A Little Golf, A Little Whisky
Perfect for someone who wants to play a little golf in Scotland and Ireland, without making it the sole focus of their trip. This tour takes in the best sights of Edinburgh and the Scottish Highlands, then crosses the Irish Sea to visit Dublin and the impossibly green west coast of Ireland. Along the way we mix in a few days of golf in each country, as well as sampling some Whisky in Scotland's Speyside, and tipping a pint of Guinness at the source in downtown Dublin.
Not currently scheduled. Approximate cost for six people, 16 nights, 17 days: $3900 per person .
This tour was designed to fit the time, interests and budget of a private group. If you would like more information about organizing a private tour for your own group, or about future tours like this one, contact us.
This tour was designed to fit the time, interests and budget of a private group. If you would like more information about organizing a private tour for your own group, or about future tours like this one, contact us.
Day 1: Depart the US for Edinburgh.
Day 2: Arrive in Edinburgh, where I'll meet you and transport you to our hotel in central Edinburgh. After arrival we'll visit Edinburgh Castle, and walk along the Royal Mile where we'll visit the Cathedral and Palace of the Holyrood.
Day 3: Today we'll head out to into the countryside, where we'll visit Stirling Castle, learn about Robert the Bruce and William Wallace (Braveheart), and take a ride on a canal boat through the Falkirk Wheel. Late afternoon return to Edinburgh.
Day 4: Golf at St. Andrews. Non-golfers will loop through East Neuk, a string of pretty fishing villages, before heading back to St Andrews to pick up the golfers. Early evening return to Edinburgh.
Day 5: We'll leave behind the Lowlands today, heading about 3 hours north to the Spey River. Along the way we'll visit Rothiemurchus, an outdoor adventure center in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park. Activities range from treks on Highland Ponies to quad riding, archery to clay shooting. Afterwards we'll continue on to our home in a small town on the banks of the Spey River.
Day 6: Whisky. We'll spend the day exploring the beautiful Speyside region, home to some of the best distilleries in Scotland. We'll tour and taste at the Glenfiddich distillery, and visit one of the biggest working cooperages in the world (building and repairing around 100,000 barrels every year). Late afternoon return to our village on the Spey.
Day 7: We'll complete our Highland tour by heading west about 3 hours to Loch Alsh and the Isle of Skye. Along the way we'll skirt past the deep, dark waters of Loch Ness, keeping our eyes peeled for the monster. We'll stop to take a picture of Eileen Donan castle, one of the most photographed castles in Scotland before arriving in our small village home.
Day 8: Today we'll visit the Clan Donald Centre, which includes Armadale Castle and the Museum of the Isles, detailing the life and history of these remote lands.
Day 9: Our longest drive of the trip takes us about 5 hours south, out of the Highlands to the Scottish Lowlands south of Glasgow. Along the way we'll see Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in Scotland, and stop in Glen Coe, sight of one of the worst massacres in Scottish history. We'll also skirt along the banks of Loch Lomond before arriving in our home near Troon.
Day 10: Golf at Royal Troon. Non golfers will visit Vikingar!, a fascinating look at Vikings in Scotland, and visit Dean Castle Country Park, which dates from the mid 14th century, and has one of the world's best collections of early European musical instruments, as well as impressive holdings of armor and tapestries.
Day 11: In the morning we'll board a ferry for the 2-hour ride from Troon to Larne in Northern Ireland. From Larne we'll continue driving about 3 hours south, past Belfast, into the Republic of Ireland and our hotel in central Dublin. After arriving we'll take a walk through the city center to see St Patrick Cathedral and the lively Temple Bar district.
Day 12: Today we'll visit Trinity College, founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I. Here we'll see the Old Library and the Book of Kells, one of the most beautiful illuminated manuscripts from medieval Europe. Afterwards we'll head over to St. James Gate and the Guinness Brewery for a tour and taste.
Day 13: The morning is free in Dublin for any last minute sightseeing or shopping, then we'll head three hours south to Waterford. Along the way we'll stop to visit Kilkenny, Ireland's best preserved medieval town, and the Rock of Cashel, one of Ireland's most important historic sights.
Day 14: Golf and Crystal. Golfers can play at Castle Waterford, located on an island in the mouth of the bay. Non Golfers will tour the Waterford Crystal Factory, then have the afternoon to relax and explore the town of Waterford.
Day 15: Today we'll cut across Ireland, driving about three hours to the remote and impossibly green west. We'll make our home for the next three nights in the village of Doolin, famous for it's pub music and just an hour from Shannon airport. Along the way we'll stop to tour Bunratty Castle and Folk Museum, which brings to life a 19th-century Irish village.
Day 16: County Clare. Day trip to the Cliffs of Moher and through the Burren, a barren, rocky area littered with megalithic tombs, pre-historic ring forts, and an abbey or two. Afternoon return to Doolin to relax and enjoy pub music.
Day 17: Golf or Horses. Horse riders can trek cross country through 70+ acres of open country and woodland at the Clare Equestrian Centre near Ennis. Golfers can play at Lahinch. Non golfers/riders will make a day trip to the lively village of Galway.
Day 18: Fly from Shannon, Ireland to the US.
Day 2: Arrive in Edinburgh, where I'll meet you and transport you to our hotel in central Edinburgh. After arrival we'll visit Edinburgh Castle, and walk along the Royal Mile where we'll visit the Cathedral and Palace of the Holyrood.
Day 3: Today we'll head out to into the countryside, where we'll visit Stirling Castle, learn about Robert the Bruce and William Wallace (Braveheart), and take a ride on a canal boat through the Falkirk Wheel. Late afternoon return to Edinburgh.
Day 4: Golf at St. Andrews. Non-golfers will loop through East Neuk, a string of pretty fishing villages, before heading back to St Andrews to pick up the golfers. Early evening return to Edinburgh.
Day 5: We'll leave behind the Lowlands today, heading about 3 hours north to the Spey River. Along the way we'll visit Rothiemurchus, an outdoor adventure center in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park. Activities range from treks on Highland Ponies to quad riding, archery to clay shooting. Afterwards we'll continue on to our home in a small town on the banks of the Spey River.
Day 6: Whisky. We'll spend the day exploring the beautiful Speyside region, home to some of the best distilleries in Scotland. We'll tour and taste at the Glenfiddich distillery, and visit one of the biggest working cooperages in the world (building and repairing around 100,000 barrels every year). Late afternoon return to our village on the Spey.
Day 7: We'll complete our Highland tour by heading west about 3 hours to Loch Alsh and the Isle of Skye. Along the way we'll skirt past the deep, dark waters of Loch Ness, keeping our eyes peeled for the monster. We'll stop to take a picture of Eileen Donan castle, one of the most photographed castles in Scotland before arriving in our small village home.
Day 8: Today we'll visit the Clan Donald Centre, which includes Armadale Castle and the Museum of the Isles, detailing the life and history of these remote lands.
Day 9: Our longest drive of the trip takes us about 5 hours south, out of the Highlands to the Scottish Lowlands south of Glasgow. Along the way we'll see Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in Scotland, and stop in Glen Coe, sight of one of the worst massacres in Scottish history. We'll also skirt along the banks of Loch Lomond before arriving in our home near Troon.
Day 10: Golf at Royal Troon. Non golfers will visit Vikingar!, a fascinating look at Vikings in Scotland, and visit Dean Castle Country Park, which dates from the mid 14th century, and has one of the world's best collections of early European musical instruments, as well as impressive holdings of armor and tapestries.
Day 11: In the morning we'll board a ferry for the 2-hour ride from Troon to Larne in Northern Ireland. From Larne we'll continue driving about 3 hours south, past Belfast, into the Republic of Ireland and our hotel in central Dublin. After arriving we'll take a walk through the city center to see St Patrick Cathedral and the lively Temple Bar district.
Day 12: Today we'll visit Trinity College, founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I. Here we'll see the Old Library and the Book of Kells, one of the most beautiful illuminated manuscripts from medieval Europe. Afterwards we'll head over to St. James Gate and the Guinness Brewery for a tour and taste.
Day 13: The morning is free in Dublin for any last minute sightseeing or shopping, then we'll head three hours south to Waterford. Along the way we'll stop to visit Kilkenny, Ireland's best preserved medieval town, and the Rock of Cashel, one of Ireland's most important historic sights.
Day 14: Golf and Crystal. Golfers can play at Castle Waterford, located on an island in the mouth of the bay. Non Golfers will tour the Waterford Crystal Factory, then have the afternoon to relax and explore the town of Waterford.
Day 15: Today we'll cut across Ireland, driving about three hours to the remote and impossibly green west. We'll make our home for the next three nights in the village of Doolin, famous for it's pub music and just an hour from Shannon airport. Along the way we'll stop to tour Bunratty Castle and Folk Museum, which brings to life a 19th-century Irish village.
Day 16: County Clare. Day trip to the Cliffs of Moher and through the Burren, a barren, rocky area littered with megalithic tombs, pre-historic ring forts, and an abbey or two. Afternoon return to Doolin to relax and enjoy pub music.
Day 17: Golf or Horses. Horse riders can trek cross country through 70+ acres of open country and woodland at the Clare Equestrian Centre near Ennis. Golfers can play at Lahinch. Non golfers/riders will make a day trip to the lively village of Galway.
Day 18: Fly from Shannon, Ireland to the US.
Price includes: accommodations in comfortable, characteristic hotels, all in central locations; all ground and sea transportation from arrival in Edinburgh to departure from Shannon; full Scottish or Irish breakfast each morning; entry and tour of all sights mentioned in the itinerary; the services of your Hand Crafted guide, who also acts as driver, interpreter, and window on European culture and history.
Not included: airfare to and from Europe; meals other than breakfast; greens fees, club rentals, and other costs associated with golf; or horse rides.
Not included: airfare to and from Europe; meals other than breakfast; greens fees, club rentals, and other costs associated with golf; or horse rides.