Tour of Scotland with Northern Ireland and Dublin
September 19 - 28, 2024
Arrive in Edinburgh, return flight through Dublin
8 nights hotel with full breakfast daily
4 dinners
Cost for Land Only: $2,727 per person double occupancy, $3,537 single occupancy, $2,637 per person triple occupancy
Payment and Cancellation Policy: A $300 per person deposit reserves your space for the Land Only Tour. Final balance is due July 19, 2024. All payments are refundable through June 16, 2024, after which the tour is non-refundable.
Group Air: We will add group air in November 2023 when flight prices become available or you may book your own flight to arrive in Edinburgh Airport the morning of September 20, 2024, then fly home from Dublin on September 28.
Itinerary:
Sept. 19 - Fly overnight from Nashville (or your home city) (with a domestic layover) to Edinburgh, Scotland. Enjoy dinner and a light breakfast. Try to get some sleep!
Sept. 20 - We will begin our adventure with a tour of the Royal Mile, Edinburgh’s Old Town and New Town, a tour of Edinburgh Castle and the underground vaults. For Outlander fans you will recognize the Holyroodhouse Palace, the World’s End Pub and the Signet Library during your free time this afternoon. Check into our historic, lovely castle hotel just outside the city and gather for our welcome dinner. After dinner, relax and enjoy the hotel pub. Then get a good night’s rest! (D)
Sept 21 - After a hearty Scottish breakfast, pack up and we will head to the Scottish Highlands. We begin with the small village of Culross where time seems to have stood still. Notable buildings here include the Town House from 1626, where witches were tried and held for execution. This village was used for many film locations in the first 2 seasons of Outlander including where Claire’s friend was burned at the stake. On to Glamis Castle, Scotland’s most beautiful castle and childhood home of the late Queen Mother where we will have lunch on our own and a tour of the lovely castle. This evening we arrive in Inverness, regarded as the capital of the Highlands, and check into our hotel for two nights and enjoy a group dinner. (B,D)
Sept 22 - Today we will begin our tour by visiting the Culloden Moor and the Battlefield Visitor Centre where history and television were both made. We’ll take a boat cruise on Loch Ness for a chance to spot the elusive Loch Ness Monster, and then explore the hauntingly beautiful ruins of the medieval Urquhart Castle. Tonight you are on your own for dinner in Inverness and the rest of the evening will be yours to enjoy the local nightlife. (B)
Sept 23 - As we begin our journey south we will make a stop in Fort William and drive through Glencoe, one of Scotland’s most spectacular scenic places and most famous glen. We’ll make photo stops along the route. Then we tour the famous Doune Castle, the fictional “Castle Leoch,” the seat of Clan Mackenzie from Outlander and also Winterfell from Game of Thrones, an amazing castle whether you have seen the shows or not . Tonight we will stay in the modern city of Glasgow where you will be on your own for dinner and to discover the many musical options. (B)
Sept 24 - This morning we will visit the Blackstone Clydesdale Farm and see these magnificent animals up close. We will take in the city of Falkirk where we will see teh magnificent Kelpies sculptures and ride the Falkirk Wheel - a feat of engineering genius. Afterwards, we will head back to Glasgow and you will have the afternoon on your own for shopping and museums. (B)
Sept 25 - Today we will board the ferry from Scotland to Belfast from the Cairnryan Port for a cruise across the Irish Sea. When we arrive in Belfast we will visit the incredible Titanic Belfast to experience the details surrounding the building, launching and sinking of the historic “unsinkable ship” on the very site where the great ship was built. We will visit Belfast’s Peace Wall, built to keep the Catholic and Protestant neighborhoods separated. You may write your name and message of peace for Belfast on the wall. We will take a panoramic tour of the Murals depicting “the Troubles,” then the Cathedral Quarter and Queens University before settling into our city center hotel for 2 nights. Tonight we will have a group dinner at the famous Crown Saloon just across the street from our hotel. Will you step on the crown on the floor of the entryway, or over it? (B, D)
Sept 26 - Get your walking shoes on as we are going for an adventure! We will drive up to the north coast and visit the Giant's Causeway to ponder this breathtaking geological wonder and the legends surrounding its formation, then stop at the famous Bushmills Distillery for tour/lunch which is the oldest licensed distillery in the world opening in 1608.
We will drive back to Belfast along the lovely Antrim Coast stopping along the way for photos at Dunluce Castle and the Dark Hedges. This evening you are on your own for dinner and traditional music sessions in this vibrant city. (B)
Sept 27 - This morning we will drive down to the Republic of Ireland for more movie magic, stopping at Trim Castle for a tour of the Braveheart filming location. A panoramic tour of Dublin will show you the famous sites such as Christchurch Cathedral, St. Stephen's Green The GPO - scene of the Easter Uprising and much more. You will have some time for lunch on your own in Temple Bar, Dublin's historic entertainment district. We will check into a seaside hotel for our final night. We will finish our magical trip with a farewell dinner and relaxing evening to say our good-byes. (B, D)
Sept 28 - Transfer to Dublin Airport for your flights home.
Note: Itinerary subject to change at the discretion of ETS.