Tour

Best of Scotland and Ireland

Discover the treasures Scotland and Ireland on this affordable Cosmos Scotland vacation. Explore Dublin to Edinburgh, from Georgian squares to “Bonnie Banks”.

Book an Affordable Scotland Vacation: Highlands to Lowlands

(from USD 2,559)

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Best of Scotland and Ireland
Discover the treasures Scotland and Ireland on your affordable tour from Dublin to Edinburgh. In 9 days, you’ll visit the Highlands and Lowlands and three capital cities. Starting in Scotland, a city tour of Edinburgh introduces you to the home of scientists, inventors, and novelists, not to mention the imposing castle. The home of golf, St Andrews, and the beautiful Victorian resort town of Pitlochry are on the way to the Cairngorms National Park and Highlands of Scotland. Look out for Nessie as you drive along the shores of Loch Ness, and through the lush and rugged countryside to the “Bonnie Banks” of Loch Lomond to Glasgow. Your budget-minded travel through Scotland ends with the ferry across the Irish Sea to Belfast, where the Titanic was built. Plenty of time to immerse yourself in this unique city before moving south to Dublin, Ireland’s capital city. Here you’ll drive along the statue-lined O’Connell Street and see the elegant Georgian squares with their red-brick townhouses, Trinity College, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Your value-minded tour of Scotland and Ireland is chock-full of priceless experiences, sights, and memories brave and true!

Day 1: ARRIVE IN EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND

Check into your hotel. In the afternoon, there’s time to rest or discover Scotland’s great capital city. This evening, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for dinner at the hotel. (D)

Day 2: EDINBURGH

A full day to enjoy the Scottish capital. Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide introduces you to the 200-year-old “New Town”, home to famous scientists, inventors, and novelists. In the “Old Town,” visit Edinburgh Castle to admire Scotland’s Crown Jewels. Afternoon at leisure. No trip to Scotland is complete without an authentic Scottish night out! Join an optional evening filled with traditional food, drinks, singers, dancers, bagpipes and of course the unforgettable Ceremony of the Haggis! For departures August 9, 16 and 23, tickets are included for tonight’s performance of the world-renowned Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, a vast spectacle of amassed Scottish pipe bands that takes place in an arena on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle. (B)

Day 3: EDINBURGH–ST. ANDREWS–PITLOCHRY–CULLODEN MOOR–HIGHLANDS

A day of memorable sightseeing: cross the Firth of Forth and head to St. Andrews, whose Royal and Ancient Golf Club has given us the rules of golfing; then cross the Firth of Tay and, via Dundee and Perth, head into the Highlands with a stop in the Victorian mountain resort of Pitlochry. Cross the battlefield of Culloden Moor with its memories of Bonnie Prince Charlie before reaching your Highland destination.Today’s Distance: 225 mi/ 260 km (B,D)

Day 4: HIGHLANDS–FORT WILLIAM–GLASGOW

Look out for signs of the mysterious Loch Ness monster and proceed via Fort William, beneath Ben Nevis. Glen Coe, where the MacDonald Clan was massacred in 1692, and a drive along the “Bonnie Banks” of Loch Lomond are scenic highlights on the way to Glasgow. Today’s Distance: 183 mi/ 293 km (B)

Day 5: GLASGOW–ALLOWAY–BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND

On this morning’s orientation drive through Scotland’s largest city, see the fine 12th-century cathedral, imposing university buildings, and elegant Georgian squares, built by wealthy tobacco barons. Stop at Alloway, the birthplace of Robert Burns, before boarding the ferry for the Irish Sea crossing to Belfast.Today’s Distance: 143 mi/ 229 km (B)

Day 6: BELFAST

A full day to enjoy Belfast on your own or experience the legend and legacy of the ill-fated ocean liner, Titanic, on a morning optional city tour that includes a visit to Titanic Belfast. Be moved by the compelling story of the Titanic from conception to construction and launch and its subsequent place in history. This afternoon, why not join an optional to the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Giant’s Causeway. Taking its name from the legendary Irish giant Finn McCool, 40,000 basalt columns were formed around 60 million years ago to create a unique rock formation that is a sight to behold. (B)

Day 7: BELFAST–DUBLIN, IRELAND

Head south this morning for arrival in Dublin before lunchtime. Your orientation drive through Ireland’s capital includes statue-lined O’Connell Street, elegant Georgian squares, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. This evening’s optional excursion toasts Irish tradition with a visit to the Guinness Storehouse where Ireland’s most famous export has been brewed since 1759. A guided tour is followed by a “pint of the black stuff” and dinner.Today’s Distance: 105 mi/ 168 km (B)

Day 8: DUBLIN

A day to explore the “Fair City” of Dublin on your own. Your Tour Director will have suggestions. Everyone’s Irish on tonight’s popular optional outing to the legendary Taylors Irish Cabaret, featuring a delicious dinner, drinks, and outstanding Irish music, dance, and comedy. (B)

Day 9: DUBLIN

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Details

Tour Operator
Cosmos
Start City
EDI
End City
DUB
Duration (Days)
9
Pricing & departures
Option From Departs Returns
Land Only (Double) USD 2,559 May 10, 2026 May 18, 2026
Single Supplement USD 3,279 May 10, 2026 May 18, 2026
Land Only (Double) USD 2,619 May 24, 2026 June 1, 2026
Single Supplement USD 3,339 May 24, 2026 June 1, 2026
Land Only (Double) USD 2,869 August 23, 2026 August 31, 2026
Single Supplement USD 3,589 August 23, 2026 August 31, 2026
Day by day
  1. Day 1

    ARRIVE IN EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND

    Check into your hotel. In the afternoon, there’s time to rest or discover Scotland’s great capital city. This evening, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for dinner at the hotel. (D)

  2. Day 2

    EDINBURGH

    A full day to enjoy the Scottish capital. Morning sightseeing with a Local Guide introduces you to the 200-year-old “New Town”, home to famous scientists, inventors, and novelists. In the “Old Town,” visit Edinburgh Castle to admire Scotland’s Crown Jewels. Afternoon at leisure. No trip to Scotland is complete without an authentic Scottish night out! Join an optional evening filled with traditional food, drinks, singers, dancers, bagpipes and of course the unforgettable Ceremony of the Haggis! For departures August 9, 16 and 23, tickets are included for tonight’s performance of the world-renowned Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, a vast spectacle of amassed Scottish pipe bands that takes place in an arena on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle. (B)

  3. Day 3

    EDINBURGH–ST. ANDREWS–PITLOCHRY–CULLODEN MOOR–HIGHLANDS

    A day of memorable sightseeing: cross the Firth of Forth and head to St. Andrews, whose Royal and Ancient Golf Club has given us the rules of golfing; then cross the Firth of Tay and, via Dundee and Perth, head into the Highlands with a stop in the Victorian mountain resort of Pitlochry. Cross the battlefield of Culloden Moor with its memories of Bonnie Prince Charlie before reaching your Highland destination.Today’s Distance: 225 mi/ 260 km (B,D)

  4. Day 4

    HIGHLANDS–FORT WILLIAM–GLASGOW

    Look out for signs of the mysterious Loch Ness monster and proceed via Fort William, beneath Ben Nevis. Glen Coe, where the MacDonald Clan was massacred in 1692, and a drive along the “Bonnie Banks” of Loch Lomond are scenic highlights on the way to Glasgow. Today’s Distance: 183 mi/ 293 km (B)

  5. Day 5

    GLASGOW–ALLOWAY–BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND

    On this morning’s orientation drive through Scotland’s largest city, see the fine 12th-century cathedral, imposing university buildings, and elegant Georgian squares, built by wealthy tobacco barons. Stop at Alloway, the birthplace of Robert Burns, before boarding the ferry for the Irish Sea crossing to Belfast.Today’s Distance: 143 mi/ 229 km (B)

  6. Day 6

    BELFAST

    A full day to enjoy Belfast on your own or experience the legend and legacy of the ill-fated ocean liner, Titanic, on a morning optional city tour that includes a visit to Titanic Belfast. Be moved by the compelling story of the Titanic from conception to construction and launch and its subsequent place in history. This afternoon, why not join an optional to the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Giant’s Causeway. Taking its name from the legendary Irish giant Finn McCool, 40,000 basalt columns were formed around 60 million years ago to create a unique rock formation that is a sight to behold. (B)

  7. Day 7

    BELFAST–DUBLIN, IRELAND

    Head south this morning for arrival in Dublin before lunchtime. Your orientation drive through Ireland’s capital includes statue-lined O’Connell Street, elegant Georgian squares, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. This evening’s optional excursion toasts Irish tradition with a visit to the Guinness Storehouse where Ireland’s most famous export has been brewed since 1759. A guided tour is followed by a “pint of the black stuff” and dinner.Today’s Distance: 105 mi/ 168 km (B)

  8. Day 8

    DUBLIN

    A day to explore the “Fair City” of Dublin on your own. Your Tour Director will have suggestions. Everyone’s Irish on tonight’s popular optional outing to the legendary Taylors Irish Cabaret, featuring a delicious dinner, drinks, and outstanding Irish music, dance, and comedy. (B)

  9. Day 9

    DUBLIN

    Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

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