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The Best of Scotland & Ireland: The Ultimate Luxury Vacation

15 days from £7,365 / $11,784 per person

This itinerary offers a perfectly balanced and varied taste of Scotland and Ireland. Stay in the finest hotels in the land whilst taking in two Georgian capital cities, stunning rural landscapes and country pursuits – golf, fishing, sea kayaking, top of the range spas, falconry, tennis and much, much more. For wildlife- and nature-lovers, a highlight is a boat trip on Scotland’s Isle of Skye, where you can see dolphins, whales, basking sharks, puffins, eagles and sea birds (May to October). Over in Ireland, you will experience the intense and shifting beauty of the Ring of Kerry, Killarney and the Cliffs of Moher – places of splinter-slatted coastal cliffs, white beaches and green valleys with pristine streams and lakes.  

There is so much going on culturally in Edinburgh, particularly during the Edinburgh Festival in August, and Galway, located on Ireland's gorgeous west coast, is another cultural hub with lots of great restaurants. For those seeking an expertly poured pint of Guinness and friendly locals, you can’t go very far in Dublin without stumbling across a pub or three! For history buffs, both Scotland and Ireland contain some of the world's most impressive castles and a wealth of archaeological sites. Both countries also have some truly fantastic luxury hotels. We have selected a varied mix of castles, country manors, Georgian townhouses and small lodges that are completely different but which all have history, atmosphere and a unique sense of place. 

In our opinion, this is the ultimate way to combine Scotland and Ireland for those seeking the very best in terms of style, history, natural beauty and culture.


Itinerary details

15 days from £7,365 / $11,784 per person

  • Day 1 - The Balmoral, A Rocco Forte Hotel - Edinburgh and The Lothians
    Take the First Class morning train from London to Edinburgh. Check into The Balmoral and spend the afternoon exploring Prince’s Street and Edinburgh Castle. Tonight, have dinner at The Witchery.
  • Day 2 - Gleneagles - Perthshire
    Morning of sightseeing in Edinburgh. Take a private chauffeur driven car transfer (45 minutes) to Gleneagles. Enjoy an impressive variety of activities, such as golf, fishing, falconry, horse riding – practically anything you could think of!
  • Day 3 - Gleneagles - Perthshire
    Stay on site at Gleneagles and make the most of the hotel's vast range of sporting activities and country pursuits.
  • Day 4 - Kinloch Lodge - Isle of Skye
    Chauffeur driven transfer (roughly 4 hours) from Gleneagles to the Isle of Skye via some incredibly scenic landscapes. Arrive at Kinloch Lodge early afternoon for Tea. Dinner tonight at Kinloch Lodge’s acclaimed fine dining restaurant is included in the tariff.
  • Day 5 - Kinloch Lodge - Isle of Skye
    Take a private RIB boat tour around the Isle of Skye: sail to the Rum Isles – three uninhabited islands with a historic old castle and lots of wildlife, such as dolphins, puffins and whales (May to October); and end at Loch Coruisk, an incredibly beautiful sea loch. Alternatively you can spend the day driving around the Isle of Skye, including brisk walks, a whiskey tasting tour of Tallisker distillery and lunch at The Three Chimneys. Dinner tonight at Kinloch Lodge’s restaurant is included.
  • Day 6 - Inverlochy Castle - Fort William
    Take the ferry from the Isle of Skye to the mainland. Your chauffeur driven car will take you to the White Sands of Morar - a place of intense beauty with powder white sands and translucent blue sea - where you will have a private picnic lunch. Continue on to Inverlochy Castle driving past the Glenfinnan Monument, which dates back to the Jacobite uprising, and the Glenfinnan Viaduct, which the Hogwart’s Express passes over in the Harry Potter movies. Arrive early evening and have dinner at Inverlochy Castle’s fine dining restaurant.
  • Day 7 - The Merrion Hotel - Dublin
    Depart early morning for the airport enjoying a gorgeous chauffer driven drive past Glencoe (this is a great route to stop and take photographs). From Glasgow Airport fly 1.5 hours to Dublin. Check in to The Merrion.
  • Day 8 - The Merrion Hotel - Dublin
    The Merrion is pure Georgian splendour; the hotel is made up of three amazing old Georgian townhouses and it is centrally located on St Stephen’s Green, an easy walk to Dublin's sites. This afternoon explore the National Museum of Art (5 minute walk from The Merrion) and sample Dublin's fantastic pubs.
  • Day 9 - Ballyfin - County Laois
    Full day sightseeing in Dublin on a privately guided walking tour, after which you will venture out to County Wicklow, which is the garden of Ireland (like the Surrey of London), with lots of beautiful houses and rolling countryside. Continue on to Ballyfin, 1.5 hours drive away.
  • Day 10 - Ballyfin - County Laois
    Spend today walking in the forest, take a boat trip on the lake or a horse and carriage ride to explore the ravishing grounds of this hotel – the smartest and grandest in all of Ireland. You can go fishing and soak up rural Ireland at its best. Ballyfin also has one of the largest private collections of art in the country including several ancient masters.
  • Day 11 - The Europe - Killarney
    Take a chauffeur driven car transfer from Ballyfin to The Europe hotel in Killarney, which is the base for the beautiful Ring of Kerry tour. Spend the whole day sightseeing with your driver and arrive at The Europe in the afternoon where you can relax at the hotel’s ESPA Spa or enjoy a round of golf.
  • Day 12 - The Europe - Killarney
    Spend this whole day sightseeing the Ring of Kerry with your private car and driver.
  • Day 13 - Ashford Castle - Cong
    Drive from The Europe to Ashford Castle via the Cliffs of Moher. Ashford Castle has recently had an expensive renovation and is a stylish base from which to explore the beautiful natural surroundings of the castle. These final two nights of your vacation are all about enjoying the great outdoors in the lavish comfort of two of Ireland’s most historic castle hotels.
  • Day 14 - Dromoland Castle - Newmarket-on-Fergus
    Transfer from Ashford Castle to Dromoland Castle, the ancestral home of a former King of Ireland. Go shooting, fishing and horse riding in the acres of castle grounds; there is also a championship golf course and a large lake which you can take boat trips on. Take Afternoon Tea at The Gallery and dine at the Fig Tree Restaurant or the award-winning Earl of Thomond restaurant.
  • Day 15 - In Transit
    Private car transfer to Shannon Airport (a half hour drive away) for your flight home.
Ashford Castle Cong Ireland Ampersand Travel 2 Ashford Castle Cong Ireland Ampersand Travel 2
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UK - Loch Laich UK - Loch Laich
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UK - Eileen Donan Castle UK - Eileen Donan Castle
UK Inverlochy Castle UK Inverlochy Castle
UK - Ireland Trinity College Dublin UK - Ireland Trinity College Dublin
UK - Ireland Temple Bar Dublin UK - Ireland Temple Bar Dublin
UK - Ireland Doheny And Nesbitts Pub Dublin UK - Ireland Doheny And Nesbitts Pub Dublin
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UK - Ireland Keenan Banjo Festival Longford UK - Ireland Keenan Banjo Festival Longford
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Dromoland Castle Newmarket On Fergus Ireland Ampersand Travel 12 Dromoland Castle Newmarket On Fergus Ireland Ampersand Travel 12
Dromoland Castle Newmarket On Fergus Ireland Ampersand Travel 8 Dromoland Castle Newmarket On Fergus Ireland Ampersand Travel 8
UK - Ireland Kylemore Abbey Galway UK - Ireland Kylemore Abbey Galway
UK - Ireland Large Boats Tied Up At The Claddagh Galway City16 July 2013 013 UK - Ireland Large Boats Tied Up At The Claddagh Galway City16 July 2013 013
UK - Ireland Large JC Westmeath 02012011 400 UK - Ireland Large JC Westmeath 02012011 400
UK - Ireland Molls Gap Kerry UK - Ireland Molls Gap Kerry
UK - Ireland Blasket Islands UK - Ireland Blasket Islands
UK - Ireland Wicklow Hills UK - Ireland Wicklow Hills
UK - Ireland Connemara 2 UK - Ireland Connemara 2
UK - Ireland Connemara 4 UK - Ireland Connemara 4
UK - Ireland Dingle UK - Ireland Dingle
UK - Ireland Guiness Storehouse Dublin UK - Ireland Guiness Storehouse Dublin
I don't know where I'm going but I promise it won't be boring.
David Bowie

Client Testimonials

So many highlights to choose from! The hotels were amazing but Maya Villa was a highlight… I loved just hanging out in the hammock reading my book and watching the peacocks chase the cows!
- Krista Weir, Sri Lanka
I would recommend Ampersand without any hesitation!!! The best travel agent that I’ve ever had. Everything – from the individual care and attention in planning the trip, through to the efficiency of the agents on the ground in India – was handled brilliantly. An absolutely first-class service all round!
- Matthew Annable, Rajasthan, India
I had a very lovely time and was looked after splendidly. My first visit to India could not have been better, save for being longer! But I shall return at some point and I shall look to you to make the arrangements.
- Matthew Nicklin, North India
Ampersand provided a bespoke and flexible holiday, tailored to my every whim. Their highly professional staff had only one goal which was to arrange an exceptional holiday and some unforgettable experiences in India. I have no hesitation in fully recommending them and they will be the first company I approach in the future - 10/10
- Anonymous, India
Everything you did for us whilst we were away was hugely appreciated, and Ampersand has been exemplary in every way. I'll always recommend you!
- Mr Richard Stoughton, Sri Lanka
We had a wonderful holiday - everything was perfect. Thank you for helping us to make a thoughtful plan to enjoy and make most out of our trip. The places we visited, the guides, the transportation and driver, the hotels selected... Everything was great!
- Jaime Benitez, South India
Ampersand’s preparation, attention to detail and interaction before and during our trip show exactly why good travel agents have a role in today’s internet booking age. They were a delight to deal with!
- Mr David Wallace, North India
Without question, you put together the best trip I have ever taken. We were shown around like visiting dignitaries, the hotels were fantastic and the itinerary was just right. Everybody I know will hear about how amazing Ampersand is!
- Leslie Siben, India
I thought the Ampersand team was outstanding. We couldn’t have hoped for anything more.
- Mr Geoffrey Johnson, India
Difficult to articulate just how good the service from you and your team really was. We know you will continue to do well and hope we have the chance to seek your assistance again before long.
- Mr & Mrs Manson, North India

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