The Spirit(s) of Scotland

Led by:

The Rev. Mark Scheneman

August 2 - 11, 2007

DAY 1, Thursday, August 2, 2007 – We will depart the United States on a wide-body jet for our trans-Atlantic flight. D

DAY 2, Friday, August 3, 2007 – Upon arrival in Glasgow, we will meet our driver and transfer to the legendary Loch Lomond, the largest and most beautiful of the Scottish lakes and the entrance to the Highlands.  We will enjoy a boat ride on the Loch before the rest of the day on our own.  Overnight Loch Lomond area. BD

DAY 3, Saturday, August 4, 2007 – This morning we visit Inveraray Castle, home of the Duke of Argyll and headquarters of the Clan Campbell since the early 15th century.  On the grounds of the Castle is a Combined Operations Museum, the only one of its kind in the United Kingdom which displays the role No. 1 Combined Training Centre played at Inveraray in World War II.  We continue traveling through the picturesque Trossachs to Oban, where we will meet our ferry to the Isle of Iona, known as the cradle of Celtic Christianity, and which has only 100 inhabitants.  We will celebrate a pilgrims Eucharist and overnight on Iona. BD

DAY 4, Sunday, August 5, 2007 – Today we step back into the Celtic spiritual history of Scotland.  We will worship in Iona Abbey at the 9:00 AM service.  At 12 noon we will meet at the Chapter House for an introductory session “What is the Iona Community”.  This afternoon we will meet at St. Martin’s Cross in front of the Abbey and embark on a Pilgrimage Walk of Iona.  This is a challenging afternoon expedition around the island of Iona visiting places of historic and religious significance.  Dinner and overnight on Iona. BD

DAY 5, Monday, August 6, 2007 – We ferry back to the mainland and head north.  We will visit Dunstaffnage Castle, once the capital of Dalriada, the original Kingdom of the Scots.  We visit the Oban Sealife Centre, where panoramic aquariums allow us to view sea creatures swimming underwater.  We continue to Glencoe which is referred to by Scots as the “Valley of Tears”.  It was here on February 13th, 1692 that the slaughter of the Macdonalds by the Campbells took place as a result of an order from Edinburgh to kill all inhabitants of the valley below age 70.  Many of the Macdonald clan escaped the sword only to die in the winter snows.  A huge blow to the clan system was struck at the Battle of Culloden 53 years later.  We will visit the Glencoe Visitor Centre then continue on passing by Loch Tay before our overnight in Aviemore. BD

DAY 6, Tuesday, August 7 2007 – Today we drive into the Spey Valley to the Malt Whisky Trail, running through the glens of Speyside.  We will visit the distilleries in the area, known for their production of uisge beatha (“water of life”).  Half of the malt distilleries in the country lie along the River Spey and its tributaries where peat smoke and Highland water are used to turn out single-malt whisky.  Overnight Aviemore. BD

DAY 7, Wednesday, August 8, 2007 – Today we travel south to the town of Perth, the capital of Scotland from the 12th century until James I was assassinated here in 1437.  We will visit Scone Palace, the home of the Earl of Mansfield and where a vast collection of needlework, china, furniture and other objects are on display.  We will see Moot Hill, where Scottish kings were once crowned (while sittling on a sacred stone, which was carried away by Edward I, and only recently returned by the English).  We will visit the Edradour Distillery, the smallest distillery in all of Scotland.  We will continue to Stirling, known as the gateway to the Highlands.  Stirling became the capital of Scotland after the assassination of James I.  Overnight Stirling. B

DAY 8, Thursday, August 9, 2007 – Morning at leisure in Stirling.  This afternoon we will tour Edinburgh, walking the Royal Mile from the Palace of Holyroodhouse up to the spectacular and historic Edinburgh Castle.  Along the way we will have our prayers in St. Giles Cathedral and pray in the famous Chapel of St. Margaret at the top of the castle.  There will also be time for driving around the city, seeing the medieval town, the elegant squares of the Victorian and Georgian part of the city and other famous sites.  We will enjoy dinner together at Deacon and Brodies on the Royal Mile (reservations will be made for us but everyone will pay for their own meal) prior to attending the world famous Edinburgh Military Tattoo.  Overnight Stirling. B

DAY 9, Friday, August 10, 2007 – This morning we will visit Stirling Castle and the Wallace Memorial and Battlefield.  The Castle, rising high on a rocky crag has dominated Scottish history for centuries and remains as one of the finest example of Renaissance architecture in Scotland.  Seven battlefields can be seen from the castle and Wallace Monument at Abbey Craig recalls William Wallace’s defeat of the English at Stirling Bridge in 1297.  The afternoon we will be free to explore on our own, pack, and shop for last minute gifts.  This evening we will enjoy a Scottish Heritage Dinner.  Dinner and Overnight Stirling. BD

Day 10, Saturday, August 11, 2007 – After breakfast we head for the Glasgow airport where we will board our plane for the flight back to the United States.  We will arrive back in Philadelphia this afternoon. BL

Price: $3,329.00.  Price is based on double occupancy without airline taxes and fuel surcharges.  Air from Philadelphia, PA.  Air transportation available from other cities.  Single supplement costs available on request.

An application for travel insurance will be included with the receipt for your deposit.  We strongly recommend that you seriously consider this coverage.

Meals: B Breakfast, L Lunch, D Dinner S Snack

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