The Iconic Scotland & Ireland Tour

Day 2 – The Majestic West Coast 

Accommodation: The Airds Hotel & Restaurant – Port Appin (1 Night)
Transport: Private Chauffeur & Executive Vehicle

Stirling Castle – Loch Lomond (Sea Plane Tour)
– Oban & McCaig’s Tower – Castle Stalker View – Port Appin

Your driver will pick you up from the Balmoral and head north for a drive through the wonderful city of Stirling. Here you will visit the imposing Stirling Castle and hear all about its intriguing history over the last 600 years.

You’ll then take a drive along the bonnie bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, before taking a truly magical trip through the skies in a seaplane tour. Experience the glorious scenery of Scotland like never before with a chance to soar over the surrounding lochs and hills.

Once you’re safely back on solid ground, your next destination is the charming seaside town of Oban. Here you’ll pay a visit to McCaig’s Tower, a curiously Roman looking structure for a remote Scottish town. Inspired by the Colosseum in Rome, the Tower was never actually finished, but the structure is nonetheless remarkable to look at.

En-route to your hotel you will stop at Castle Stalker View.  Get your camera ready once more as panoramic views across Loch Linnhe and Castle Stalker await.

From there your chauffeur will take you to luxury Airds Hotel in the beautiful fishing village of Port Appin.
You will enjoy a sumptuous dinner with breathtaking views before a comfortable nights sleep.

Day 3 – Coastal Drive to Skye

Accommodation: Kinloch Lodge – Isle of Skye (2 Nights)
Transport: Private Chauffeur & Executive Vehicle

Glencoe – Nevis Range Mountain Gondola
– Glenfinnan Viaduct & Monument – Eilean Donan Castle – Isle of Skye

Revitalised after your rest, your journey on day 3 starts with a drive through one of the most famous spots in all of Scotland, Glencoe. This high, narrow glen was the site of the infamous 1692 Glencoe Massacre; however, thoughts of distant bloodshed will be far from your mind as you gaze in wonder at the natural beauty of it all.

You will then head through Fort William towards the Nevis Range Mountain Gondola and a chance to experience panoramic views of the highest mountain in the UK.

Next up is a visit to the Glenfinnan Viaduct and Monument. The viaduct is famous as the bridge the Hogwarts Express travels over in the Harry Potter movies, while the monument is dedicated to the Jacobite Uprising of the 18^th century.

Afterwards you will travel to Eilean Donan, a fascinating little castle that sits on its own tiny island and overlooks the point where three great sea lochs meet.

From there its just a short drive over the exquisitely engineered Isle of Skye Bridge and on to the Kinloch Lodge Hotel for a relaxed evening of fine dining.

Day 4 – The Magic Isle

Transport: Private Chauffeur & Executive Vehicle

Fairy Pools – Dunvegan Castle – Neist Point – The Fairy Glen
– Trotternish – Old Man of Storr – Portree

The word to describe day 4 is magical, as there really is no other word for the Isle of Skye. Your adventure begins with a trip to the fairy pools, a cascading collection of waterfalls, rock formations and pools with fresh, clear water. We advise packing a towel and swimwear for a dip – if you dare.

After a quick dry off it’s on to Dunvegan Castle, a massive and impressive fort dating way back to the 13^th century.

Neist Point is next on the list, the site of one of the most famous and impressive light houses in the UK.

After that it’s back to fairyland with a visit to the Fairy Glen, so named for its weird and wonderful collection of hillocks and lochans that make it look like something out of a fairy-tale.

Waving goodbye to the fairies, it’s off to Trotternish Ridge next, a rugged landscape of jutting rock formations, with the pinnacle being the Old Man of Storr.

After a busy day of touring, time for a cup of tea in the wee town of Portree before your driver whisks you back to Kinloch Lodge for an evening with your feet firmly up.

Day 5 – The Scottish Highlands

Accommodation: Ness Walk, Inverness (1 Night)
Transport: Private Chauffeur & Executive Vehicle

Highland Cows – Loch Ness – Private Boat Tour of Loch Ness
– Urquhart Castle – Inverness

On day 5 your driver your will pick you up from Kinloch Lodge, you will bid farewell to the Island and head through the little village of Duirinish for a chance to meet the local Highland Cows. These dangerous looking animals are actually generally very placid and well used to the attention from tourists.

From there it’s off to visit Nessie as you get your own private boat tour of Loch Ness.

Shaking off your sea legs it’s on to another of Scotland’s hidden gems, Urquhart Castle. This ancient ruin dates back to the late 1200’s and has been a site of great importance through Scotland’s tumultuous political history.

Your driver will then take you to Ness Walk Hotel in Inverness for your evening meal and the chance to relax in the most gorgeous 5 Star surroundings.

Day 6 – The Heart of Scotland

Accommodation: Fonab Castle, Pitlochry (1 Night)
Transport: Private Chauffeur & Executive Vehicle

Cawdor Castle – Dalwhinnie Distillery – Blair Castle – Pitlochry

After a hearty full Scottish breakfast, your driver will be waiting to take you to Cawdor Castle. Boasting three bountiful gardens and one significant connection to Shakespeare, Cawdor Castle also has a splendid Courtyard Café to enjoy and coffee and a sandwich.

After 6 days in Scotland you’ll have done well to avoid Whisky so far. But if you have, fear not, because up next is a visit to Dalwhinnie Distillery, producer of some of the finest Whisky that’s known the world over. You’ll have the chance to enjoy a tour and sample some of this sumptuous spirit.

You may be feeling a little merry as you travel on to Blair Castle, which with its bright white walls stands stark against the surrounding greenery.

Time to breathe in that fresh country air, stand back to admire the views as you arrive in the charming victorian town of Pitlochry.
Well worth exploring the colourful high street and why not stop off at The Queen’s View Visitors Centre:
Overlooking Loch Tummel you will be lucky enough to witness these breathtaking views.

With all these castles, you will be wondering when you’re getting a chance to spend the night in one. Well, tonight’s the night as you will be staying in Fonab Castle in Pitlochry. Make full use of the award-winning dining and spa facilities on offer.

Day 7 – From Scotland to Northern Ireland

Accommodation: Culloden Estate & Spa, Holywood (1 Night)
Transport: Private Chauffeur & Executive Vehicle

After yet another delightful Scottish breakfast, your driver will take you for a trip round Scone Palace. This was the historic crowning place of Scottish Kings, including Robert the Bruce, and sits amongst some exceedingly well-kept grounds replete with huge oak trees.

After that it’s time to wave goodbye to Scotland as you head for a short flight from Edinburgh to Belfast airport. Upon touching down in Belfast, another of our wonderful chauffeurs will welcome you to the glorious Emerald Isle.

From the airport you’ll make the short journey to Culloden Estate and Spa where you will have plenty time to relax and unwind after your day of travelling. With another packed schedule ahead of you, why not treat yourself to a day of pampering in the world-class spa facilities.

Day 8 – The Causeway Coast

Accommodation: Bishop’s Gate Hotel, Derry/Londonderry (1 Night)
Transport: Private Chauffeur & Executive Vehicle

After a delightful Irish breakfast, your driver will take you for a trip though Ballymoney and the Dark Hedges.
It is no surprise that this natural phenomena is one of the most photographed sites in Northern Ireland.
These iconic trees were famously used in the TV series Game of Thrones®, to represent the ‘Kingsroad’.

There’s no mistaking the name of the next location, however, with a trip to the Giant’s Causeway on the agenda. Visiting these columns of basalt, you really will be scratching your head as to how exactly Mother Nature can come up with such elegant, mathematical wonders.

Dunluce Castle is your next port of call and your first chance to compare the ancient ruins of Scotland with Ireland. Built 500 years ago, this coastal fortress, like many castles, has a fascinating but bloody history, which you can hear all about on the tour.

Finally, your chauffeur will drop you off at the Bishop’s Gate Hotel in Derry/Londonderry.

Day 9 – The Magnificent Emerald Isle

Accommodation: Glenlo Abbey, Galway (1 Night)
Transport: Private Chauffeur & Executive Vehicle

After breakfast, your driver will pick you up and take you through the charming “Cathedral town” of Letterkenny. Here you’ll have the chance to visit St Eunan’s Cathedral, an almighty, glowing grey cathedral built in the final decade of the 19^th century. There are an impressive 12 bells in total in the bell tower, which if you get the chance to hear them are a delight on the ear.

From St Eunan’s your driver will take you on a trip around the gloriously green Irish countryside, passing through both County Donegal, the northernmost point in Ireland, and County Sligo, the birthplace of famous Irishman Brother Walfrid.

Next up is a visit to the High Cross at Drumcliffe. The Cross is of course a centrally important symbol in the Catholic tradition, and many High Crosses, or large, decorative stone crosses, can be found throughout Ireland. This particular example in Drumcliffe is unbelievably old, dating back to the 11^th century, and stands at nearly 4 metres tall.

Rounding the day off is a visit to Ireland’s very own “Table Mountain”, Benbulben. This striking geological feature was created over 320 million years ago during the last ice age.

Finally, your driver will drop you off at the 5 Star Glenlo Abbey Hotel for a well-earned good night’s sleep.

Day 10 – The Wild Atlantic Way

Accommodation: Europe Hotel & Resort, Killarney (2 Nights)
Transport: Private Chauffeur & Executive Vehicle

Your driver will pick you up and whisk you off down the world-famous driving route, the Wild Atlantic Way. Hugging Irelands jagged west coast, you will soon reach the Cliffs of Moher, standing proud over 500ft above sea level.

Afternoon tea next, and where better to enjoy it than at Adare Manor, one of Ireland’s premium hotels. Quite simply, the delicate, delicious pastries on offer here are some of the best in the world. There is also a tasty selection of tea to go along with the scones, jam and clotted cream.

Once you are suitably filled, your driver will take you on a trip round Lough Leane, the largest of Killarney’s three lakes.

After that it’s a chance to chill out for the evening at the Europe Hotel and Resort, a chic, modern hotel with luxurious spa and dining facilities.

Day 11 – The Ring of Kerry

Accommodation: Europe Hotel & Resort, Killarney (2 Nights)
Transport: Private Chauffeur & Executive Vehicle

For day 11, we advise two things. Have a nice big breakfast and pack your camera because there is a lot to take in today. You’ll start by taking the Ring of Kerry tour, a driving route that takes in some memorable sights. You will pass through Killorglin and Glenbeigh, two beautiful seaside towns, before having a chance to stroll along Rossbeigh beach.

For lunch you’ll make a pit-stop in Cahersiveen, a little town in County Kerry. After you’ve refuelled your driver will take you past Valentina and Skellig Islands. Valentina Island is one of Ireland’s most westerly points, looking out across the wild Atlantic Ocean.

You’ll then pass through Sneem village and Moll’s Gap, a scenic mountain pass route presenting unrivalled views of the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks mountains.

A tour around Muckross House & Gardens offers a chance to slow the pace down, before returning to the Europe Hotel for a relaxed evening.

Day 12 – A Legendary Irish Day

Accommodation: The Merrion Hotel, Dublin (2 Nights)
Transport: Private Chauffeur & Executive Vehicle

On your 12^th day your driver will take you to Blarney Castle, site of the famous Blarney Stone. Legend has it that those who adopt the somewhat convoluted position in order to kiss the Blarney Stone will be given the lifelong gift of the gab.

From there you will head through the city of Cork and on to Kilkenny Castle. This huge structure was constructed in 1195 and has had many additions over its 800-year lifespan. Originally built to defend a strategic river crossing, nowadays the Castle is in public hands and offers a chance to stroll around, marvelling at the majestic Castle and grounds.

Your next stop is the effervescent city of Dublin, capital of the Republic of Ireland, for a chance to soak up the many sights and sounds before your driver drops you off at The Merrion Hotel. This restored Georgian townhouse has a 2-star Michelin restaurant, spa and sophisticated cocktail bar.

Day 13 – Exploring Dublin City

Accommodation: The Merrion Hotel, Dublin (2 Nights)

On the penultimate day, you’ll meet with a knowledgeable and experienced walking guide outside the Merrion Hotel who will take you on a splendid and exciting walking tour of Dublin.

You will get to see some of the best sights in the city, including Dublin Castle and Trinity College library, where you will sneak a peek at the Book of Kells, an ancient illustrated text from around 800 AD and detailing the four gospels of the New Testament.

With all the walking you may work up a thirst, but don’t worry, this will be duly quenched with a visit to the Guinness Storehouse and a chance to see how the world-famous black stout is made.

After the tour, you will return to the Merrion Hotel for yet another evening of luxury.

Day 14 – Departure

Transport: Private Chauffeur & Executive Vehicle (Airport Transfer)

And so, the final day arrives. Your driver will drop you off at Dublin Airport and it will be time to bid a fond farewell to Ireland. We hope this once in a lifetime adventure will actually be the first of many around the unique and incredible lands of Scotland and Ireland.