Overview

For 2024 we are delighted to return to this beautiful area of Scotland. We stay on the edge of Irvine, a small town on the West Coast of Scotland, with castles, cobbled streets and a gorgeous sandy beach. It is situated on the Ayrshire Coast, renowned as the mildest corner of Scotland and the perfect base for exploring this delightful region.

Your Accommodation:

With pleasant views over a golf course, the 4 star Riverside Lodge offers relaxing accommodation in well-appointed rooms all boasting those contemporary essentials including wifi, complimentary toiletries, a hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities. The Riverside Bar & Grill provides the perfect setting for tempting cuisine prepared using the finest local ingredients. The well stocked bar offers a huge selection of beers, wines, gins, whisky and everything in between in a modern, light and contemporary setting. Although the hotel does not have a lift, ground floor rooms are available upon request.

Your Itinerary:

Joining our Club Class coach, we head north by motorway to enter Scotland at Gretna Green, then on through the Lowther Hills and Kilmarnock to reach the Ayrshire coast arriving at our hotel, the Riverside Lodge, late afternoon, where we enjoy a welcoming cuppa.

This morning we make the short journey to Ardrossan where we board the morning sailing for the Isle of Arran. We arrive in Brodick on the majestic Isle of Arran where we begin a tour of the pretty coastal villages, moors and glens and dramatic mountains of the ‘Scotland in Miniature’ Island. Later this afternoon we take the return crossing to the mainland to arrive back at our hotel with time to relax before dinner.

A complete contrast today as we head into Glasgow for a visit to the superb, newly reopened Riverside Glasgow Transport Museum. Afterwards we enjoy free time in this largely regenerated, fascinating city before returning to our hotel this afternoon.

Our day begins with a drive south along the Ayrshire coast through Troon to Ayr, a popular holiday resort and the birthplace of Robbie Burns. We spend time here before continuing on round the Heads of Ayr to Culzean Bay and the amazing ‘Electric Brae’. We include a visit to Culzean Castle. The castle offers much of interest with terraced gardens, woodland, ponds, a walled garden and a deer park.

Departing Irvine after breakfast, we head across the Erskine Bridge and along the north of the river to Helensburgh for a short break. From here we continue along Gare Loch and Loch Long, by Arrochar to Tarbet on the banks of Loch Lomond. We spend time here before setting off again for Balloch, from here we enjoy a gentle cruise on Loch Lomond. We return to our hotel with time to relax before dinner.

Leaving Irvine after a final Scottish breakfast we travel south through Nithdale, home of Robbie Burns, to Dumfries, Gretna and England. Using the motorways, we return to our home area late afternoon after a super holiday amidst beautiful surroundings.

* Insurance Premiums are renewed from 1st January 2024.