Puffins! 2026 - Itinerary

All dates - British Summer Time (BST)

My itinerary is below in varying degrees of detail. I have three little tours - six days in Shetland, 8 days on a Highlights of Scotland tour, and 9 days on a Highlights of Ireland tour. The rest of the trip I am on my own - about 4 days in Scotland, 4 days in London, and a couple days in Dublin.

I might add detail to the itinerary as things get scheduled... more for my records than for anyone else!

Date	Details
9 July	Arrive Edinburgh (AM) Day to acclimatise and explore Dark Secrets of the Old Town Ghost Walking Tour (PM)
10 July	Early pick-up at hotel, bus to Aberdeen (AM) Board overnight ferry to Lerwick (PM)
11 July	Arrive Lerwick, Shetland (AM) Sightseeing, including archeological site, Sumburgh Lighthouse, Lerwick beach
12 July	Sightseeing, including St. Ninian's Ayre, coastline of Eshaness
13 July	Sightseeing, including the northernmost point of the UK, the Muckle Flugga lighthouse, Unst's Hermaness peninsula Hopefully, puffins!
14 July	Minn Beach, Kettla Ness, Shetland ponies Board overnight ferry to Aberdeen (PM)
15 July	Aberdeen, Donnottar Castle, St. Andrews Edinburgh (PM)
16 July	Edinburgh Castle (AM) Train to Glasgow (PM)
17 July	Day in Glasgow Join Highlights of Scotland tour (PM)
18 July	Board train to Fort William Explore, Nevis Range Gondala
19 July	Board train to Mallaig Board ferry to Isle of Skye
20 July	Short morning hike Trotternish Peninsula (the Quiraing, Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock)
21 July	Travel over the Skye Bridge back to the mainland Fort Augustus, Loch Ness boat cruise Arrive Inverness
22 July	Visit Culloden Battlefield Walk alongside the River Ness Afternoon to explore
23 July	Morning train to Edinburgh Invisible Cities walking tour Afternoon/evening to explore
24 July	Early pick-up at hotel, bus to Aberdeen Free day in Edinburgh Comedy Horror Ghost Bus Tour (PM)
25 July	Day trip - Kelpies, Stirling Castle Luss, on the shores of Loch Lomond Immersive gin experience (optional) Return to Edinburgh (PM)
26 July	Islander Workflow Experience (AM) Train from Edinburgh to London (PM)
27 July	Explore London Brunch/lunch with a friend, in Piccadilly area Hadestown (matinee) Dinner at Nopi (Ottolenghi)
28 July	Tower of London Tour of Shakespeare's Globe Much Ado About Nothing, Shakespeare's Globe
29 July	Explore London, V&A South Kensington Lunch with a friend, in South Kensington area Six the Musical (PM)
30 July	Explore London (AM) Flight London to Dublin (PM)
31 July	Explore Dublin Claddagh Ring Workshop (PM)
1 August	Explore Dublin  Join Highlights of Ireland tour (PM)
2 August	Explore Dublin
3 August	Travel to Killarney Killarney National Park visit Muckross House visit Ross Castle Killarney visit (optional)
4 August	Ring of Kerry day trip Return to Killarney for the evening
5 August	Cliffs of Moher visit and hike Travel to Galway for the evening
6 August	Guided walking tour of Galway City Explore Galway
7 August	Travel along the coast towards N Ireland Stop for lunch in Derry, visit the Dark Hedges End the day in Belfast
8 August	Day trip to the Giant's Causeway Bushmills Distillery guided tour Return to Belfast
9 August	Meet a friend, have early lunch Whistlestop tour of the sights of Belfast (AM) Belfast Titanic (midday) 2.30pm head to the airport Depart Belfast, and start the long journey back to NZ