Trufflepig - Highlights of Scotland and Ireland

Sunday 22nd September – Friday 4th October 2024

Number of Travellers: 2
Duration: 13 Days / 12 Nights

Overview

From the bright lights and bustling streets of the capital city to the remote stillness of the mountains, this trip will showcase some of the brightest jewels in the wild and rugged crowns of both Scotland and Ireland.  Explore the hidden gems of their capital cities with your knowledgeable guides, hike in some of the most rugged landscape in Scotland’s west coast, scan the seas for whales and dolphins off the coast of Skye and experience the quaint and remote luxury of Ireland’s premier country house hotel. With handpicked accommodations and an expert guide at your side, get under the skin of this ancient land and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Highlights

  • Get to know the real Scotland with your knowledgable expert guide
  • Visit Rosslyn Chapel and the Royal Yacht Britannia
  • Hike in some of the most beautiful landscapes with just the wildlife for company
  • Stay in and experience Ireland's premier 5-star country house hotel

Day by Day

Day 1 - Sunday 22nd September - Welcome to Scotland

Private transfer drivers will collect you from the airport as your flights and transfer you to your boutique hotel in the heart of the city.  Once everyone has arriving and you have freshened up, you can either just relax at the hotel for the evening or head out into the city to sample some of the wonderful delicacies and maybe even enjoy a private tour of the catacombs of the Royal Mile to see how people used to live here many years ago.

Overnight: Edinburgh | Kimpton Charlotte Square
Room Type: 2 x King Premium Rooms (1 for single occupancy)
Meals Included: None

Day 2 - Monday 23rd September - Exploring Edinburgh

After breakfast, meet your guide in the foyer of your hotel and head out for a day spent exploring the beautiful cobblestone streets of the city. Full of history, the capital is very accessible by foot. Wander up the Royal Mile, stopping to visit the architecturally stunning St Giles Cathedral, and enjoy panoramic views from Edinburgh Castle. Pick up a coffee and a pastry from one of the wee artisan shops, dipping into local galleries, cheesemongers and bookshops. This afternoon, enjoy a hike up Arthur’s Seat and take in the breathtaking views from the top where your guide will point out the sites you saw this morning and the places you are still waiting to visit.

Overnight: Edinburgh | Kimpton Charlotte Square
Room Type: 2 x King Premium Rooms (1 for single occupancy)
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 3 - Tuesday 24th September - Rosslyn Chapel and the Royal Yacht Britannia

After a day of exploring inside the city yesterday, today you will head out to visit a couple of the most remarkable landmarks in this part of Scotland. First, you will head to the enigma that is Rosslyn Chapel, made famous by The Da Vinci Code. Dan Brown called this chapel “the most mysterious and magical chapel on earth” and there are certainly lots of unanswered questions about this unique building. Originally founded in 1446, the chapel features intricate carvings and decorations which have prompted many different theories connected with the Knights Templar and the Freemasons amongst others.  Heading back into the city the rest of the day is free to do some shopping or head to South Queensferry to enjoy a hike along the coast before returning to Leith and the Royal Yacht Britannia for a private, behind the ropes tour, of the late Queen’s favourite residence.  A truly unique experience that you will cherish for years to come.

Overnight: Edinburgh | Kimpton Charlotte Square
Room Type: 2 x King Premium Rooms (1 for single occupancy)
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4 - Wednesday 25th September - Hiking in the Pentlands

The Pentland hills offer a wonderful backdrop to the city as you fly in over the Firth of Forth and today you will head out to explore them with your guide.  There are various options to choose from and your guide will discuss them all with you to make sure you get the most out of your day. You could choose to hike Scald Law which is the highest of the Pentland peaks and returns via the beautiful reservoirs that are a delight for families in the summer time.  A stunning walk with far stretching views – a great way to end your time in the city.

Overnight: Edinburgh | Kimpton Charlotte Square
Room Type: 2 x King Premium Rooms (1 for single occupancy)
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - Thursday 26th September - To The West

After a hearty breakfast, it is time to head West and your base for the next 3 nights.  Leaving Edinburgh you will head towards Loch Lomond where you can stop off to enjoy a short hike into the glen with just the sound of birdsong for company.  Continuing on, the road winds through the epic scenery of Glencoe where the mountains rise up from the valley floor and eagles soar high in the sky above your head.  If time allows, you could enjoy a short hike here too, perhaps to where legend has it, the signal was given to start one of the bloodies battles in the country’s history.  Your final destination is the impressive castle hotel where you can enjoy a 7 course tasting menu to welcome you to this part of Scotland.

Overnight: Fort William | Inverlochy Castle
Room Type: 2 x Large Doubles (1 for single occupancy)
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6 - Friday 27th September - Hiking in the Nevis Range

Ben Nevis – the jewel in the UK’s mountain crown.  Revered by people to be THE mountain to climb it is by no means an easy feat.  Setting out early, you will climb up through the dramatic landscape and alongside the lochs before reaching the top and celebrating with a warming drink.  Arriving back down from the summit in the late afternoon, settle down with a wee dram at a local walkers tavern to get lost in tales from days gone by with a local storyteller.  Let their words wash over you as you are transported to a place of magic, myths and legends while the fire crackles in the grate and the golden liquid warms your body.  The perfect end to an iconic day.

Overnight: Fort William | Inverlochy Castle
Room Type: Large Double
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7 - Saturday 28th September - Over the Sea to Skye

After a leisurely breakfast, head west to the Isle of Skye along the famous Road to the Isles.  As the road meanders from mountains to the sea, keep your eyes peeled for a glimpse of the steam train thundering over the famous viaduct.  You’ll catch the late morning ferry across to Skye and once on the Misty Isle, meet a local ghillie for an afternoon of wild foraging, connecting with the landscape as you learn how to forage sensitively and ethically. Enjoy cooking your bounty over an open flame, sipping a wild cocktail, while listening to local tales of the island. Settle into your accommodation this evening, falling asleep to the sound of the sea.

Overnight: Isle of Skye | Cuillin Hills Hotel
Room Type: 2 x Premier Rooms with Sea View (1 for single occupancy)
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 8 - Sunday 29th September - Exploring the Misty Isle

Spend the day exploring the incredible landscape of the island and the history that is woven into the very fabric of life here.  Heading west you will enjoy a hike out to Neist Point – one of the best places on the island to spot marine life such as whales, dolphins and porpoises.  If you’re lucky you may even see some Orca’s breaching the surface as the pods move through the waters.  Your guide will also know other hidden gems where you can see some of the local wildlife and perhaps even drop in on a local weaver on your way home and watch how they create beautiful fabrics with the use of pedal power!!

Overnight: Isle of Skye | Cuillin Hills Hotel
Room Type: 2 x Premier Rooms with Sea View (1 for single occupancy)
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 9 - Monday 30th September - Fly to Dublin

Your guide will transfer you to Inverness airport this morning for your flight to Dublin where the next part of your adventure will start.

A private transfer will pick you up from the airport and whisk you into the city to your 5 star hotel in the city centre. Check-in is at 3pm however feel free to leave your bags, freshen up, or have a bite to eat.

Head out in the afternoon to enjoy a walking tour with a local private guide through this vibrant capital city, with its mix of 1,000 years of architecture from the mediaeval to Georgian to modern. See the Georgian style Merrion Square, lush St. Stephen’s Green and Fitzwilliam Square, as well as O’Connell Street, the site of the ‘1916 Uprising’ that led to Ireland’s independence in 1922. Your guide is also a historian who will bring the city to life with colourful tales of life in the city in times gone by.

Overnight: Dublin | The Merrion
Room Type: 2x Main House Deluxe Rooms (1 for single occupancy)
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 10 - Tuesday 1st October - Explore Dublin

Dublin is yours to explore today, solo and at your own pace. First, however, we’ve arranged for you to visit the Little Museum of Dublin where you will meet a curator for a privately-led tour of their incredible collection that will bring the city’s social history to life. There is a cafe just next to the museum which is perfect for lunch, and afterward you can enjoy the live music ever amplifying the alleys of Grafton Street and St. Stephens Green. Be sure to stop into STABLE, where we can arrange for the owners to give you an in-depth introduction to their fine traditional Irish knitwear.

Overnight: Dublin | The Merrion
Room Type: 2x Main House Deluxe Rooms (1 for single occupancy)
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 11 - Wednesday 2nd October - Ballyfin and The Slieve Blooms

Leaving urban Dublin this morning, a private luxury transfer will collect you in the lobby of The Merrion to drive you the quick 90 minutes into the Irish countryside. We recommend an early start to make it in time for lunch and avail of the full board stay we have arranged for you at your next destination, Ballyfin Demesne.

Before fully immersing yourselves in the country house’s onsite amenities, a local guide will meet you for a short afternoon hike in the adjacent Slieve Bloom Mountains. The trails here are an underrated and off-the-beaten track gem, with its trails ranging from 5 to 8 kilometres snaking along quiet streams up to flowing waterfalls.

Overnight: Ballyfin | Ballyfin Demesne
Room Type: 2x Deluxe King Rooms (1 for single occupancy)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 12 - Thursday 3rd October - Onsite at Ballyfin Demesne

You are encouraged to relax and enjoy the grounds and surroundings at Ballyfin today with the onsite amenities available. Should you wish to have a more active day, you can try your hand at clay pigeon shooting or archery, or meet the local birds of prey in a falconry demonstration amid the beautiful estate grounds. The Vitality Pool and Sauna with treatment rooms offer you the chance to pamper yourself or perhaps an art and architectural tour of the house and grounds.

Please let us know if you would like us to book any experiences in for you, and we will be happy to do so.

Overnight: Ballyfin | Ballyfin Demesne
Room Type: 2x Deluxe King Rooms (1 for single occupancy)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 13 - Friday 4th October - Departure from Dublin

After enjoying a relaxing final morning at Ballyfin, it is time to leave the countryside and return to Dublin. A private driver will take you directly to Dublin Airport with plenty of time ahead of your departure flight home. We do hope your time in Ireland has been memorable and we once again have the opportunity to welcome to our shores.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Trip Details

Inclusions Read More
  • All accommodation from Day 1 to Day 13
  • All meals as outlined in the daily itinerary
  • Services of an experienced guide from Day 1 to Day 9
  • Ground transportation from Day 2 to Day 9
  • Private airport transfers on arrival and departure
  • All guided hikes mentioned in the itinerary
  • All entrance fees and activities, specifically:
    • Entry to Edinburgh Castle
    • Private tour of the Catacombs of the Royal Mile
    • Entry to Rosslyn Chapel
    • Private ‘behind the ropes’ tour of the Royal Yacht Britannia
    • Private Storytelling Experience in Classic Mountaineering Pub
    • Private historical tour of Dublin city
    • Private tour of the Little Museum of Dublin
    • Locally guided hike of the Slieve Bloom Mountain
    • Arrival and departure airport transfers to and from Dublin Airport
    • Private transfer from The Merrion Hotel to Ballyfin Demesne
  • Personalised trip design and delivery
  • 24 hour in-country support
Exclusions Read More
  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Meals not mentioned in the inclusions
  • Activities and entrance fees not mentioned in the inclusions (e.g. onsite activities at Ballyfin TBC)
  • Services of a dedicated guide during your time in Ireland, aside from those included in private guided experiences
Notes Read More
  • All suggested accommodations and services are subject to availability at the time of booking.
  • A 20% deposit is required before any accommodation and services will be confirmed.
  • This quote is valid for 14 days from the date quoted, after this time pricing may be subject to revision.
Terms & Conditions Read More

Please see our booking terms here.