Taking day trips from Belfast is great. You’ve got Game of Thrones tours, the Causeway Coast, and even Dublin within day-trip distance. But what if you wanted to go a bit rogue? What if you were interested in day trips to Scotland from Belfast?
Belfast is a place close to my heart, and I spent a good chunk of 2021 living in the Northern Irish capital. Taking a day trip to Scotland from Belfast is one of the most entertaining things you can do, and you don’t even need to fly; there’s a direct ferry service. If you have a week or more in the city, this is a feasible and exciting way to spend a day.
Here’s my rundown on what you need to know about this crazy day out. Two countries in a day? Say no more.
Firstly, How Is It Possible?
Of course, everyone knows you could fly to Scotland and back on a day trip, but let’s avoid unnecessary flights where possible. Nobody needs their carbon footprint hiking up even more.
Instead, the ferry from Belfast to Scotland makes this day trip possible. Stena Line runs one main route to Cairnryan, Scotland, which takes around 2.5 hours.
Once you catch the ferry, Cairnryan sits on the western coast of Scotland and is within easy driving distance of Galloway Forest Park and beautiful castles like Dalquharran and Culzean Castle. The village is a brilliant place to launch into a quickfire day tour of Scotland, with traditional castles, wild deer spotting, and serene beaches.
You set off early in the morning and return late at night, giving you a full day in Cairnryan. You can really squeeze a lot in, especially if you book to bring a car rather than riding as foot or cyclist passengers.
What If I Don’t Want To Drive?
If you don’t drive but still want to explore, take a look at Stena Line’s Glasgow coach day trip—which includes your ferry ride and a coach on the other side to Scotland’s ‘second city’.
This day trip from Belfast has many benefits, whether you book a coach-and-ferry package or go it alone. You can walk around and enjoy yourself onboard, which you just don’t get on the flight. The ferries have so much entertainment, including games, lounges and bars.
You are also travelling within the UK, so you don’t need a passport or immigration. It really is a convenient yet adventurous way to see some of beautiful Scotland.
How to Catch the Ferry From Belfast to Scotland
Catching the ferry from Belfast to Scotland is a breeze. These are the simple steps to take:
1. Decide How You’ll Get Around Scotland
Ideally, you’ll have a car for this, so you can visit remote areas like Galloway Forest Park, where you can hike and spot deer. You’ll also be able to access towns like Ayr and castles like Culzean Castle more easily. All in all, if you want to go sightseeing independently, I suggest you bring a car.
Alternatively, you could book a Stena Line day trip, like the one to Glasgow. You’ll have to check what ferry-then-coach tours are on offer, as they change regularly. However, being transported by a coach on the other side could be the perfect solution if you don’t have or want to drive when you reach Scotland.
You can also use Scottish public transport, but I wouldn’t recommend it since you’re on a time limit.
2. Book Those Tickets
Booking in advance is vital as the Belfast to Scotland route is incredibly popular. For an independent visit, you can book tickets via the official Stena Line website on the Belfast to Cairnryan route, selecting your passenger numbers and vehicle size (if you’re travelling with one). You should be able to get a return journey for an average of around £300 upward with a vehicle or £40-45 without a vehicle.
If you are booking a day trip with Stena Line, head straight to its day trip offers instead and book directly through that.
3. Pack a Day Bag
The night before, you should pack a day bag with a few essentials like a power bank (although the ferry has charging points galore onboard) and your driving licence. You should make sure you have any necessary anti-sickness tablets, too. I know I’m quite sensitive to motion sickness, but the Northern Ireland and Ireland ferries are notoriously choppy.
4. Head To Belfast Stena Line Terminus
On the day, head to Belfast Stena Line Terminus. It is located just off West Bank Road in the Belfast Port, and it’s less than a 15-minute drive from the city centre or 40 minutes by bus.
Note that check-in closes an hour before departure, so definitely aim to arrive 2-3 hours early to be on the safe side. You won’t need a passport given that you are travelling within the UK (it isn’t even necessary when flying to Belfast from UK destinations). Still, I’d suggest bringing some form of ID, especially a driving licence if you’re driving.
5. Enjoy Scotland
After less than 2.5 hours, you’ll be in beautiful Scotland. Enjoy your day trip, and remember to be ready at the Cairnryan Stena Line Terminus 2 hours before scheduled departure to catch the return ferry from Scotland to Belfast.
The Ultimate Scotland Day Trip From Belfast
You now know all the essentials about taking a day trip from Belfast to Scotland by ferry, but I’m leaving you with some extra inspiration. This is the ultimate Scotland day trip from Belfast—- the itinerary I’d most recommend for anyone wanting a real adventure. It is particularly tailored to those visiting in late spring to early autumn when sunset is after 5-6 pm.
You’ll experience Scottish wildlife, coastline, hiking trails, and castle culture. And that’s all within one mega-memorable day. Here’s what you’ve got lined up:
Morning
- 7:30 am
Catch the 7:30 am ferry from Belfast to Scotland, arriving in Cairnryan just before 10am. You’ll have breakfast onboard and wake up slowly with a coffee overlooking the sea.
- 10 am
Head north on the A77, driving an hour to your first stop: Culzean Castle. This 16th-century property offers regularly guided tours, or you can wander the grounds independently.
- 12 pm
Your next stop is Dunure Castle, which is just a 15-minute drive away. It’s a dramatic picture of crumbling medieval remains on a scenic coastal headline.
Midday
- 1pm
After Dunure Castle, continue 15 minutes north to the coastal town of Ayr. You’ll arrive in Ayr by about 1 pm, perfect for lunch.
Afternoon
- 2 pm
Ayr is great for sightseeing and is home to the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, Wallace Tower, Greenan Castle, and the beautiful Ayr Beach. You can spend a relaxed few hours wandering the town and its main attractions or just kicking back on the beach in nice weather.
- 4 pm
For the active amongst you, grab food to go and drive an hour inland to Galloway Forest Park’s Red Deer Range. Here, you’ll spot dozens of gorgeous deer, which are familiar enough with people to approach for snacks at designated feeding stations.
Evening
- Sunset
Finally, catch the sunset at one of the two main hiking trails in Galloway Forest Park: Bruce’s Stone or Murray’s Monument. These are short and sweet climbs of only 0.5 miles. Murray’s Monument leads you to an obelisk-style construction overlooking pastoral and moorland-type land. Bruce’s Stone is a historic battle spot that overlooks Loch Trool from its more rustic-looking summit.
- 8pm
Drive an hour back to Cairnryan and the Stena Line Terminus for your 11 pm ferry back to Belfast. You’ll arrive at Cairnryan by 9 pm (check-in starts two hours before departure and closes 1 hour beforehand). Have a late dinner onboard and catch some shut-eye, as you’ll be arriving back in Belfast at 1:45 am.
To Conclude
As you can see, taking day trips to Scotland from Belfast is really feasible. You’ll have a really exciting time catching the ferry from Belfast, and there’s loads to see within an hour’s driving radius of Cairnryan, which makes this trip all the more rewarding.
With just a day in Scotland, you could see Scottish coastal towns, multiple castles, stunning red deer, and hike to historic points in Galloway Forest Park.
If you’re sold on a day trip to Scotland from Belfast, why not check out more inspiration on things to do around Belfast? You could check out Belfast’s beaches, hike in the Mournes and scale Northern Ireland’s tallest mountain, or visit the Giant’s Causeway.
Similarly, if you decide to stay longer in Scotland than just a day, check out Everything UK Travel’s entire Scotland archive here for tips and tricks.
Whatever you choose, have a wonderful day trip to Scotland from Belfast. You are guaranteed an adventurous day out.
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