Please sign in to post.

Ireland and Scotland Late May June 2024

We are traveling to Ireland and Scotland late May-Early June 2024. We will be renting car in Dublin and driving:
2 nights in Kilkenny,
2 nights in Killarney,
2 nights in Doonbeg,
then flying to Scotland and getting a car
2 nights in Edinburgh,
3 nights in Inverness,
Looking for suggestions: so far the only tour we have planned is the Secrets of the Royal Mile at Edinburgh Castle. We plan on making more tour plans as we get closer and also maybe taking some Day tours at different location to lessen the driving( maybe even private tours) . A few things we want experience besides stopping at sites are:

Ireland-
Castle and landmarks,
A sheep farm with working dogs/Trials,
Ring of Kerry,
taking a Ferry,
Cliffs of Moher,

Scotland-
Castles and sites,
Outlander sites,
Hobbit sites,
A sheep farm with working dogs/trials. these are all just ideas now we have learned that you cant make a lot of reservation till closer to travel dates.

We don't want to pack to much in and be rushed but also want to experience all we can at our own pace!

Thanks in advance for any suggestions, hope to get some great suggestions and then chose what to do!

Posted by
114 posts

Hello treatt411
Have you found the Undiscovered Scotland website? It's a terrific resource with an interactive map. Click on Edinburgh or Inverness to find places to visit that might interest you.
https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/

Although I do not have personal experience with Rabbies their small group tours are highly recommended. They may have something out of Edinburgh or Inverness that you would like.
https://www.rabbies.com/en

We have toured with Inverness Day Tours (IDT) in the past and are touring with them again in a few weeks. Private touring is more expensive but for us it's worth every penny. We highly recommend Laura & Ian at IDT, lovely people who will create a wonderful adventure for you.
https://invernesstours.com/

Happy planning!

Posted by
93 posts

We did an Outlander tour out of Inverness and some Outlander sites on our own(ie. Midhope Castle) but I don't recall ANYTHING hobbit related being in Scotland? Oxford has the Tolkien related pubs(one chalkboard read "PIPPIN: What's that? MERRY: This my friend is a pint. PIPPIN: It comes in pints? I'm getting one!" The films were made in New Zealand so that's where the most visited sites would probably be.

Posted by
93 posts

There are also some cool falconry experiences in Ireland; a couple near Killarney for example. If you don't mind my asking, why Doonbeg instead of some extra nights in Killarney; there's no dearth of things to do there with the National Park, Torc Waterfall, Gap of Dunloe, Muckross House & Abbey etc.

Posted by
2 posts

We are staying 2 nights in the Trump hotel in Doonbeg yes you are correct Hobbit sites in New Zealand thanks for the info!