Ireland and Scotland Motorcycle Tour

Lands of the Celts: Ireland & Scotland

Explore the mythical lands of the Celts on this motorcycle Tour of Ireland and Scotland

Lands of the Celts 2023 Tour

Experience the best of Ireland and Scotland on our 19 day/18 night motorcycle tour, now in its second successful season. This unforgettable tour has been enhanced based on feedback and our own expertise, with three extra nights added to include two nights in Castles and a dinner evening cruise in the Isle of Skye.

Your adventure begins on the Wild Atlantic Way, the world’s longest coastal touring route on the West of Ireland. Explore the distinct regions of the west coast, from the otherworldly Southern Peninsulas to the sheer Cliff Coast, the Bay Coast to the Surf Coast, and finally the Northern Headlands. You’ll enjoy breathtaking views at every turn, whether you’re hugging the coast or crossing Ireland’s highest mountains.

From Northern Ireland, we’ll spend a night in a Castle before taking the ferry to the mystical and mythical land of Scotland. You’ll spend a night in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National park before riding to the ancient Isle of Skye, where we’ve included a rest day. After exploring the Scottish Highlands and staying in a Scottish Castle, we’ll ride south to the Cairngorms National Park before arriving in Edinburgh just in time for the famous Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Our engaging riding experience includes plenty of twisty scenic roads, with daily arrivals at new locations after 5 or 6 hours of riding. Each evening, we stay in lively towns with a great range of restaurants and pubs for you to explore and engage with the local Irish and Scottish social scene.

Immerse yourself in the exquisite Celtic landscapes and culture of the Celts, and see why our customers consider this the ultimate motorcycle tour of Ireland and Scotland. Book now and join us for the ride of a lifetime!

 
 
 

Tour Facts

Tour Type Guided
2023 Dates 24th July 2023 to 11th August 2023
Duration 19 days in total incl arrival and departure days 17 riding days, of which 2 are optional rest days
Hotel Nights 18 nights in fantastic 3 & 4 star hotels, incl 2 Castle stays
KM's 3,978km, riding approx 283km per day
Skill Level Intermediate to experienced: Routes include switchbacks and narrow roads.
Highlights Trim Castle, Giants Causeway, Cliffs of Moher, the Ring of Kerry, Conor Pass, Connemara National Park, The Burren, Loch Ness, Inverness, Edinburgh, Slieve League and Northern Ireland, Isle of Skye, Atlantic Sky Road, Achill Island, Cairngorms National Park, Galloway National Park, Loch Lomond, Edinburgh Fringe Festival
Participants 10 Bikes Maximum
6 bikes Minimum

Meet your guide, Paul

Our company co-founder and life long motorcycle enthusiast, Paul will lead this motorcycle tour of Ireland and Scotland. Paul is a relaxed but thorough and professional motorcyclist who is well travelled and experienced on riding these types of roads. Formerly a motorcycle sidecar racer, his motorcycling style ensures the ride is progressive, safe and considerate. He is also a handy person to have around when things go wrong, as he can turn his hand to most “mcivor” style roadside repairs! Paul is a keen sailor and angler and has a love of the countryside, which will be evident when you ride in his company. Knowledgeable and happy to converse on any topic, except politics!

Some pictures of this Motorcycle Tour of Ireland and Scotland!

Itinerary

Explore the itinerary for this Motorcycle Tour of Ireland and Scotland! Routes are subject to change.

Lands of the Celts tour
Route Map of Ireland and Scotland Motorcycle Tour

ARRIVAL

24th July 2023

  • Complimentary pick-up from Dublin Airport
  • Check in to your 4 star accommodation in Trim
  • Early check in when available for international arrivals
  • Check out your bike and riding gear
  • Kick back and enjoy the facilities of the hotel or explore Trim Castle, the largest Norman castle in Ireland.
  • Tour Briefing
  • Group welcome reception and dinner is a great opportunity to get to know your fellow riders in person.

Day 2 – 335km/ 209m (4hrs 30 mins riding)

Bike orientation – We take time to make sure you are comfortable on your bike, have the correct riding gear and ready for Ride Briefing for today

Today you’ll start with some nice riding routes as you ride through the lush meadows of Co. Meath, then making your way through the Heartlands of Ireland and staying in the lively town of Killarney (4 star).

Group Dinner included.

Day 3  – 248km/ 155m (6 hours 25mins including lunch and breaks)

  • Our route starts out on the famous Ring of Kerry, which is a “must do” on every visitors list while in the South West of Ireland. We ride the Ring in a clockwise direction so that you ride with the sea on your left and in the opposite direction of the coaches – it’s the perfect way to see the Ring of Kerry!
  • Riding with Kenmare Bay on your left, you’ll pass through Parknasilla and then we divert up to see Staigue Fort. Back onto the ring for  Coomakista Pass which offers fantastic views over Kenmare Bay
  • The Skellig Ring scenic drive starts in Waterville  and takes in the wonderful Valentia Island accessed by bridge from the picturesque Portmagee and Ballinskelligs.
  • Valentia Island – The Valentia Island Tetrapod Footprints are the most extensive of the four Devonian trackways in the world.  Riding down the island you’ll reach Knightstown where you can take a short ferry ride to Reenard Point back onto the mainland – with options for excellent lunch breaks in either town.
  • Cahirsiveen, Mountain Stage, Kells Bay, Glenbeigh – these are famous parts of The Ring of Kerry. You can switch off your intercoms and enjoy the spectacular views in silence!
  • Killorglin – Home to the famous annual Puck Fair. Puck Fair, (‘poc’ being the Irish for a male goat) is one of Ireland’s oldest fairs. The “Queen of Puck”, traditionally a young school girl from one of the local primary schools, crowns the goat “King Puck“. It takes place each August 10th. The goat is released unharmed!
  • Dingle – Truly a gem of a town!  Dingle is famous for its pubs and music night life and Fungi the dolphin!  Our optional rest day stay’s a second night in Dingle.  There’s lots to see and do!
  • Overnight in Dingle, Co. Kerry (4 star)

Day 4  – 302km/ 189m (7 hours 30 mins including lunch and breaks)

  • The Conor Pass is the highest mountain pass in Ireland, and provides the most dramatic and scenic way of entering or leaving Dingle. This narrow, twisting road runs between the town of Dingle and Kilmore Cross on the north side of the peninsula on through Castlegregory.  It’s a lovely biking route but take time to stop and look back at the views!  You’ll pass through Blennerville which was the main port of emigration from Co. Kerry to North America during the Great Famine.
  • Tarbert to Killimer Ferry.  You cross the Shannon Estuary leaving Kerry and crossing into Co. Clare.  Here you will appreciate one of the many wonders of the Wild Atlantic Way, with ever changing scenery.
  • The Cliffs of Moher in County Clare are Ireland’s most visited natural attraction with a magical vista that captures the hearts of one million visitors every year and are a Signature Discovery Point in the heart of the Wild Atlantic Way. They stretch for 8km as the crow flies, along the Atlantic coast of County Clare in the west of Ireland and reach 214m (702 feet) at their highest point. Evening is the best time to view the Cliffs, in our experience, as the sun sets west over the Atlantic.
  • Overnight in Ballyvaughan (3 star)
  • Group dinner included.

Day 5 – 320km/ 200m (6 hours 15 mins including lunch and breaks)

  • Our ride today brings us through Knvarra on the south side of Galway Bay and into Galway City. 
  • Next, we will head into Connemara and take the scenic route through Roundstone & Clifden before heading up through Doolough Pass to Louisburg.
  • Overnight in Westport, Co. Mayo (4 stars).  We are staying here for two nights. Westport is a regular winner of Ireland Tidiest Town and is truly a gem to visit. 

Day 6 – Rest Day

Enjoy a well-earned day off Westport, explore the busy town, relax in the hotel Spa, or take an optional ride out to explore Achill Island.

Achill is home to several filming locations for the award-winning movie, The Banshees of Innisherin.

Day 7 – 262km/ 164m (4 hours 25 mins) 

  • Newport nestles on the shore of Clew Bay which is famous for its 365 Islands and is a pleasant seaside resort and part of an attractive and unspoiled coastline.
  • Mulraney – acclaimed as Ireland’s best small tourist town, a European Destination of Excellence – it is a superb stop for taking a walk on the beach and enjoying the spectacular views.
  • Riding north through Ballinacroy National Park in North Co. Mayo.  We will stop off at The Ceide Fields for a coffee break and then ride on to view to spectacular Downpatrick Head.
  • We will continue riding eastwards to Ballina, before arriving in Enniscrone which is our is our overnight destination. (4 star hotel)
  • Group dinner included

Day 8 – 180km/ 111m (3 hours 30 mins)

Our route today will bring us into Sligo town before heading along the coastline to Ballyshannon.  Lunch in the picturesque seaside harbour town of Mullaghmore before we head back out to Donegal town.

Next on our route, we ride through Killybegs, Ireland’s largest fishing port, before heading up to view Sliabh Liag, Ireland’s highest sea cliffs.

We take some very scenic routes through the Glengesh Pass into the town of Ardara before riding north-westwards to north Donegal where we stop for the evening in Downings Bay. (3 star)

Today we are taking a ride onto the Inishowen Peninsula and crossing Lough Foyle by ferry to the North Antrim Coastline.

Follow the famous North West 200 race track where legends have raced before you. We will stop off to visit Bushmills Distillery, which is reputedly the oldest whiskey distillery in the world! We may take a few “wee drams”  to sample later back at the hotel.  Dunluce Castle is on this coastline and is very spectacular and of course the famed Giants Causeway.

Our hotel this evening is on the Antrim Coast and is a Castle Hotel, overlooking the Irish sea.

Group DInner.

Day 9 – 384km/ 240m (7 hours 15 mins including 2 hours on ferry)

We need an early start early to pick up our ferry for Scotland. The ferry takes about 2 ½ hours and has good facilities, so it’s a good opportunity to have breakfast and be ready for the road when we disembark. We take an easterly route before heading northwards to our first overnight destination near Loch Lomond. 3 star hotel.

Group dinner included.

We are taking a shorter day’s ride today to allow plenty of time to absorb the wonderful scenery.  Our destination also is located in the Scottish wilds with excellent local walking opportunities.  

Glencoe is a stunning part of Scotland with plenty of photo opportunities.

The route continues on through Fort William before arriving in Fort Agustus for the evening.

Day 10 – 348km/ 218m (5 hours 40 mins)

Our route today takes us to Fort Augustus along the shores of Loch Ness before heading North Westwards toward the Isle of Skye.

We are staying two nights in Skeabost Lodge, which is a superb hotel.  Dinner is included on the first evening and, on the second-night dinner is served afloat on a small cruise boat!

Day 11 – Rest Day

Well deserved at this stage, but some may wish to ride around the island to explore or simply take a day off and wander around the very picturesque town of Portree. The town is perched on cliffs overlooking the harbour, so there is plenty to see and do for the culturally curious!

However, the scenery around the Isle of Skye is simply stunning and even if the clouds are down, we think it’s a very well worthwhile ride!  Normally it takes between 3 and 4 hours, so we will be back in plenty of time to explore Portree and then join the boat for our evening cruise.

 Our route will bring us along the western seaboard before heading inland through the highlands to the east coast.

The route brings us through magnificent scenery through the Scottish highlands on stunning biking roads.

Our destination is Tulloch Castle where we will stay for the night.

Group DInner included.

Day 13 – 250km/ 156m (4 hours)

Today we have a shorter ride south through the Cairngorms National Park to get us into Edinburgh a little earlier,  so we have time to explore this beautiful city.

We will stop over for lunch and a guided tour of Scotland’s oldest working distillery.

A tour of Edinburgh Castle is a must see and it is situated close by our hotel. Edinburgh has increasingly become known for its culinary experiences, so we have a selection of very nice restaurants to explore!

Superb late nigh entertainment is provided by the famous Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where there are literally thousands of acts to choose from.

Day 14 – 310km/ 194m (5 hours 30 mins)

Today’s ride takes us through some lovely riding roads towards Dunfries where we can visit Robert Burns house and absorb some of the Scottish literary culture. Finally our ride takes us through the Galloway Forest Park to our overnight destination. We can have a leisurely night here as our ferry in the morning does not depart until 11:30am.

Day 15 – 310km/ 194m (6 hours 35 mins including ferry to Ireland)

Our ferry is very close by the hotel so we should be on the high seas by 11:30 and making our way back to the Emerald Isle! Once we arrive in Belfast, we have a choice of riding the main motorway back to Trim, which will get us in for an early final dinner, or if the weather is on our side, we can take a more circuitous route down the Ards Peninsula and meander through some of the lesser known parts of Northern Ireland before crossing over to Carlingford by a short ferry. We will make our decision on the day and plan for the best outcome!

Our final evening will include dinner and some festivities in the historic town of Trim.  

Departure Date 11th August 2023

Transported back to Dublin Airport for your flight home. 

Personalised App

Included in your tour package is a personalised itinerary of this motorcycle tour of Ireland and Scotland which you can download to your phone.

We include everything from your flight details and airport transfers to hotel check in references. You’ll also find points of interest and our favourite places to explore along the riding route, as well as some frequently asked questions, contact numbers and manuals.

We will send this to you and your group ahead of time so that you can start reading before your trip! On arrival, we’ll also present you with a souvenir road book.

Reviews

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Pricing

Lands of the Celts: Ireland & Scotland Tour

July 24th - August 11th 2023

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Solo Rider
priced from
€7,040/pp own bike
  • €9,930 with Suzuki DL650XT
  • €10,440 with BMW R1250GS
  • Other Bikes Available
  • Single Room
Rider & Pillion
priced from
€4,750/pps own bike
  • €5,940/pps with Suzuki DL650XT
  • €6,195/pps with BMW R1250GS
  • Other Bikes Available
  • Double or Twin Room
2 Solo Riders
priced from
€5,860/pps
  • €8,240 each with Suzuki DL650XT
  • €8,750 each with BMW R1250GS
  • Other Bikes Available
  • Shared Double or Twin Room
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