Presbyterian Highlights of Scotland
Welcome to Scotland! St. Giles Stirling Castle Iona Abbey Glencoe Local Highland cow St. Andrews Inchcolm Abbey Holyrood York
Edinburgh
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Scotland has a rich Christian history, stunning landscapes, fascinating cities, delicious whisky and incredible food. On this tour 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, play golf, and try local dishes.
Elizabeth N.H. Link is the executive pastor at Second Presbyterian Church in Roanoke, Virginia. She studied religion and history at Presbyterian College in Clinton, South Carolina, and received her MDiv from Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, Virginia. Elizabeth lives with her husband Chris, their six-year-old daughter, and a dog named Scout.
Echol Marshall is a retired motion picture cinematographer, retired high school English teacher, retired instructional technologist, and retired remodeling contractor. He’s basically tired of working at all. He’s been a Presbyterian ever since he was baptized at Second Presbyterian in Roanoke; he is helping to organize this trip as a way to combine his two life goals: enriching his faith and chasing good whiskey.
Rick Heiser, Ph.D. is Professor of History at Presbyterian College and the co-author of a book entitled The Reign of Richard Lionheart. As well as History of Christianity and History of Scotland, Dr. Heiser has taught courses in Ancient and Medieval Europe; Greeks, Romans, and Barbarians; Medieval Warfare; the Renaissance and Reformation; and Tudor and Stuart England. Rick and his wife have four grown children who have begun to give them grandchildren. Trip Itinerary
Key: IF = In Flight Meals, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, AT = Afternoon Tea, D = Dinner
Day 1: Friday, May 2, 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, May 3, 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, May 4, 2025: Edinburgh
This morning will attend a service at St. Giles Cathedral, followed by a Reformation-themed walking tour including the John Knox House, Greyfriars 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 the tiny St. Margaret’s Chapel, which dates back to the 1100s. We will dine in a restaurant this evening. (B/D)Day 4: Monday, May 5, 2025: Stirling, Oban
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’s baptism in 1566. Nearby is the magnificent Stirling Castle, where James VI was educated by Scottish Reformer George Buchanan. We will then have a guided tour and tasting at Glengoyne Distillery, then continue to Oban. The evening is at leisure. (B)Day 5: Tuesday, May 6, 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 in 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 6: Wednesday, May 7, 2025: Glencoe, Aviemore
We will begin our day at 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. In the afternoon we will take a one-hour cruise on Loch Ness and tour 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 drive through the Cairngorm’s National Park to Aviemore. Tonight’s dinner will include whisky tasting. (B/D)Day 7: Thursday, May 8, 2025: Balmoral, Perth
Queen Elizabeth II loved Scotland and we will tour Balmoral Castle, nestled in the Cairngorms National Park, which has been the Scottish home of the Royal Family for over 150 years. We will then travel to Perth, which was once Scotland’s capital. Much loved by James 1, the “Fair City” of Perth lies on the River Tay. We will visit Scone Palace, immortalized in Macbeth, and enjoy a traditional afternoon tea. We will end the day with a visit to the newly opened Perth Museum, to see the Stone of Destiny, before checking into our hotel. (B/AT/D)Day 8: Friday, May 9, 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 statue memorializes the first king to unite the Scottish people. We will dine together in our hotel. (B/D)Day 9: Saturday, May 10, 2025: Perth, Edinburgh
This morning will take a scenic cruise to Inchcolm Island, where we will visit the island’s historic abbey. The island is also well known for wildlife and its wartime coastal defenses. In the afternoon we will continue to Edinburgh and tour Holyrood Palace, where John Knox had discussions with Mary Queen of Scots in 1561. We will have our farewell meal at a restaurant in Edinburgh. (B/D)Day 10: Sunday, May 11, 2025: Return
We will depart to the USA. (B/IF)POST-TOUR TO ENGLAND
Day 10: Sunday, May 11, 2025: York
This morning we will travel down the Northumbrian Coast to York. Our local guide will take us on a walking tour of York, including the Medieval “Shambles,” and a walk on the ancient city walls. We will attend Evensong at the Minster, which is the biggest medieval church in England and has an impressive collection of medieval stained glass, including a sixteenth-century rose window. The term “Minster” usually refers to a church in a monastery, but this cathedral was never part of a monastic institution, so it doesn’t have cloisters. The rest of the day will be at leisure. (B)Day 11: Monday, May 12, 2025: London
We will board the train today and travel down to London for the final part of the tour. Once we have dropped our bags at the hotel, the rest of the day is at leisure to explore the city, or maybe see a West-End Show. (B)Day 12: Tuesday, May 13, 2025: London
We have a full day of leisure to explore the city and a variety of activities can be pre-arranged including a tour of Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, the Churchill War Rooms, the British Museum, St. Pauls, Afternoon Tea, etc. (B/D)Day 13: Wednesday, May 14, 2025: Return
Transfers will be arranged to Heathrow Airport this morning for return flights, or travel can be extended. (B/D)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, Scotland
May 3-5, 2025
Apex Grassmarket
31-35 Grassmarket
Edinburgh, EH1 2HSOban, Scotland
May 5-7, 2025
Oban Bay Hotel
Corran Esplanade
Oban, Argyll, PA34 5AEAviemore, Scotland
May 7-8, 2025
MacDonalds Highlands Hotel
Highland Resort
Aviemore, PH22 1PNPerth, Scotland
May 8-10, 2025
Murrayshall Hall
Murrayshall Country Estate
Scone, Perth, PH2 7PHEdinburgh, Scotland
May 10-11, 2025
Mercure Edinburgh Haymarket
38 Gardner’s Crescent
Edinburgh EH3 8DQPOST TOUR
York, England
May 11-12, 2025
Radisson York
North St
York YO1 6JFLondon, England
May 12-14, 2025
Crown Plaza London Kings Cross
1 King’s Cross Rd
London WC1X 9HX Arrival and Departure Transfers
Group air will be available (Economy). Contact us if you would like an alternative itinerary or upgraded flights.
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
Round-trip group flights are available from Dulles, for $1,392 per person. Please contact our office if you would like upgraded seats, or alternative flights.
Flight No. Date From To Departs Arrives UA 978 May 2/3 Dulles Edinburgh 10:25 PM 10:35 AM UA 979 May 11 Edinburgh Dulles 12:30 PM 3:35 PM Arrival: Please arrange to arrive in Edinburgh no later than 8:00 AM on Saturday, May 3, 2025 (Pre-tour nights are available)
Departure: You are welcome to depart from Edinburgh at any time on Sunday, May 11 or from London on Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Pre- and post-tour nights can be booked through us.
What’s included in the tour price of $4,099 + air?
Price based on a minimum of 20 tour participants.
Extension price is $799 based on 10 tour participants.Electronic Travel Authorization
Your Tour Includes
• Transportation via deluxe air-conditioned coaches
• Accommodations (double-occupancy) in superior 3-star and moderate 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
• Airport transfers separate from the group
• Single supplement ($850 / $350)
• 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 February 1, 2025
• Reservations will be accepted after February 1, 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.