11 Days in Ireland & Scotland

Both Ireland and Scotland are recognized as among the most progressive and LGBTQ+-friendly nations globally, particularly within Europe.

Ireland achieved marriage equality in 2015 via a groundbreaking popular vote (referendum), becoming a global pioneer. Dublin and cities like Cork and Galway are incredibly welcoming, featuring vibrant LGBTQ+ nightlife and community centers.

Scotland also has comprehensive anti-discrimination laws and recognizes same-sex marriage. Its major cities, including Edinburgh and Glasgow, are renowned for their liberal, diverse, and inclusive environments, with active Pride events and friendly gay villages.

While urban centers are overwhelmingly welcoming, travelers will find a high level of tolerance and friendliness even in smaller towns and rural areas, reflecting the strong emphasis on courteous behavior and good humor inherent in both cultures.

The cuisine in this region is a comforting blend of rich, traditional flavors, deeply tied to the land and its history. In Ireland, we’ll savor classic pub fare like hearty Irish Stew and warming Colcannon (mashed potato and cabbage), often enjoyed with a pint of creamy Guinness. Dublin’s traditional pub culture is perfect for enjoying a classic Full Irish Breakfast or digging into fresh, Atlantic seafood chowder.

In Scotland, the fare is equally satisfying. We'll sample the iconic national dish, Haggis, often served with "neeps and tatties" (turnips and potatoes), and indulging in buttery, shortbread treats. No trip is complete without exploring the world of Scotch whisky, from tasting notes alongside carefully chosen pairings in the Highlands to learning about the spirit’s history in Edinburgh. Throughout Scotland, the food and drink scene is an adventure for your palate.

Packing smart will make our Ireland and Scotland adventure between July and September comfortable, no matter the changing weather. Lightweight layers are key: short-sleeve shirts for warmer days paired with a fleece or light sweater for cooler moments. Even in summer, evenings can feel chilly, especially near the coast or in the Highlands. A waterproof, windproof jacket is essential, as showers can appear suddenly and winds can be strong.

Comfortable, waterproof walking shoes are important for cobblestone streets, castle visits, and coastal paths. Pack an umbrella, quick-dry socks, and a warm layer like a light down jacket or cardigan. Sun protection—hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen—is still helpful during long daylight hours. A UK/Ireland power adapter, reusable water bottle, and small daypack will be useful for day trips and changing conditions.

And don’t worry about remembering everything, we’ll send a suggested packing list in our final pre-departure email about 10 days before the trip begins.

Ireland and Scotland each have their own currency arrangements, and a little preparation will make day-to-day spending easy.

Ireland, where we begin our journey, uses the Euro (EUR).  Northern Ireland and Scotland are part of the United Kingdom, which uses the pound sterling (GBP). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in cities, towns, hotels, and restaurants. Contactless payments (tap) are very common, but it’s still helpful to carry a small amount of cash for tips, small cafés, rural pubs, and local markets. ATMs are readily available in both countries, though your bank may charge international withdrawal or currency-conversion fees.

Scottish and English banknotes are both valid in Scotland, though Scottish-issued notes may be less familiar outside the UK, so try to use or exchange them before onward travel. We do not recommend bringing large amounts of U.S. cash, as exchange rates and fees can be unfavorable. Instead, plan to use cards for most purchases and withdraw local currency as needed during your trip.

Tipping customs in Ireland and Scotland focus on rewarding good service but are less obligatory than elsewhere.

In sit-down restaurants, a tip of 10% to 15% is customary for good service, but always check the bill as a service charge may already be included. In pubs, tipping is generally unnecessary unless you receive table service for a meal, in which case 10% is appropriate.

For taxis, simply rounding up the fare is sufficient. Hotel staff (porters, housekeeping) appreciate a small tip of £2 - £5 (€3 - €6). For tour guides and drivers on day trips, a good guideline is £5 - £10 (€6 - €12) per person per day to show appreciation for excellent service throughout the trip. Our recommendation for tipping your local guides and trip leader is around $10 - $15 USD per day.

We have pretty high standards when it comes to choosing our accommodations, and trust us, we’ve done plenty of room-sniffing, pillow-patting, bed-jumping and bathroom inspections to make sure we stay at quality spots. To be approved as a Detours accommodations provider, a hotel/guesthouse must be in an amazing location (close to the beach or other hot spots), AND be gay-owned or gay-friendly.

This trip uses a mix of roughly 4-star properties, examples of which can be found on the accommodations tab.  Clean, comfortable, well-located spots that'll put a smile on your face, you can count on that! 

All Detours trips are led by one of our own Detours trip leaders.  They're with you every step of the way, and their job is to help ensure that you have the trip of a lifetime by taking the hassle out of your trip, and enabling you to experience everything you came to Ireland & Scotland for!  Consider them like a friendly concierge that's traveling along with you.  All of our trip leaders are gay and all are well-traveled and experienced in the destination they're leading in, so they'll be a great part of your experience!

We do absolutely everything possible to avoid needing such a mundane awakening. A world without alarm clocks is one we want to be part of, and your “rise and shine” while in Ireland & Scotland should come from the smell of fresh coffee or the sound of breakfast being made. Sometimes it's necessary to have an early departure, based on flight schedules, but we certainly try to avoid it if possible.  

Our Detours groups are run with a maximum of 16 travelers. Ages of group members vary but most of our travelers are between 50 and 60 years. Whatever the ages on our trips everyone's already got something in common, an exciting new experience in a couple new countries. Each group is led by a Detours trip leader who is there to ensure everything goes off without a hitch, allowing you to focus on having the time of your life! We welcome both men and women onto our trips although it’s important to know that most groups are 100% gay men.

Traveling solo? Great! Lots of our travelers come solo and our trip will provide plenty of chances to meet great people both inside and outside of our group, including other solo travelers. As far as your accommodations go, you’ve got two choices. We can either pair you up with another solo group member in a room with two beds for no extra charge, or you can have your own room for a reasonable surcharge (the exact cost for this trip is located just under the pricing box). 

Both Ireland and Scotland use the same plug: the Type G plug (the three-pronged rectangular plug standard in the UK and Ireland). You will only need one type of adapter for your entire trip.

Both countries operate on a standard voltage of 230V and a frequency of 50Hz.

Most modern devices handle this 230V, but always check your charger for its acceptable range (e.g., "Input: 100V–240V"). We strongly recommend bringing a simple Type G adapter to ensure you can plug in your electronics wherever you go.