Bonnie Scotland & Lake District Tour at Christmas

4 nights / 5 days

30 November 2023

Fully Guided

Pick up Points:

Wexford, Enniscorthy, Gorey, Kilmacanogue, Dublin Airport, Newry, Belfast Docks

Once again, we will be offering you our very popular 5-day tour that we have been operating since 1989 but this time featuring the Christmas Markets of Edinburgh & Glasgow. As usual, we will be using the well-known and loved Cairndale Hotel and Leisure Club in the beautiful border town of Dumfries. The excursion programme (as always) has been carefully planned to make sure that you get maximum enjoyment. Travelling by coach is probably the best way to appreciate the splendours of Scotland and the Lake District. This is one of our most popular tours so early booking is recommended.

Day 1
We depart by executive coach from your local pick-up point and travel to Belfast via Dublin to catch the afternoon ferry service to Cairnryan. Our lunchtime stop will be in Newry. The crossing from Belfast docks takes about 2 hours onboard the luxury Stena Superferry. From Cairnryan, we go directly to our hotel in Dumfries. This is a lovely drive through the glorious unspoiled Scottish Border countryside. Dumfries is a handsome town situated on the banks of the river Nith and is only about an hour and a half drive from Cairnryan. Our base for the next 4 nights is the Cairndale Hotel and Leisure Club. Dinner tonight and every night is in the hotel.

Day 2
After a hearty Scottish breakfast, (similar to Irish), we take a stunning mountain drive to Edinburgh, one of Europe's most beautiful cities, where the Irish always get a warm welcome. After a tour of the city, you will have the remainder of the day free to soak up the many attractions this magical city has to offer. We will be visiting the Christmas Market in East Princess Street Gardens. From mulled Irn Bru to vegan pigs in blankets, from Harry Potter-themed gifts to local handmade products, this stunning Christmas Market offers treats for all! We then return to the hotel for dinner and relaxation after a memorable day.

Day 3
After breakfast, we travel to the beautiful English Lake District. Our lunchtime stop is in the largest lake in the Lake District, Lake Windermere, where you have free time to shop & soak up the seasonal atmosphere. After our break, we travel via Lake Grasmere and Lake Thirlmere and then stop in the historic border village of Gretna Green where you can get married by the local blacksmith or buy a nice Christmas surprise for the one you love! We then return to our hotel for dinner.

Day 4
After breakfast today, we head for Bonnie Scotland’s city of culture, Glasgow. As well as a tour of this magnificent city, we will visit the Glasgow Christmas Market where you can shop for Christmas gifts and decorations. There is nowhere quite like George Square at Christmas time. It’s a winter wonderland right in the heart of the city. When the shopping is done relax, have a drink or simply soak up the enchanting festive atmosphere in Glasgow City Centre. After the tour, we take the high road to the ‘Bonnie Bonnie’ banks of Loch Lomond. We then return to our hotel for another fine Scottish dinner.

Day 5
After a final hearty Scottish breakfast, you will have some free time to soak up the delights of Dumfries. You’ll discover a fine town with magnificent red sandstone buildings. You may want to spend some time in its pedestrianised shopping centre (there’s always another gift to be bought!) or visit St Michaels Kirk where the immortal Scottish poet Rabbie Burns is buried. Our lunchtime stop is in the coastal town of Stranraer. We catch the afternoon sailing from Cairnryan to Belfast and arrive back in Ireland with many happy memories. Please note that this is our planned itinerary but sometimes due to circumstances outside our control we may have to alter it slightly
Price Includes:

Fully escorted coach travel from Ireland to Scotland via Ferry.
All taxes
4 night’s bed and Scottish Breakfast & table d’hôtel dinners
All day excursions, taxes, and service charges.
Services of a tour leader/guide.

Extras:

Travel Insurance

Single room supplement from €150pp