---

What will we see each day?

Our itineraries are designed to be not too full - or too empty! Each day we'll have breakfast at our hotel, followed by the day's activities. During the day you'll have the opportunity to join the devotional time. Enjoy browsing the proposed itinerary. Back to top

IF = In flight meals, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner

Day 1:   Sunday, September 2, 2012: Depart
Our adventure begins as we depart on our transatlantic flight to Glasgow, Scotland from Atlanta, GA. Meals will be served in flight and we can relax and enjoy the movies.  IF

Day 2: Monday, September 3, 2012: Glasgow
Upon our arrival in Glasgow, our tour director will meet us at the airport with our deluxe air-conditioned bus and we’ll begin our breathtaking tour of the Highlands by visiting the David Livingstone Center in Bantyre. Converted into a museum in 1929, the tenement block where David once lived, now charts his life and explorations.  After touring the Glasgow Cathedral of St. Mungo, we’ll check into the Premier Travel Inn or similar, where we’ll enjoy a welcome dinner.  We’ll stay in Glasgow for two nights. IF/D

Day 3: Tuesday, September 4, 2012: Wigtown, Glasgow
After breakfast, we will drive down to Wigtown to see the Martyr’s monument and hear about life in Scotland for the Covenanters. We’ll return to Glasgow by way of Culzean Castle. Situated on the South Ayrshire coast, this magnificent castle is one of Scotland’s most treasured castles. The Kennedy family gave General Dwight D Eisenhower a specially created guest flat on the top floor of the Castle for his lifetime, as a gesture of Scottish thanks for America's support during World War II. We will return to Glasgow in the evening.  B/D

Day 4: Wednesday, September 5, 2012: Stirling, Oban
This morning we will visit Stirling, beginning with the Church of the Holy Rude, which once functioned as a royal cathedral. It was here in 1566 that John Knox preached at the baptism of James VI. Just outside is the grave of Ebenezer Erskine. We'll also visit Stirling Castle where James VI was educated by the Scottish Reformer George Buchanan. Drive to Oban for 2 overnights, where we’ll stay in the Royal Hotel or similar B/D

Day 5: Thursday, September 6, 2012: Mull, Iona, Oban
Our tour of two islands begins as we board a ferry to the Isle of Mull, then take another short foot passenger ferry from Fionnport to St Columba’s Island of Iona. The site of the first Christian settlement of Scotland, Iona has been known as a place of spiritual power for centuries. It was founded in 563 by St. Columba (521-97) and was a leading center for Christian scholarship throughout Europe. We’ll then take the ferry back to the mainland and on to Oban. The evening is free to enjoy fish and chips or other local delicacies. We might also like to try our hand at Scottish dancing at the Skipinnish Ceilidh House. B

Day 6: Friday, September 7, 2012: Perth, St. Andrews
In Perth, we will visit Scone Palace, the crowning place of many Scottish kings. We then continue on to St. Andrews, the spiritual capital of Scotland and the place where Scotland’s Reformation began. During the time of the Reformation, St. Andrews University was third in significance, after Oxford and Cambridge. St. Andrews Castle, once the premier residence of bishops and archbishops is the site of battles and peace treaties. In the Bottle Dungeon Reformer George Wishart was imprisoned before being burned at the stake. We will note the marker identifying the place where he was martyred as well as the spot of Patrick Hamilton’s martyrdom. St. Andrews Cathedral dates back to 1160 and now comprises the ruins of Scotland’s largest cathedrals. The monument to Robert the Bruce, the first king to unite the Scottish people is here in this city. We’ll overnight in the Albany Hotel or similar. B/D

Day 7: Saturday, September 8, 2012: Dunfermline, Edinburgh
Our first stop this morning will be the Gairney Bridge Monument, commemorating the formation of the Associate Presbytery on December 5, 1733. We then head to Dunfermline, which was once the capital of Scotland. King Malcolm III built a palace here in the 11th century and founded a priory that replaced Iona as the burial place of Scottish kings. We will visit Dunfermline Abbey and the Secession Church founded by Ralph Erskine. In Edinburgh our local guide will take us on a sightseeing tour of the city including the John Knox House, the Walter Scott Monument and the Royal Mile. We will have an inside tour of Edinburgh Castle, with its foreboding ramparts and walls, amazing city views, Crown jewels, and the siege gun, Mon's Meg. We will also explore Greyfriars Church, where the National League and Covenant was signed on February 28, 1638 by nobles using their own blood as ink. This second covenant renewed the original one by John Knox. We’ll see the Covenanter martyr’s memorial in the churchyard and the scene of many of these martyrdoms in the nearby Grassmarket.  We’ll be based in Edinburgh for the rest of the tour in the Jury’s Inn or similar B/D

Day 8: Sunday, September 9, 2012: Edinburgh 
This morning we have the opportunity to attend morning worship at St. Giles Cathedral, where John Knox first preached in 1559. It was reported that "he was so active and vigorous it looked as if he was about to break the pulpit in bits and fly out of it." Also known as the High Kirk of Edinburgh, it is the Mother Church of Presbyterianism and contains the Chapel of the Order of the Thistle (Scotland's chivalric company of knights headed by the Queen). Some of the group may want to go a church in Leith that’s part of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian mission. In the afternoon we will tour the royal palace of Holyrood where in 1561 John Knox had discussions about Christianity with Mary Queen of Scots.  This evening we will end our tour with a traditional Scottish dinner. B/D

Day 9: Monday, September 10, 2012: Return 
We transfer to Glasgow airport this morning for our return flight home or post-tour nights can be added. B/IF

What's not included in tour price?

Payment for the tour is in installments:

• Deposit of $350 will secure your place on the tour
• Final invoices will be sent in May, 2012
• Final payments will be due June 24, 2012.

Cancellation Policy:

All cancellations must be in writing and the date of postmark will determine the amount of refund due.

• From time of deposit to until 100 days prior to departure (5/25/12) a $100 per person penalty will be charged for cancellation.
• From 99-14 days prior to departure (8/19/12) a $350 per person penalty will be charged for cancellation, plus any non refundable deposits, if applicable
• 14 days or less prior to departure-no refund

Flight Information:

Please do not purchase flights until the tour has reached minimum numbers.

We can either assist you with flight bookings, or you are welcome to choose your own flights. If you are using frequent flyer miles, you'll need to contact your airline directly. We can also arrange for extra hotel nights before or after the tour. Please ensure we have a copy of your flight itinerary for our records as soon as you have booked it..

Arrival day: Glasgow on Monday, September 3, 2012

Departure day from UK: Edinburgh on Monday, September 10, 2012

Tour map

View Scotland Presbyterian Tour in a larger map

What are the accommodations like?