Trip Itinerary

Please note this itinerary is copyrighted.

Key: IF = In Flight Meals, B= Breakfast, D = Dinner 

Day 1: Departure
Our journey to Scotland, will begin with our flights to Edinburgh (IF)

Day 2: Edinburgh
On arrival in Scotland, we will meet our guide, and board our waiting luxury touring coach. We will have a panoramic tour of Edinburgh as an introduction to our Scottish tour, then check-in to our hotel. Our welcome dinner will be at our hotel this evening. (IF/D)

Day 3: Edinburgh
Our full day tour of Edinburgh includes an inside visit of the Palace of Holyrood House, where John Knox met with Mary Queen of Scots. Our guide will also take us to St. Giles Cathedral, where John Knox first preached in 1559. It was reported that “he was so active and vigorous it looked as if he was about to break also includes 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 dine at our hotel. (B/D)

Day 4: St Andrews
Today’s day trip will be to St. Andrews, which has been 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. We will pause at his martyrdom site and also remember fellow martyr Patrick Hamilton. St. Andrews Cathedral was once the largest church in Scotland but fell into ruin after John Knox’s sermon inspired by Wishart’s martyrdom. The afternoon will be at leisure to either play golf (not on the Old Course), walk on the beach, or browse the shops in St. Andrews. We will return to Edinburgh and the evening will be free to dine in the restaurant of our choice. (B)

Day 5: Aberdeen
We will travel north this morning via Strachan to Aberdeen. Andrew Murray, the 19th century devotional writer, came to Aberdeen with his brother when they were children. Their teacher Dr. Melvil, inspired them to study and serve God. The afternoon is free to explore Aberdeen. Options include St. Andrews Cathedral, the Maritime Museum, King’s College Chapel and the scenic coastline. (B/D)

Day 6: Aberdeen
On our way west, we will visit Fochabers to visit Baxters Highland Village, a collection of restaurants and stores, showcasing wines, whiskies, specialty foods, clothing, cookware and gifts. It would be a good time to try some Baxter’s soup right where it’s made! In the afternoon we will tour the Culloden battlefield site, where the last hand-to-hand battle was fought on British soil.  The battle only lasted one hour, but it had a huge impact on the Highlands. We will dine at our hotel. (B/D)

Day 7: Inverness, Loch Ness, Glencoe, Stirling
This morning we will drive through Inverness and take a one-hour cruise on Loch Ness. At the end of our cruise, we will tour Urquart 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. After time for lunch by Loch Ness, we will drive 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 dine at our hotel in Stirling this evening. (B/D)

Day 8: Stirling
We will visit the church of the Holy Rude this morning, once a royal cathedral where John Knox preached for James VI baptism in 1566. In the afternoon we will tour the magnificent Stirling Castle, where James VI was educated by Scottish Reformer George Buchanan. Our farewell meal will be at our hotel in Stirling. (B/D)

Day 9: Departure day
After breakfast, we will transfer to the airport this morning for flights back to the USA.  (B/IF)

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!

If you are interested in a quote for your group, please CLICK HERE to tell us more about your tour requirements or call (800) 303-5534.