Pictures from England

A Pilgrimage to our Spiritual Past
A Youth Pilgrimage to Scotland and England

Led by:

Dan Tallmadge
St. Anne Episcopal Church
Cincinnati, OH

June 14 - 22, 2013

Trip map

DAY 1: Friday, June 14, 2013 - Depart the Cincinnati Airport on US Airways to Philadelphia.  There, we will transfer to our trans-Atlantic flight into Glasgow. M

DAY 2: Saturday, June 15, 2013 - We arrive at the Glasgow airport where we meet our guide and driver and transfer to our waiting motor coach.  This afternoon we visit St. Giles Cathedral, the historic City Church of Edinburgh which is located on the Royal Mile between Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, home to the royal family when they are in Edinburgh.  We will explore Edinburgh Castle where the views from the Battlement are breathtaking.  We will see St. Margaret’s Chapel, Queen Mary’s Apartments and the Crown Room.  This evening we will enjoy a “welcome to Scotland” dinner.  Overnight Edinburgh. D

DAY 3: Sunday, June 16, 2013 - We depart Edinburgh bound for the rolling hills of Northumberland and cross the tidal causeway to Lindisfarne, also known as Holy Island.  The island has been inhabited since the Iron Age and Christianity was brought to the island by St. Aidan when he established a monastery here in AD 635.  St. Aidan came from Iona where he was a monk in the monastery founded there by St. Columba.  St. Aidan was not the first person on Lindisfarne, but his is the first known name mentioned in relation to the island.  Under its greatest Abbot, Cuthbert, Lindisfarne became one of the greatest centers of learning in Christendom.  We visit Lindisfarne Priory, Lindisfarne Castle and have time for reflection and prayer in this quiet, holy place.  We will return to Edinburgh for dinner and overnight. BD

DAY 4: Monday, June 17, 2013 - After breakfast we travel to Dunfermline where we visit St. Margaret’s Cave, the cave where St. Margaret prayed; and Dunfermline Abbey, built by King David I of Scotland in honour of his mother, the saintly Queen Margaret.  We begin our trek to Iona, driving through the beautiful borders to the Highlands of Scotland and 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 boarding 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 5: Tuesday, June 18, 2013 - Today we step back into the Celtic spiritual history of Scotland.  A monastery was established by St. Columba on Iona in the 6th century and Columba died here on Iona in 597. Iona is a true “thin space” where, through the ages, pilgrims have sensed the nearness of the holy.  We visit the Iona Heritage Centre to see how the islanders’ have lived over the past 200 years.  This afternoon we meet 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. BD

DAY 6: Wednesday, June 19, 2012 - This morning we 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.  Weather permitting, we will carry box lunches to the North End beach where we will picnic and enjoy some time for meditation, journaling, or just enjoying the beauty of this rugged island.  The area of the North End is seldom visited by pilgrims and offers the perfect place for reflection.  In the afternoon, we will sail to the island of Staffa for a visit to the natural basalt beauty of Fingal’s Cave and to see the many varieties of sea birds living here.  Dinner and overnight on Iona. BLD

DAY 7: Thursday, June 20, 2013 - We travel to Glasgow by way of Fort William where we will see Ben Nevis, Scotland’s highest mountain.  We enjoy a 5.5 mile hike up Dun Deardil, an iron-age fort whose outline can still be seen as grassy embankments.  The fort has a spectacular hilltop location with stunning views.  Time permitting we will have some time to shop.  Dinner and overnight Fort William. BD

DAY 8: Friday, June 21, 2013 - Today we travel back through the Trossachs and arrive back at Glasgow where we 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 Glasgow. BD

DAY 9: Saturday, June 22, 2013 - After breakfast in our hotel, we will depart for the Glasgow Airport and board US Airways for our departure to Philadelphia.  There we will transfer to our flight into the Cincinnati Airport arriving in the early evening. BM

Price: $2,629.00* based on 19 pilgrims.  Price per pilgrim based on varied occupancy as agreed upon by the group leader without airline taxes and fuel surcharges.  Roundtrip air from Cincinnati, OH.  Air transportation available from other cities.

* Airline taxes and fuel surcharges as of September 4, 2012 were $651.48 per person and may change.  These will be added to the final invoice.

** The price is not guaranteed and may change due to the fluctuation of the British Pound and the US dollar.  We make every effort to avoid any increase and will only do so if the value of the dollar falls against the British Pound.  Your pricing was based on the exchange rate of $1.60 to the British Pound.**

* Price includes Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance.

$300.00 per person deposit due with registration and copy of passport.

Final payment due March 15, 2013.

Cancellation Penalties
◊ Until March 14, 2013:  $200.00 plus any unrecoverable fees.
◊ March 15 – April 29, 2013:  $300.00 plus any unrecoverable fees.
◊ April 30, 2013 or later:  NO REFUND

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.