A Pilgrimage to our Spiritual Past

A Journey to Scotland

Led by:

The Rev. Jeff Jackson
St. Peter’s Youth Pilgrimage

June 14 - 21, 2007

Trip map

DAY 1, Thursday, June 14, 2007 – Depart the United States from Atlanta’s Hartsfield Airport for our trans-Atlantic flight.  Dinner on board the aircraft. D

DAY 2, Friday, June 15, 2007 – We arrive at the Edinburgh airport where we meet our guide and driver and transfer to the waiting motor coach.  We will drive into Edinburgh.  This afternoon we will tour St. Giles Presbyterian (Church of Scotland) Cathedral which is located on the Royal Mile between Holyroodhouse, home to the British Royal Family when they are in Scotland, and Edinburgh Castle where we will see the spectacular views from the battlements.  This evening we will enjoy a “welcome to Scotland” dinner.  Overnight Edinburgh. BD

DAY 3, Saturday, June 16, 2007 – We begin our trek to Iona.  We drive through the beautiful borders to the highlands of Scotland.  We will drive along the shores of one of Scotland’s most scenic and famous lakes, Loch Lomond.  We will be taking the “high road” this day and learn why we don’t want the “low road” to Loch Lomond and Oban.  It is in this area of the Trossachs that Rob Roy MacGregor (1671-1734) lived and gained his reputation.  Upon arrival in Oban, we will be on our own for lunch and a brief time to shop before we board the ferry (about a 45 minute ride) to the Isle of Mull.  Our bus will take us from Craignure across the largest of the Inner Hebridean Islands, Mull, through the moorlands to Fionnphort where we will board another ferry for a short ride (5 -10 minutes) to Iona.  Overnight Iona. BD

DAY 4, Sunday, June 17, 2007 – After breakfast we will attend services at Iona Abbey at 10:30 AM. Iona is the preeminent historical site for Celtic Christianity.  A monastery was established here by St. Columba in the 6th century and St. Columba died here in 597.  The island is a true “thin space” where pilgrims have sensed the nearness of the Holy throughout the ages.  Following services, we will walk to the Chapter House where we will participate in the introductory session “What is the Iona Community?”.  The rest of the day we will be free to spend time on the island reflecting.  Overnight Iona. BD

DAY 5, Monday, June 18, 2007 – Today we will be free to explore the island on our own.  This evening we will go to the Village Hall for a Ceilidh (pronounced Kay-lee), a Scottish get-together held at 10 PM.  Overnight on Iona. B

DAY 6, Tuesday, June 19, 2007 – Today we step back into the Celtic spiritual history of Scotland.  We will worship in Iona Abbey at the 9:00 AM service. Surrounding the chapel is the Reilig Odhrain, the sacred burial ground which is said to contain the graves of 48 Scottish kings, including that of Macbeth’s victim, Duncan.  We will then meet at 11:30 AM at St. Martin’s Cross in front of the Abbey and embark on a Pilgrimage Walk of IonaSt. Martin’s Cross, dating to the 8th century is the finest of Iona’s Celtic crosses and is decorated on one side with the serpent-and-boss and on the other with Holy figures.  Today’s expedition around the island will be challenging.  We will be visiting places of both historic and religious significance.  Dinner and overnight on Iona or at Oban. BD

DAY 7, Wednesday, June 20, 2007 – We will travel to Glasgow by way of Ft. William where we can see Ben Nevis, Scotland’s highest mountain.  We continue on through the spectacular Trossachs to Loch Lomond, the largest of Scotland’s lakes and according to Sir Walter Scott, “The Queen of Scottish Lakes.”  Our journey ends at the second largest city in Scotland, Glasgow, where we will enjoy a panoramic tour and visit the Cathedral of St. Mungo, the most significant historic building in Glasgow.  We will visit the necropolis which was, for the most part, the burial place of the rich and influential.  This evening we will enjoy a “farewell to Scotland” dinner.  Overnight in Glasgow or Edinburgh. BD

DAY 8, Thursday, June 21, 2007 – After breakfast in our hotel, we will epart for the airport in Edinburgh and our return to the United States arriving back into Atlanta this afternoon.  Lunch on board the aircraft. BL

Price: $2,629.00.  Price is based on double occupancy without airline taxes and fuel surcharges.  Roundtrip air from Atlanta, GA.  Air transportation available from other cities.

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.