Car rental vs. train pass for Ireland and Scotland.

It will depend on where you are planning to go in each country. Irish rail will only take you so far; it is more limited in the west and to get to more rural places you will likely have to combine buses as well. Car rental in Ireland is a little pricey when you put in the Super CDW insurance to reduce your deductible...this is highly advisable! For car rentals, most everyone will tell you to price the rentals online through different companies and book whoever gives the best deal...just be sure you're comparing apples to apples (ie, same car class, insurance, etc). If you post a rough itinerary or places you'd like to go it would be easier to say if it was feasible or a better deal. I can't speak to Scotland as I have only been to Edinburgh and that was a short trip years ago, but I'm sure someone will help out!

Thanks 6/11/12-Shannon to Belfast Ferry ToStranraer 6/12 Stranraer to Stirling Overnight 6/13 Piltochry- Inverness. Lochness Skye etc. 6/14-15 Culloden Aberdeen, St. Andrews 6/16-18 Stirling, Ft. William, Glencoe Area 6/19-20 Troon, 6-StranraerFerry to Belfast-Dublin 6/21-24 Dublin ARea and on Shannon
6/25 Flight Home

You can rent a car for the Scotland part for about $250 with the insurance, $150 without.
http://www.autoeurope.com/go/car-rental/scotland/stranraer/

Thanks