Scotland and Ireland 2026-27 (Winter) - 13 Days
Who is this trip for
Age range
18 - 35Start / End
- Edinburgh
- Dublin
Physical rating
Group size
1 - 50Meals included
16Highlights
- 12 Breakfast (B)
- 4 Dinner (D)
- Stirling: Explore the sights of Stirling and get a selfie with the memorial to the iconic Scottish knight.
- St. Andrews: If you like golf, you’ll love St Andrews. But if you think it spoils a nice walk in the park, there’s also Swilcan Bridge.
- Mallaig: We'll visit Helix Park, home to The Kelpies (horse statues, standing at 100ft tall & weighing more than 300 tonnes each). It's a wonder to behold. Plus, there's also an adventure play park with woodlands and boardwalks for some added fun.
- Loch Ness: Sit back, relax and cruise along the loch with your Contiki crew. But keep your eyes peeled and camera ready for mythical ‘Nessie’.
- Scottish Highlands: Ever wondered how native animal species - like the Scottish Red Squirrel, Lynx and Beavers - are reintroduced into the wild? Come learn about it all from an expert (who'll also tell you how the Caledonian pine forest is being reforested too!). Every penny you spend here will directly support Trees for Life, a TreadRight supported project.
- Blarney Castle: Your chance to kiss the Blarney Stone and get the ‘gift of the gab’. And to visit the medieval Irish castle.
- Cliffs of Moher: These rugged, photogenic cliffs have been the star of many films, including a Harry Potter one.
- Galway: Tread the cobbles of this well-loved Irish city with your new Contiki crew. See Lynch’s Castle, Eyre Square and all the best pubs.
- Derry/Londonderry: One for the history fans. Take a look around Ireland’s only walled city, built in the 17th Century.
- Giant's Causeway: Sure, rock formations may sound a bit dull on paper, but this quirky natural wonder has to be seen to be believed.
- Belfast: Hang with a local guide to see all the landmarks and learn about the city’s checkered history.
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Summary
Welcome to the ultimate Scottish and Irish adventure, where you'll find warm locals, trendy cities and breathtaking scenery everywhere you turn. On this trip you'll see highlands, bagpipes & whisky go head to head with Irish folk songs & Guinness: it's impossible to choose a favourite, which is why you need to do them both. And with heaps of eye-widening travel inclusions like Blarney Castle and a cruise around Loch Ness, there's no better way than this 13-day journey, starting in Edinburgh and finishing off in Dublin.
Itinerary
Day 1
Start Edinburgh
Royal Mile, old Castle, home of the brave, Edinburgh is going to turn it on from start to end. With days of adventure up ahead, we'll kick off the evening with the option to indulge in a whisky tasting where you can get to know your new Scottish the supplier family.
Day 2
Edinburgh
Today is yours to roam free - but if you want to get the low down on the history of this city why not join our local guide for an optional tour of Edinburgh Castle (which is resting on an extinct volcano!!) to kickstart your love affair with this city. Or maybe you'll do a spot of tartan shopping on Princes Street.
Day 3
Edinburgh to Inverness via Stirling and St Andrews
It's time to blaze a trail out of Edinburgh & head for Inverness. We make a stop in Stirling, known for its famous Castle nestled right on a hill, and the town where William Wallace took on the English and yelled "Freeeedom!" On the way to the main affair of the day we'll stop by St. Andrews, the birthplace of golf, would you believe? As well as Scotland’s oldest university town. Already blown away by the beauty of the rugged mountain scenery en route, we'll arrive in Inverness amped up for mystical tales.
Day 4
Inverness via Loch Ness and Aviemore
We might be coming down from a high (geographically speaking) this morning, but as we seek out the stunning Loch Ness and Glenfinnan Viaduct, the mood will only be rising. We'll stop to see lovely Loch Ness, the most voluminous lake in the UK - containing more water than all the lakes of England and Wales combined! It's also rumoured to contain something else, something far more legendary which you're sure to have heard of... We'll also check out Aviemore, a picturesque jewel in the Cairngorms' crown - home to lochs, mountain trails and plenty of panoramic views. With breath-taking scenery still in mind, today's sights will leave you more than content with your day's discoveries.
Day 5
Inverness to Glasgow via Dundreggan
After a few days of remote and rugged goodness, a change of pace in Scotland's biggest city is sure to fire things up a notch. Small pitstop! We'll check out the lush, hilly rewilding centre here to learn about how Scotland's native animal species are reintroduced into the wild. Plus, you have the option afterwards to try your hand at archery & axe throwing. Welcome to the real-deal countryside. Get involved with everything great about Glasgow. Live music on every corner, a gothic cathedral & plenty of quirky characters make this city unique. Plus, you've got the option to dine on a wholesome, home-cooked meal for a truly local Glaswegian experience accompanied by live, traditional music.
Day 6
Glasgow to Dublin
Scotland, you've been unreal. If Ireland puts on half the show you did, we have many happy days ahead of us. We arrive in the port town of Larne, your first steps on Northern Irish soil, but not for long... So much more than the capital city, Dublin is a place of heritage, character, and more cute pubs than you could crawl in a week. First fill up on your included group dinner, then end the day with a lively night of festivities at the cobbled lanes of Temple Bar.
Day 7
Dublin to Clonmel
That's us done with Dublin…for now. But fear not Dub-lovers, we'll get another taste of this fine place before our trip comes to an end. Wanna break up your coach hangs with some bicycle time? Then choose to join us for a bike ride in a city sure to leave you wanting Irish in your blood. Explore the castle, a cathedral and take in all of the medieval charm that Kilkenny has to offer before we hit the road again. Welcome to Clonmel! But not before the chance to opt into sampling some of Ireland's famous whiskey at the Jameson's Distillery in Midleton. After we arrive in the evening, we'll tuck into an included dinner and then head off into town together to explore.
Day 8
Clonmel to Galway
Clonmel, it's been fun, but we have to leave you now. Next up, we're off to an Irish city that was propelled into the pop culture stratosphere by none other than Ed Sheeran. Anyone wanna guess where? Irish folklore tells us there's a chunk of limestone built into a castle that grants its kissers the gift of the gab. Pucker up kids, we're paying her a visit! Whether heights are your cup of Irish Breakfast or not, these impressive cliff faces are not to be missed! From the moment we arrive in Galway, you'll understand why 2 nights were needed here. Everything you've dreamed Ireland to be is tucked into this small, atmospheric city. Step into a local pub and down Irish stew over live music and chats with locals. Outside will be just as lively, with buskers & colourful buildings lining the streets.
Day 9
Galway
Winter wraps this city in a cosy charm, and you're free to try your tongue at some Gaelic and carry on exploring gorgeous Galway. Irish life, you so sweet.
Day 10
Galway to Derry/Londonderry
Goodbye Galway, hello more Irish eye-candy. This afternoon, we'll drive into Derry/Londonderry - a historical city with 17th century walls. Today, you can opt for an authentic rural Irish experience with sheepdogs, a local shepherd and some homemade lunch. Next, we'll head into town for an optional guided tour of the Bogside - a neighbourhood that used to be underwater! This day is as Irish as it gets.
Day 11
Derry/Londonderry to Belfast
Today we've got a one way ticket to Belfast and a whole lot more exploration to do. UNESCO World Heritage site of the Giant’s Causeway - also known as those giant rock columns you've probably drooled over on Pinterest, needs to be seen to be believed. Get those hashtags ready, a snap with the group is essential on this mind-blowing natural formation. Next up - we'll arrive in Belfast. Concluding the day will be a driving tour and an optional trip to the Titanic museum where the world's most famous ship was built.
Day 12
Belfast to Dublin
With one night left in Ireland and on tour, we're on the fast track to Dublin where our Irish fairytale first began. A promise is a promise. Here we are back in the city that started our Ireland infatuations. Use this second stint to do your missed critical activities such as visiting the Guinness Storehouse where you can learn how to pull a pint the Irish way. Tonight you can choose to end your week in Ireland at a Free Time Add-On farewell dinner.
Day 13
End Dublin
We leave Ireland today with leprechauns in our hearts and memories in our souls. Say goodbye at breakfast as it will be the last bite our crew has together.
What's Included
Accommodation
Courtyard by Marriott Edinburgh (or similar), Columba Hotel Inverness (or similar), Ibis Glasgow City Centre Sauchiehall Street Hotel (or similar), Travelodge Plus Dublin City Centre (or similar), Talbot Hotel Clonmel (or similar), Travelodge Galway City Hotel (or similar), Waterfoot Hotel Londonderry (or similar), ibis budget Belfast City Centre (or similar)
Meals
Breakfasts: 12, Lunches: 0, Dinners: 4
Vegetarian options are available on all meals throughout the adventure.
Vegetarian options availableLocal Guide
GuidedThis adventure is led by a local guide throughout. The main language of this adventure is English. Please contact us for other languages available.
Wifi
Wifi is available during the adventure. In some areas and / or accommodation / transport Wifi may be free.
Dates & Prices
Oct 26
from £1,829Nov 26
from £1,753Dec 26
from £1,800Jan 27
from £1,753Feb 27
from £1,753Mar 27
from £1,762
- Save 5%Mon 16 Nov 2026 > Sat 28 Nov 20266+ spaces of 50 leftPay Monthly£1,845Best offer£1,753Book for£150 today, pay the rest later
- Save 5%Mon 30 Nov 2026 > Sat 12 Dec 20266+ spaces of 50 leftPay Monthly£1,845Best offer£1,753Book for£150 today, pay the rest later
Customer reviews & ratings
This trip had several issues - modulated tour (multiple starting and ending tours - very difficult for group friendships) - 50 people in the group (if you knew more than 10-15 people’s names well done). I’ve done trips with 35 people and you got to know everyone on the trip. 50 was too much but also acknowledging that on the trip I did - many people did not want to socialise and it was extremely cliquey (again the modulated trip could have added to this) - pointless stops (e.g Stirling, St Andrew’s, Fort William) which meant full bus days for these detours which meant the city you stayed in you barely saw. And because it was a modulated tour we had to go to Dublin twice even though we got off the ferry at Belfast. We wasted more time on the bus when we could have stopped at Belfast (which we did later on the trip) and done Ireland anticlockwise. - if you want to actually see Scotland and Ireland choose another tour as you barely see anything except the pubs. - also if you chose not to do a free time add on, the tour manager would try to guilt you into it or make you feel bad if you didnt join in. Sometimes we just wanted to see a city in daylight without wasting it at a farm. Overall if you want to see Scotland and Ireland and make friends - this is probably not the tour for you. If you are keen for an Instagram highlight reel (take the pic and leave), ride all day in a bus and then go to the pub - this is the tour for you.
Anonymous Dec, 2024 Verified- Anonymous Dec, 2024 Verified
Essential trip information
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