Tours Introduced At Carrick-A-Rede

A new partnership between the National Trust and Dalriada Kingdom Tours has facilitated the delivery of guided tours at Carrick-a-Rede.

The feature will encompass the industrial and maritime history held within the walls of Larrybane Quarry and allow visitors to trace the line of coast over windswept grasslands and winding paths that lead to Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge.

Those who wish to avail of the service can upgrade their £9 ticket by £3.50 and enjoy an extra guided tour of the popular coastal destination.

Visitor Experience Manager, Ciara McClements said: "We have been very keen to offer regular guided tours for some time and I am pleased we have been able to work with a local company to deliver this service. Dalriada Kingdom Tours are very well established as local guides and we are delighted to be able to offer something extra to our visitors to Carrick-a-Rede."

Tours will depart at 3.30pm each day, seven days a week, and last for approximately 45 minutes.

The coastal walk covers 1km of ground, and with each step closer the guide will piece together the history of the site. Visitors will learn about memories of the past when the salmon fishery was at an all-time high and how fisherman first constructed a single handrail rope bridge to transport boxes of salmon caught off the island.

Mark Rodgers, owner of Dalriada Kingdom Tours, said: "We are delighted to be delivering these tours in collaboration with the National Trust as so many visitors come here, cross the bridge and leave the site again without truly understanding the rich maritime and industrial history of this place.

"We see this as an opportunity to bring the site to life and to educate about the National Trust's conservation work and how they look after this very special place."

Bookings must be secured online in advance via the National Trust ticketing website.