The Lands Tour: Ireland, Scotland and Iceland Itinerary

When it comes to travel styles in Europe, I find that there are two main camps: the traveler who wants to be fully immersed in one country’s culture for the duration of their trip and the traveler who wants to visit as many destinations as possible in their trip. I tend to fall in the latter camp as I want to see all of the things! This was my catalyst to explore Iceland, Ireland, and Scotland in one itinerary – we dubbed this 10-day journey “The Lands Tour”.

Initially, our trip was just Ireland and Scotland, but I found a great airfare deal with IcelandAir that offered the additional bonus of a stay in Iceland (up to 7 days) between connecting flights at no extra charge. It was a no-brainer to take advantage of free airfare (travel math!) to this country and make it part of our Lands Journey.

3 Days in Ireland

Day 1: Dublin – Exploring the Heart of Ireland

Dublin, the vibrant capital of Ireland, is a city that seamlessly blends history with modern culture. From medieval castles to lively pubs, Dublin offers something for every traveler. The city is best explored on foot, allowing visitors to take in its stunning architecture and rich history. 

First stop, Fish & Chips

We landed in Dublin, Ireland, and were quickly advised by Nell, our taxi driver, that the best place in Dublin for fish & chips was Leo Burdock’s. Lucky for us, there was a location just down the street from our hotel, so off we went for a quick lunch. There were no tables, so we collected our bounty and headed off to Christchurch Park, located just across the street. It was actually delicious and worth fighting off the many pigeons who tried to steal our lunch.

The Guinness Experience

We enjoyed walking the city, visiting several churches, all of which were open and very inviting. Our next stop was the Guinness Experience, one of Dublin’s most famous attractions. Even though neither of us are big drinkers, you can’t resist a pint of Guinness in Ireland, right? 

Dublin Castle

We then took a carriage ride to Dublin Castle, just in time for a guided tour. The castle has a fascinating history, built atop the ruins of an older fortress, and the tour took us underground to explore the remains.

Immigration Museum

Another highlight was the Irish Immigration Museum, which tells the story of nearly two million Irish immigrants who fled the country during the famine in search of a better life. This museum is a must-see in Dublin, and I highly recommend planning at least three to four hours for a proper visit. We ended our day at The Church, a pub in a converted church building, where we enjoyed traditional Irish music and dancing under stained-glass windows.

Other great options for visits to Dublin: Trinity College and the Book of Kells, the lively Temple Bar district, and St. Stephen’s Green, a picturesque park in the heart of the city.

Day 2: The Cliffs of Moher & Galway

Top tip: The roads to the cliffs were curvy towards the end of the journey so be sure to take dramamine if you are affected by car sickness. 

Galway

We then drove through the Atlantic Pass and arrived in Galway, a charming town full of character. Galway is known for its vibrant arts scene, medieval streets, and thriving food culture. The Latin Quarter, with its cobblestone streets and colorful pubs, is a great place to experience traditional Irish music. We ended our night at Kennedy’s, where we indulged in Irish stew, fish & chips, and banoffee pie—a delightful dessert made with caramel, banana custard, and whipped cream.

Day 3: Cashel Rock, Blarney Castle, and Cork – Legends and Landscapes

We chose a tour that included the Rock of Cashel, Blarney Castle and Cork. Fallon, my daughter, wanted to give the stone a big smooch to receive the gift of eloquence – something she desperately wanted to have.

Cashel Rock

The Rock of Cashel is a historic site that dates back to the 4th century. Once the seat of Irish kings, it is now a collection of medieval buildings, including a stunning round tower and gothic cathedral ruins. It is said to be the place where St. Patrick converted the King of Munster to Christianity.

Blarney Castle

There had been flooding here the day before and the castle was closed, so be sure to always check the weather before visiting. There is a gorgeous stream just in front of the castle entrance and if it floods, the walkway to the castle is blocked so there is no entry when that occurs.

We happily climbed the 128 narrow spiral steps to the top floor where the line had formed to kiss the stone. They are very organized in this process as there are over 400,000 visitors who kiss the stone in hopes of receiving the gift of gab. There are two local Irishmen who keep watch over the stone and assist you in getting into position.

The rock is located in the castle wall, so you have to lay down and gently lean back while holding onto two iron handles. The Irishmen are there to offer additional support in holding you as you do have to lean a bit out to the stone and you are 3 stories above ground! You kiss the stone, get a picture to prove you did it, and pay the kind Irishmen a tip for their help. 

Cork

We then headed off to Cork. Cork is Ireland’s second largest city so there are many more things to do and see here. We were famished so we opted for a proper pub visit at Gallaghers where we had Guinness steak pie, fish & chips, and roasted chicken – yum!

5 Days in Scotland

Day 4: Edinburgh – A City Steeped in History

Edinburgh is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, with its medieval Old Town and elegant Georgian New Town. The city is home to Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace, and the iconic Royal Mile. Edinburgh’s literary history is also rich, with ties to famous writers such as Sir Walter Scott, Robert Burns, and J.K. Rowling.

We took an early morning flight to Edinburgh, Scotland so we could hit the ground running in Scotland. To be honest, this is where we were most excited to visit and it did NOT disappoint. We stayed in the city of Edinburgh, at the Blackfriars Lofts. It is a converted church into apartments. I was smitten by this accommodation and instantly began planning how to convert an old church back in the states.

TIP: We had the most helpful friends at the airport direct us to the public bus transport because it was a similar arrival time as a taxi but much cheaper. I tend to want to spend my money on an excursion or food so I was thankful for the tip!

Grassmarket

We dropped our bags at the loft and headed for Grassmarket, just a few blocks away. Grassmarket is in the Old Town, so it is loaded with shops, restaurants, and a wonderful view of the castle. We found a small set of bagpipes for my son, a Loch Ness stuffie for my daughter, and were able to take some gorgeous photographs of the city.

Pizzeria 1926 was chosen for dinner, as we had a hankering for pizza and were delighted in the quality and taste of the pizza Edinburgh. We walked back to our loft after a full afternoon of exploring the city.

There are vintage kilt shops here and we really enjoyed finding our family tartan pattern here in Edinburgh. We purchased some wool Kennedy Clan tartan scarves and headed back for an easy night of playing cards at the loft. 

You can book your loft at: https://lintoncollection.com/

Day 5: The Kelpies, Loch Lomond & Stirling Castle

The Kelpies

We chose a day tour that would visit the Kelpies, a lake cruise on Loch Lomond, and a visit to Stirling Castle. The Kelpies were neat to see but we didn’t have time to gather information on why they were built or even much of their significance – learn more than we did to appreciate them more!

Loch Lomond

The lake cruise on Loch Lomond was delightful as the water was very calm and there were many homes on the lake’s edge that were stunning to look at. We enjoyed hot tea and shortbread cookies while playing cards and looking out the windows at the beautiful lake views.

Duke’s Pass followed, and the roads were honestly so narrow, I didn’t know how a tour bus was managing the road BUT we did and we were able to see a few castles too.

We also got to see a hairy coo! A hairy coo is the name for a Scottish Highlander cow. They are a breed of cow that has a lot of hair on the top of their heads and they are so very cute! I want one. I really do! 

Stirling Castle

Our last visit was to Stirling Castle and this was the purpose of the tour we selected. My son had just written a report about William Wallace so it was very important that we visit Stirling Castle as this is where Wallace and his army fought off the English in 1297. Again, we could have spent an entire day here as there was so much to see.

We had the pleasure of talking with a host in the castle who shared an in-depth but brief story of the Battle of Stirling Bridge. It is always wonderful to talk with someone who works at a site when they truly love the subject.

We saw William Wallace Tower in the distance and wanted to visit there but time had run out and we had to return to Edinburgh.

Day 6: Edinburgh and Swanston Farms

We ended our day with a huge appetite so we treated ourselves to a steak dinner at Miller and Carter Steakhouse. It was delicious and a perfect way to end the day.

Day 7: Glasgow

We took an early morning train to Glasgow in just 45 minutes. We chose to stay in the hotel called the Voco Grand that is located in the train station. It was so gorgeous in its architecture and beyond convenient as it was just steps away from the train. We had a large room and were right in the city center. 

Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city, sits on the River Clyde in the western Lowlands and offers rich industrial heritage with vibrant contemporary culture. Once a very industrial city, Glasgow has reinvented itself following deindustrialization, earning recognition as a UNESCO City of Music and European Capital of Culture.

Glasgow pales in comparison to the architectural beauty of Edinburgh, but given its industrial history that makes sense. We had a quick lunch, and spent the rest of the day walking around the city and watching street performers. Glasgow has a vibrant cultural scene, so we were happy to see some of that while exploring the city

An early night at the hotel was in order so we ordered pizza and watched a movie.

Let me plan your dream trip to Scotland – contact me today!

Day 8: Devil’s Pulpit Hike & William Wallace Tower

Devil’s Pulpit

I found a hike near Glasgow called the Devil’s Pulpit and decided that we needed to do it! We booked the tour via Airbnb Experiences, so had a local guide.

We met with our guide Ferenc. It is just about 45 minutes outside of the city so we were truly out in the middle of farmlands when we stopped the car. We were warned about the dangerous conditions of this hike and I immediately had doubts if my children should do it. We talked as a family and decided to go forward with the hike as the kids promised that they would obey all instructions and have extreme caution.

The pulpit is located in a gorge in Craighat, Scotland. The sediments at the bottom of the gorge give off a red tint in the water and it is said by local legend that the devil himself would come and stand at this rock (pulpit) in the center of the stream and speak to his followers. The water running from the rock is red and thus the legend was born.

It is a steep descending climb into the gorge but it is truly like a fairytale. There are moss-covered rocks everywhere your eye can see and the water below your feet is a dark red. My husband and son rolled up their pants and joined Ferenc in the final leg of the journey to the rock which is out in the water.

The water would have been above my daughter’s waist, so we stayed on the shore and watched the boys. It was an invigorating hike and one that was well-worth the journey from Glasgow. 

The Wallace Monument

We were back to Glasgow by lunch so we chose a pub lunch at the Counting Place and decided at the very last minute to travel by train to Stirling again. It was a 30 minute train ride that would enable us to go visit the Wallace Monument.

We hiked uphill to the tower from the visitor’s center. It was in the woods so it was a pretty hike but definitely was a work out! You can take a shuttle from the visitor’s center if you are not interested in the hike.

We then climbed 246 steps to the top of the tower for my daughter to yell “FREEDOM!” The tower is very interesting because each floor is filled with exhibits. You can even view William Wallace’s sword.

A quick train ride back to the city for dinner on our final night in Scotland.

** We wanted to visit the Highlands during this trip but you need at least 5 days there to fully see the area including travel time. We plan to visit Scotland again and spend a full week in the Highlands.**

2 Days in Iceland

Iceland is a place full of natural wonders. I highly recommend renting a car and letting me help you create the ideal week-long itinerary. As a family, we would love to go back and hire an RV, but that’s for another day!

Since we were just in Iceland for 2 days, we decided to base ourselves in Reykjavik and do day trips. We stayed at an Airbnb near the famous Hallgrimskirkja Church – we loved our host and the apartment was so central and convenient.

Day 9: Iceland South Coast Tour + Northern Lights

South Coast

We chose the Southern Coast of Iceland tour where we were able to visit waterfalls, black sand beaches, and geysers by coach. We didn’t find the Grey Line bus tours as reliable in Iceland as we did in other countries, but the tour itself was great.

On our tour we visited:

• Seljalandsfoss: A unique 60-meter waterfall you can walk behind for a 360° view
• Skógafoss: An impressive 60-meter waterfall with a staircase allowing visitors to climb to the top for panoramic views
• Reynisfjara: The most famous black sand beach, featuring dramatic basalt columns, the Reynisdrangar sea stacks, and powerful waves (visitors must be cautious of dangerous “sneaker waves”)
• Dyrhólaey: A small peninsula nearby with a large arch formed from volcanic rock and views of black sand coastline
• While the iconic Geysir geothermal area (including the reliable Strokkur geyser) is technically part of the Golden Circle route rather than the south coast, some extended day tours combine elements of both
• Sólheimajökull: A glacier tongue where you can view the effects of geothermal activity on ice formations
• Vík: Iceland’s southernmost village, surrounded by black sand beaches
• Sólheimasandur Plane Wreck: The remains of a 1973 US Navy aircraft that crashed (requires additional walking or shuttle transport)
• Mýrdalsjökull Glacier: Often visible from various points along the route

Northern Lights Tour

We got back to the flat just in time to pack extra warm clothes for our evening Northern Lights tour. We drove out to a remote spot and got off the bus with 40+ other people and just waited. And waited.

After about an hour, the sky began to dance with bright green and purple lights. We were exhausted but so happy to see them that we began to dance around. Be prepared for the Northern Lights tour as it usually does not return back to your drop off point until 1 or 2:00AM.

Day 10: Golden Circle Tour + Lava Tubes

Our last day began with a Golden Circle Tour that focused on the Northern side of Iceland. This is the most popular tour in Iceland outside of the Northern Lights tour.

On this tour, we visited the continental shelf divide on land, larger geysers, and the most popular waterfall of them all: Gullfoss.

For a final activity, we surprised the kids with a lava tube hike at Raufarhólshellir (near Reykjavík). Here, you are suited up with a jacket, headlamp, and helmet to explore the lava tubes with a certified guide.

Lava Tubes are natural tunnels or cave-like structures formed by flowing lava during volcanic eruptions. 

Our guide was Alex and he was absolutely brilliantly funny and full of great information. We enjoyed this tour immensely and it was a perfect way to end our visit to Iceland. 

If you’d like us to design your perfect “Lands Tour”, fill out our inquiry form (list me, Connie, as your Travel Agent), and I will help make your travel dreams come true!