Often called "God's Country", Scotland's fierce beauty touches the heart and stirs the soul. With its wind-swept beaches, brooding castles and fire-lit pubs, Scotland is a country of unmistakable beauty. The charming countryside, the beautiful tumble of raw mountain peaks and deep glassy lakes, and the breathtaking wild magnificence of its coastline have inspired poets for years. Scotland's towering hills have stood for centuries; yet amidst this permanence is constant motion: clouds swiftly rolling across the sky, waterfalls cascading down the hillsides, golden grass rippling with every breeze...

                                                      Come with us on another Celtic Journey to Scotland!

Sept 8    Evening flight out of Newark to Glasgow International Airport.         

Sept 9    Arriving in the morning, after going through customs and collecting our luggage, we will be met by our coach driver. Once on the road, we’ll soon be at well-known Loch Lomond, stopping at its most picturesque villages, Luss. Back on the coach, our journey today will lead us into the heart of the Scottish Highlands, one of the last wildernesses of Europe. Glencoe is considered one of the most spectacular and beautiful areas in Scotland, surrounded by wild and precipitous mountains, deep valleys,  rushing streams, and cascading waterfalls… absolutely awe-inspiring.
1st Overnight near Glencoe
                                     
Sept 10   The Great Glen, ringed by Scotland's tallest mountains as well as having Loch Ness as its main artery, has much more to offer than an infamous elusive monster!  There are on both sides of the loch places filled with history, including the Urquhart Castle and   the capital of the Highlands, Inverness.  And just outside Inverness is where the course of British, European and world history was changed on 16 April 1746… Culloden.  We will take the time to visit this very moving place.
2nd Overnight near Glencoe
 
Sept 11    We’ll have to leave the Highlands of Scotland this morning, yet the scenic drive south toward Oban will remain in your memory, passing Castle Starker which is  often on calendars and postcards.  Before stopping in Oban, we’ll take the time to visit Kilmartin, a small village steeped in history.  The churchyard has an important collection of early Christian and medieval carved stones, and within the church are 9th-10th c. and medieval crosses.  On to the harbor town of Oban, with time for meandering before our afternoon ferry over to the island of Mull and Iona.  Oban is a great town for shopping for those woolens and tweeds!  1st Overnight Iona
                                                                                                                                   
Sept 12    The Isle of Iona lies in the Inner Hebrides, and is truly one of those ‘thin places’ that we experience on our Celtic Journeys throughout Scotland, Ireland and Wales.  ‘This tiny island holds a very unique place in the story of Scotland, and kindles the imagination of thousands that journey there each year. To and from its shores have come monks and pilgrims, clan chiefs and kings, artists and crafts people, farmers and fishermen. The island’s community today tries to follow the tradition of all those who have gone before them…’  (E. Mairi MacArthur)
2nd Overnight Iona

Sept 13   The best time to come to Iona is after the tourist season, if you want to feel its magic.  The Abbey offers regular services for those who want to experience the far-reaching influence of the Iona community.  There are craft shops, tea rooms, and local stores where the islanders buy their necessities for living. For those who want to walk, the south and western parts of the island are well worth seeing. This exquisitely beautiful island is a haven for photographers, artists, poets and pilgrims. There are few cars, and the pace just slows down to a gentle kind of rhythm.  Time seems to stand still…
3rd Overnight Iona

Sept 14   Well, we have to leave behind this mystical island this morning, returning to the mainland.  We have a wonderful day ahead of us, heading toward the east coast to St Andrews.  But we’ll make a few stops along the way, including Stirling Castle. Its location parallels even Edinburgh Castle's for sheer magnificence as it sits on its high volcanic rock, visible for many miles in every direction.  While there, we may not want to miss the famous Church of the Holy Rude where John Knox preached.  Then on to St Andrews,  renowned for more than the game it gave to the world!  Evidence of its long and at times turbulent history can be seen everywhere throughout this lovely medieval town.  It is an ancient seat of learning, being home to Scotland's first university.  History is ingrained in every stone of this fascinating town…
Overnight St Andrews                                    

Sept 15   The Kingdom of Fife… doesn’t that sound like something out of a storybook?   Fife's towns and villages are steeped in Scotland's history and a visit to the Kingdom is a step back in time. The past is still very much alive in Fife… fresh sea air; wide, sweeping beaches; picturesque towns with bustling harbors; and a unique maritime heritage. Today we’ll visit Dunfermline Abbey, the remains of a great Benedictine abbey founded by Queen Margaret in the 11th century.  And Rosslyn Chapel, on the outskirts of Edinburgh, is definitely worth a visit.  The chapel is famous both for its decorative art and its mysterious associations with the Knights Templar and the Holy Grail.  Rosslyn Chapel played a significant role in Dan Brown's 2003 novel The Da Vinci Code.
1st Overnight Edinburgh             

Sept 16   Edinburgh. With its classical architecture, medieval closes, green parks, unexpected views of the sea from street corners, and of course the Castle, it has been said that this lovely city is ‘the jewel of Scotland’s crown.’  We will have an entire day to experience this charming city!  Some of the places you might like to see are of course the Castle; St Margaret’s Chapel (the oldest surviving building in Edinburgh dating from the early 12th century); the Royal Mile with its shops and tea rooms; Holyrood Palace; St Giles Cathedral.  Perhaps we can attend Choral evensong at St Mary’s Cathedral.
2nd Overnight Edinburgh

Sept 17   Our return flight to the USA.  We hope we will see you again on another one of our Celtic Journeys!  Take care of yourselves, and God Bless…

 

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