Celtic Connections Self Drive

Make your own way to your selected gateway Airport for your international flight to Edinburgh. Enjoy inflight meals and services.

Welcome to Edinburgh International Airport where you will pick up your rental vehicle. Edinburghs Castle rock has been a stronghold for over 3000 years. In its dominating position overlooking the capital city, the grandeur and historical significance of Edinburgh Castle has made it a globally famous icon of Scotland and part of the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh. Take time to wander along the Royal Mile and relax in one of the cafes or pubs or if you have time visit the National Museum of Scotland or the National Gallery.




Overnight in Edinburgh

Leave Edinburgh via the spectacular Forth Road Bridge. Visit St. Andrews Castle, the main residence of the bishops and archbishops of St Andrews, the focal point of the Church in Medieval Scotland. St Andrews is also the home of golf, played on the famous Old Course since the 15th century. Continue to Perth where you can visit Scone Palace. Once the crowning place of the Kings of Scots, Scone Palace occupies a unique position in the history of Scotland. It is a breathtakingly beautiful seat of power and mystery and the rightful home of the celebrated Stone of Scone – also known as the Stone of Destiny. Scone Palace is regarded as a national treasure and is revered as the historic jewel in the crown of Scotland.




Overnight in Perthshire

Explore the magnificent and beautiful Scottish Highlands scenery. On your way to Inverness visit the Edradour Whisky Distillery, the smallest in Scotland, and dont miss out on a tasting. Dating back to 1825, Edradour, stands alone as the last stronghold of handmade single malt whisky from a farm distillery still in production today. Hidden in the very heart of Perthshire, this picturesque ‘little Model Village is steeped in a history of intrigue to inspire the imagination. With matchless commitment to retaining authentic small-scale production, Edradour uniquely boasts over 25 distinctive expressions of Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky with their wonderful characters and flavours. You should also spend some time this evening in the principal city of the Highlands, Inverness. Visit the Victorian Market or Craig Patrick above the city.




Overnight in Inverness

A visit to Loch Ness is a must, in search of the Loch Ness Monster, as well as the ruins of Urquhart Castle offering a taste of the Highlands at their most dramatic. Discover 1,000 years of drama, experience a glimpse of medieval life and enjoy stunning views over Loch Ness from the ruins of the greatest castle in the Highlands.  Urquharts stories are also told through a remarkable collection of artefacts left by its residents, historic replicas, including a full-sized, working trebuchet siege engine. Afterwards travel to the Isle of Skye, the largest and most scenic of the Hebridean Islands. 




Overnight on the Isle of Skye

Enjoy your morning on this beautiful island taking in the dramatic scenery of the famed Cuillin Mountains. Visit Dunvegan Castle, the stronghold of the Chiefs of MacLeod for nearly 800 years. Alternatively spend some time in Portree, the capital of the island. Continue through the historic Glen Coe, also known as the “Valley of Tears.” The main valley road brings you through the beautiful mountains, with their deep gullies and impressive waterfalls.




Overnight in Oban

Drive along the banks of Loch Lomond to Glasgow. Loch Lomond has the greatest drinking water capacity of any lake in Great Britain. There are approximately 38 islands in the lake. It is one of the most famous lakes in Scotland and has been a rich source of inspiration for many poems and songs. Spend the afternoon exploring the city of Glasgow. Visit the Kelvingrove Art Gallery where you can explore its 22 themed galleries showcasing an astonishing 8,000 pieces of art, the extensive collections are wide ranging and internationally significant. 




Overnight in Glasgow

Drive to Cairnryan in the morning and drop-off the rental car at Stranrear before taking the ferry over to Northern Ireland. Upon arriving in Ireland, pickup your rental car and depending on your time of arrival spend the day exploring the city of Belfast. Visit Titanic Belfast. Located in the heart of Belfast, the Titanic Belfast recreates the story of the worlds most famous ship in a new iconic, six floor building right beside the historic site of the original ships construction. Opened in April 2012 to coincide with the centenary of its launch, the self-guided journey begins on entering the building's giant atrium, where the visitor is surrounded by the four ‘ships hull shaped wings which house the Titanic Experience. As you journey through the nine large galleries of the interactive exhibition, you will uncover the true story of the Titanic, from her conception in Belfast in the early 1900's, through her construction and launch, to her famous maiden voyage and subsequent place in history.




Overnight in Belfast

This morning depart for Galway en-route visiting Lockes Distillery, the worlds oldest Whiskey Distillery. Explore the Distillerys museum and learn how whiskey has been produced here since it was founded in 1757. Continue to Galway a beautiful city that has attracted many musicians and artists over the years. Galway, which has long traded with Spain and the Spanish influences in the city are many. Of note is the Spanish Arch, a gateway to the old city walls and the Spanish Parade, where wealthy merchants and their families enjoyed a stroll along the promenade.




Overnight in Galway

Today travel through the wild and rugged Connemara region, famous for the savage beauty of its lake and mountain scenery. Visit Connemara National Park, where Connemara ponies and Irish red deer roam freely through 5,000 acres of scenic mountains, bogs, and grassland. You can also visit the magnificent Kylemore Abbey a beautiful mansion in a lakeside setting against a mountainous backdrop. Irish Benedictine nuns, with a tradition of over 300 years run this unique Abbey set in the midst of the Connemara, overlooking Pollacappul Lake. On your return, you can take a scenic drive through Leenane where you have an option to board the Sea Cruise through Killary Fjord which will reveal some of the hidden coastal and mountain scenery of the Connemara.




Overnight in Galway

Leave Galway this morning, and travel south through Galway and into County Clare, known as the “land of castles”. Why not visit Rathbaun Farm and see the animals being tended or enjoy a traditional tea and scones break. Travel on through the strange lunar landscape of the Burren region or visit the Cliffs of Moher a spectacular 5-mile long cliff, which rises almost 200m above sea level. Stop in the heritage town of Kilrush, before boarding a ferry to Tarbert (ferry not included) in north County Kerry. Arriving in Tarbert continue through Listowel and on to Tralee and Killarney.




Overnight in Killarney

The Ring of Kerry brings you along the Atlantic Coast and is one of the highlights of a trip to Ireland. Quiet valleys and idyllic spots await along the way. The breathtaking beauty of the landscape on the peninsula will delight you. The mild climate influenced by the Gulf Stream accounts for luscious growth of surprising flora such as subtropical Palm trees.




Overnight in Killarney

Leave Killarney and travel eastward taking time to visit the Rock of Cashel. Possibly the most photographed site in Ireland, the Rock of Cashel towers over the town of Cashel from its perch on a 200-foot high outcrop of limestone. Once the seat of the Kings of Munster, St. Patrick visited the rock in 450 AD, while Brian Boru was crowned the first high King of Ireland here in the tenth century. Spend your afternoon in Kilkenny and visit either Kilkenny Castle or the Smithwicks Experience. One of the most instantly recognised buildings in Ireland, Kilkenny Castle has been an important site since it was built bythe Anglo-Normans in the 12th century. The castle has been remodelled in Victorian times and set in extensive parklands which was the principal seat of the Butler family, Marquesses and Dukes of Ormonde. The Victorian brewing building of Smithwicks has been transformed into a visitor centre that will immerse you in Irelands oldest beer, teach you about the craft of brewing and ultimately allow you to taste the perfect Smithwicks pint.




Overnight in Kilkenny

On your way to Dublin visit the monastic settlement of Glendalough in the Wicklow Mountains. The English name Glendalough originated from the Irish “Gleann Dá Locha”, which translates as "the valley of the two lakes". It was here that St. Kevin, son of the King of Leinster, founded a monastery in the 6th century. From a simple beginning the site grew to become famous as a centre of learning throughout Europe. Standing for 600 years it was destroyed in 1398. Much of what is to be seen today dates from the 10 to 12th century. One of the most attractive features is the fine 34m high round tower. A cathedral, stone churches and decorated crosses also survived albeit as ruins. Beautifully scenic walking trails take visitors on a circular route by the lakes.




Overnight in Dublin

Discover all Dublin has to offer. You will notice that Dublin is split in half. The northern side is a lively area with lots of attractions such as the General Post Office on Dublins main street, OConnell Street. The southern side on the other hand has a more refined feel with its Georgian squares, the famous coloured front doors and the fashionable shopping district of Grafton Street with its upmarket shops. Perhaps visit Trinity College to see the famous Book of Kells, or maybe visit the Guinness Storehouse. The Guinness Brewery in Dublin is Europe's largest stout producing brewery and home to the Guinness Storehouse. Opened in 1904, the Storehouse was an operational plant for fermenting and storing Guinness. Today it houses a very fine exhibition dedicated to the Guinness story. Visitors will discover what goes into the making a pint of Guinness - the ingredients, the brewing process, the time, the craft and the passion. For those interested in history visit EPIC the Irish Emigration Museum. This is a state-of-the-art interactive experience located in the beautiful vaults of the 1820 Custom House Quarter building in Dublins Docklands, the original departure point for so many of Irelands emigrants. It will inspire and guide you on a journey to discover the stories of Irish emigration around the world, from early times to the modern day.



 
Overnight in Dublin

Today make your way to Dublin International Airport in time to drop off the car before checking in for your onward flight.