Highlights of Scotland
Welcome to Scotland! St. Giles Stirling Castle St. Andrews Pitlochry Loch Ness Local Highland cow Iona Abbey Greenock Glasgow
Edinburgh
Scotland has a rich Christian history, stunning landscapes, fascinating cities, delicious whisky and incredible food. On this tour hosted by Pastor Owen, we will visit many key places including the cities of Edinburgh and St. Andrews, where John Knox and other Protestant Reformers, founded the Presbyterian Church. Scotland’s Christian history dates back to the Celts and we will sail across to the island of Iona, to see the abbey, originally founded by St. Columba in 564. There will be opportunities to tour distilleries, have group devotions, sample whisky, hike, play golf, and try local dishes. The highlight will be a weekend spent in Pastor Owen’s hometown of Greenock.
The Rev. Owen Derrick, (i.e., Pastor Owen) is originally from Scotland, where he spent the first 39 years of his life before moving to the United States in 1999. (The true mathematicians among you can work out how old he is!) Prior to entering seminary in 2003, he spent 20 years as an IT professional, eventually working as a consultant to major banks in the UK and specializing in health care IT in the U.S. In 2003, Owen left his IT career to answer what had been a life-long call to ministry. He graduated with a Masters in Divinity from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago in 2007. In 2013, he added a Masters in Spiritual Formation and Leadership from Spring Arbor University in Michigan.. He has pastored congregations in Nebraska, Illinois, Minnesota and Idaho. In 2015, Owen returned to Scotland and spent 4 years there, serving Lyle Kirk in his home town of Greenock. He returned “home” to the USA in September 2019 where he pastored First Presbyterian Church of Tekamah, Nebraska, before moving to become Pastor of Venice Presbyterian Church in Ross, Ohio in September 2023.Owen is married to Dianne and between them, they have a total of five children; two, in the US and two in Scotland, are all adults, and a daughter who is a junior in high school. They have eight grandchildren. They also have a dog, three rabbits, and a horse.
Trip Itinerary
Key: IF = In Flight Meals, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Day 1: Friday, June 20, 2025: Flight
We will depart the USA on our overnight flights to Scotland. Group flights can be arranged for groups of 10+. Reformation Tours can also assist with alternative flights once the tour is a guaranteed departure. Pre-tour nights are available in Edinburgh for early arrivals. (IF)Day 2: Saturday, June 21, 2025: Arrival in Edinburgh
On arrival in Edinburgh, we will transfer to our hotel and meet our Scottish tour director. Touring can be arranged depending on arrival times. The afternoon is at leisure to explore Edinburgh. We will dine together this evening. (IF/D)Day 3: Sunday, June 22, 2025: Edinburgh
This morning we will attend a service at St. Giles Cathedral, followed by a Reformation-themed walking tour including the John Knox House, Greyfriar’s Church, Magdalen Chapel and the Royal Mile. Our guide will tell us about the Reformation in Edinburgh: John Knox and the Covenanters. In the afternoon, we will tour Edinburgh Castle, including tiny St. Margaret’s Chapel, which dates back to the 1100s. We will dine in a restaurant this evening. (B/D)Day 4: Monday, June 23, 2025: Stirling, Perth
Our first stop today is Stirling. We will tour the Church of the Holy Rude, once a royal cathedral where John Knox preached for James VI baptism in 1566. We will tour the magnificent Stirling Castle, where James VI was educated by Scottish Reformer George Buchanan. We will have a guided tour and tasting at Glengoyne Distillery, then continue on to Perth. The evening is at leisure. (B)Day 5: Tuesday, June 24, 2025: St. Andrews, Perth
We will take a day trip to nearby St. Andrews, a spiritual center in Scotland for centuries. There will be a half-day walking tour and a half-day for golf or shopping. During the Reformation, St. Andrews University was third in significance after Oxford and Cambridge. In the now ruined castle, we will see the Bottle Dungeon where George Wishart was imprisoned before being burned at the stake, and pause at his martyrdom site, also remembering fellow martyr Patrick Hamilton. St. Andrews Cathedral was once the largest church in Scotland, but fell into ruin after John Knox’s sermon, which was inspired by Wishart’s martyrdom. The Robert the Bruce, memorializes the first king to unite the Scottish people. Golfers will be able to apply to play on the Jubilee Course today. We will dine together in our hotel. (B/D)Day 6: Wednesday, June 25, 2025: Pitlochry
We will take a short drive into the Cairngorms National Park to the delightful highland town of Pitlochry. There are various hiking options here, including the Bruar Gorge and the Falls of Bruar. This 1.6 mile scenic loop was first made famous by Rabbie Burns, who visited in 1787 and subsequently wrote the poem “Humble Petition of the Bruar Water”. Other options include a tour of the stunning Blair Castle and Gardens, or shopping in the House of Bruar. (B)Day 7: Thursday, June 26, 2025: Glencoe, Loch Ness, Oban
We will have a scenic drive this morning to Loch Ness, near Inverness. We will take a one-hour cruise on Loch Ness, followed by a tour of Urquhart Castle. Steeped in national heritage and history, the Trossachs is home to some of the most influential and quintessentially Scottish icons of all time such as Rob Roy MacGregor and Sir Walter Scott. We will then head south to Glencoe, where the massacre took place on February 13, 1692. The visitor center includes a 15-minute video presentation explaining what led up to the sad events. We will continue on to Oban and have a group dinner. (B/D)Day 8: Friday, June 27, 2025: Iona, Oban
This morning we will board a ferry to the Isle of Mull, then take another short foot passenger ferry from Fionnport to St Columba’s Island of Iona. Iona, the site of the first Christian settlement of Scotland, 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. St. Columba’s Bay is believed to be the place where he landed and we will take an optional walk to that beach. Iona Abbey dates back to the 11th Century. We will return to Oban and the evening is at leisure.(B)Day 9: Saturday, June 28, 2025: Loch Lomond, Glasgow
We will set off after breakfast to visit Loch Lomond, the largest freshwater lake in Britain. The area has some rare wildlife, like red squirrels, red deer, and pine martins. We’ll visit the conservation village of Luss, with free time to buy coffee or ice-cream and browse the gift shops. In the afternoon we will have a guided tour of Glasgow, including St. Mungo’s Cathedral, the John Knox statue in the Necropolis, and Govan Old Church. The evening is at leisure. (B/D)Day 10: Sunday, June 29, 2025: Greenock
This morning we will worship at Lyle Kirk, where Pastor Owen ministered from 2015-2019. After the service, we can meet the congregation over tea and coffee, followed by a traditional Sunday lunch, The Scottish Reformation of 1560 closed the chapels, but as the parish church was some distance away, a new chapel, known as the Old West Kirk was built. It’s reputed to be the first Protestant church to be built in Scotland after the Reformation. Pastor Owen will introduce us to some of his favorite local sites.the rest of the day is at leisure. (B/L)Day 11: Monday, June 30, 2025: Return
We will transfer to Glasgow to depart to the USA. (B/IF)Please note this itinerary is copyrighted.
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What are accommodations like?
Our hotels are chosen for their quality, amenities and proximity to areas of interest. Whenever possible, we choose hotels in town centers, so that you are able to go off and explore in your free time. It may be necessary for us to substitute hotels for others of equal quality. You will be fully informed of any changes that affect you. Enjoy your stay!
Edinburgh
June 21-23, 2025
Courtyard by Marriott Edinburgh (4*)
1 – 3 Baxter’s Place
Edinburgh, EH1 3APerth
June 23-25, 2025
Murrayshall Hall (4*)
Murrayshall Country Estate
Scone, Perth, PH2 7PHPitlochry
June 25-26, 2025
Fishers Hotel (4*)
Pitlochry
Perthshire, PH16 5BNOban
June 26-28, 2025
Oban Bay Hotel (4*)
Corran Esplanade
Oban, Argyll, PA34 5AEGlasgow
June 28-30, 2025
Sandman Signature Glasgow Hotel (4*)
375 W George St.
Glasgow G2 4LW, United Kingdom Arrival and Departure Transfers
Once the tour is a guaranteed departure our air team can assist you with booking flights and transfers. If you have booked your own flights, we can still provide transfers, as long as we have your flight details on file and a phone number to give to the driver. We will include your transfer information in your final packet. Transfers will be arranged for each arrival, so that you won’t have to wait for other tour members if their flight is delayed. Transfers can be arranged for the day of your choosing, but we can’t arrange transfers if you arrive or depart by train.
Please note that individual transfers are booked through a third-party and you will be responsible to communicate with the company in case of delays.
Flight Information
The following group flights have been reserved on British Airways and can be added to your booking until March 16, 2025. Please contact us if you would like to add travel days.
Flight No. Date From To Departs Arrives BA 120 June 20 / 21 Cincinnati Heathrow 9:45 PM 10:30 AM BA 1448 June 21 Heathrow Edinburgh 1:35 PM 3:00 PM BA 1479 June 30 Glasgow Heathrow 10:40 AM 12:10 PM BA 121 June 30 Heathrow Cincinnati 4:05 PM 7:45 PM Arrival: Please arrange to arrive in Edinburgh no later than 2:00 PM on Saturday, June 21, 2025. (Pre-tour night is available)
Departure: You are welcome to depart from Glasgow at any time on Monday, June 30, 2025. (Post-tour assistance is available)
Pre- and post-tour nights can be booked through us.
What’s included in the tour price of $4,399 + air?
Price based on a minimum of 30 tour participants.
Electronic Travel Authorization
Your Tour Includes
• Transportation: via deluxe air-conditioned coaches
• Accommodations (double-occupancy) in 4-star hotels
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary
• Professional Tour Director throughout the tour
• Local step-on guides for city tours and major attractions
• Guides will use Whisper Headsets throughout the tour
• Admission to all activities indicated in the itinerary
• Arrival and departure transfers for group flights
• All taxes and tips excluding tour director and driver
• Full color personalized tour book
• Travel appYour Tour Does Not Include
• Round-trip air transportation and related taxes and fees ($1,995 group air available)
• Airport transfers separate from the group
• Single supplement ($1,275)
• Meals and beverages not identified in itinerary
• Items of a personal nature, such as passports and visas. Passports must be valid for 6 months beyond return date.
• Passenger trip cancellation insurance
• Baggage handling (let us know if you need assistance)
• Tips for Tour Director and driverPayment Schedule
• Initial deposit of $350 will secure your place on the tour. Online payments incur a 3% credit card fee. Checks can be mailed to “Reformation Tours”, 12316 244th St, Chisago City, MN 55013-9688.
• Final payment is due by March 22, 2025
• Reservations will be accepted after March 22, 2025, subject to availabilityInsurance
There are two levels of insurance offered. Click here to compare. When you fill out the registration form, you will be given quotes for both.
Standard is 4.55% of the trip cost and can be purchased up until 2 days prior to departure, although we recommend purchasing it before.
Enhanced is 7.6% of the trip cost and includes cancel for any reason benefits. It has to be purchased within 14 days of registration.
Cancellations
Regardless of reason, cancellations are costly, so we highly recommend purchasing travel insurance:
Days Before Travel Cancellation Penalty If the client cancels From sign-up until 100 days before departure $150 If the client cancels Between 99 and 30 days before departure $350 + any non-refundable fees If the client cancels Less than 30 days before departure No refund Cancellations must be received in writing by 5:00 p.m. central time on the last business day of the applicable time period. For flight changes or cancellations, revision fees and/or airline cancellation charges will apply. Roommates canceling can result in a single supplement charge for the roommate. The Participant who cancels will be responsible for that charge if a substitute roommate cannot be found. Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is strongly recommended. Reformation Tours cannot assume responsibility for any additional costs or fees relating to the issuance and/or cancellation of air tickets or other arrangements not made through Reformation Tours.
Please click on the button below to register.
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Click on the map to see a larger version. The numbers refer to overnights in these locations.