Pictures from Scotland and England

Three Thin Places

Exploring our Celtic Spirituality

A Pilgrimage to Scotland, England and Ireland

Led by:

The Rev. Dr. Kenneth Asel
St. John’s Episcopal Church
Jackson Hole, Wyoming

May 1 – 13, 2012

Trip map

DAY 1: Tuesday, May 1, 2012 - Depart from Denver on Continental Airlines with a connection in Newark to Edinburgh, Scotland. M

DAY 2: Wednesday, May 2, 2012 - We arrive at the Edinburgh Airport where we will be met by our driver.  We will enjoy a tour of Edinburgh and visit The Palace of Holyroodhouse, standing at the end of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and against the spectacular backdrop of Arthur's Seat, it is the official residence in Scotland of Her Majesty, The Queen.  This fine baroque palace is associated with Scotland's rich royal history.  We will visit Edinburgh Castle, perched on an extinct volcano, this instantly recognizable fortress is a powerful national symbol and part of the Old and New towns of the Edinburgh World Heritage site.  We visit the Cathedral Church of Saint Mary, built in the 19th century in the west end of Edinburgh’s new town.  Dinner and overnight Edinburgh City Hotel. MD

DAY 3: Thursday, May 3, 2012 - Today we will travel south to the exquisite 15th century medieval Midlothian Rosslyn Chapel.  Then we cross the border into Northumbria for a visit to the Holy Island (Lindisfarne) with its Priory and Castle.  In 635 AD St. Aidan came from Iona and chose to found his monastery on Lindisfarne, one of the most important early centers of Christianity in Anglo-Saxon England.  The Christian message flourished here and spread throughout the world.  On arrival we will have a talk from a member of the Community of Aidan and Hilda on various aspects of the history of the island and the northern saints.  Afterwards they will lead the group across the sands and mud flats, walking the ancient route via the pilgrim posts.  Dinner and overnight Berwick-upon-Tweed. BD

Note that access to and from the island is via a causeway and therefore governed by low tides.

DAY 4: Friday, May 4, 2012 -We depart England and cross over Scotland to Oban.  On the way we will visit Scone Palace which has an exciting and colorful history. Fifteen hundred years ago it was the capital of the Picts.  In the intervening centuries, it has been the seat of parliaments and the crowning place of the Kings of Scotland, including Macbeth and Robert the Bruce.  It houses an outstanding collection of antiques, paintings and rare artifacts and the gardens are renowned throughout the world.  Upon arrival at Oban, we will take a ferry to the Isle of Mull, renowned for its landscape, wildlife, beaches and hills.  A short ferry crossing from Fionnphort will bring us to the Isle of IonaOvernight Iona. BD

DAY 5: Saturday May 5, 2012 - Iona has been called the “entry way of Christianity into Scotland”.  St. Columba landed here from Ireland in 563 AD and founded the monastery that was to become the most important in Europe.  Our first visit this morning will be to St. Oran's Chapel and Cemetery (the burial ground of 48 Scottish Kings including Duncan who was killed by MacBeth), Nunnery Church and Church of St. Ronan where we will join in Morning Prayer and singing.  For the rest of the day, there is a combination of free time and an introduction to Celtic Christianity and spirituality by the group leaders.  Late evening service at Iona AbbeyOvernight Iona. BD

DAY 6: Sunday, May 6, 2012 - We will attend the morning service at Iona Abbey followed by exploration of the Abbey.  In the afternoon and evening, a combination of group formation, free time, and introduction to Celtic Christianity and spirituality by the group leaders.  Overnight Iona. BD

DAY 7: Monday, May 7, 2012 - Today we will take an early ferry from Iona and travel through the picturesque countryside to Stranraer to take the late afternoon ferry to Belfast, Ireland.  We continue to Armagh for dinner and overnight at Armagh City Hotel. BD

DAY 8: Tuesday, May 8, 2012 -This morning we will meet with the Director of the “Centre for Celtic Spirituality”, the Rev. Grace Clunie for a welcome and tour of St. Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral.  We will attend worship there and learn about its history from the Celtic perspective.  After an early lunch we will continue to Downpatrick where we will visit Down Cathedral and Saul Church.  Saul is claimed to be the oldest ecclesiastical site in Ireland.  In the year 432 AD St. Patrick built his church here.  We return to Armagh for dinner and overnight. BD

DAY 9: Wednesday, May 9, 2012 - This morning we will travel to the pre-Christian, megalithic site, Newgrange, an ancient burial ground designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.  We will stop to see the Celtic Crosses of Monasterboice, some of the most in-tact high crosses in Ireland dating back over 1000 years and also see the peaceful Mellifont Abbey.  We continue to Glendalough for dinner and overnight at Glendalough Hotel. BD

DAY 10: Thursday, May 10, 2012 - This morning we explore Glendalough, the setting of some of Ireland’s most important monastic settlements.  We will go to the visitor’s center and see a film, “Ireland of the Monasteries” which will give us a brief history of the monastery after which we will have a guided tour of St. Kevin’s Monastic City led by Fr. Michael Rodgers who has returned to Ireland after twenty years of missionary service.  He will lead us on a spiritual journey from the Monastic City along the Pilgrims’ Way to the upper lake and visit the remains of St. Kevin’s Cell and the Reefert Church.  We can gaze across the lake to see St. Kevin’s Bed and the ruins of Tempall na Skellig, “Church on the rock”Overnight Glendalough. BD

DAY 11: Friday, May 11, 2012 - This morning we travel to Kildare where we visit Solas Bhride (Brigid’s light/flame), a small Christian Centre which has as its focus St. Brigid and Celtic Spirituality.  Here we will meet with the Sisters and we will “Walk in the footsteps of St. Brigid”, a pilgrim journey to the sites around Kildare town associated with St. Brigid. On this journey you will be invited to: • get in touch with your own inner journey • reflect • linger for a while • be still • walk close to the earth • encounter the legends of Brigid and their relevance for today We journey to Dublin for Evensong in St. Patrick’s Cathedral.  Overnight in the Emmaus Centre, Dublin. BD

DAY 12: Saturday, May 12, 2012 - Our first stop this morning is Trinity College to see the magnificent Old Library and the 1200 year old Book of Kells, the beautifully illuminated version of the Gospels, designed by monks in the 9th century.  We will visit the Gothic Christchurch and explore the Cathedral and its vaults.  In the afternoon we are free for some time to explore the city at leisure, shop or visit the National Gallery or the National Museum which houses a rich collection of Irish antiquities from the prehistoric times to the end of the medieval period.  Overnight in the Emmaus Centre, Dublin. BD

DAY 13: Sunday, May 13, 2012 - We will depart from Dublin Airport on Continental Airlines for our nonstop flight to Newark where we connect to our final destination of Denver. BM

Price: $3,699.00  Pricing based on double occupancy and includes airline taxes and fuel surcharges.  Roundtrip air from Washington Dulles Airport.  Air transportation available from other cities.  Single supplement is $699.00.

** Pricing is based on the exchange rate of 1.38 Euro to the dollar and if rate changes, price may change.  Price excludes the airline taxes and fuel surcharges which are $565.40 and may change.  These will be added to your final invoice. **

Final Payment due February 1, 2012

Cancellation Penalties
◊ Until December 1, 2011 - $200.00 plus any unrecoverable fees.
◊ December 2, 2011 – February 1, 2012 - $300.00 plus any unrecoverable fees.
◊ After February 2, 2012: NO REFUND

$300.00 per person deposit due with registration and copy of passport by October 1, 2011.

2nd payment of $500.00 per person due December 1, 2011

Meals: B Breakfast, L Lunch, D Dinner, M Meals on Aircraft

The itinerary is subject to change due to local conditions or at the discretion and direction of the leader or guide.