Itinerary Twin-3: Celtic Contrasts from GBP 625 per person for 7nts

There have been links across the Irish Sea for centuries, and this new holiday helps you experience the contrasts and explore the connections between Scotland's Dumfries & Galloway and counties Antrim & Down of Northern Ireland.

Day One

Your first hotel is in the Galloway around two hours' drive from Carlisle.
Set in eight gracious acres of landscaped parklands bordering the beautiful Galloway Forest Park, and is an elegant and imposing white mansion, once the ancestral home of a family whose lineage can be traced back to the time of Robert the Bruce. Originally built in 1719 and extended several times during the Victorian era, the result is an unusual but successful fusion of architectural styles, concealing beautifully proportioned rooms enhanced with opulent furnishings and dark wood panelling.  Mull of Galloway lobster, local venison and Wigtown Bay wildfowl are just a few of the locally sourced delicacies to be savoured in the restaurant. (Please note that gentlemen are requested to wear a jacket for dinner and in other public rooms after 6.30pm.)

Day Two - Exploring Galloway

The area offers plenty of coastal walks and some lovely sandy beaches, particularly at nearby Sandhead, Port Logan and Port William. Places to visit include Portpatrick and the Mull of Galloway (with its working lighthouse); Logan Botanic Gardens with its amazing collection of exotic plants; Castle Kennedy Gardens, with its unique Monkey Puzzle Avenue; the unusual Gem Museum at Creetown and Scotland’s book capital, Wigtown, which boasts more than 20 bookshops. There is also a wide choice of golf courses throughout Galloway, each with its own character and test of skill - from Creachmore, Stranraer, designed by James Braid, to the "links" style of Wigtown County, to the championship test of Southerness.

Day Three - across the Irish Sea

A short drive to the ferry port of Stranraer for the crossing direct to Belfast, from where in less than an hour you will arrive at your next guesthouse. Nestling in the Hollywood hills to the East of Belfast, this Georgian-style guest house offers a warm welcome and luxurious accommodation. The spacious rooms are furnished with stylish antiques and the beds are made-up in fine Irish linen. Award-winning breakfast featuring local farm produce is served in the dining room or conservatory, with open views across the croquet lawn and fields beyond. This is a very peaceful spot, yet just a short drive from Belfast and all its attractions.

Day Four - Belfast and County Down.

You can choose whether to explore Belfast, visit the nearby Ulster Folk & Transport Museum or tour County Down, with key recommendations the gardens at Mount Stewart, the Castle Ward estate, perhaps combined with the short ferry crossing at Portaferry across Strangford Lough. 

Day Five - the coast road

Your final base is on the Antrim coast, close to the Giants' Causeway, just over two hours' drive so spend the day touring the dramatic coast road, enjoying views back to Kintyre and Scotland, a mere 12 miles away.

Your Hotel

Centuries of history exude from the old timber beams and rough plaster walls of this landmark inn. At its heart is the gaslit sixteenth century snug, with soot-stained walls and ceilings and a pulley suspended above the fireplace. You could spend hours here over a Guinness or a dram, dreaming up romantic notions of encounters goneby. The snug is encased by a mere two-hundred year old inn, with an even more modern, yet sympathetically designed, outer shell. Guest rooms are spacious and atmospheric, with individual character and attention to detail to keep design in-keeping with the building's charm. This place is a genuine meeting point for travellers and locals alike, buzzing with conviviality and conversation throughout a jigsaw puzzle of interconnecting public rooms and cosy corners. The outdoor courtyard and terrace come into their own in the summer months, while open peat fires provide the perfect ambience in other seasons. Service is attentive and friendly, many staff being young, local and very proud of the area. The menu offered throughout the restaurant and conservatory fuses local produce with a touch of creativity to make this one of the most renowned dining destinations in the North of Ireland.

Day Six - Exploring the Antrim Coast

The famous sights of this, one of our favourite coastlines, including the geological phenomenon of the the Giants' Causeway, and the much-photographed clifftop ruins of haunting Dunluce Castle, are just a short drive away. For the more adventurous, test your nerve and head for heights by venturing across the suspended rope bridge at Carrick-a-Rede. Why not end the day with a visit to the famous Bushmills distillery.

Day Seven - Rathlin Island

For your final adventure we have included a day trip to the peaceful wildlife haven of Rathlin Island, which despite being six miles off shore is still home to a vibrant community of around seventy people. In the harbour is the Boathouse, where visitors can discover some of the exciting history, learn about present day island life and see some artefacts from shipwrecks around the island. A short walk around to Mill Bay there is a colony of seals, who are fun to just sit and watch! At the other side of the harbour are two churches where visitors can sit quietly or just admire the architecture. At the west of the island is the renowned RSPB Seabird Centre, where puffins, guillemots, razorbills and kittiwakes can be viewed during the summer months. It is also home to some magnificent views, on clear days Donegal, the North Antrim coastline, the island of Islay and the Mull of Kintyre can be seen. There are many tales of myth and mystery surrounding Rathlin, the most famous tells of Robert the Bruce.

Day Eight - Return Home

Return to Scotland by ferry from Larne or Belfast.

Prices & Dates

This holiday can be arranged from mid-March to end October 2010.

The price is £625 per person for March, £655 per person for April & October, £675 per person for May, June & September, £735 per person for July & August, for seven nights on a bed & breakfast basis, which includes return ferry travel for car and passengers from Scotland to Larne  and a day trip as foot passenger to Rathlin island.

Travel to Ireland

Travel to Ireland by ferry from and back to Scotland is included in this holiday.

If you prefer we can also arrange the return ferry back to Holyhead in Wales.

All our holidays include a map of Ireland with recommended routes from your specified starting point, suggestions on places to see and visit depending on your personal interests and our expertise to help you get the most from your holiday.

All itineraries and room types are presented subject to availability at specific hotels.

The McKinlay Kidd Guarantee

All our holiday prices include a service charge of £8 per person per night towards the costs we incur in researching, planning and designing your holiday.

We guarantee to refund this service charge if you believe that arranging your holiday through McKinlay Kidd has not met your expectations for value. All we ask is that you write to us within 7 days of your return and explain your reason for claiming the refund. This will ensure that we can improve the experience for all our future guests.

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