This chimes with the “back to basics” and “common sense” threads to Harris’s nascent premiership.

Consistent with his style, there has been a steady drumbeat of policy announcements or flagged interventions. These include further countries being added to the “safe country” list for accelerated processing; new legislation to “fix” the current situation where people coming from the UK cannot be immediately returned due to an Irish High Court ruling that the UK cannot be designated a safe third country; the inclusion of countries (Nigeria, in the first instance) with high numbers of asylum seekers for faster processing alongside safe country applicants; a mooted suspension of visa-free travel from South Africa – something that is said to have been on Harris’s to-do list in Justice but that languished since.

Sources in Government Buildings say to expect more announcements in the coming weeks, a focus on trying new things, on pace and on new deterrent measures.

And yet, for all the urgency and dizzying ambition, room for manoeuvre is limited.

Overhauling something as complex as immigration policy is difficult to do quickly, and Harris has 11 months at most until the next general election.

[  More than 80% of asylum applicants now coming from UK via Northern Ireland, says McEntee  ]

The migratory trends seem tidal, and continues despite changes on the ground. Fewer single men and more families are coming since the State ran out of capacity to house all who arrive, but the overall number is shooting up.

Similarly, the department has made significant strides in improving decision times on applications and appeals – something seen as key to suppressing numbers arriving from certain jurisdictions – but overall the trend line still reaches skyward.

McEntee indicated last week that returns to the UK could resume after a relatively quick legislative fix – but if the Rwanda policy comes into full effect, would the Irish courts stand over sending people back? Could the Government?

The relentless pace of the migration story shows no signs of yielding. Quite the opposite.

On Thursday night, gardaí clashed with protesters in Harris’s Wicklow constituency. Next week the Oireachtas justice committee will embark on expanded hearings into the migration pact. With Dáil and Seanad motions on the opt-in shifted back a week, the Rural Independents have put down a motion objecting to the pact, heralding more news cycles and scrutiny, which the Government, in its defence, says it welcomes.

On Monday, McEntee will meet her British counterpart James Cleverly, with Harris promising closer co-operation between the Garda and the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the two governments. Against the backdrop of a rapidly shifting challenge – and McEntee’s comments – they will have much to discuss.

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Autumn Internationals 2024: Fixtures, schedule and kick-off times for England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland and more

When are the rugby Autumn Internationals? Who do England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales play and where? Key dates, fixtures and full schedule as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Argentina all travel to the Northern Hemisphere for Tests in the Autumn Nations Series

Tuesday 23 April 2024 12:41, UK

The full schedule has been confirmed for rugby's Autumn Internationals, with the giants of the Southern Hemisphere once again coming to take on the Six Nations teams in a busy month of rugby.

England will have Tests against New Zealand and Australia before hosting world champions South Africa, a repeat of their World Cup semi-final, before completing their run of fixtures against Japan.

Six Nations champions Ireland have Friday night matches against New Zealand and Argentina ahead of further games against Fiji and Australia, while the All Blacks' autumn tour also contains trips to France and Italy.

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South Africa also take on Scotland and Wales during their three-Test tour, with Scotland having further games against Fiji, Portugal and Australia during a busy November. Wales' meeting with the Springboks follows matches with Fiji and Australia.

Autumn Internationals: Fixtures and UK kick-off times

Saturday november 2.

3.10pm England vs New Zealand, Twickenham Stadium

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5.40pm Scotland vs Fiji, Murrayfield

Friday November 8

8.10pm - Ireland vs New Zealand, Aviva Stadium

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Saturday November 9

3.10pm England vs Australia, Twickenham

5.40pm Italy vs Argentina, TBC

8.10pm France vs Japan, Stade de France

Sunday November 10

1.40pm - Wales vs Fiji, Principality Stadium

4.10pm Scotland vs South Africa, Murrayfield

Friday November 15

8.10pm - Ireland vs Argentina, Aviva Stadium

Saturday November 16

3.10pm Scotland vs Portugal, Murrayfield

5.40pm England vs South Africa, Twickenham

8.10pm France vs New Zealand, Stade de France

🏉 Here are your 2024 #AutumnNationsSeries Fixtures 🙌 pic.twitter.com/S8GUhS2bw5 — Autumn Nations Series (@autumnnations) April 22, 2024

Sunday November 17

1.40pm - Italy vs Georgia, TBC

4.10pm - Wales vs Australia, Principality Stadium

Friday November 22

8.10pm France vs Argentina, Stade de France

Saturday November 23

3.10pm - Ireland vs Fiji, Aviva Stadium

5.40pm - Wales vs South Africa, Principality Stadium

8.10pm - Italy vs New Zealand, TBC

Sunday November 24

1.40pm Scotland vs Australia, Murrayfield

4.10pm England vs Japan, Twickenham

Saturday November 30

3.10pm - Ireland vs Australia, Aviva Stadium

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Scotland's first minister quits rather than face no confidence vote

After torpedoing a relationship with the Greens and alienating his party, Scotland's first minister Humza Yousaf was due to face a vote of no-confidence later this week – but instead pre-emptively quit Parliament. Someone else at the "helm" would be a better fit as first minister, he said.

Scotland’s first minister Humza Yousaf resigned on Monday little over a year since taking office as lawmakers were scheduled to vote on motions of no confidence this week. 

"After spending the weekend reflecting on what is best for my party, for the government and for the country I lead, I’ve concluded that repairing our relationship across the political divide can only be done with someone else at the helm,'' he told reporters.

“I have therefore informed the SNP’s (Scottish National Party) national secretary of my intention to stand down as party leader.”

Yousaf said to ensure a smooth transition he would continue to be first minister until his successor is elected. 

It comes days after the Glaswegian ditched a climate change initiative and subsequently axed a coalition partnership with Scottish Greens. The party announced they would support a no-confidence vote as a result. 

Yousaf stepped down after failing to strike a deal with a breakaway nationalist party whose single seat could have given him a majority in Scotland’s devolved regional Parliament.

With all the other parties lined up against him, the tight electoral math in Scotland meant that Yousaf’s fate hinged on the upstart Alba Party, which holds just one seat in the Scottish Parliament. The SNP has 63 of the 128 voting lawmakers, leaving Yousaf one vote short of what he needed to eke out a victory.

His Scottish National Party has already been weakened by a campaign finance scandal and divisions over transgender rights. 

Resignation adds to mercurial political landscape

The Scottish debacle adds to the fevered political climate in the broader United Kingdom, where concerns about immigration, health care and government spending have undermined support for the ruling Conservative Party.

The Conservatives and the opposition Labour Party had proposed separate no-confidence motions. This was to try and weaken the SNP before a UK-wide parliamentary election expected to take place later this year. 

The SNP has been the dominant party in Scottish politics for almost two decades and currently holds 43 of the country’s 59 seats in UK Parliament.

On Thursday, England and Wales will hold local elections that are seen as barometer of support for the government.

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