Edinburgh Edinburgh Theological Seminary St. Andrews Stirling Castle Iona Abbey Giant's Causeway Downpatrick Dublin Glendalough









The Christian heritage of Scotland and Ireland reaches back to the fifth century, and the church remains very alive today. Join us on a pilgrimage to Celtic and Reformation sites including Iona, Whithorn, and Glendalough. We will visit Edinburgh, St. Andrews, and Stirling, where John Knox and other Protestant Reformers shaped the Presbyterian Church. We will also meet church planters, theologians, and ministry leaders bringing in a present-day harvest of souls.
Beyond premium accommodations and coach travel, our journey includes castles, the Scottish estate of friends, whisky, golf, the Isle of Iona, food worth lingering over, and fellowship along the way. Pre-trip readings will prepare you for study and discussion with Dr. Case Thorp, alongside times of prayer and formation with Dennis Brockman.
The Collaborative and Heart of the City Foundation gladly come together for this journey as we learn, grow, and seek the Lord’s will for our lives.
Key: IF = In Flight Meals, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
Day 1: Thursday, April 1, 2027: Flight
We will depart the USA on our overnight flights to Scotland. Pre-tour nights are available in Edinburgh for early arrivals. (IF)
Day 2: Friday, April 2, 2027: Arrival in Edinburgh
On arrival in Edinburgh, we will transfer to our hotel and meet our Scottish tour director. Early arrivals can explore Edinburgh, visit the castle, or play golf. In the afternoon, we will meet the president of the Edinburgh Theological Seminary for a seminar on church planting in Scotland today. Our evening meal will be in a restaurant. (IF/D)
Day 3: Saturday, April 3, 2027: St. Andrews, Edinburgh
St. Andrews was 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 also see the remains of St. Andrews Cathedral and visit Holy Trinity Church. We will return to Edinburgh in the afternoon for a Reformation-themed walking tour including the John Knox House, Greyfriars Kirk, Magdalen Chapel, and the Royal Mile. We will dine in a restaurant this evening. (B/D)
Day 4: Sunday, April 4, 2027: Edinburgh, Stirling
This morning, we will attend a service at St. Columba’s Free Church in Edinburgh, followed by time to buy lunch on the Royal Mile. In Stirling, we will meet up with Case’s friends, Kenneth and Angela McKenzie, for tea, scones, and a tour of their stunning estate, Gribloch House. We will spend the night in Stirling and dine in a traditional restaurant. (B/D)
Day 5: Monday, April 5, 2027: Stirling, Loch Lomond, Oban
We will begin our day at the Church of the Holy Rude, once a royal cathedral, where John Knox preached for James VI’s baptism in 1566. We will view Cowane’s Hospital, also known as the Guild Hall, and learn about the role of the Guilds. On our tour of the magnificent Stirling Castle, we will hear how the young James was educated by Scottish Reformer George Buchanan. On our way towards the West Coast, we will stop in Luss to see Loch Lomond. We will dine at a fish restaurant in Oban this evening. (B/D)
Day 6: Tuesday, April 6, 2027: Iona, Oban
After breakfast, 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, engaging in Celtic prayer. 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. (B/D)
Day 7: Wednesday, April 7, 2027: Oban, Ayr
This morning, we will visit the historic Oban Distillery and enjoy some samples. In the attractive seaside resort of Ayr, we will tour the Robert Burns Commemorative Museum. Burns was born on the outskirts of the town. We will dine in a pub or restaurant this evening. It may be possible to arrange golf whilst in Ayrshire. (B/D)
Day 8: Thursday, April 8, 2027:Whithorn, Belfast
Whithorn is the site of the earliest Christian community in Scotland. According to the Venerable Bede in the 7th century, St. Ninian introduced the Christian faith even before St. Columba. He was a Briton who had been trained in Rome. St. Ninian’s Chapel (Shining White Church) and St. Ninian’s Cave (both currently closed) are commemorated in Whithorn Priory and Museum. We’ll see the Latinus Stone, the earliest Christian monument in Scotland. We will then catch the afternoon ferry from Stranraer to Belfast and dine together. (B/D)
Day 9: Friday, April 9, 2027: Giant’s Causeway, Belfast
In the morning, we will have a tour of Belfast, including key Christian sites. We will also hear about “The Troubles” and learn more about C. S. Lewis. In the afternoon, we will have an optional trip to the northern coast to see the Giant’s Causeway, enormous hexagonal columns formed by volcanic activity over 60 million years ago. We will also hear the legend of the giant, Finn MacCool. Tonight is free to explore Belfast. (B)
Day 10: Saturday, April 10, 2027: Downpatrick, Dublin
Downpatrick is the heart of Saint Patrick’s story, and we will begin our visit at the Saint Patrick Center, where interactive exhibits tell the true history of Ireland’s patron saint. It has an excellent cafe and gift shop. We’ll then visit Down Cathedral and Saint Patrick’s Grave, where we’ll learn about his impact on Irish Christianity and history. We will end the day in Dublin. We will dine in a traditional pub or restaurant this evening. (B/D)
Day 11: Sunday, April 11, 2027: Dublin
We will attend an Irish Presbyterian church this morning in Dublin, followed by free time for lunch. In the afternoon, our guided walking tour will include Trinity College and the Book of Kells. We will also see St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Chester Beatty, and the 18th-century Georgian houses. The rest of the day is at leisure. (B)
Day 12: Monday, April 12, 2027: Glendalough, Dublin
In order to explore more of Ireland’s Celtic heritage, we will visit Glendalough in the Wicklow Mountains. St. Kevin founded a monastic site here in the 6th century. We’ll tour the Visitor Center and see the stone church and decorated crosses. On the way back, we will visit Powerscourt Distillery. Alternatively, we can arrange golf today. We will end with a special meal with musical entertainment. (B/D)
Day 13: Tuesday, April 13, 2027: Return
We will transfer to Dublin Airport for flights back 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
April 2-4, 2027
The Caledonian
Princes St.
Edinburgh EH1 2AB
Stirling, Scotland
April 4-5, 2027
Apex Dunblane Hydro
Perth Rd
Dunblane FK15 0HG
Oban, Scotland
April 5-7, 2027
Knipoch House Hotel
By Oban, Knipoch
Oban PA34 4QT
Ayr, Scotland
April 7-8, 2027
Fairfield House Hotel
12 Fairfield Rd
Ayr KA7 2AS
Belfast, N. Ireland
April 8-10, 2027
Maldron Hotel Belfast City
20 Brunswick St
Belfast BT2 7GE
Dublin, Ireland
April 10-13, 2027
Iveagh Garden
1/74 Harcourt St, Saint Kevin’s
Dublin 2, D02 Y282,
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.
Group flights in Economy are available for $1,230 for a minimum of 10 travelers. Last day to add air to your booking is January 20, 2027. You are also welcome to book your own flights once the tour is a guaranteed departure (minimum of 25 participants).
| Flight No. | Date | From | To | Departs | Arrives |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AA 2816 | April 1 | Orlando | Philadelphia | 2:04 PM | 4:41 PM |
| AA 278 | April 1/2 | Philadelphia | Edinburgh | 7:30 PM | 7:30 AM |
| AA 725 | April 13 | Dublin | Charlotte | 12:40 PM | 4:10 PM |
| AA 612 | April 13 | Charlotte | Orlando | 6:54 PM | 8:41 PM |
Arrival: Please arrange to arrive in Edinburgh no later than 11:00 AM on Friday, April 2, 2027. (Pre-tour night is available)
Departure: You are welcome to depart from Dublin at any time on Tuesday, April 13, 2027.
Pre- and post-tour nights can be arranged in the group hotels.
Price based on a minimum of 25 tour participants.
• Transportation: via deluxe air-conditioned coaches
• Accommodations (double-occupancy)
• 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 app
• Round-trip air transportation and related taxes and fees
• Airport transfers separate from the group
• Single supplement
• Meals and beverages not identified in the itinerary
• Items of a personal nature, such as passports and visas. Passports must be valid for 6 months beyond the return date.
• Passenger trip cancellation insurance
• Tips for Tour Director and driver
You will have the option to add insurance as part of the booking process. Travel International’s Pathway Premier policy is 4-7% of the tour cost, depending on traveler age, trip length, and coverage selected. Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) is an additional cost and must be purchased within 21 days of the initial deposit.
Trawick offers 24/7 worldwide support to provide help, advice, and referrals for medical emergencies, prescription assistance, repatriation, legal assistance, language interpretation, and emergency medical payments.
Printable insurance summary: Pathway Premier Insurance Plan

All cancellations must be submitted in writing by 5:00 p.m. Central Time on the last business day of the applicable time period. Cancellation charges will be calculated based on the date the written notification is received.
For individual cancellations, the following refund schedule applies:
| Days Before Travel | Cancellation Penalty | |
|---|---|---|
| If the client cancels | From sign-up until 101 days before departure | $200 administrative fee |
| If the client cancels | Between 100 and 71 days before departure | 25% cancellation fee |
| If the client cancels | Between 70 and 31 days before departure | 50% cancellation fee |
| If the client cancels | Less than 30 days before departure | No refund |
Please click on the button below to register.
Register for Tour RCT27Head Office: Hall Gate House, 29cCranfield Road, Kilkeel, Co. Down, N. Ireland BT34 4LJ
US Office: 12316 244th St. Chisago City, MN 55013
Toll Free: (800) 303-5534
Email: info@reformationtours.com