Tours of Scotland and Ireland

You’ll find Scotland and Ireland in northwestern Europe. Scotland is located at the northern end of the mainland UK (United Kingdom), which also includes England and Wales.

The island of Ireland, sometimes known as the “Emerald Isle”, lies to the west of the UK and is home to two countries. These are the Republic of Ireland, and Northern Ireland which is part of the UK.

At their closest point, across the sea, the island of Ireland and Scotland are only about 12 miles (19 kilometres) apart. But this is between two remote locations: Torr in Northern Ireland and the Mull of Kintyre, a Scottish peninsula.

When you’re travelling between the two countries, you’ll likely be flying from Glasgow, Scotland's largest city, to Dublin, the Irish capital. The journey usually takes 1 hour. As the crow flies the distance is around 192 miles (309 kilometres).

Maybe you’re torn between visiting either Ireland or Scotland. Both are known the world over for their warm hospitality, iconic whisky distilleries and Celtic castles.

But there’s plenty more to discover, and each nation has its own special charm. So you could have an even more amazing experience exploring both Scotland and Ireland on the same trip!

If it’s culture you’re after, why not time your trip to coincide with one of Scotland’s famous festivals or a Highland Games event?

You could also immerse yourself in Ireland’s arts and foodie scene in the vibrant Irish city of Galway. And if you’re a literature buff, you’ll find lots to keep you busy in Dublin, whether you’re at the International Literature Festival or exploring the library at Trinity College.

When it comes to natural wonders, Ireland and Scotland definitely don’t disappoint either. In fact, both nations are brimming with stunning scenery.

For instance, Glenfinnan and the Trossachs National Park are stand-out locations for untamed beauty in the Scottish Highlands. And places such as the Cliffs of Moher on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way will take your breath away.

Check out these 10 reasons to visit Ireland and 7 beautiful places in Scotland to find out what else Ireland and Scotland have to offer.

The best places to start your trip to Ireland and Scotland are Dublin or Edinburgh. Not only are these cities straightforward for you to get to, but they’re also must-see destinations in themselves. You’ll find both capitals have top-notch dining opportunities, engaging museums and historic landmarks, among other highlights.

There are international flights to Edinburgh and Dublin from North America, Europe and further afield. If you can’t find direct flights, you could fly via other major hubs in Europe, such as London, Paris or Amsterdam.

It’s also possible to arrive into Glasgow Airport. If you do fly here, you can opt to begin your trip in Glasgow when you book online. Or if you’d like to start your tour elsewhere in Scotland or Ireland, speak to your dedicated travel consultant to ask about customising your itinerary.

Once you get to either Scotland or Ireland, frequent flights between their capital cities make it easy to travel between the two. When you book a privately guided tour with Nordic Visitor, the flight from Glasgow to Dublin is included in your tour package.

You can also travel between Ireland and Scotland by ferry. For instance, choose a Nordic Visitor small group tour and you'll take a ferry from the Emerald Isle to Scotland. And with your guide leading the trip, you can leave the logistics to them as you sail between Belfast and Cairnryan.   

Head to these pages for in-depth details on travelling to Scotland or Ireland from the USA. And if you’re coming from elsewhere, find out how to get to Scotland or Ireland in these travel guides.

Ireland and Scotland are packed with unmissable attractions and gorgeous landscapes. On these Nordic Visitor tours, you’ll make the most of your stay by combining cultural highlights with time spent in nature.

To get you started, here are some of the best places to go in Ireland:

• Dublin
• Galway
• Cork
• Ring of Kerry
• Dingle Peninsula
• Antrim Coast
• Cliffs of Moher
• Kilkenny
• Aran Islands
• Giant's Causeway

Check out these must-visit locations in Scotland:

• Edinburgh
• Glasgow
• Inverness
• St Andrews
• Stirling
• Glen Coe
• Fort William
• Cuillin mountains
• Cairngorms National Park
• Loch Ness
• Dunnottar Castle

Get inspired by these ideas for amazing things to do in Edinburgh.

The months of April to October are excellent for a getaway to Ireland and Scotland. The milder weather and longer days through spring, summer and autumn are ideal if you want to explore the countryside and sightsee into the evening.

You’ll also find that more excursions and outdoor activities are possible at this time of year. And that attractions, such as museums, castles, and distilleries, often have extended opening hours.

In Scotland and Ireland, spring – April and May – tends to be the driest time to visit. And if you travel in April, you can see the top sights when there are fewer visitors around. You’ll also find that the countryside is becoming even greener and spring blooms are popping up.

Summer – June to early September – is a great time to visit for cultural events and festivals. You can also expect a lively atmosphere in Ireland and Scotland’s bustling cities. But it’s worth bearing in mind that midges, small flying insects, are most active during the summer months, so remember to bring repellent if you'll be heading into the coutryside.

From mid-September to October, you’ll start to experience cooler autumnal temperatures and see the leaves changing colours. Along with early spring, this time of year is known as the shoulder season, meaning you’ll get more of the sights to yourself.

Meanwhile, a winter trip to Scotland is ideal if you’re looking for a cosy getaway between November to March. You could see Edinburgh’s top attractions at their quietest and perhaps even glimpse Scotland’s famous castles dusted in snow. Or why not have an unforgettable Christmas or New Year trip to Scotland?

For more information on what each season has to offer, don’t miss these articles:

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

The best way to explore Ireland and Scotland depends on the kind of travel experience you’d like.

For instance, a self-drive tour in Ireland and Scotland is ideal if you want the freedom to go at your pace. And while you’ll be taking the wheel yourself, you can relax knowing we are there for you every step of the way. If you need assistance during your trip, you can reach us anytime by calling our 24/7 helpline.

Plus, you’ll get a dedicated travel consultant who will book your accommodation and arrange car hire with one of our trusted local partners. We also give you a detailed itinerary and roadmap, complete with personal recommendations. This makes an independent road trip the perfect choice for seeing the top sights with spontaneous stops along the way.

If you’d prefer not to drive, opt for a small group tour of Scotland and Ireland where you’ll travel in a comfortable minibus with a dedicated driver. By choosing an escorted trip, you’ll benefit from the local knowledge of your Scottish and Irish tour guides, learning even more about Celtic culture.

Or if you’re after the ultimate personalised travel experience, go for a privately guided tour package in Ireland and Scotland.

As well as having the sole attention of your guide, your dedicated travel consultant can tailor your itinerary to suit you. And they’ll even handpick a two guides who share your interests. This means you’ll have a local guide and driver in Scotland and another in Ireland.

There’s so much to see and do in Ireland and Scotland that you’ll want to allow at least 10 days for your getaway. Although, if you can spare the time, then 2 weeks or more is even better. For instance, you could spend around 1 week in Scotland and then 1 week in Ireland.

With this extra time, you could explore further afield, packing even more memorable destinations into your trip. Or opt to travel at a slower pace, spending longer in regions you want to get to know better.

If you’d like to embark on the ultimate Scotland and Ireland road trip, then we recommend allowing around 3 weeks. This way you could delve further into Celtic culture and venture to even more exciting corners of these beautiful countries.

If you’re planning your dream trip to Scotland and Ireland, make the most of your precious free time by letting our travel experts take care of the details for you.

Book with Nordic Visitor and you’ll have your very own Edinburgh-based travel consultant who’ll organise your trip. This includes your accommodation, local transport, and flight between Glasgow and Dublin, along with any activities.

So once you’ve decided when to go and how you’d like to travel – self-drive, guided small group or privately guided – you can leave the rest to us.

Yes, you can personalise your Ireland and Scotland itinerary when booking your package online, or by speaking to your dedicated travel consultant.

For instance, you could tailor your self-drive tour with excursions or additional nights throughout the online booking steps. Meanwhile, on small group trips, you can extend your stay in the destinations at the start or end of the guided portion of your tour. If you'd like to personalise your itinerary further, be sure to ask your dedicated travel consultant.

If you’re looking for an exclusive travel experience, choose a private guided tour of Scotland and Ireland. By combining both of these countries on one expert-curated itinerary, you’ll have an unforgettable trip. And you’ll be travelling with a knowledgeable guide the entire time.

Plus, no matter how you decide to explore Scotland and Ireland, your dedicated travel consultant will give you personalised recommendations for your trip.

Absolutely! You can travel on a Nordic Visitor self-drive or private guided tour of Ireland and Scotland anytime from April through to October.

For guided small group tours of Scotland and Ireland, pick the departure that works for you from the list of available start dates between April and June. Or to go on a guided trip in either Ireland or Scotland, you can pick a start date from April to October. If you have a particular time of year in mind, please make sure to book early in case that departure fills up.

To see which start dates are available for the tour you are interested in, you can check its availability calendar online.

Before booking your tour package, it’s a good idea to check what flights are available. That said, we recommend waiting until after your trip is confirmed to make your travel arrangements.

Once you’ve received a confirmation email from your dedicated consultant, you can go ahead and choose your preferred flights. And remember, your local travel expert is there to answer any questions you might have.

Good to know: Travel between Scotland and Ireland is included in all of these Ireland and Scotland vacation packages. Depending on the tour you choose, you'll travel either by plane or ferry.  

The Republic of Ireland is one of the European countries which uses the Euro (€), abbreviated as EUR.

Meanwhile, the countries of Scotland and Northern Ireland are in the UK, where the local currency is the pound sterling (£). This is shortened to GBP.

You can find out more about the local currency and which credit cards are widely accepted in these guides to money in Ireland and Scotland.

Between April and October, you could enjoy some of the year’s best weather in Scotland and Ireland. So while you can expect relatively mild temperatures, you’ll want to come prepared for changeable conditions.

This is why, no matter the season, we recommend bringing: 

• • 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 more information, check out these guides to packing for Ireland and Scotland.