14 Days in Scotland and Ireland for 2

14 Days Starts in Dublin & Ends in Edinburgh

Tour highlights

Explore Scotland and Ireland like you've never seen them before! From majestic lakes to great pine forests and pristine beaches, both regions boasts spectacular natural beauty as well as history. 

In Ireland, what you see is more or less what people saw hundreds of years ago. The scenery - just as green as you imagine it to be -  is seemingly untouched by the hustle and bustle of the modern world. The same is true for Scotland - the land of whiskey and kilts, bagpipes and lochs. From its highlands and glens to its castles and ruins, Scotland is awash in legend and lore, as well as contemporary culture and culinary delights.

Whether you’re looking down the Cliffs of Moher, hiking the stunning Ring of Kerry, luxuriating in five-star castle accommodations, or taking a chauffeured drive through breath-taking landscapes, Old Sod Travel will help you plan a trip full of “Wow!” moments and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. 

Itinerary

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Doolin/Cliffs of Moher

  • Welcome to Ireland! You will meet your driver at Dublin Airport and head west 3 ½ hours for your first stop: the iconic Cliffs of Moher and the Burren, a karst landscape of bedrock incorporating a vast cracked pavement of glacial-era limestone, with cliffs and caves, fossils, rock formations, and archaeological sites.
  • Stretch your legs and follow the footpath north along the top of the Cliffs and eventually you will end up in Doolin.
  • Doolin village is a renowned center for traditional Irish music and offers a host of friendly pubs for lunch/dinner and a pint before meeting your driver and heading 50 minutes south to Dromoland Castle in Shannon for the night.
  • The Castle has a wide variety of activities on offer, if you have the energy - falconry, archery, clay pigeon shooting, to name a few!
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Dingle Peninsula

  • After an early “full Irish” breakfast, head towards the Dingle Peninsula, about a 2 ½ hour drive.
  • Once there, take the Slea Head Drive, a stunning 30-mile coastal loop lined with archeological sites, gorgeous beaches, and dramatic rock formations.  
  • Stop at the famine cottages (maybe eat lunch first!), where you will be moved by the struggles and tragedies suffered during the Great Famine.
  • Stop and see the sheepdog demonstration where the local sheep farmers herd the sheep, and visit the historic famine cottages.
  • Don’t miss Dunbeg Fort and the Gallarus Oratory, an early Christian stone church. Along this circular drive you can gaze upon Inishtooskert, the most northern of the Blasket Islands.
  • Drive 90 minutes on to Killarney and check in to a 4* property for the night.
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Ring of Kerry

  • Killarney is worth a visit this morning. You could take a boat ride on the lake, or take a gentle hike to the Blue Pool, one of Killarney’s best kept secrets.
  • After lunch, head to Killarney National Park and Muckross House, 15 minutes away. Muckross House is the ideal base from which to explore the beautiful landscape. A pony and trap ride is the best way to view the property and the Torc Waterfall.
  • You may want to rent a horse drawn carriage for a 7-mile ride through the Gap of Dunloe.
  • Alternatively,  you may prefer to spend the day touring the Ring of Kerry, a scenic drive around the Iveragh Peninsula that takes in rugged and verdant coastal landscapes and rural seaside villages that offer lovely stops for lunch.
  • Second night at your hotel
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Cobh

  • This morning it’s time to travel onwards to Kinsale, the food capital of Ireland 90 minutes east of Killarney. Kinsale is a colorful, charming seaside village, where you may enjoy a highly recommended Historical Walking Tour with Dermot Ryan
  • After lunch, a one hour drive to Cobh to visit the Queenstown Story Exhibit, which superbly illustrates the Irish emigration and the port’s ties to the Titanic and Lusitania.  
  • Or you may choose to take a trip out to Spike Island, Ireland’s Alcatraz, and named Europe’s leading tourist attraction at the 2017 World Travel Awards (this is a 3 ½ hour excursion).
  • Afterwards, you may enjoy the Jameson Whiskey Experience in Midleton, just outside Cork.
  • Head 45 minutes east taking in the breathtaking Waterford Greenway and check in to a 5* property in Waterford for the night.
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Kilkenny/Dublin

  • On your way to Dublin, stop in Waterford city and  take a one hour tour of the Waterford Crystal Exhibit.
  • Before you reach Dublin, stop in Kilkenny for lunch and a guided tour of Kilkenny Castle, built in 1195.
  • The town has deep religious roots and many well-preserved churches and monasteries, including the imposing St. Canice’s Cathedral and the Black Abbey Dominican priory.
  • If you enjoy a good pint, you may want to sample the Smithwick’s Experience in Kilkenny.
  • Alternatively you may choose an entirely different route on your way to Dublin and head northwest instead to the iconic Rock of Cashel, one of Ireland’s most spectacular historic sites.
  • Dublin is approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes further north.
  • Say goodbye to your driver and check in to your 5 * property in Dublin.
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Dublin

  • Perhaps start your day with a walking tour of Trinity College, ending with a visit to the Book of Kells. Guided tours can be arranged.
  • Take a stroll up Ireland’s premier shopping street, Grafton Street, stopping in a recommended restaurant/pub for lunch.
  • A private walking tour of the City is a great way to get to know the city from a locals perspective.
  • Or perhaps a tour of EPIC, the Irish Emigration Museum. It is an immersive, interactive museum located in Dublin's Docklands. The museum tells story of the Irish diaspora and emigration to other countries.
  • Another option might be to visit Kilmainham Gaol. The leaders of virtually every uprising in Irish History spent time in the forbidding structure. Guided tours are available.
  • A tour of the Guinness Storehouse is highly recommended. We can arrange for a private tour and The Connoisseur Experience to follow.
  • Enjoy a meal in one of the many award-winning restaurants.
  • Second night at your hotel.
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Belfast

  • After breakfast, meet up with your driver, who will take you from Dublin to Belfast.
  • On the way, make a stop at the Neolithic Ruins at Newgrange, 50 minutes north of Dublin. The tombs at Newgrange and Knowth are 1000 years older than Stonehenge and are widely considered to be  some of the most extraordinary ruins in Europe.
  • Drop your bags at your 4 * Hotel and then enjoy a 2-hour food tour of Belfast this afternoon, taking in the cuisine and highlighting many of their famous pubs and restaurants.
  • Afterwards take in the Titanic Belfast Museum for a 2-hour tour. The museum offers great insight into the history of old Belfast and the construction of the ill-fated Titanic vessel.
  • A must is a Black Taxi tour of the International Wall Murals and Falls Road with resident tour guides to brief you on The Troubles.
  • Depending on your schedule, say goodbye to your driver.
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Belfast/Antrim Coast

  • This morning after breakfast, you may decide to take an organized day trip and visit Carrickfergus Castle, 20 minutes north of Belfast.
  • Summon your courage to cross the nail-biting Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge.
  • Then on to the UNESCO–listed Giant's Causeway (a must if you are fans of Game of Thrones) and learn of the site’s ancient geology and mythology.
  • You will stop for photos at Dunluce Castle en route to the Dark Hedges, the most photographed spot in Ireland.
  • A tour of the Bushmills Distillery is included in this tour.
  • Back to you hotel for the night.
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Glasgow/Fort William

  • Today you will take a 45-minute flight from Belfast to Glasgow. Welcome to Scotland!
  • Your driver/guide will meet you at the airport and drive to Glasgow for lunch.
  • After lunch, head north to Fort Augustus.
  • Interesting stops along the way could include Dumbarton Castle on the outskirts of Glasgow. Set high upon a volcanic rock in the Firth of Clyde, the castle was a royal refuge and boasts the longest recorded history of any Scottish stronghold.
  • If you prefer, one hour north of Glasgow, stop for the afternoon at Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park for a hike. Depending on your ability, there are several great hikes to choose from.
  • Perhaps visit Neptune’s staircase, an 8-flight lock built in 1803.
  • Check in to your 4 * property in Fort Augustus for the night.
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Inverness

  • Get an early start today to head to Inverness, a 1 hour 45 minute drive north. Stop just before Inverness and enjoy a boat trip on Loch Ness, destination Urquhart Castle. Make sure to keep an eye out for Nessie the monster!
  • After you’ve had your fill of the city you can head east to visit Culloden Battlefield (private tours can be pre-booked).
  • Next stop, Clava Cairns: 4,000 years old and built to house the dead.
  • Carry on a little further on to magical Cawdor Castle.
  • Further east, Nairn is a pretty coastal village. You could perhaps stop for refreshments before returning to Inverness.
  • Check in to your 4 * property for the night.
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Inverness/Pitlochry

  • This morning you may decide to play a round of golf at the Castle Stuart Golf Links, 20 minutes outside Inverness.
  • Perhaps take the steam train south through the Scottish countryside and have your Driver meet you. Then head south and make a stop at Blair Castle, the ancient seat of the Dukes and Earls of Atholl. The story told here will take you from a visit by Mary, Queen of Scots to the Civil War and from the Jacobite cause to the disaster of Culloden. Private specialist tours can be arranged.
  • You may also wish to enjoy a distillery tour at the Blair Atholl Distillery in Pitlochry. The distillery is just a few minutes from your castle stay, your home for the  evening.
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St. Andrews

  • This morning after breakfast, leave Pitlochry and head to St Andrews, the home of British Golf, 90 minutes drive.
  • Perhaps a visit to the British Golf Museum would be of interest.
  • After lunch, you may want to enjoy a round of golf at the Castle Course.
  • Alternatively you may want to visit the University of St. Andrews, the oldest University in Scotland, which houses the Bell Pettigrew Museum of Natural History, a rare survival of a Victorian teaching museum.
  • Make a stop at  St. Andrews Castle, a picturesque ruin, as well as St Andrew’s Cathedral.
  • Drive on 90 minutes to Edinburgh, where you will check in to the your 5* Hotel and say goodbye to your driver.
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Edinburgh

  • Today you may choose to visit the city with a private guide, which can be arranged.
  • Alternatively, a hop-on-hop-off bus tour may help you to get oriented while seeing much of the city.
  • Visit Edinburgh Castle, the crowning glory of the country, which houses the Crown Jewels; Holyroodhouse Palace, once the haunt of Mary, Queen of Scots and the official residence of Queen Elizabeth.
  • On then perhaps to visit to the HMY Royal Yacht Britannia.
  • After lunch, the Blair Street Underground Vaults offer a fascinating look in the home of the most destitute inhabitants of Edinburgh during the 18th century. Here you’ll discover the secrets of Edinburgh’s underworld.
  • You may also enjoy the Scotch Whiskey Experience, just outside the Castle gates and an increasingly popular activity here.
  • The city has a plethora of worthy pubs and restaurants, make sure you investigate!
  • Second night at your hotel.
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West Highlands

  • If you are OK with an early start, perhaps enjoy a group tour today.
  • Experience the beauty of rural Scotland on a West Highland lochs and castles day trip from Edinburgh.
  • Visit the iconic Doune Castle in Stirlingshire with a guide, then head deep into the Scottish Highlands.
  • Take in fine views over shimmering lakes and soaring peaks, and enjoy time in Glen Ogle.
  • Head onward to Loch Awe and Kilchurn Castle — widely considered Scotland's prettiest castle.
  • Explore the highland village of Inveraray and perhaps visit Inveraray Castle.
  • Travel through the beautiful Arrochar Alps back to Edinburgh to enjoy your evening.
  • Last night at your hotel

Create your Custom Experience

Please Note: This is a custom experience subject to actual pricing. You will be required to leave a $500 deposit per person. Once the reservation is created, a travel specialist will work with you to finalize the tour.

Tour operator

In earlier times, Irish Americans returning home referred to their birthplace as the “Old Sod.” Today, Old Sod Travel is dedicated to connecting groups, families, companies, couples and golfers from around the world with extraordinary experiences on the Old Sod and the British Isles.

Our passion for the countries, culture and their incredible scenic beauty is matched only by our passion for helping our clients experience it for themselves.

Our focus is solely on highly customized travel to Ireland and the British Isles. This allows us to identify the best hotels and guesthouses, and to know the owners personally. We know the best hiking trails, golf courses and fish­ing guides. The best restaurants, pubs and scenic vistas.

We know where the good seats are at the Edinburgh Tattoo and how to get tickets for Wimbledon, Premier League  Soccer games or a Hurling match at Croke Park. We know which sites and attractions are truly worth seeing and where you’ll want to spend extra time.

The logistics of moving large families or groups around in this part of the world can be daunting.  Driving distances are often not what they might appear to be on a map. Outside of the cities, you won't be choosing between a Marriott and a Hilton.  One Corporate group wanted to visit an island off the Scottish Coast. There was one hotel on the island!  And getting them to the island required the charter of a bus and three "ferries". 

We are a small, independent business that has built an outstanding reputation for service and for designing the perfect British, Irish or Scottish vacation for our clients – at a cost that is about the same as if you planned it yourself. 

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Why choose Irish Studio Travel

Personal service & expert advice

Professional and personal service every step of the way. No ask is too big, no query too small, we're here to take the stress out of booking your dream vacation. We're an Irish American company with the sort of insider knowledge not available anywhere else. Anything is possible when you book with Irish Studio Travel, because it’s your Ireland, your way.

What's included

Take in Ireland's beauty along with cas­tles, churches and old monas­ter­ies, a beau­ti­ful coast­line, charm­ing sea­side vil­lages, and the friendliest wel­come. Feel the thrill as you gaze down at the ocean from atop the sheer 700-foot Cliffs of Moher, see some of the most visited Heritage sites in Ireland, and poke around in quintessential seaside villages - the kind you see on the covers of guide books.

Experience the Scottish Highlands, the region most people think of when they picture Scotland in their mind. From the incredible landscapes to the unspoiled beauty of the islands, this part of Scotland will take your breath away. Visit Edinburgh - one of the world’s great cities, an architectural jewel with an exciting arts scene with a cosmopolitan mix of galleries, museums, parks, festivals and culinary treats. 

You will see:

  • Cliffs of Moher, a stunning view of the Atlantic and on a clear day the Aran Islands and Connemara.
  • Kilkenny Castle that stands dramatically on a strategic height that dominates the ‘High Town’ of Kilkenny City.
  • Giant’s Causeway - the result of a volcanic explosion on the northeast coast of Northern Ireland.
  • Loch Ness - a place of great natural beauty and monster-sighting opportunities.
  • Edinburgh’s old town, a romantic tangle of medieval streets.
  • Edinburgh Castle, the majestic center of Scotland’s most romantic city.
  • And more!

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