One of the reasons for visiting the British Isles is the variety of sightseeing available. Of course, when you combine four countries, each with their own geology, cultural heritage and history, then you have the almost incomparable breadth of experiences that this tour offers.

The scenic perspective encompasses, amongst other areas, the breathtaking mountains and coastline of Donegal, the soft Glens of Antrim and the rugged moorlands of the Borders. History is there at every turn; 4000 years and more. Mediaeval castles, Roman fortresses, memories of the 17^th, 18^th and 19^th centuries, Celtic art and prehistoric remains feature throughout.

But it’s the cultural dimension that gives this itinerary its special added ingredient. Art, music, fashion, literature, and even language vary so greatly in such a relatively short distance between the peoples of these isles and we’ve included some very special gems as examples of the culture in each of the areas visited.

This is a super tour on its own or it can be combined with our ‘Bonnie Scotland’ tour to give you nearly a month’s unbeatable memories.

Tour Code

Arrive Dublin

Depart Glasgow

NIS

Sunday

Saturday

Price for groups of 2 persons and up on application

Click here to work out prices in other currencies http://www.xe.com/ucc/

TENTATIVE ITINERARY

NIGHTSTOP

Day One - Sunday

Arrival in Dublin’ fair city where you’ll be met by your Back-Roads Touring Co. Ltd guide. This afternoon your guide will be taking you on an orientation tour then the remainder of the day and evening is free to explore this great walking city.

Tonight, there’ll be a welcome dinner and an opportunity to meet other tour participants.

Day Two - Monday

Leaving Dublin, our first stop of the day is at the amazing prehistoric Newgrange complex and the nearby Hills of Tara, one of Ireland’s most important early history sites.

We continue across country, our route taking us through some of the delightful villages and pretty scenery of central Eire and the border counties of Northern Ireland.

Our destination is the west coast and our nightstop between Sligo and Donegal.

Day Three - Tuesday

This area is known as Yeats Country, after the poet W B Yeats. We’ll explore the area, in particular finding sites associated with this greatest of modern Irish literary figures.

There’s also the famed Belleek Pottery, Ireland’s oldest and most historic pottery to visit.

Also on today’s itinerary is the breathtaking scenery of the Slieve League. Every superlative you’ve ever heard about the West Coast of Ireland will be proven today and on tomorrow’s scenic drives.

Day Four - Wednesday

Another day of astounding natural beauty as we tour the Rosses and the Glenveagh National Park areas of Donegal. We’ll really be using our small coach to get where the larger vehicles can’t today! Highlights will not only include some astounding views (pray for clear skies!) but also some of the more remote coastal villages. Donegal is one of the least exploited regions of Eire and you’re going to see it at its best before it’s ravaged by modern, mass tourism.

Also on today’s schedule will be the historic city of Londonderry.

Day Five - Thursday

Although we have a series of packed and memorable days in store, there’s surprising little driving. Ulster is a compact place.

We’ll begin today with Omagh and two fine museum-parks; the Ulster History Park and the Ulster American Folk Park. Depending on time and group interest, we’ll visit one or both. The former presents an overview of Ulster’s history from prehistory to more modern times, while the latter depicts emigrant life on both sides of the Atlantic.

We cross the Sperrin Mountains, perhaps stopping en route to discover the gold mining tradition of the area, before reaching the coast. Here we’ve two contrasting visits; first to see the fantastic Giant’s Causeway, then to the famed Bushmills Distillery.

Day Six - Friday

Our drive today takes us through the Glens of Antrim. This is one of Ulster’s jewels.

We’ll also visit the Antrim Castle gardens and see a beautiful and unique 17^th century Anglo-Dutch water garden. Our final visit, by way of complete contrast, will be the Andrew Jackson/US Rangers centre. This Ulster thatched farmhouse, dedicated to the 7^th American President, is a museum of emigration and also of the elite American Army unit which was formed in nearby Carickfergus in 1942.

Day Seven - Saturday

This will be a day either for you to enjoy a day’s ‘organised independence’ or to join your Back-Roads Touring guide-companion. Your options will be discussed as ever, over dinner on the prior evening.

Dinner tonight is not included to allow tour participants to make their own arrangements, perhaps with an optional visit to a theatre or concert.

Day Eight - Sunday

The second part of this terrific tour features the England/Scottish Borders and Scottish Lowlands. We’re always amazed that this region is relatively so little visited as it’s one of the UK’s true hidden gems and ideal for a Back-Roads Touring Co Ltd adventure.

We rise early to catch the Larne to Stranraer ferry and spend our first day in the Scottish lowlands following the Robbie Burns trail through Ayrshire. This is ‘Brigadoon’ country. We’ll also try to include some of the very early Christian sites that are a feature of this area.

Day Nine - Monday

On this fascinating day, we follow the mighty Hadrian’s Wall. It was built in the 2^nd Century by the Roman conquerors to hold back the unruly Picts and Scots. All along this wall there are remarkable museums, stunning wall-top walks, and archaeological digs.

Just short distances away are small, attractive market towns such as Hexham.

Day Ten - Tuesday

The Holy Isle of Lindisfarne is our major visit of the day. We’re only able to visit this monastery when the tide is out and we can drive along the narrow causeway separating the island form then mainland.

Later we’ll visit Bamburgh and Berwick on Tweed. The castles here bear witness to the many hundreds of years fighting between the English and Scots for control of the land and the establishment of the borders between the two countries.

Day Eleven - Wednesday

We’ve a day exploring the varied delights of the Scottish lowlands featuring today some of its many stunning religious ruined abbeys, such as those at Melrose (where Robert the Bruce’s heart is said to be buried), Dryburgh and Jedburgh. As a contrast, we’ll also visit a few local ‘stately homes’ such as Floors Castle and Roxburgh.  The Tweed Valley provides a scenic dimension to the day.

Day Twelve - Thursday

Robert Owen’s model workers’ village at New Lanark, the woollen shopping mills at Moffat, the excellent Traquair House, Walter Scotts’ Abbotsford and the interesting town of Hawick are on our list for visits today.

This is a very varied day that includes great literary figures, some surprising Victorian explorers, an enlightened Industrial Revolutionary, and the lakes, waterfalls, rolling hills and valleys that mark border country scenery.

Day Thirteen - Friday

We couldn’t be so close and not spend time in that Athens of the North, Edinburgh. This morning you’ll enjoy a panoramic tour of the city that will include the castle, Holyrood Palace, Arthur’s Seat, the Royal Mile and the New Town.  This afternoon you’re free to enjoy some free time in the city.

Later we drive the short distance to Glasgow for our final night’s accommodation. Dinner is not included tonight.

Day Fourteen - Saturday

Well, it’s farewell. All good things must unfortunately come to an end. You’ll be transferred to the airport for your journey home. You might like to consider extending your stay by a day and seeing Glasgow.  Certainly, those with an interest in art would find the city’s renowned Burrel Collection well worth visiting.

© As we publish full tour descriptions, you may find others offering our unique itineraries.  But, just as you find when others sing the songs of Paul McCartney, they're often not quite as good as when sung by the original composer!