Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Europe
Reload this Page >

Scotland to Northern Ireland and then back to Scotland. Tips?

Scotland to Northern Ireland and then back to Scotland. Tips?

Old Sep 1st, 2015, 03:31 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Scotland to Northern Ireland and then back to Scotland. Tips?

Hi there!

This October, a friend and I are traveling to Glasgow, we had the plan to ferry over to Northern Ireland and see the Causeways and some of the castles up in the north, and then head back to Scotland for 3 days. We are flying back to the US from Edinburgh. Does anyone have any suggestions for traveling via ferry from Glasgow to Belfast? Also any driving tours? We don't plan on renting a car in Northern Ireland since we will only be there for two nights, the first day mostly staying in Belfast. But we do plan on renting a car for when we return to Glasgow, because we would like to go as far north into the highlands and Isle of Skye if we can. Any and all traveling tips would be greatly appreciated!
thewanderluster is offline  
Old Sep 1st, 2015, 10:56 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 72,631
Likes: 0
Received 50 Likes on 7 Posts
Since you'll be in Glasgow, I'd fly to Belfast and back. It will be much quicker than traveling down to Cairnryan and taking the ferry. Your time is much too short to spend most of a day getting to Belfast.
janisj is online now  
Old Sep 2nd, 2015, 12:31 AM
  #3  
ESW
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 761
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
At the end of your holiday, you do realise that Glasgow to Isle of Skye is effectively a full days drive there and back again. With only three days it isn't going to leave you a lot of time to see much of the area.

You will also have restricted day length in October. The further north you go the shorter the days. Sun rise is just before 8am and sunset is around 6.30pm. On a dull cloudy day you will lose daylight even sooner. Exact times for Portrre are here.
http://www.sunrise-and-sunset.com/en...e/2015/october

You will not want to drive Scottish roads after dark.

Have you considered flying from Belfast to Inverness and a one way car hire from Inverness to drive to Skye and then back to Glasgow.
ESW is offline  
Old Sep 2nd, 2015, 04:26 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Drive from Glasgow to Stranraer Scotland. Take the Ferry to Belfast.

http://www.aferry.co.uk/belfast-stranraer-ferry.htm

Having a car is best for getting around the Coast in Northern Ireland.

I live in NI, so please send me a message if you have any queries about things to do / getting around etc. I'd love to help.

NI Sightseeing information will be posted here very soon and regularly:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeh...hfJLSrVJ64gjRQ

Hope you have a lovely time.

Barbara
MySights
MySights is offline  
Old Sep 11th, 2015, 10:16 AM
  #5  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thank you all, this is very helpful! I wish we could take a longer trip, but with what we have for days I'd love to make this as efficient as possible!
thewanderluster is offline  
Old Sep 11th, 2015, 10:58 AM
  #6  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Also ESW, we were planning on staying in Isle of Skye possibly, and then go from Isle of Skye to another location up in the northern highlands and make our way around and down to Edinburgh for our final night.
thewanderluster is offline  
Old Sep 14th, 2015, 04:11 PM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Glad to help.
MySights is offline  
Old Sep 14th, 2015, 04:33 PM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 9,171
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
McComb tours are good with the Causeway tours. I did the Game of Thrones tour with them and loved it. Small bus and we had a great time.
flpab is offline  
Old Sep 14th, 2015, 04:36 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 9,171
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Please note, on November 20th 2011 the Stena Line Belfast-Stranraer route stopped operating. This route was replaced by Cairnryan-Belfast which is also run by Stena Line.
flpab is offline  
Old Sep 14th, 2015, 04:45 PM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 72,631
Likes: 0
Received 50 Likes on 7 Posts
flpab: >>Please note, on November 20th 2011 the Stena Line Belfast-Stranraer route stopped operating.
janisj is online now  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
pepinospune
Europe
8
Jun 1st, 2017 07:42 AM
phillyboy
Europe
30
Jan 13th, 2015 11:44 AM
vbrasil
Europe
19
May 31st, 2011 06:38 PM
Craigellachie
Europe
35
Feb 22nd, 2011 02:35 AM
PaddyCinn
Europe
12
Dec 10th, 2009 04:28 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -