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Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour

The Best of Scotland and Ireland

Thirteen-day escorted tour through Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Ireland by rail and coach

Illustration of The Best of Scotland and Ireland

Vacations By Rail operates this 13-day escorted journey through Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland, starting in Edinburgh and concluding in Dublin. A Tour Manager stays with the group throughout, guiding you across the British Isles by rail, coach, and ferry. You travel on three celebrated Scottish railway lines: the Kyle Line to the shores of Loch Alsh, the West Highland Line through the Highlands to Glasgow, and the Jacobite Steam Train via the Glenfinnan Viaduct. The itinerary balances guided city tours in Belfast, Glasgow, and Dublin with castle visits, a whisky distillery tasting, and a boat trip to view the Cliffs of Moher from the water. Most days include one-night stays in different towns and cities. The pace is brisk, with daily coach excursions and frequent travel between destinations. This tour suits travellers who prefer the security of a guide, appreciate Scottish and Irish heritage and castles, and enjoy cultural experiences such as a traditional Clansman Show, a Jaunting Car ride through the Ring of Kerry, and an Irish hooley celebration.

What to know before you look closer

  • This is a fast-paced tour with one-night stays in most locations; the itinerary includes frequent hotel changes and substantial daily travel by coach, rail, and ferry.
  • The tour includes Mobility Rating 3 activity, meaning considerable walking at castles, cities, and attractions; confirm your comfort level with multiple daily excursions before booking.
  • Flights and airport transfers are not included in the from-price.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Edinburgh

    Arrival in Edinburgh

    A free afternoon in Edinburgh's Old Town and New Town, with optional visits to Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace, the National Museum of Scotland or the Royal Botanic Garden. Meet the Tour Manager at the hotel for a welcome glass of prosecco and dinner.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2railovernight: Inverness

    A whisky tasting in Inverness

    Travel north by rail to Inverness, stopping at Dalwhinnie Distillery, the highest and coldest in Scotland, for a tour and tastings before checking in for a three-course dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: Inverness

    The Kyle Line to Eilean Donan Castle and a traditional Scottish Clansman Show

    A scenic ride on the Kyle Line to Kyle of Lochalsh, then a guided tour of Eilean Donan Castle, followed by a Clansman Show at Fort Augustus with stories of Highland life and interactive demonstrations of dress and weapons.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4railovernight: Ballachulish

    The Jacobite Steam Train to Fort William

    A scenic coach journey to Mallaig, then board the Jacobite steam train to Fort William via the Glenfinnan Viaduct, before transferring by coach to our hotel in Ballachulish for dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  5. Day 5overnight: Glasgow

    The West Highland Line to Glasgow

    A journey on the West Highland Line to Glasgow, followed by a guided coach tour of the city's highlights before checking in to our four-star hotel near the station.

    Meals: Breakfast

  6. Day 6overnight: Belfast

    The ferry to Belfast and the Titanic Center

    A ferry from Cairnryan across the Irish Sea to Belfast, a short coach tour of the city's famous sights, and a visit to the Titanic Center before checking in to our historic four-star hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: Belfast

    Causeway Coastal Route and the Giant's Causeway

    A coach drive along the Causeway Coastal Route, stopping at Glenariff National Park, a guided tour of the Giant's Causeway, and a stop at Dunluce Castle on the way back to Belfast.

    Meals: Breakfast

  8. Day 8railovernight: Cork

    Hillsborough Castle and Cork

    Visit Hillsborough Castle, an official government residence, then travel by coach to Dublin, crossing into the Republic of Ireland, and by train to Cork in time for dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  9. Day 9overnight: Killarney

    Exploring Blarney and Killarney

    Visit the 15th-century Blarney Castle, with the option to kiss the Blarney Stone, and shop at Blarney Woollen Mills. Arrive in Killarney for free time before dinner and a Celtic Steps traditional music and dance show.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  10. Day 10overnight: Killarney

    The Ring of Kerry

    A ride on a traditional Jaunting Car, then a scenic coach drive around the Ring of Kerry with an expert guide, taking in Waterville, Moll's Gap and Ladies View. Dinner at Muckross House for an Irish night at Quill's Farmhouse.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  11. Day 11overnight: Galway

    The Cliffs of Moher and Galway

    Visit the Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum, then ferry across the Shannon Estuary to Clare and a boat trip from Doolin to view the Cliffs of Moher from the water, before continuing to Galway.

    Meals: Breakfast

  12. Day 12railovernight: Dublin

    Discovering Dublin

    Travel by rail from Galway to Dublin, with a coach tour taking in the Guinness Storehouse, Trinity College and Dublin Castle. Free time to explore before a farewell dinner and traditional Irish "hooley" celebration.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  13. Day 13

    Traveling home

    After breakfast, your vacation comes to an end and you can make your way to the airport to begin your journey home.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Travel north by rail to Inverness, stopping at Dalwhinnie Distillery for a tour and whisky tasting before dinner.
  • Day 3Ride the Kyle Line to Kyle of Lochalsh for a guided tour of Eilean Donan Castle, then attend a traditional Scottish Clansman Show at Fort Augustus.
  • Day 4Board the Jacobite Steam Train to Fort William via the Glenfinnan Viaduct, one of Scotland's most famous railway structures.
  • Day 10Ride a traditional Jaunting Car, then take a scenic coach drive around the Ring of Kerry with views of Waterville, Moll's Gap, and Ladies View.
  • Day 11Ferry across the Shannon Estuary to Clare and take a boat trip from Doolin to view the Cliffs of Moher from the water.

Included

  • Expertise of a Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 12 nights' 3 & 4-star hotel accommodation
  • Standard Class rail travel
  • All rail, coach and ferry travel throughout your tour
  • Breakfast each day, 9 dinners
  • Group luggage transfers between hotels from Edinburgh to Inverness, Fort William to Glasgow, Belfast to Cork, Galway to Dublin
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance
  • Flights and Airport transfers

Questions travellers ask

Is all train travel included in the price?
Yes. The package includes Standard Class rail travel on all rail segments: the Kyle Line, West Highland Line, and Jacobite Steam Train, as well as coach and ferry transport throughout.
Is this tour escorted or independent?
It is a fully escorted tour. Vacations By Rail provides a Tour Manager from start to finish who accompanies the group.
Which trains are included?
You travel on the Kyle Line from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh, the Jacobite Steam Train from Mallaig to Fort William via the Glenfinnan Viaduct, the West Highland Line to Glasgow, and Irish Railways for segments within Ireland.
What meals are included?
Breakfast is included daily, and nine dinners are included throughout the 13 days. Lunches are not included.
What is the physical activity level?
Vacations By Rail rates this Mobility Rating 3, involving castle tours, guided city walking tours, a boat trip, a Jaunting Car ride, and frequent coach excursions. Expect substantial daily walking.
What accommodation standard should I expect?
The tour includes 3 and 4-star hotel accommodation, such as the Radisson Blu Hotel in Edinburgh, Voco Grand Central in Glasgow, and The Gresham Hotel in Dublin.

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