Edinburgh
St. Andrews
Balmoral
Castle
Urquart Castle
Loch Ness
Glencoe
Oban
Iona Abbey
Church of the Holy Rude
Stirling
Glasgow
From the new work God is doing in Scotland today to the historic roots of what He did via Presbyterianism, we will see it all! I look forward to being with you for this Arise and Build Church Planting & Presbyterian History Tour as we spend time with the Esk Valley Church, their mother church, St Colomba’s, and pastors Tom Muir and Derek Lamont. After great fellowship together, our team embarks on a tour of our historical and religious roots as Presbyterians. Of course, golf, Scotch, and sheep along the way! The best Scotland has to offer!
The Rev. Dr. Case Thorp, First Presbyterian Church of Orlando
Key: IF = In Flight Meals, B= Breakfast, D = Dinner
Day 1: Friday, May 11, 2018: Departure
We will depart from Orlando today on our international flights to Edinburgh, Scotland. (IF)
Day 2: Saturday, May 12, 2018: Edinburgh
On arrival in Edinburgh, we will meet our Scottish tour director and board our air-conditioned bus. We will begin our time in Scotland with a bus orientation tour of Edinburgh, viewing the sites that we will see in more detail during the tour. We will then check-in to our hotel and the afternoon is at leisure to explore. We will meet our friends from Esk Valley Church and dine with them this evening. (IF/D)
Day 3: Sunday, May 13, 2018: Edinburgh
We will worship at Esk Valley Church this morning, which is held in the Mining Museum in the village of Newtongrange, just south of Edinburgh. The afternoon is at leisure to explore the Mining Museum or return to Edinburgh. We will attend Evensong at St. Columba’s Church in Edinburgh this evening and enjoy a fellowship meal after the service. (B/L/D)
Day 4: Monday, May 14, 2018: Edinburgh
After a relaxed breakfast, Paul & Isolde James-Griffiths will take us on a Reformation-themed walking tour including the John Knox House, Greyfriar’s Church, Magdalene Chapel and the Royal Mile. Our guide will tell us about the Reformation in Edinburgh: John Knox, the Covenanters and how the saints stood strong for Jesus and true doctrine. Our tour of Edinburgh Castle will include tiny St. Margaret’s Chapel, which dates back to the 1100s. We will also visit the royal palace of Holyrood where in 1561 John Knox had discussions about Christianity with Mary Queen of Scots. We will have free time to explore on our own this evening. (B)
Day 5: Tuesday, May 15, 2018: St. Andrews, Perth
Today’s day trip is to St. Andrews, a spiritual center in Scotland for centuries. 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. We’ll see a monument to Robert the Bruce, the first king to unite the Scottish people and the wide sandy beach made famous in the film Chariots of Fire. (We can arrange an early-morning transfer for golfers this morning, who can play first, then join the tour). We will dine in our hotel in Perth this evening. (B/D)
Day 6: Wednesday, May 16, 2018: Balmoral, Inverness
Balmoral Castle, nestled in the Cairngorms National Park, has been the Scottish home of the Royal Family for over 150 years. We will tour the grounds, gardens and exhibitions, followed by free time to visit the café and gift shop. We will then continue on to our hotel in Inverness. We will dine in our hotel this evening. (B/D)
Day 7: Thursday, May 17, 2018: Loch Ness, Inverness
This morning we will enjoy the Highlands of Scotland, including a one hour cruise on Loch Ness. At the end of our cruise, we will 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. The rest of the day is at leisure. Options including golf, visiting a kilt maker, or exploring Inverness. There is also an optional drive to the Macallan Distillery for a tour (must be pre-booked). We will enjoy some traditional Scottish food and music this evening. (B/D)
Day 8: Friday, May 18, 2018: Glencoe, Oban
On our way south, we will spend some time in 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. Scotland is famous for its whisky and we will take a tour of Oban’s distillery, which includes a taste of their famous single malt with some crystallized ginger. We will dine in our hotel in Oban this evening. (B/D)
Day 9: Saturday, May 19, 2018: 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. Iona Abbey dates back to the 11th Century. We will return to Oban for dinner and overnight. (B)
Day 10: Sunday, May 20, 2018: Oban, Loch Lomond, Glasgow
The morning is free to either attend church in Oban or relax in the harbor. We will have an afternoon stop in Loch Lomond on our way to Glasgow. We will dine in our hotel this evening. (B/D)
Day 11: Monday, May 21, 2018: Stirling, Glasgow
We will have breakfast in the hotel, then board the bus for nearby Stirling. We’ll tour the the Church of the Holy Rude, once a royal cathedral where John Knox preached for James VI baptism in 1566. Nearby is the magnificent Stirling Castle, where James VI was educated by Scottish Reformer George Buchanan. On our return to Glasgow, we will tour St. Mungo’s Cathedral, which was founded by David I on the site of an earlier church. In the chapter house we will see the graves of nine Covenanters who lost their lives in 1645 for being Presbyterian. The afternoon is free to relax, shop, or maybe browse the St. Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art. Our Farewell Meal will be at our hotel. (B/D)
Day 12: Tuesday, May 22, 2018: Return
We will transfer to the airport this morning, to return to the USA. (B/IF)
Please note this itinerary is copyrighted.
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 12-15, 2018
Apex City of Edinburgh Hotel
61 Grassmarket
Edinburgh, EH1 2HJ
Perth, Scotland
May 15-16, 2018
Murrayshall House Hotel and Golf Courses
Scone
Perth, PH2 7PH
Inverness, Scotland
May 16-18, 2018
Kingsmill Hotel
Culcabock Road
Inverness, IV2 3LP
Oban, Scotland
May 18-20, 2018
Oban Bay Hotel
Corran Esplanade
Oban, PA34 5AE
Glasgow, Scotland
May 20-22, 2018
Gleddoch House Golf Hotel and Spa
Old Greenock Rd
Langbank, PA14 6YE
Group flights will be arranged for this tour. If you would like to make your own arrangements, please wait until the tour is a definite departure, before booking non-refundable tickets.
We can either assist you with flights or you are welcome to book your own. Please ensure we have a copy of your flight itinerary for our records as soon as you have booked it.
Proposed group flights on British Airways, currently $1,030 round-trip. Last day to sign-up for group air is February 7, 2018
[table “27” not found /]Price based on a minimum of 25 participants. *$100 discount for payments by check.
• Transportation: via private, deluxe air-conditioned motor coach
• Accommodations (double-occupancy) in centrally located 3-star hotels with good bus access
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary
• Professional tour director throughout the tour
• Local step-on guides for city tours and major attractions
• Entrance fees included as per itinerary
• Guides will use Whisper Headsets throughout the tour
• All transfers, as a group
• Baggage handling (1 piece of baggage per guest)
• All taxes and tips except as indicated below
• Air transportation and related taxes and fees (Proposed flights on British Airways: $1,030)
• Single supplement ($675)
• 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.
• Optional Insurance (group insurance available)
• Gratuities for tour director, and driver
• Deposit of $350 will secure your place on the tour. Please send all payments to Reformation Tours, P.O Box 854, Belleville, IL 62222.
• Final invoices will be sent in January 2018
• Final payment is due on February 25, 2018
• Reservations will be accepted after February 25, 2018, subject to availability
Travel Protection is strongly suggested. Travel insurance is available with Travel Insured International. Click here to let Becky know that you would like the upgraded insurance, which will be purchased at the end of January 2018. The premium to cover trip cost up to $4,499.00 is $276 pp. Click here to read a description of coverage.
Regardless of reason, cancellations are costly. To offset these costs the following fees will apply, plus any non-recoverable expenses to our suppliers:
From time of deposit to until 100 days before departure: $100
From 99-15 days prior to departure: $350 plus any non refundable deposits
14 days or less prior to departure: No refund– Cancellation charges also apply to additional accommodation reserved prior to and after the tour.
– 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 note that this tour is now waiting-list only.
We look forward to welcoming you on the tour. Click on the image to download a copy of the brochure.
Dr. Case Thorp serves as the Senior Associate Pastor for Evangelism at the First Presbyterian Church of Orlando. That includes leading the church’s faith and work work, The Collaborative.
Case is married to Jodi, and they have three beautiful children, Alexandra, Charles, and Brooks. They enjoy their downtown Orlando home, community, and Florida living. Favorites include The Strand, the Urban Bike Trail, Bear Gully Classic Reserve, Voices of Liberty, and Boca Grande.
Originally from Atlanta, Case is a pastor who has served in New Jersey, Texas, California, and Louisiana. Case serves as the Made to Flourish Network co-director for Orlando, a faith & work network for pastors. Teaching is his passion. He teaches for The Collaborative the Gotham Fellowship and the Orlando Fellows, and other seminars. He serves as adjunct faculty for Palm Beach Atlantic University and Reformed Theological Seminary. Case posts blogs on faith and work regularly for The Green Room Blog and has been published in the Orlando Sentinel and Wall Street Journal.
Educational stops along the way have included Oxford College (AA), Emory University (BA), Princeton Theological Seminary (MDIV), and Fuller Theological Seminary (DMIN in Missional Ecclesiology).
Case enjoys time engaging the arts, urban design, politics, cycling and swimming, and both a NYT and WSJ in Starbucks. Read some of his editorials and blog posts at www.casethorp.com.
Tom was brought up in Perthshire, educated in Glasgow, and has been living in and around Edinburgh for ten years. He has been a Christian from his late teens, and has worked as a Youth Worker, English Teacher, and now as an ordained minister of the Free Church of Scotland. His remit is to lead the Esk Valley Church plant in Midlothian. Tom is married to Sharlene, and they have two children: Clemence who is 3, and Sam who is 4 months.
You can fill out your reservations online by clicking the “Book Now” tab or click here to download the form.
You can either send a check made payable to “Reformation Tours” to P.O. Box 854, Belleville, IL 62222 or click here to pay by credit card.
Travel Protection is strongly suggested. Travel insurance is available with Travel Insured International and you can click here to see what the policy covers. Click here to purchase your insurance. The premium to cover trip cost up to $4,499.00 is $276 pp.
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64 Fiesta Circle, St. Louis, MO 63146
Tel: (618) 222-9914
Toll Free: (800) 303-5534
info@reformationtours.com
CST # 2093421-30