Guided Tours of Scotland and Ireland

At Nordic Visitor, we handpick great guides for your getaway based on their local knowledge. This is because we know their insider expertise will turn a good trip into an unforgettable one. For instance, they’ll take you to the best sightseeing spots, show you hidden gems and share Celtic customs with you.

On a private tour, you’ll discover a destination with your very own guide. You choose who you want to explore with, whether that’s your favourite travel companion or a group of friends and family.

Privately guided packages are ideal if you’re looking for an escorted travel experience that you can tailor and make personal to you. What’s more, your dedicated travel consultant will pick a guide in each country who’s interested in the same things you are.

With your guides’ attention focussed solely on you, you’ll get unrivalled insight into the places you visit.

If you’d prefer to discover one country at a time, you can also choose from a range of privately guided tours in Scotland or Ireland.

Take a Nordic Visitor small group tour of Ireland and Scotland and you’ll be one of up to 15 guests, led by a local guide. This is an excellent way to explore if you want to learn from a knowledgeable expert while meeting like-minded travellers.

With your professional guide and a dedicated driver at the wheel, you can sit back and take it all in from a comfortable minibus. They'll show you the must-see spots, as well as places you wouldn’t be able to reach in a large coach. Plus, you'll have the same guide with you throughout your tour.

If you’re interested in extending your trip or delving even deeper into Scottish or Irish culture, you could combine itineraries. For instance, choose your favourite guided tour in each country and do them back-to-back. Take your pick from these small group packages in Scotland and Ireland.

Think of Scotland, and heather-clad hills and mysterious lakes (“lochs”) might come to mind. Meanwhile, Ireland may conjure visions of wild coastlines and rolling green landscapes.

The truth is that you can experience all of this in either country. But to really appreciate the diversity of these Celtic nations, you’ll want to visit both.

These are the top places for soaking up nature’s riches in Scotland and Ireland:

Best for mountain scenery:
• Cairngorms National Park, Scotland
• Cuillin Mountains, Isle of Skye, Scotland
• Glen Coe and Glenfinnan, Scotland
• Glenveagh National Park, County Donegal, Ireland
• Killarney National Park, County Kerry, Ireland

Best for coastal drama:
• Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland
• Kilt Rock, Isle of Skye, Scotland
• Cliffs of Moher, County Clare, Ireland
• Skellig Islands, County Kerry, Ireland
• Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland

Uncover even more breathtaking destinations in these handy guides:

• • 10 best places to visit in Ireland
• • 7 of the best places to visit in beautiful Scotland
   

As well as natural wonders, Scotland and Ireland are home to attractive cities, towns and villages. You’ll find that some are known for their striking setting, and others for their historic architecture.

Scotland
• Edinburgh
• Fort William
• Dunkeld
• Portree

Ireland
• Dublin
• Cork
• Galway
• Clifden

Get inspired by this round-up of 15 amazing things to do in Edinburgh.

Absolutely! Explore Scotland and Ireland on one amazing trip and you won’t be disappointed. Learning about their interwoven histories side by side will give you an even more immersive cultural experience.

Plus, it’s easy to travel between these Celtic neighbours. Flying between Edinburgh or Glasgow, Scotland's largest city, and Dublin, the Irish capital, is usually the most convenient option. Depending on where you fly from, the journey is around 310-350 kilometres (190-220 miles), and takes about 1 hour.

Travel with Nordic Visitor and we’ll take care of the logistics for you. In fact, you’ll have your own personal travel consultant to book your flight between Scotland and Ireland, along with your accommodation, local transport, and more.

Discover more reasons why you should visit both countries on one trip in this blog: Scotland or Ireland – Where should you go?

Any time is a good time to whisk yourself off on a Celtic getaway. But visit from April to October, and as well as enjoying mild temperatures, you’ll have plenty of daylight hours for sightseeing.

Most Scottish and Irish attractions also tend to have their longest opening hours at this time of year. And you’ll have a wider range of outdoor activities and excursions to choose from.

Travel in April or May to glimpse spring flowers blooming across the cities and countryside. With fewer visitors than in summer, you could experience the most popular destinations when they’re a little quieter.

In summer you’ll see festivals, such as the iconic Fringe in Edinburgh, bring a lively atmosphere to towns and cities throughout Scotland and Ireland. The countryside is also at its most lush from June to mid-September.

If you want to make the most of wildlife-watching opportunities then summertime is ideal. For instance, you could spot nesting puffins, breaching whales and soaring golden eagles.

It’s worth bearing in mind that midges, small flying insects, are most active in summer. So remember to bring repellent for when you’re in the countryside.

Come autumn – mid-September through November – you can see forests turning beautiful shades of red and orange. And, like early spring, this is a shoulder season, so you’ll have more of the attractions to yourself.

On the other hand, if you’re imagining snow-dusted hills, crisp days and crackling log fires, you could go for a Scottish winter break. You could even go on a Christmas or New Year break in Scotland.

To find out more about why one season might appeal to you more than another, make sure to read these articles:

• • Best time to visit Ireland: Your complete guide
• • Best time to visit Scotland: Your complete guide
   

To get the most out of your escorted trip to Ireland and Scotland, 14 days or more is a good length of time for your visit. This will allow you to spend 1 week in Ireland and 1 week in Scotland – perfect for seeing the highlights of both countries.

With around 2 weeks, you’ll be able to go beyond the top spots and explore some hidden gems with your guide. Not to mention the fact that you’ll have time to learn from your guide and ask questions at each stop without feeling rushed.

If you have another time frame in mind, share your ideas with your dedicated travel consultant. Or to spend longer exploring both countries, check out these expert-curated Scotland and Ireland self-drive tours, ranging from 10-25 days.

Book a small group or privately guided tour and you can personalise parts of your itinerary. This is easy to do on our website.

Customise your trip when you book online by choosing from a range of optional activities, including afternoon tea, whisky-tasting and boat tours.

You can also extend your stay with extra nights in Dublin or Edinburgh, at the start or end of the guided portion of your itinerary. This is ideal if you want free time to explore at your leisure, or to add a guided food or city tour to your package.

Yes, you can check what start dates are available for the tour you’ve picked out by taking a look at its online availability calendar.

For guided small group tours, choose from a number of guaranteed departure dates between April and October. Spaces can fill up quickly though, so if you see one that works for you, we recommend booking as soon as possible.

Privately guided tours of Ireland and Scotland are more flexible, so you can begin your trip on any date you like between April and October.

Before booking one of these escorted tours of Scotland and Ireland, we recommend checking what flights are available. That said, it’s a good idea to wait until after your trip is confirmed to make your travel arrangements.

Your dedicated consultant will send you a confirmation email to let you know when your trip is ready. Once you receive this, you can go ahead and purchase your preferred flights.

Airport transfers are included with privately escorted trips. And, if you’re booking a small group tour, they’re available for you to add as optional extras online.

Good to know: When you book a guided combination tour package that visits Scotland and Ireland, your transport between Scotland and Ireland is included. On privately guided tours, you'll take a flight. And on small group tours, you'll travel by ferry with your guide.  

The mildest temperatures and best weather in Scotland and Ireland is often during spring, summer and autumn – April to October. But this part of the world is known for its changeable conditions, so you’ll want to come prepared for sun and rain.

No matter when you visit, we recommend packing:

• • Comfortable hiking shoes or boots
• • Waterproof jacket and trousers
• • Warm, insulated jacket
• • Fleece or woollen jumper
• • Light base layers
• • Cosy hat, scarf and gloves
• • Sunglasses
• • Rucksack
• • Reusable water bottle
• • UK plug adapter (this will work in Ireland and Scotland)
   

For seasonal tips and more, read these guides on what to bring to Ireland and Scotland.