OFF THE BEATEN TRACK TOURS

Hosted by Michael & Siobhan Reidy

In 2017, we started taking groups “off-the-beaten-track” in Ireland, and had A LOT of fun in the process.  In the years since, we’ve added similar trips to the Scottish Highlands (stunning!) and the gorgeous, historic, and rarely visited Scottish Borders (and the equally gorgeous Yorkshire Dales).

We currently offer tours in the spring and fall, and are always tweaking and adding new places to our established itineraries…for example, even though we’ve taken many trips to Ireland, we’d never been able to visit the remote villages of west Cork (until October 2026!).  We also never taken people into coastal Mayo or the Connemara region of Galway…but we will in April 2027!  Similarly, our fall 2027 tour of Scotland will include — for the first time — the pre-historic remains on the Argyle peninsula and the important early Christian site of Iona.

If you want to kiss the Blarney Stone, look for leprechauns, and spend your nights at tourist-only pubs, we are NOT the tour for you. But, if you want to spend time with the locals, see the best sights at a relaxed pace, stay at charming small hotels, and hang out at real pubs and restaurants rather than tour bus mills, we might be what you’re looking for.  We spend at least two nights at every stop to help you get a feel for each area, and we rarely start our days before 9:00 am…we are not rushing around the country trying to hit all the supposed ‘must-sees,” but we will definitely show you the best of Ireland and Scotland (and now northern England!).

TOURS FILL UP QUICKLY.  USE THE “CONTACT US” PAGE IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE ADDED TO OUR EMAIL LIST TO RECEIVE INFORMATION DIRECTLY…WE’D LOVE TO HAVE YOU JOIN US!

NOW REGISTERING FOR THE SPRING 2027 TRIP (Info on Home Page)

NEXT TOUR: Scottish Highlands & Islands, Tentative dates 9/28 – 10/11, 2027 

Our last trip to the Highlands of Scotland was in 2024, and we can’t wait to get back to the stunning scenery and wonderful people.  This trip will have some new features, including a day on the islands of Mull and Iona and a visit to Kilmartin Glen on the Argyll peninsula.  We’ve also found a fantastic hotel that can accommodate our group on the Isle of Skye, so we’ll spend two nights there, giving us more time to explore this incredible place in depth. We will also visit some old favorites — such as the stunning Glencoe and the Culloden battlefield —  that we think are essential to understanding Scottish history and culture.  And, of course, we’ll enjoy great food and drink at fantastic local pubs and restaurants.

Tentatively, the tour will spend three nights at the beautifully refurbished Knipoch House Hotel, just outside of Oban; two nights on Skye at Skeabost House Hotel located between the Trotternish and Waternish peninsulas with gorgeous views of Loch Snizort; two nights at the casually elegant Ness Walk in Inverness; Two nights at the lovely and historic Maryculter House Hotel in Aberdeenshire; and the final three nights at very centrally located Kimpton Charlotte Square in Edinburgh.

Highlights include:

• The spectacular scenery and (mostly heartbreaking) history of Glencoe, the Isle of Skye. the Great Glen, and the Cairngorm Mountains
• The pre-historic sites in Kilmartin Glen on the Argyll peninsula
• The colorful town of Tobermory on the Isle of  Mull and the serene, car-free Isle of Iona which hosts the 13th century re-build of St. Columba’s 6th century Abbey (where the Book of Kells was produced?) and the tiny graveyard said to be the final resting place of numerous Scottish kings (including MacBeth)
• A tour and tasting at the tiny Tomatin Distillery in the Cairngorms
• The fascinating stories and fabulous art collection at Fyvie Castle, one of our favorite intact castles
• A sombre, but spellbinding, tour of Culloden battlefield
• A fun sheepdog demo with a lovely young couple building their herd
• An eerie Knights Templar graveyard in the garden of our Aberdeenshire hotel, and the fantastical Rosslyn Chapel outside of Edinburgh
• The newish Discovery Point in Dundee, detailing the legendary Antarctic expedition of Captain Scott and featuring the actual ship, The Discovery, which was built in the local shipyards
• The history and pageantry of the Old and New towns in Edinburgh, including Edinburgh Castle and Mary King’s Close on the Royal Mile
• The usual fabulous food and sundowner pints at picturesque pubs and chef-driven local restaurants

Plus lots more…watch your email or check back with this website later this summer if you’re interested in getting more information.

Holiday Closings

Fourth of July:   CLOSED 

Memorial Day and Labor Day:   CLOSED

Thanksgiving:  CLOSED

Christmas Eve:  Last orders at 7:30; CLOSED when it falls on a Sunday or Monday

Christmas Day:  CLOSED

New Year’s Eve:  Last orders at 8:30; CLOSED when it falls on a Sunday or Monday

New Year’s Day:  CLOSED

ADDITIONAL CLOSURES MAY OCCUR.  CALL THE RESTAURANT FOR UP-TO-DATE INFO

Stout Fest, Boxing Day, Nollaig na mBan???

We’d love to bring back these beloved traditions, but the amount of regular business since Covid does not support the amount of staff needed to put on these special events properly.  This is also why we no longer use our private party space and why our St. Patrick’s Day celebration no longer includes indoor service.  We don’t love it, but needs must….if the situation changes, you’ll be the first to know    

ST. PATRICK’S DAY  – March 17th   

Tent Party 11 am – 9 pm….Cover Charge $10/person (cash only)  

Under 21 MUST be accompanied by parent.  

OUDOOR ONLY EVENT.  There will be NO SEATING IN THE RESTAURANT OR BAR.  

Tables in the heated tent will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.  

Food & drink (including beer, liquor, wine, soda and water) can be ordered and paid for at the bar.  Food will be in carryout containers, and you will be texted when it is ready for pick up.  A 20% gratuity will be added to all inside orders. 

Beer, sodas, water, tee shirts, and brown soda bread can also be purchased at the outdoor beer truck.  Beer Truck sales are CASH ONLY

NO OUTSIDE FOOD & DRINK, including Stanley cups and coffee mugs

Reservations, call-ahead seating and online orders are NOT available on St. Patrick’s Day. 

2026 Musical Lineup: 11:00 – Cloigheann   2:00 – Mrs. Doyle   5:00 – McClanahan Dancers   6:00 – Rashers

Photos by John Nation

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