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 2024 Tour

Experience the beauty and thrill of the Celtic landscapes on our breathtaking 17 day/16 night motorcycle tour of Ireland and Scotland, now in its third successful season. We have listened to feedback from our previous tours and refined the itinerary to two nights in Castles and a dinner evening cruise in the Isle of Skye.

Your adventure begins on the world’s longest coastal touring route on the West of Ireland, the Wild Atlantic Way. Explore the distinct regions of the west coast, each offering its unique beauty. From crossing Ireland’s highest mountains to hugging the coast, you’ll be awestruck by the views at every turn.

In Scotland, you’ll spend a night in a Castle before venturing to the ancient Isle of Skye. 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 globally renowned Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Book now and join us for the ultimate motorcycle tour of Ireland and Scotland. Immerse yourself in the exquisite Celtic landscapes and culture of the Celts and experience the ride of a lifetime!

Tour Facts

Tour Type Guided
Dates 5th to 20th July 2024
Duration 17 days in total incl arrival and departure days 15 riding days, of which 2 are optional rest days
Hotel Nights 16 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.

Route Map of Ireland and Scotland Motorcycle Tour

ARRIVAL

6th July 2024

  • 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 – A 320km/ 200m Ride Towards the Beauty of Westport!

  • We’re off to an amazing start today, as we ride through the charming Kinvarra on the south side of the stunning Galway Bay, and make our way towards the bustling Galway City.
  • But wait, it gets better! Our next stop is the beautiful Connemara region, where we’ll take the breathtakingly scenic route through Roundstone & Clifden. That’s not all, as we will ride up the Doolough Pass – an experience that will leave you awestruck.
  • Tonight, we’ll be staying at the 4-star Westport – a perfect end to this amazing day! Voted as Ireland’s Tidiest Town, Westport is a true gem, and we are lucky enough to explore its wonders firsthand. Smile, click pictures, and cherish memories that will last a lifetime.

 

Day 9 – Westport to Sligo (367km)

  • 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.
  • Achill Island – Achill has a long history of human settlement and there is evidence that Achill was inhabited as many as 5,000 years ago. Megalithic tombs and promontory forts testifying to this can be seen at Slievemore, along the Atlantic Drive and on Achill Beg Island.
  • Kildamhnait Castle is a 15th century tower house associated with the O’ Malley Clan, who were once a ruling family of Achill. Grace O’ Malley, or Granuaile, the most famous of the O’ Malley’s was born in Clare Island around 1530. Her father was the chieftain of the barony of Murrisk. The O’Malleys were a powerful sea faring family, who traded widely and refused to submit to English rule. Grace became a fearless leader and gained fame as a sea captain and pirate.
  • Ballina, situated on the famous River Moy, is Mayo’s largest town.
  • Enniscrone – There are 5km of safe, clean golden beaches. For eight decades people have come to bathe in hot sea water and seaweed renowned for its therapeutic qualities. 
  • Overnight in Enniscrone and restaurant by the sea.

Day 4 – Ride to Dunfanaghy in North Donegal

  • Today we head East towards Sligo town up through Strandhill for a nice coffee or an ice cream stop.
  • We’ll enjoy the stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean as we make our way towards Ballyshannon and Donegal Town.
  • A must-visit destination on our ride is Slieve League, Ireland’s highest sea cliffs over 600m sheer drop into the ocean, which we will take the time to explore.
  • Next, we’ll follow the gorgeous coast road onwards to Glencolumbkille and Glengesh Pass, which is Donegal’s answer to the famous Stelvio Pass.
  • Our route takes us northwest where we will relax in a sea side hotel near Annagry, while enjoying the beautiful wild views of Donegal.

Today is a day of relaxation in the charming and idyllic town of Dunfanaghy. You have the option to join us on an exciting excursion to behold the stunning sights of Horn Head and Malin Head, which happens to be the furthest North point of Ireland. Bring your camera along as you capture every breathtaking view of the remarkable landscapes that await you. Rest assure that you will not miss a moment of this unforgettable adventure, which promises to be an experience to savour for a lifetime. So, if you’re eager to explore and discover the beauty of Ireland’s northern treasures, then this optional ride is perfect for you. Join us as we embark on this magical journey filled with natural wonder and awe-inspiring views.

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. Time permitting, we can 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 6 – 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.

Day 8 – 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.

This riding route will take us over some of the higher mountain ranges in Scotland, ending up in Cairngorms.

 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 12 – 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 13 – 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 14 – 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.  

As we bid our goodbyes today, one can’t help but feel a wave of nostalgia. The memories we’ve created together on this beautiful journey will stay for a lifetime. After indulging in one last breakfast together, it’s time to say our farewells and head back to Dublin Airport or a city hotel of your choosing. As we embark on our separate journeys, we carry with the memories of the laughter, the sights, and the beautiful moments we’ve shared. Here’s to hoping our paths cross again soon, but until then, we’ll always have these cherished memories to look back on.

We hope you have enjoyed the very best motorcycle tour of Ireland and Scotland

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 Motorcycle Tour

A bucket list motorcycle tour!

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Solo Rider
priced from
€6,330/pp own bike
  • €8,430 with Suzuki DL650XT
  • €9,310 with BMW R1300GS
  • Other Bikes Available
  • Single Room
Rider & Pillion
priced from
€4,900/pps own bike
  • €5,950/pps with Suzuki DL650XT
  • €6,320/pps with BMW R1300GS
  • Other Bikes Available
  • Double or Twin Room
2 Solo Riders
priced from
€5,190/pps
  • €7,290 each with Suzuki DL650XT
  • €8,040 each with BMW R1300GS
  • Other Bikes Available
  • Shared Double or Twin Room
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