Belfast to a tour of Scotland

[Cda]

Ok we were planning to go to Ireland 2026, maybe August

My wife surprised me and said why don’t we go to Scotland and London.

So best way to get to Scotland. Looks like our last Ireland city should be Belfast??

And when we get to Scotland,,, maybe a five day or so tour of Scotland ? Rail or bus??

Any other ideas???

 

[Eleanor]

How long are you planning for all of this? I'm concerned you may end up short changing Ireland, Scotland and London.... What are your priorities for each place? How are you planning to travel around each? Depending on what you want to do/see in Scotland, it may be necessarly to think about renting a car. Places like Skye are difficult by public transport. The other alternative would be to book a tour. Rabbies and Timberbush are both recommended companies for Scotland

Flying would be the best and quickest way between Ireland and Scotland. Then train from Scotland to London.

August is peak hioliday season so everywhere is likely to be busy. If you are thinking about Edinburgh, you need to be aware that August is the time of the Fringe Festival. Accommodation shoots up in price and is eye wateringly expensive that month.

Also popular places like Skye book up really early, so you will need to decide an itinerary and get places booked soon.

 

[Cda]

Ok
A lot to think about and research

I kind of have Ireland planned,,, maybe around 10-11 days in Ireland

My wife just brought up Scotland and London

So starting the research

Scotland maybe around 5-6 days, not sure what we want to see. First time there
Not into tour busses, but may have to do it. Train would be nice. Just need to research Scotland train map.

London, I think I can figure that out. I have been to Great Britain before, just did not make it to London

Any help / advice is welcomed

Days are very flexible can go almost anytime June - end of September

 

[Eleanor]

With 5-6 days in Scotland, don't try and be too adventurous. Fly into either Glasgow or Edinburgh and plan to spend several days in one of them. There is an excellent train service between the two so you can easily do a day trip to the other without having to change accommodation.

Either would make a good base and there is plenty to do in both places - you could easily fill a couple of days in both of thgem and still only begin to scratch the surface. They have a very different feel and it could repay visiting both.

They both are an excellent base for day trips. Stirling can easily be visited from either Glasgow or Edinburgh on the train.

From Edinburgh you can catch the train to Leuchars and then short bus ride to St Andrews. There is also the train to Dunbar, North Berwick or even Berwick upon Tweed. You can also catch the train to Pitlochry. Alternatively catch the train to Tweedbank and then short bus ride to Melrose...

From Glasgow, you could catch the train to Balloch for Loch Lomond. Alternatively catch the train to either Adrossan or Troon for the ferry to Arran. Or catch a train to Largs for the ferry to Cumbrae.

You could also do a day trip on the train to Oban. In fact, you could consider spending a couple of nights on Isle of Mull which is reached by ferry from Oban. (Like Skye, this does book up very quickly and there is a limited amount of accommodation.)

June or September may be better than August. It will be less busy. Scotland schools break up the end of June and go back mid August. Englaish schools . English schools break up end of Jukly and go back early September.

 

[Cda]

Thank you for all that

I have my research cut out for me!!

 

[Eleanor]

Research is half the fun of going on holiday. What ever you decide on, you won't be disappointed.

 

[Cda]

Yep when we went to Italy last year I did hours of research

When I got there remembered some of it

But had a fantastic time, figuring out where to go

 

[Pauline]

Moving this to the UK and Ireland forum.

 

[amymac]

That sounds like an amazing plan!

We did a similar Ireland trip and then hopped over to Scotland, and it worked out beautifully. Ending in Belfast is perfect — the ferry to Scotland is easy, comfortable, and the views make it feel like part of the adventure.

A five-day Scotland tour is a great way to get a feel for the country. Rail is super scenic, while small-group bus tours are relaxed and worry-free.

If you can, spend a full day in Edinburgh, especially in August when the festivals make the whole city feel alive.

Then wrapping up in London gives you the perfect finish.
You’ve got a fantastic journey ahead!

 

[Cda]

Thank you

I looked at the ferry to Cairnryan

But not sure how to get around from there. Did not w was nt to do a bus.


Once you got to Scotland did you do a tour or other??

Flying to Glasgow seems fast and easy, out of Belfast ?

 

[Eleanor]

From Cairnryan, you would need to get a bus or taxi to Stranraer and then get the train to Glasgow. It's not a particularly good service and you may have to change at Ayr. It is going to take about 2.5 hours on the train. (You may get a better train service by getting a bus or taxi to Ayr....)

You are possibly going to need to allow a full day for this trip. Flying from Belfast to either Glasgow or Edinburgh would be a lot quicker and also easier.

 

[Cda]

Yep 45 minute flight

Now that I get there, need to figure out what to do. Early stages of planning.

Have you done any one day tours from Glasgow or Edinburgh???

 

[rollingwheels]

Belfast is a good last stop in Ireland if you’re heading to Scotland. From there you can take the ferry to Cairnryan and then continue by bus or train to Glasgow, or take a short flight to Edinburgh or Glasgow.

For around five days in Scotland, it’s usually easiest to base in Edinburgh or Glasgow and do day tours to the Highlands, Loch Ness, and Glencoe rather than moving city every day by bus. Trains work well between the main cities and are more comfortable than long-distance buses. After that, the train from Edinburgh or Glasgow to London is very straightforward and scenic. If anyone needs help specifically with private transfers in Londons, we can help.

 

[Cda]

Belfast is a good last stop in Ireland if you’re heading to Scotland. From there you can take the ferry to Cairnryan and then continue by bus or train to Glasgow, or take a short flight to Edinburgh or Glasgow.

For around five days in Scotland, it’s usually easiest to base in Edinburgh or Glasgow and do day tours to the Highlands, Loch Ness, and Glencoe rather than moving city every day by bus. Trains work well between the main cities and are more comfortable than long-distance buses. After that, the train from Edinburgh or Glasgow to London is very straightforward and scenic. If anyone needs help specifically with private transfers in Londons, we can help.

Thank you for the info.

I am going to try to set down and do a rough trip plan.

Any company suggestions for day tours from Glasgow?

Plus I thought about just being in Edinburgh the first couple of days for Fringe. Any suggestions, not looking to attend an event just enjoy the atmosphere

 

[Eleanor]

Don't sign up for a day trip to Inverness and Loch Ness. It is a very long way and you will spend most of the day sitting in a coach.

Either Rabbies or Timberbush do day tours from both Edinburgh and Glasgow and both companies are highly recommended.

West Highland, Lochs and Castles from Edinburgh is popular.

From Glasgow, think about
Oban, Glencoe, Highland Lochs and Castles.
Day trip to Arran
Day trip to Bute.

​

 

[Cda]

We have not done a bus tour in a lot of years!!

Are Inverness and Loch Ness worth a trip to??

My wife just brought up Scotland, which I know nothing about and have not had a chance to research

If we just hit Glasgow and Edinburgh,,, can we say we have been to Scotland? Or do we need to see outside the cities.

 

[Eleanor]

One of the advantages of both Rabbies and Timberbush are they use minibuses so there will only be about 16 on the tour. They are a good way of seeing something of the scenery without the need to hire a car.

In the time you have available, Inverness and Loch Ness aren't worth a trip. You can see plenty of good scenery on a day trip on any of the day trips flagged up in #15. Any of them will give a flavour of Scotland and hopefully encourage you to come back for a longer visit.

 

[Cda]

Sounds great,,,, will look at those today

 

[chachalaca]

We have not done a bus tour in a lot of years!!

Are Inverness and Loch Ness worth a trip to??

My wife just brought up Scotland, which I know nothing about and have not had a chance to research

If we just hit Glasgow and Edinburgh,,, can we say we have been to Scotland? Or do we need to see outside the cities.

You must see the coast! The beaches are gorgeous, and the coast as well. If you can get into the Highlands, I'm not sure you have enough time for all of that, but you should be able to get out to the coast from Edinburgh. Have a great trip!