V5 - TCS - The Ijju Family trip to Scotland and Ireland

Day 1 - Thursday 27^th June - Welcome to Scotland

On arrival at the airport you will be met by the VIP team and whisked through security to your private driver who will transfer you to your city centre hotel. Depending on your arrival time you can choose to relax at the hotel or head out to start exploring this unique city.

This evening you will embark on an exploration of the sense as you step into a local cookery school and turn your hand to creating some mouthwatering dishes to indulge in at the end of the night – a wonderful way to start your time in Scotland.

Drive time from the airport to the hotel approximately 30 mins depending on traffic

Overnight: Edinburgh | The Balmoral
Room Type: 2 x Executive View Rooms
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2 - Friday 28^th June - Exploring Edinburgh

This morning immerse yourselves in the winding cobbled streets of historic Old Town Edinburgh as you enjoy a private walking tour with an expert local guide that will be focussed on the wonderful local delicacies that are abundant here – if you know where to look!  Wander the streets of the Old Town sampling some of the local dishes and hear more about the elusive Haggis and why is is the national dish!

After an indulgent morning you can have a relaxed afternoon before heading to the waters of Leith and the floating palace that is the Royal Yacht Britannia.  Enjoy a behind the ropes private tour where you can sit on the very same sofa that HRH Queen Elizabeth II used to enjoy her afternoon tea on and explore this iconic ship with an expert guide.  What a way to end your time in Edinburgh.

Overnight: Edinburgh | The Balmoral
Room Type: 2 x Executive View Rooms
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 3 - Saturday 29^th June - The Bonny Banks of Loch Lomond

Your guide will collect you from your hotel this morning and you will set off on the first leg of your vacation. You will head into the first National Park of the UK and can enjoy a warm up hike up one of the classic hills that offers incredible views across the iconic Loch.  On the way you can stop off at Stirling Castle or perhaps

Your accommodation this evening is on the banks of Bonny Loch Lomond where you can enjoy dinner together as a family and raise a glass to the start of you Celtic Adventure.

Drive time from The Balmoral to Cameron House via Stirling is approximately 2 hours without stops

Overnight: Loch Lomond | Cameron House
Room Type: 2 x Loch View Rooms
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4 - Sunday 30^th June - The Jagged Peaks of the Nevis Range

After a relaxed breakfast it is time to head north.  Travel through the ever changing terrain to the jagged peaks of Glencoe where you can stop off to explore – perhaps take a hike to where (legend has it) the signal was given to start the Glencoe Massacre, or visit the Glencoe Visitor Centre to learn more about this wonderful area.  There are so many wonderful options to choose from and your guide will discuss all of them so you can make the most out of your day.

Drive time from Cameron House to The Lovat hotel is approximately 3 hours without stops

Overnight: Fort Augustus | The Lovat
Room Type: 2 x Master Bedrooms (1 as a double and 1 as a twin)
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - Monday 1^st July - Tales of the Loch Ness Monster

Waking up to the sunlight glinting off the shimmering waters of the mysterious loch that your hotel overlooks this morning – enticing you to set forth on her mysterious waters to see what legends lie beneath.  Boarding a scenic cruise of the loch, keep your eyes peeled for the tell tale swish of a tale as the elusive monster dives down into the deep, dark depths of the loch.

Back on dry land you can head north along the shoreline to the most besieged castle in the country and let your guide bring this landscape to life with tales of the Jacobites.  Learn how this uprising changed the course of Scottish history and the sad tales that are still felt by many descendants to this day.

Overnight: Fort Augustus | The Lovat
Room Type: 2 x Master Bedrooms (1 as a double and 1 as a twin)
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6 - Tuesday 2^nd July - Castles and Cookery Classes

Leaving the mythical waters of Loch Ness this morning it is time to head east to your final destination before you head across the waters to the Emerald Isle.  Arriving in the heart of the rolling hills of Perthshire, you will spend time enjoying a cookery class learning how to make some famous Scottish dishes.  Get hands on as you compete for star pupil and enjoy the fruits of your labour with a fantastic view of the babbling River Tay.

After a wonderful day, you’ll settle into your castle hotel this evening taking advantage of the spa facilities or simply enjoying the view and spending time together as a family.

Drive time from The Lovat hotel to Fonab Castle is approximately 2 hours without stops

Overnight: Perthshire | Fonab Castle
Room Type: 2 x Castle View Rooms (1 as a double and 1 as a twin)
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7 - Wednesday 3^rd July - Exploring Highland Perthshire

You will set out this morning with your guide to explore some of the beautiful countryside that surrounds your hotel.  Heading into the hills you will come across breathtaking views and awe inspiring landscapes which are rich in wildlife and local folklore.  Enjoy lunch in a remote bothy where you may spot the elusive red deer standing proudly on a ridge line or perhaps some birds of prey circling in the skies above your head.

As the light starts to change in the late afternoon, head back to your hotel to enjoy a wee dram while you sit back and let tales of days gone by wash over you as a local storyteller weaves their magic about the myths and legends that are embedded deep into the very fabric of life in this ancient land.

Overnight: Perthshire | Fonab Castle
Room Type: 2 x Castle View Rooms (1 as a double and 1 as a twin)
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 8 - Thursday 4^th July - To Ireland- Kinsale Co Cork

A private transfer will take you to the airport this morning in time for your onwards connection to Ireland and the next part of your adventure.

On arrival at Cork airport, your Ireland guide will be on hand ready to take you to your city central hotel and start your Ireland exploration. Our first port of call is a visit a local Salmon Smokehouse where you’ll be greeted by the earthy sweet aroma of beech wood smoke. Gain insights to the time-honoured process that produces genuine, handmade, smoked fish, tasting and savouring as you go.
If time allows this afternoon we recommend a visit to The English Market in Cork city. One of Europe’s oldest food markets it’s the perfect place to discover fresh, local delicacies, from farmhouse cheeses and fresh seafood for which West Cork is world-famous, to locally-blended spices, and everything in between.

This evening check into the 5 star Hayfield manor Hotel in central Cork where you guide will join you for dinner to toast your first night in Ireland.

Drive time from Fonab Castle to Edinburgh airport is approximately 1hr 30 mins without stops

In Ireland, drive time from the airport to your activity is about 30 minutes and the same back to your hotel that evening.

Overnight: Cork | Hayfield Manor Hotel
Room Type: Superior & Manor Twin
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 9 - Friday 5^th July - Food Tour Kinsale

Today you accompany you guide the short distance to Kinsale, a colourful seaside town where local fishing and pleasure vessels bob about in the sheltered idillic bay.
Kinsale has firmly established its place as a foodies mecca and with so many glorious venues on your doorstep, tourists and locals alike flock to Kinsale for their wonderful food. For a foodie fanatic, your walking tour today will take you to a selection of different eateries, meeting locals and sampling sweet and savoury treats as you go, not to mention some liquid fortification! During the tour, hear stories about the food and meet some of the fascinating characters who make it too.
If time allows we recommend you explore the nearby Charles Fort, a well preserved, striking star shaped military fort of the late seventeenth century built during King Charles 11 reign to protect the town and harbour of Kinsale from attack.

Drive time to Kinsale is 30 minutes each way. 

Overnight: Cork | Hayfield Manor
Room Type: Superior & Manor Twin
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 10 - Saturday 6^th July - Farm Tour & Cheese Tasting

We love to offer our visitors the chance to partake in local and authentic experiences, meeting the people who call Ireland home and learning of our culture and history.

Today you will visit a farm in the lush green countryside where you will take a tour of the land, meet the herd, chat about all things agricultural with the farmer and partake in a special tasting experience using local produce and cheese made right there on the farm before containing on to your hotel.

Situated in Kenmare, on The Ring of Kerry is a luxury hideaway. Nestled between a river, mountain, sea and sky you will find the spectacular Sheen Falls Hotel. Relax onsite this afternoon and enjoy some of the activities Sheen Falls has to offer or explore Kenmare a picturesque village with your guide.

Drive time Cork to Kenmare is one and a half hours without stops 

Overnight: Kenmare | Sheen Falls Hotel
Room Type: Deluxe Double & Twin
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 11 - Sunday 7^th July - Killarney National Park

In the southwest of County Kerry is an expanse of rugged, mountainous country that sweeps down to the world-famous Lakes of Killarney. Here, stretching across 10,000 hectares, lies Killarney National Park, with its unforgettable combination of mountains, lakes, woodland and waterfalls. Take a tour of the famed Killarney Lakes with Dux, your Kerryman skipper who has been sailing these lakes since he was a child with his family.
The park offers a lot to visitors from walks, hikes, waterfalls, horse drawn carriages, to Estate Manor homes and gardens. Your guide will help you discover it all.

Sheen Falls to Killarney National Park is 40 minutes each way 

Overnight: Kenmare | Sheen Falls Hotel
Room Type: Deluxe Double & Twin
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 12 - Monday 8^th July - Dromoland Castle

Moving north, we leave behind the hills and valleys of Kerry and head to Ireland’s most magical address, Dromoland Castle. The once ancestral home of the O’Briens of Dromoland, whose linage dates back 1,000 years to Brian Boru, one of the last High Kings of Ireland, Dromoland has nobility in its blood.

Experience the life of the gentry at the castle as you partake in some traditional country pursuits starting with an exhilarating Falconry & Hawk Walk. Enjoy the magnificent wildlife and ancient woodlands as you get up close and personal with mesmerising falcons, hawks and owls in the Castle grounds.
A favourite country pursuit of royalty, clay pigeon shooting offers you the chance to shoot flying targets in the air. Dromoland Castle’s leafy estate makes an atmospheric setting for this fun sport, which only requires a calm concentration, a keen eye and quick reactions.
Your final celebration dinner this evening will be in Dromolands flagship restaurant, the Earl of Thomand with a nine course Tasting Menu.

Sheen Falls to Dromoland Castle is roughly two and a half hours 

Overnight: Limerick | Dromoland Castle
Room Type: 2 x Stateroom Twin
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 13 - Tuesday 9^th July - Cliffs of Moher

Waking up like lords and ladies of the manor enjoy your castle breakfast in style before your venture to the coast to visit one of Ireland iconic natural wonders, The Cliffs of Moher.
The Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland’s most iconic natural landmarks along the Wild Atlantic Way and for good reason. The cliffs were formed over 320 million years ago and are consistently one of Ireland’s top visitor attractions due to their dramatic beauty and rugged nature. You may even have seen them before in films such as Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and also The Princess Bride. Pop into the visitor centre before you venture along the cliffs and breathe in the fresh, sea air while taking in the impressive views. We know a lovely little cottage where you can stop for a coffee and some homemade fudge.

Dromoland Castle to Cliffs of Moher is about one hour 

Overnight: Limerick | Dromoland Castle
Room Type: 2 x Staterooms Twin

Day 14 - Wednesday 10^th July - Depart Ireland

After a delicious breakfast and perhaps a final walk around the grounds its time to depart Ireland today for your flights home.

We recommend Shannon Airport as the closet that will offer connections however we can also return you to Dublin Airport if preferred.

Dromoland Castle to Shannon Airport is 25 minutes 

Meals Included: Breakfast