RoutesEurope
Three Weeks in Scotland and Ireland
Highlands, islands and the Atlantic coast by train, coach and ferry.
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Dotted path is schematic (great-circle-ish arcs between stops), not a transport route.
Stop by stop
Click a stop (or its pin on the map) for costs, country facts and what to do there.
1Edinburgh GBWalk the Royal Mile and climb Arthur's Seat.3 nights
We do not hold a full destination profile for Edinburgh or its country yet, so there are no cost, climate or visa figures for this stop; the route notes describe what it involves.
train · about 3.5 hours
2Inverness GBVisit Culloden and take a day trip to Loch Ness.2 nights
We do not hold a full destination profile for Inverness or its country yet, so there are no cost, climate or visa figures for this stop; the route notes describe what it involves.
coach · about 3.5 hours
3Portree, Isle of Skye GBHike to the Old Man of Storr and around the Quiraing.3 nights
We do not hold a full destination profile for Portree, Isle of Skye or its country yet, so there are no cost, climate or visa figures for this stop; the route notes describe what it involves.
coach via Glencoe · about 7.0 hours
4Glasgow GBSee Kelvingrove and catch live music in the evening.2 nights
We do not hold a full destination profile for Glasgow or its country yet, so there are no cost, climate or visa figures for this stop; the route notes describe what it involves.
coach and ferry via Cairnryan, or a short flight · about 6.0 hours
5Belfast GBVisit Titanic Belfast and take a guided mural tour.2 nights
We do not hold a full destination profile for Belfast or its country yet, so there are no cost, climate or visa figures for this stop; the route notes describe what it involves.
bus · about 2.0 hours
6Bushmills (Causeway Coast) GBWalk the Giant's Causeway cliff path early or late in the day.1 night
We do not hold a full destination profile for Bushmills (Causeway Coast) or its country yet, so there are no cost, climate or visa figures for this stop; the route notes describe what it involves.
bus via Derry and Sligo · about 8.0 hours
7Galway IEHear traditional music in the Latin Quarter and day-trip to Connemara or the Aran Islands.3 nights
We do not hold a full destination profile for Galway or its country yet, so there are no cost, climate or visa figures for this stop; the route notes describe what it involves.
bus via Limerick and Tralee · about 5.5 hours
8Dingle IECycle or drive the Slea Head loop.2 nights
We do not hold a full destination profile for Dingle or its country yet, so there are no cost, climate or visa figures for this stop; the route notes describe what it involves.
bus to Tralee, then train · about 5.5 hours
9Dublin IESee Trinity College and walk the cliff path at Howth.2 nights
We do not hold a full destination profile for Dublin or its country yet, so there are no cost, climate or visa figures for this stop; the route notes describe what it involves.
Edinburgh and the Highlands
Edinburgh's Old Town runs down the Royal Mile from the castle to Holyrood, and Arthur's Seat gives a short hike with views over the city. August brings the Festival Fringe, when accommodation prices rise sharply. The train north to Inverness crosses the Cairngorms; Inverness is the gateway to Loch Ness and the Culloden battlefield. Coaches continue west past Eilean Donan castle to the Isle of Skye, where Portree is the main base for the Old Man of Storr, the Quiraing and the Fairy Pools.
Glasgow and Northern Ireland
The long coach ride from Skye to Glasgow runs through Glencoe and along Loch Lomond. Glasgow has a strong music scene, free civic museums such as Kelvingrove and fine Victorian architecture. The Irish Sea crossing to Belfast is by coach and ferry via Cairnryan or a short flight. Belfast's Titanic Quarter and its political murals are the main sights, and buses run up to the Causeway Coast, home to the basalt columns of the Giant's Causeway.
The west of Ireland and Dublin
From the north coast, buses run via Derry and Sligo down to Galway, a compact university city with traditional music in its pubs and access to Connemara and the Aran Islands. Further south, the Dingle Peninsula is known for the Slea Head Drive, early Christian sites and Irish-speaking communities. The route ends in Dublin, with Trinity College, the Guinness Storehouse and coastal walks at Howth. Dublin airport has wide international connections, and the route can equally be run in reverse, starting in Dublin and finishing in Edinburgh.
Practical notes
Visas: the UK (including Northern Ireland) and Ireland are outside the Schengen Area and set their own rules, though they share a Common Travel Area with no routine checks between them. The UK now requires an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) from many visa-exempt nationalities; check the official UK and Irish government sources before travel. Transport: ScotRail and Scottish Citylink cover Scotland, Translink covers Northern Ireland and Bus Eireann and Irish Rail cover the Republic; rural services can be infrequent, especially on Sundays. Weather: May to September is the mildest period; rain is possible on any day, and midges are common in the Highlands in summer. Budget: the mid figure assumes private rooms in guesthouses or budget hotels, public transport, a few guided day tours and pub meals; Edinburgh in August and Dublin cost more. Two currencies are used: pounds sterling in Scotland and Northern Ireland, euros in Ireland. Safety: generally safe; mountain weather on Skye can turn quickly. Check current official travel advisories.