Exploring Celtic Christianity

A Pilgrimage to Scotland and Lindisfarne

Led by:

The Rev. Hal Chorpenning & The Rev. Jane Anne Ferguson
Plymouth Congregational UCC
Fort Collins, CO


May 18 - June 1, 2017

DAY 1: Thursday, May 18, 2017 - Depart from Newark, NJ Airport on United Airlines for our transatlantic flight to Glasgow. M

DAY 2: Friday, May 19, 2017 - Early morning arrival into the Glasgow Airport where we meet our tour manager.  After having some time for breakfast at the airport, our journey will begin as we board our coach and transfer to the Govan area of Glasgow.  We visit Govan Old Parish Church, Govan Stones and other local points of interest before meeting with a member of the Iona Community based in Govan.  We continue to Oban, stopping along the way to visit Kilmartin Museum and the Iron Age hill fort and ancient site of coronations at Dunadd.  Dinner and overnight Oban. D

DAY 3: Saturday, May 20, 2017 - This morning we board the ferry (about a 45 minute ride) to the Isle of Mull.  We board our bus that will take us from Craignure across the largest of the Inner Hebridean Islands, Mull to Fionnphort where we board another ferry for a short ride (5 -10 minutes) to Iona, our home for the next two nights.  Iona has been called the entry way of Christianity into Scotland and Northern England.  We begin our exploration of the enchanting Island of IonaIona is the preeminent site “in Scotland”.  A monastery was established by St. Columba in the 6th century and he died here in 597.  The island is a true “thin space” where pilgrims have sensed the nearness of the Holy throughout the ages.  This afternoon we enjoy a pilgrimage walk (there will be an option to choose a long or short walk) to St. Columba Bay.  Those who wish may attend evening prayers at the Abbey.  Dinner and overnight Iona. BD

DAY 4: Sunday, May 21, 2017 - Morning services at Iona Abbey.  We visit Iona Abbey Museum, St. Oran’s Chapel, Reilig Odhrain and St. Martin’s Cross.  If you prefer, you may hike to Martyrs Bay or enjoy a boat ride to Staffa Island (to be paid for on the spot).  Dinner and overnight Iona. BD

DAY 5: Monday, May 22, 2017 - This morning we say “goodbye” to Iona as we board the ferry back to the mainland.  We continue our journey into the Highlands traveling via Loch Ness, following in the steps of St. Columba.  We stop at Urquhart Castle, once one of Scotland’s largest castles situated along the shore of Loch Ness, it has seen great conflict during its 500 years as a medieval fortress.  Dinner and overnight Inverness area. BD

DAY 6: Tuesday, May 23, 2017 - A full day’s exploration of ancient Pictish sites.  We visit the Tarbat Discovery Centre, housed in the refurbished Old Parish Church and the site of the only Pictish Monastic Settlement excavated in Scotland.  We continue on to the standing stones of Nigg, Hilton of Cadboll, and Shandwick. Dinner and overnight Inverness area. BD

 

DAY 7: Wednesday, May 24, 2017 - Today we travel south through the central highlands, stopping en route to visit the carved stones of St. Vigeans, Miegle Museum, Aberlemno Stones and the monastic round tower of Abernethy.  Time permitting we will stop in Brechin.  We visit Scottish Crannog Centre, a unique reconstruction of an ancient loch dwelling in the heart of Perthshire.  We continue to St. Andrews, the ancient ecclesiastical capital of Scotland on the North Sea Coast.  Dinner and overnight St. Andrews. BD

DAY 8: Thursday, May 25, 2017 - We visit the ruins of the St. Andrews Cathedral, Museum and Castle.  Time permitting we will be free to explore on our own.  We join back together later in the day for a pilgrimage walk through St. Andrews and a talk with Dr. Ian Bradley, principal of the St. Andrews University divinity school and a scholar of Celtic Christianity and pilgrimage.  Dinner and overnight St. Andrews. BD

DAY 9: Friday, May 26, 2017 - After breakfast we visit Culdee Caves, where Celtic monks lived in isolation located in the picturesque village of Pittenweem.  This afternoon we are free to explore on our own, reflect, shop or golf (pre-register at your own expense at Booking the Old Course.  Dinner and overnight St. Andrews. BD

DAY 10: Saturday, May 27, 2017 - We depart for England today stopping at Edin’s Hall Broch, a rare example of a lowland broch, a uniquely Scottish fortification, usually found only in the north.  We continue traveling south of the border to Lindisfarne also known as Holy Island, which has been inhabited since the Iron Age.  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.  We visit Lindisfarne Centre and Lindisfarne Priory.  Dinner and overnight Lindisfarne. BD

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

DAY 11: Sunday, May 28, 2017 - A full day on Lindisfarne starting with 8 AM communion at St. Mary’s.  We meet with a member of the Community of Aidan and Hilda or the Northumbrian Community.  After lunch we enjoy a pilgrimage walk from the end of the causeway to Lindisfarne Priory.  Dinner and overnight Lindisfarne. BD

DAY 12: Monday, May 29, 2017 - After some quiet time for reflection, we depart Holy Island and return to Scotland, stopping for a visit to Melrose Abbey, to explore the 7th century Celtic-Northumbrian Christian tradition rooted there with St. Cuthbert.  We continue to the Dere Street Roman Road and visit the exquisite 15th century medieval Midlothian Rosslyn Chapel.  Dinner and overnight Edinburgh. BD

DAY 13: Tuesday, May 30, 2017 - Today we explore Edinburgh, the capital and second most populous city of Scotland.  We have a morning visit to the National Museum of Scotland.  We enjoy a walking tour visiting 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 explore Edinburgh Castle where the views from the Battlement are breathtaking, and visit St. Margaret’s Chapel.  Pending confirmation this evening we meet with The Rev. Dr. John Philip Newell, the celebrated author of Listening for the Heartbeat of God:  A Celtic Spirituality.  Dinner and overnight Edinburgh. BD

DAY 14: Wednesday, May 31, 2017 - After breakfast we board the ferry to Inchcolm Island in the Firth of Forth.  The island is commonly referred to as the “Iona of the East” due to its similarity to the island of Iona.  We visit Inchcolm Abbey, dating back to the 12th century.  Dinner and overnight Edinburgh. BD

DAY 15: Thursday, June 1, 2017 - This morning we board our United Airlines flight arriving back into Newark, NJ early afternoon. BM

Price: $5,659.00  Price is based on a minimum of 17 Pilgrims, double occupancy without airline taxes and fuel surcharges.  Air from Newark, NJ Airport on United Airlines.  Air transportation available from other cities.  Single Supplement $939.00.

* The price is not guaranteed and may change until we have enough pilgrims to confirm the pilgrimage and 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 $1.31 to the British Pound.  Excludes airline taxes & fuel surcharges that will be added to your final payment invoice and tips for the driver and guide that are payable upon completion of services.  Estimated taxes & fuel surcharges $638.06 per person.  Optional activities and sites visited on free time are not included in the cost of the pilgrimage and are to be paid for at the time of your visit.

Air Add on from Denver, CO: $575.00 (limited space)

Roommate needed.  If a roommate cannot be found, I understand that I will be charged for the single supplement.

A non-refundable deposit of $600.00 per person due with application and copy of passport by November 4, 2016.

Final payment due February 16, 2017.

Terms and Conditions:
◊ 1. PRICES ARE CASH.  AMERICAN EXPRESS ACCEPTED FOR FINAL PAYMENT ONLY ADD'L 4.0%.
◊ 2. Names as on passport.  If name is incorrect and tickets reissued, $50 fee plus change fees from airline.
◊ 3. $100 deviation fee plus any additional airfare, hotel, tour or admission charges.

Worldwide Pilgrimage Ministries provides the following basic travel insurance for you at no additional cost:
◊ Trip Delay - $1,000
◊ Baggage & Personal Effects - $1,500
◊ Baggage Delay - $250
◊ Emergency Medical & Dental Expenses - $25,000
◊ Emergency Medical Evacuation & Repatriation - $150,000
◊ Travel Assistance & Concierge Services are provided By Travelex's designated providers.

It is recommended that you purchase additional coverage.  Go to our website www.worldwidepilgrimage.com and click on Travelex Insurance to read the coverages and rules regarding existing conditions or call 800-228-9792 Location # 09-1983.

Cancellation Penalties
◊ Until February 16, 2017:  $600.00 plus any unrecoverable fees.
◊ February 17 - March 30, 2017:  $1,000.00 plus any unrecoverable fees.
◊ March 31, 2017 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.