Depart your ship this morning and take a journey back in time.  Your motor coach will take you on a 75-minute drive to Cawdor Castle; the 14th century home of the Thanes of Cawdor, reputedly Macbeth’s castle and the site of the murder of Duncan. Today it is considered to be one of the Highland’s most romantic stately homes with its fine collection of rare tapestries, portraits, and furniture, and outside its lovely gardens and grounds.  You will tour the beautiful rooms of the castle at your leisure with an audio guide that will be provided on entry. In addition, castle stewards will be on hand to answer any of your questions).  Afterwards head to the famous Battlefield of Culloden for a brief stop where your guide will give you a description of the battle and you will have a chance to take photos. This is the site of the last battle to be fought on British soil, namely the bloody Battle of Culloden in 1746 between Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Duke of Cumberland. The desolate fields where the conflict took place have scarcely changed over the past 250 years.  Following your visit return to your ship in time for lunch. 

 

Please note:  Guests with limited mobility and wheelchairs are not recommended for this tour as there are lots of stairs at the castle including spiral stairs which are unavoidable. A boxed lunch can be taken from the ship if need be. This tour is not refundable 3 days prior to the shore excursion date.

 

 

 

Depart Invergordon today for the drive south to the banks of Loch Ness.  On arrival at Dochgarroch Harbour, embark the charming cruise boat for a short voyage on the Loch that will give you the perfect vantage point for photographing the stunning ruins of Urquhart Castle.  On arrival at the Castle’s jetty, disembark the boat for a tour of Urquhart Castle: a critical strategic stronghold in the highlands, positioned on the banks of Loch Ness, which would have been a main route through the Great Glen of the highlands.  Its checkered history came to a dramatic demise in 1692 when the castle was blown up to stop it falling into Jacobite hands. What remains are picturesque and impressive ruins, surrounded on three sides by the cold deep waters of Loch Ness.  An excellent visitor’s center offers exhibits, a film show, shop and restaurant.  Learn of its dramatic history that dates back in written records to the 6th century, but in archaeology and folklore right back to the time of the Pict. Enjoy exploring at your leisure.

 

Please note: Walking at the castle may be a challenge for those with mobility issues but is purely at the discretion of the individual. This tour is not refundable 8 days prior to the shore excursion date.

 

 

 

Want to get to the heart of Scotland’s history and mystery? Then this tour is for you. A fun filled Highland Adventure, the ‘Monster’ of all trips. Head south of Invergordon today and enjoy a picturesque journey through rolling hills and farmland and learn about the history of the area as your guide shares their experiences of life in the Scottish Highlands. First visit the wonderful 14th century Urquhart Castle, magnificently situated right on the edge of the banks of Loch Ness and one of the most photographed scenes in Scotland. Enjoy free time to explore the ruins and views over Loch Ness. Enjoy a 60-minute cruise on the world-famous loch, this is a unique opportunity to look for the evasive Loch Ness Monster, which has baffled some of the world's most notable researchers for decades. The deep lake, ('loch' in Gaelic), has drawn visitors from all over the world in search of the monster. The loch is 23 miles (about 37 kilometres) long, one mile (1.6 kilometres) wide and 755 feet (230 metres) deep. Disembarking your cruise at Dochgarroch Loch, continue by coach and pass through the city of Inverness for a stop at the stunning Kingsmill Hotel to enjoy lunch and a Scottish dram. Then travel the short distance to reach the famous battlefield of Culloden. During a stop here, see wooden plaques detailing the battle, clan graves and the Well of the Dead, where wounded Highlanders were slain as they drank water to revive themselves. The wonderful new visitor center has a fascinating exhibit which includes a 360-degree immersive cinema experience.  Stepping back further in time, discover one of Scotland’s most evocative prehistoric sites – the exceptional remains of an ancient cemetery, set on a terrace above the River Nairn. The Clava Cairns are about 4,000 years old and were built to house the dead. The standing stones are a huge draw for Outlander fans as the best example in the area. 

 

Please note: Uneven ground at Urquhart Castle with walking up to an hour at both the Castle and Culloden Visitor’s Centre. Clava Cairns is an outdoor attraction with a mix of soft and uneven ground with lots of stones. All other walking is at the visitor’s discretion. Bring local currency if you wish to purchase anything and wear comfortable walking shoes. This tour is not refundable 8 days prior to the shore excursion date.

 

 

 

After departing from the pier, you will enjoy a picturesque  45-minute drive through Derry city. Here, you can’t help but notice the towering 26-foot-high walls surrounding the original city. Built between 1613 and 1618, the walls are among the best-preserved fortified walls in Europe. More remarkable sights will await you at Iskaheen View. From this elevated vantage point, you will enjoy the spectacular panorama of Derry, the bay and the hills of Donegal County in the distance. Continuing on, history takes center stage as you pass a former workhouse for the poor, a former barracks for the British army, and a number of political murals painted by loyalists protesting British policies. You will also glimpse the old shipyard and embarkation point for Irish emigrants during the Great Famine. History really comes to life at the Tower Museum, where you will view exhibits that detail events ranging from Derry’s founding to Bloody Sunday, when in 1972 British troops killed 26 civil rights protesters as they marched through Bogside. Then for another perspective of the local culture, you will take a short walk to the craft village where you will be treated to an Irish coffee while listening to traditional music. Afterwards, you will return to the pier.

Please note:  Wear warm comfortable, waterproof clothing and flat shoes.

Depart the pier and travel 75-minutes north to the home of Bushmills Whiskey. Old Bushmills Distillery, the world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery. Granted its license in 1608 by King James I, the distillery has continuously produced whiskey for almost 400 years.  During your guided tour, you will discover the secrets of crafting the renowned whiskey, involving special water from St. Columb’s Rill, malted Irish barley, triple distillation in copper stills, and aging for many years in oak casks. Of course, no visit would be complete without enjoying a complimentary glass of the final product. Rejoin your coach and guide for your return journey to port via Dunluce Castle for a photo stop.

Please note:  Wear warm comfortable, waterproof clothing and flat shoes.

After departing from the pier, you will settle in for a relaxing 70-minute drive inland through a tapestry of emerald-green fields and the heather-clad Sperrin Mountains. Arrive at the Ulster American Folk Park, a unique museum devoted to the Irish emigration. It’s a mini-city of sorts with dozens of historical homes, businesses and even a full-scale sailing ship that allows you to trace the journey from Ireland to America step by step. To understand life in Ireland before the migration, you might view a one-room cabin shared by a poor tenant farm family of 12 or tour the grand Campbell homestead built in the late 1700s and childhood home of one of Philadelphia’s most prominent merchants. Old shops such as book stores, apothecaries, and pubs have been re-created on Ulster Street to show how businesses were run and what merchandise was available in Ireland at the time. The passage to America is shown vividly through a replica sailing ship lying in dock, where you will see the cramped conditions and even hear the sound of creaking timbers. Another section re-creates typical American businesses that emigrants would have frequented upon arriving and the types of houses that they may have lived in. Following your nearly 2-hour visit, you will re-board your coach and travel back to the pier.

Please note:  Wear warm comfortable, waterproof clothing and flat shoes. The park is closed on Mondays.

After departing from the pier, you will settle in for a leisurely 75-minute trip into the heart of the Derryveagh Mountains. This is one of the most beautiful, least populated areas in Ireland with a picture-postcard setting around every turn. Upon entering Glenveagh National Park, you will receive a safety briefing and then hop on an electric bike and pedal off into the wilds. The bikes have an electric motor for extra power when needed, so it’s easier to make your way up and down the hilly terrain. Other than the Park’s shuttle bus, vehicles are not allowed beyond the car park, which makes your cycling experience very safe and pleasant. The park sprawls over 40,000 acres of mountains, lakes and glens, all of it pristine and full of wildlife. You may catch sight of a herd of red deer bounding through the park, as they have been in Ireland since the last Ice Age and thrive here. You can bike to the waterfall at the head of the glen. The park contains about 247 acres of natural and semi-natural woodland. As you continue your travels you're sure to be surrounded by oak, birch, hazel, yew and aspen trees towering over lush green carpets of mosses and ferns. Have your camera handy. In addition to the red deer, peregrine falcons and an occasional golden eagle call this park their home so be on the lookout.  Bird lovers should listen for the wood warbler, a rare bird in Ireland but annual visitor to Glenveagh with a unique call, which sounds like a coin spinning on a plate. The park was once the estate of John Adair, a wealthy 19th   century landowner. He began building a storybook castle in 1867, designed to look like a medieval fortress, complete with a parapet and a 4-story rectangular keep. The castle’s gardens are exquisite and worth discovering. Afterwards, you will rejoin your minibus and travel back to the pier.

Please note:  Wear warm comfortable, waterproof clothing, and flat shoes. Bring your camera. Admission to the Castle & Gardens is not included.

Inishowen, the hidden jewel of the Ireland’s northwest, is almost entirely surrounded by sea. The scenery here is breathtaking, the towns and villages are small and handsome, and the peninsula feels like a world apart. Along the shores of the loughs and the Atlantic Ocean, long stretches of sandy beach are backed by sheer cliffs. Inland are some of Ireland’s most impressive mountains, with the 2,019-foot Slieve Snacht dominating the center of the peninsula. Its heritage reaches back beyond recorded history, with relics of those distant days scattered across its face. To drive around the Inishowen Peninsula is to traverse a ring of seascapes, mountains, valleys, and woodlands. It has been said that Donegal is Ireland in miniature. Present-day residents revere their ancient heritage, treasure the legends and antiquities of this remote region, and still observe many traditions of their ancestors. You will stop at Doagh Folk Village for tea and to visit the Famine Village, created to allow visitors a firsthand account of hardships endured during Ireland’s Great Potato Famine. The village also features a wake room, a hedge school and thatched cottages. Return to port at the end of your tour. 

Please note:  Dress warmly in layers so you are comfortable despite the inevitable changeability of 

Ireland’s weather.

Arriving in the original city of Derry, you will walk along the top of the towering 26-foot-high walls, which were built in between 1613 and 1618 and remain among the best-preserved fortified walls in Europe. From this vantage point, you can easily make out Londonderrry’s medieval city plan, with the principal streets radiating from the center to the old gateways. Another point of interest is Guildhall, a late Gothic administrative building with 23 stained-glass windows that depict guilds for carpenters, musicians and others. Then, it’s on to Saint Columb’s Cathedral, which when erected in 1633 was the first cathedral built in the British Isles after the Reformation. While you tour, the organist will play the Irish favorite “Londonderry Air,” familiar to some as “Danny Boy.”** It’s a fine prelude to visiting the cathedral’s Chapter House Museum, which holds rare artifacts such as the huge padlocks to Derry’s original gates. Later, at a local pub, you will celebrate the day with a drink before heading out on your own to explore further. You are sure to see plenty of reminders of the city’s past and perhaps the neo-classical courthouse and shopping opportunities exist nearby. After about an hour, you will rejoin your coach and travel back to the pier.

Please note:  Dress warmly in layers so you are comfortable despite the inevitable changeability of Ireland’s weather. **The organist may not be available to play.

Depart the pier in Killybegs for a scenic drive to Donegal town. The town was invaded by the Vikings in the 8th century and they used it as a port. This invasion is where the town got its Gaelic name, Dun na nGall, which means ’Fort of the Foreigners.’ The centre of the town is called 'The Diamond' and markets were held here until 1967. In the Diamond stands an Obelisk in memory of 'The Four Masters.' Your first stop will be at the Olde Castle Bar where you will enjoy a traditional Irish coffee served by the O’Toole family and their team, with a smile and a Cead Mile Failte! After your Irish Coffee, enjoy some free time in Donegal town, perhaps you might like to visit Magee 1866. Magee specializes in designing and weaving luxury natural fiber fabrics in the Mill in Donegal. Their designers work closely with some of the world’s leading fashion brands to create colorful, intricately designed fabrics. They still hand-weave using lambs wool, alpaca and cashmere yarns that result in a beautifully soft handle. Or a visit to Donegal Castle, built by the O'Donnell chieftain in the 15th century, beside the River Eske, the Castle has extensive 17th century additions by Sir Basil Brooke. Rejoin your coach and travel to the Killybegs International Carpet Making & Fishing Centre, situated within what was once the famous Killybegs Carpet Factory. The Heritage Centre is home to the largest hand-knotted loom in the world. Enjoy an AV about the history of this skill and Donegal. Afterwards, you will watch a live demonstration of weaving of the hand-knotted carpets, with a chance to meet and talk with one of the few hand-weavers remaining in this part of the country. Enjoy a step-by-step account of how each carpet is individually designed and produced. You will be taught the unique craft of hand-knotting, and have the opportunity to try your skills at one of the hand-looms on display in the Factory.

Please note: Bring local currency and camera and wear warm comfortable waterproof clothing and non- slip flat soled shoes. Order of sites visited may vary.

Depart Killybegs and take the short drive to the village of Ardara. Ardara, one of the five designated heritage towns in Donegal, is situated in the beautiful southwest region of Donegal. The name Ard a’ Ratha which means ‘high hill of the fort’ comes from the earthen ring-fort, which crowns the hill to the northeast of the town. Ardara has been long associated with the tweed and knitwear industries. From the 1870s this trade became a cottage industry with home spun and hand dyed woollen and tweed items being created. The Ardara Heritage Centre, formally the town Courthouse, profiles the development of the tweed industry. To this day several shops in the town still sell high quality tweed and knitwear. Your first stop will be a visit to John Molloy Woollen Mills. Here you will see a demonstration and learn about the tweed industry. Enjoy a cup of tea/coffee and a homemade scone while learning about the details of weaving tweed. Rejoin your guide and continue to the Corner House Bar where you will learn the time-honored tradition of baking bread – enjoy a demonstration given by a local. After your bread making demonstration, it is time to experience something rather different. Perhaps not your average visitor experience, the Irish Wake is none-the-less a huge part of old traditional Ireland. It is one of the best known funeral traditions associated with Ireland: The Wake - the glorious send-off of departed loved ones and a prominent feature of Irish funeral traditions. It is seen less and less in modern Ireland and is now almost unknown in the cities. The Wake conducted will re-enact the traditional Irish custom of celebrating the life that just passed, a "send-off" to the next life. Take part in the customary “sniffing of the snuff” and “tasting the poitín.” As the Irish have always loved a good party - the wake descends into a celebration of life, food, drink and music. Guests are offered a drink of choice and local musicians will provide the entertainment. After this celebration of life, take some time to discover the town of Ardara, before returning to your awaiting ship.

Please note: Bring local currency and camera and wear warm comfortable waterproof clothing and non- slip flat soled shoes. Order of sites visited may vary.

Driving through the scenic countryside of Donegal, you will soon enter the neighboring county of Sligo. A stop will be made for you to visit and tour Lissadell House. Lissadell is famous as the childhood home of Constance Markievicz, her sister Eva Gore-Booth and her brother Josslyn Gore-Booth. Constance was one of the leaders of the 1916 Rising, and was the first woman to be elected to Dáil Eireann, where she served as Minister for Labour (thus becoming the first woman minister in a modern Western European democracy), and was also the first woman to be elected to the House of Commons at Westminster, London (where she declined to take her seat). Eva was a poet of distinction and an active suffragist, clashing with the young Winston Churchill over barmaids’ rights in 1908. Josslyn created at Lissadell one of the premier horticultural estates in Europe. This horticultural enterprise has now been recreated at Lissadell. The great poet W. B. Yeats was friendly with the Gore-Booth sisters and stayed at Lissadell in 1892 and 1893. When Robert Gore-Booth built the house at Lissadell in the 1830s, Yeats’ great grandfather, John Butler Yeats, was Rector of Drumcliff. As children, both William and his brother Jack visited Lissadell for cricket matches and horse racing; and as a young man William made friends with the Gore-Booth sisters Constance and Eva. He immortalized Lissadell and the Gore-Booth sisters in his poetry. Re-join your motor coach and guide and travel to Sligo town for lunch. After lunch time will be permitted to explore the town independently before making your return drive to Killybegs and your awaiting ship.

Please note: Bring local currency and camera and wear warm comfortable waterproof clothing and non- slip flat soled shoes. Order of sites visited may vary.

Depart from Killybegs port and travel through the small villages of Kilcar and Carrick to the Tí Linn Café & Craft Shop. It is here you will transfer to a mini-bus to the viewing point for the Slieve League Cliffs, believed to be Europe's highest sea cliffs rising almost 1,969 feet (600 m) from the Atlantic. Even more spectacular than the Cliffs of Moher, there is nothing else like it in Europe. Due to its remote setting, Slieve League can boast an unspoiled raw landscape and your trip to this almost inaccessible location will be more than worth it when the breathtaking expanse of natural beauty comes into view. The mini-bus will bring you to the viewing point and you will spend time here marvelling at the spectacular scenery while your guide provides some information. This is a great opportunity to take photographs of the scenery and it is a sight you won’t want to forget. The mini-bus will then bring you back to the Tí Linn Café & Craft Shop for a browse where you will find a selection of local and national crafts from photographic work and knitwear to jewelery and rustic furniture. The Tí Linn Art Gallery also has works on display by resident artists and exhibitions and workshops by visiting artists working in various media.

Please note: Bring local currency and camera and wear warm comfortable waterproof clothing and non- slip flat soled shoes.

Long valleys drop down from the mountains to a coast of rocky headlands, fishing villages and sweeping sandy beaches. It is a landscape of immense beauty. Donegal has always had a unique character of its own and the political divisions of the 20th century have only helped to isolate it further. Here is a picturesque landscape of mountainous beauty, russet-hued like its famous tweed. Departing the pier in Killybegs you will travel in a northerly direction through sleepy towns to an area known as The Rosses or ’Na Rosa’ in Gaelic meaning ‘the headlands.’ Villages are scattered along the rocky and barren coast. Here aspects of traditional Irish life that have largely vanished elsewhere are preserved. The capital (although a very small one) of The Rosses is Dungloe and it is here that the annual ’Mary from Dungloe International Festival’ takes place. Onwards to the village of Crolly, home of internationally acclaimed singer Enya and her siblings who form the traditional Irish group Clannad. A stop will be made here to enjoy an Irish coffee. Afterwards, rejoin your motor coach and guide for your return journey to Killybegs. Sit back and relax to enjoy the wonderful, breathtaking scenery. Photo stops will be made along the way at the many opportunities that arise.

Please note: Bring local currency and camera and wear warm comfortable waterproof clothing and non-slip flat soled shoes. Order of sites visited may vary.

Galway is the capital of the west of Ireland. The streets and buildings of this ancient town have many interesting features, and its position on the edge of the Gaeltacht (Irish speaking area) makes it the gateway to magnificent places such as The Burren, Connemara, Corrib country, and the Aran Islands. The city itself is a continuing center of growth with its university, Institute of Theatres and cathedral. Traveling south through the towns of Oranmore and Kilcolgan, you will enter The Burren region at Kinvara. The Burren, named from the Gaelic word Boireann, is an area of limestone rock that spans the imposing, majestic mountains and tranquil valleys with gently meandering streams. A deeply peaceful atmosphere, extraordinary array of flora and wildlife, and megalithic tombs and monuments older than Egypt's pyramids, create a tapestry of color and a seductively magical aura that keeps visitors coming back for more. At Ballyvaughan, visit the impressive Aillwee Cave -- the most important cave in Ireland. The story of Aillwee began millions of years ago. It is a stunning creation of nature formed by the melting waters of a prehistoric Ice Age. The cave, carved out of limestone, cuts into the heart of the mountain -- an underground treasure waiting for you to discover it. Following your memorable visit to the cave, rejoin your motor coach and guide for your return drive to Galway and your waiting ship.

Please note: Wear comfortable walking shoes and waterproof clothing. Bring local currency and your camera. Itinerary is subject to change.

Depart from the pier for the short drive to Galway's City Centre. Upon arrival, pass by the famous Eyre Square, the crown jewel of Galway. From here, proceed for a photo stop and brief visit at the beautiful Galway Cathedral. One of the largest and most dominating buildings in Galway and the largest church in Ireland made from stone, the Cathedral is located on the site of the former city jail and features an approximately 145-foot-high (about 44-metre-high) dome.  Leaving the city, you will proceed through some of County Galway's most beautiful countryside. Along the way, pass through the seaside resort of Salthill, situated on the northern inner shore of Galway Bay. The Aran Islands are visible to the right, and Galway City to the left. Directly across Galway Bay is the Burren area of County Clare, and to the west are the bogs and mountains of Connemara. Continuing through Salthill, pass through the Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking) area of Spiddal before turning north through the eastern edge of Connemara. Marvel at the ever-changing landscape of this truly wondrous locale as you pass through and continue to the small village of Maam Cross where you will stop for tea/coffee and scones. Your return journey will then pass through the village of Moycullen before arriving back at Galway Harbour and the pier. Time-permitting, photo stops will be made along the way.

Please note; Wear comfortable walking shoes and waterproof clothing. Bring local currency and your camera. Itinerary is subject to change.

A scenic 45-minute drive through County Galway will bring you to visit the welcoming Rathbaun Farm. Rathbaun boasts a picturesque 150-year-old farmhouse. This is the perfect spot for learning how to bake the most perfect traditional homemade scones and savor a hot cup of tea while your hosts take you on a narrative journey through Irish farming history. The Connolly family, still farming to this day, will introduce the many phases this land has seen over the centuries, from famine to prosperity to the Ireland of today. You will be invited to hand-feed the newborn lambs (in season) and watch the farmer maneuver his flock with the help of his trusty sheepdog. Life on a farm, is it for you? Perhaps this fabulous experience will help you make up your mind.

 

Please note: Wear comfortable walking shoes and waterproof clothing. Bring local currency and your camera. Itinerary is subject to change.

             

 

 

 

Departing the ship, your tour will begin with a panoramic drive to Waterford - Ireland's oldest tourist destination. Waterford was originally settled by a Celtic tribe called the Deisi (pronounced Day-Sha) and is still widely referred to as The Decies. The first real tourists were the Vikings, who came in the 9th century and stayed until the Anglo-Normans asked them to leave three centuries later. In fact, the city's English name comes from the Norse word Vadrefjord. Your drive will take you past Reginald's Tower-an ancient fortification erected in 1003 as part of the Danish defences. Strongbow later occupied the tower in 1171. Nowadays, Waterford is well known as the Crystal City. You will stop at the House of Waterford Crystal. Since the closure of the original factory in 2009, only a limited production of crystal can be found in Waterford. The new showrooms and exhibition area will take you through the production process and the finished product is here on display for you to browse through.  After the tour, indulge yourself in a lavish retail store, which houses the largest collection of Waterford Crystal found anywhere in the world.

 

Please note: Wear warm comfortable clothing and flat shoes. Bring your camera and sunscreen. Order of sites visited may vary.

 

 

 

Board your motorcoach and enjoy a scenic drive through County Kilkenny. Along the way you will pass rich farmland en route to Jerpoint Abbey. Nestled on the banks of the River Arrigle, Jerpoint Abbey is a Cistercian monastery, founded in the 12th century. The expansive grounds contain a well-preserved series of ruins that paints a vivid picture of monastic life. Marvel at how self-contained the abbey was, noting the gardens, watermill, the granary and large kitchen. There are a number of stone carvings depicting the saints and round archways with intricate designs. The precision and attention to detail in the architecture is truly inspiring. The oldest sections of the abbey are the Irish-Romanesque transepts and chancel. The east window dates from the 14th century and the magnificent central tower was added in the 15th century. Be sure to climb the stairs for a magnificent panoramic view. The restored cloister bears carvings of knights and ladies, bishops and dragons - even a man with stomach ache, echoing a drawing found on a medieval manuscript. Legend has it that a ruined church just to the east of Jerpoint Abbey is the final resting place of Saint Nicholas, the man who inspired Santa Claus. At the completion of your time at the abbey, re-board the motorcoach for a picturesque drive through Thomastown to Inistioge, an enchanting Irish village, which sits on the banks of the River Nore. Hollywood blockbuster Circle of Friends was filmed in this area. A photo stop allows you to capture the idyllic scene of a stone arched bridge spanning the gently flowing river. On your return drive, your motorcoach travels a picturesque route for views of the Nore and Barrow River Valleys through the countryside and back to the port.

Please note: Wear warm comfortable clothing and flat shoes. Bring your camera and sunscreen.