Itinerary Help (Ireland & Scotland)
 

Hey all,

My head is about to explode with so much research - I need some help. I'm heading over to Dublin in August for work and wanted to spend an extra 10 or so days exploring Ireland and Scotland. I'm going to fly my wife up after my work duties are done and we will have about 10 days to play with. The only requirement is Edinburgh (my wife's family is from this area of Scotland and she's never been so she really wants to go).

Can you all help with an itinerary that helps us see as much as possible but not too much that we don't enjoy it. We will be renting a car to get around as needed (and assume we will be flying from Dublin to Scotland).

Thanks!

August is the only time I wouldn't go to Edinburgh.. sort accommodation there and use that/those dates as a governing factor.

You can fly to from Ireland and Scotland from other options than Dublin so maybe a 3 day city break for Edinburgh and try to fit Stirling Castle in there. use the other 7 for Ireland using Dublin as one airport and possibly Cork/Shannon as the other. That way you can see a bit of the south or west of the island of Ireland as well as just Dublin

Don't be afraid of Edinburgh during the festival. Sure, it's pricey and crowded, also electric, beautiful, exciting and so full of artistry and music that it's silly. Just expect to may more for lodgings, then go for it.

Regarding how to split up the days, you've got a lot of choice. For my money rural Scotland has more to offer in the way of variety than rural Ireland, but others may disagree. Scotland is pretty big, and it's tempting to try to squeeze in too many destinations in a short period of time, so I'd probably limit my excursions to areas that are with a few hours' drive of Edinburgh. That still leaves a lot of very wonderful options.

Give us some idea of your likes and dislikes and we can provide more specific advice.

<<Can you all help with an itinerary that helps us see as much as possible but not too much that we don't enjoy it. >>

Really?

Can you help us help you?

WHAT DO YOU LIKE AND WHAT INTRIGUES YOU ABOUT SCOTLAND AND IRELAND?

Answer that. Then you will get better help.

And check the Fodors destination tab for suggestions.

Here are our thoughts so far:

-Arrive in Dublin on Wednesday afternoon (I'll already be in Dublin)
-Thursday & Friday in Dublin and surrounding area
-Saturday - fly to Inverness and pick up rental --> drive to Isle of Skye and see the sights along the way
-Sunday & Monday - explore Isle of Skye
-Tuesday - start working way back to Edinburgh spending the night around Fort William / Glencoe
-Wednesday - Friday - explore Edinburgh and surrounding area
-Saturday - fly home

Thats Dublin and Scotland, come back and see Ireland next time.

<<Tuesday - start working way back to Edinburgh spending the night around Fort William / Glencoe>>

OR go down the A9 and detour via Perth (Scone Palace), Blair Castle and/or Stirling Castle.