Celtic Spirituality in Scotland with Alpharetta PC
Celtic & Presbyterian Spirituality in Scotland
with Alpharetta Presbyterian Church
July 9-20, 2027
This twelve-day itinerary covers some of the most famous parts of Scotland, and also spends plenty of time off the beaten path. Wherever we go, the themes of spirituality, both Celtic and modern, weave through the sites and experiences. We start in Glasgow, learning about neolithic stone carvings that pre-date any Christian settlement of the island. We spend a few days on Iona, exploring the roots of Christianity in Scotland and worshiping with the community. From there, we travel to the Highlands, enjoying the spectacular scenery and exploring ancient themes of spirituality and their relevance today. We conclude our time in Edinburgh. Schedule may be adjusted for efficiency and guide availability.
Journey Highlights
Friday, July 9, 2027
Saturday, July 10, 2027
Sunday, July 11, 2027
Monday, July 12, 2027
Tuesday, July 13, 2027
Wednesday, July 14, 2027
Thursday, July 15, 2027
Friday, July 16, 2027
Saturday, July 17, 2027
Sunday, July 18, 2027
Monday, July 19, 2027
Tuesday, July 20, 2027
Friday, July 9, 2027
Depart to Scotland
Group departs Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport
Group departs Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Flight details TBD.
Saturday, July 10, 2027
Arrival & Glasgow
Visit Govan’s Old Church and Govan Stones
DateSaturday, Jul 10, 2027
After arriving in Edinburgh, we depart by private coach to Glasgow, where we’ll visit Govan’s Old Church, home of the Govan Stones – carved stones, crosses, and sarcophagi dating to the Viking period in Scotland.
Visit Glasgow Cathedral (St. Mungo’s)
DateSaturday, Jul 10, 2027
Glasgow Cathedral, a stunning example of Gothic architecture, has stood since the 12th century and is the only medieval cathedral on the Scottish mainland to have survived the Reformation intact.
Short Walking Tour of Central Glasgow
DateSaturday, Jul 10, 2027
Free Time in Glasgow
You have free time in the afternoon before gathering at Brown’s for the opening dinner.
Opening Dinner
DateSaturday, Jul 10, 2027
Included
Radisson Blu, Glasgow
Check inSaturday, Jul 10, 2027
Overnight at Radisson Blu, Glasgow.
Sunday, July 11, 2027
Glasgow
Worship and Free Time
Worship at Kilbowie Saint Andrews Church
DateSunday, Jul 11, 2027
Join the saints at Kilbowie Saint Andrews Church and the Rev. Anne Fyffe for morning worship.
Return to Glasgow and Free Time
Following worship, return to Glasgow and enjoy the balance of your day to rest or explore.
Dinner (on your own)
DateSunday, Jul 11, 2027
In Glasgow
Monday, July 12, 2027
Travel to Iona
Depart for Oban, Gateway to the Hebrides
Today is a full travel day. We depart early for Oban, the gateway to the Hebrides. We’ll travel through Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, arriving in Oban in time for you to enjoy lunch (on your own) at any of the cafes or restaurants in town.
Lunch (on your own)
in Oban
Ferries to Isle of Mull and Iona
We’ll depart Oban by ferry for the Isle of Mull, travel across Mull by coach, and arrive in Fionnphort for our final ferry of the day. We arrive on Iona in time to unpack and walk around before our dinner (included).
Dinner (included)
DateMonday, Jul 12, 2027
at St. Columba Hotel.
Tuesday, July 13, 2027
Iona
Worship, Abbey Tour, Nature Walk
Worship at Iona Abbey
DateTuesday, Jul 13, 2027
We start our day with worship at the Iona Abbey.
Guided Tour of Abbey, Nunnery, and Village
DateTuesday, Jul 13, 2027
Following worship, we’ll enjoy a guided tour of the Abbey, Nunnery, and village.
Lunch (included)
DateTuesday, Jul 13, 2027
Nature Walk on Iona (optional)
DateTuesday, Jul 13, 2027
Our guide will lead a nature walk towards the south end of the island, discussing the natural history, geography, and geology of the island and the region. Those who would prefer can enjoy free time to explore the island.
Dinner (included)
DateTuesday, Jul 13, 2027
at St. Columba Hotel.
St. Columba Hotel, Iona
Check inTuesday, Jul 13, 2027
Overnight at St. Columba Hotel.
Wednesday, July 14, 2027
Iona
Retreat, Reflection, and Free Time
Retreat and Reflection on Iona
DateWednesday, Jul 14, 2027
On our final day on Iona, we’ll spend the morning in retreat with time for both group and individual reflection.
Free Afternoon on Iona
The afternoon is free and you can explore the island, play a round of golf, or fill your time as you desire.
Lunch today is on your own.
Dinner (included)
DateWednesday, Jul 14, 2027
at St. Columba Hotel
Thursday, July 15, 2027
Iona to Fort William
via Glencoe
Depart Iona for Fort William
We depart Iona today, traveling by ferry and coach back to Oban. From Oban, we continue to Glencoe enroute to Fort William.
Glencoe National Park
Glencoe National Park is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, featuring dramatic mountains and deep valleys, and it holds a rich history as the site of the infamous Glencoe Massacre in 1692.
Lunch in Glencoe (on your own)
DateThursday, Jul 15, 2027
You’ll have time to explore the Glencoe site and have lunch in the cafe (on your own).
Dinner (included)
DateThursday, Jul 15, 2027
at Muthu Fort William.
Muthu Fort William
Check inThursday, Jul 15, 2027
Friday, July 16, 2027
Isle of Skye
and Eilean Donan Castle
Eilean Donan Castle
We depart Fort William just after breakfast, making our first stop at Eilean Donan Castle, a fully-restored 13th century stronghold of the MacKenzie Clan.
From here, we make our way to the Isle of Skye, one of the most scenic and beautiful islands in Scotland.
Lunch (on your own)
DateFriday, Jul 16, 2027
in Portrush
Isle of Skye
After lunch we explore the natural beauty of the island with a number of short stops, beautiful vistas before returning to Fort William in the late afternoon.
Dinner (on your own)
DateFriday, Jul 16, 2027
in Fort William.
Muthu Fort William
Check inFriday, Jul 16, 2027
Saturday, July 17, 2027
Jacobite Steam Train
Jacobite Steam Train from Fort William to Mallaig
The Jacobite Steam Train from Fort William to Mallaig is described as one of the world’s greatest train journeys. At only 84 miles round trip, it is an easily accessible day trip from Fort William. The route begins near Britain’s highest peak and passes through iconic Scottish landscapes including lochs (lakes), rivers, a viaduct, and coastline.
Lunch (on your own)
In Mallaig, you’ll have about 90 minutes of free time to eat lunch and explore the town before the return journey to Fort William.
Dinner (on your own)
in Fort William.
Muthu Fort William
Overnight at Muthu Fort William.
Sunday, July 18, 2027
Edinburgh
Greyfriars Kirk
Depart Fort William for Edinburgh
We depart Fort William early today for our journey to Edinburgh. We’ll stop along the way for a comfort break, arriving in Edinburgh in time for a late lunch.
Lunch (included)
We arrive in Edinburgh in time for a late lunch at the Grassmarket Cafe. The Cafe is one of the social enterprises founded by the Greyfriars Presbyterian Church.
Visit Greyfriars and Learn About the Kirk
After lunch, we’ll visit Greyfriars and learn more about the history of the kirk, the Reformation, and the community engagement work they do in their neighborhood.
Dinner (on your own)
in Edinburgh
Radisson Blu Edinburgh City Centre
Monday, July 19, 2027
Edinburgh
Royal Mile, St. Giles, and Castle
Walking Tour of the Royal Mile
DateMonday, Jul 19, 2027
We explore the history of Edinburgh, beginning with a walking tour of the Royal Mile including the John Knox House (exterior).
Tour and Worship at St. Giles Cathedral
DateMonday, Jul 19, 2027
We arrive at St. Giles Cathedral in time for our tour and a brief worship service at noon.
Lunch (on your own)
in Edinburgh
Visit Edinburgh Castle
DateMonday, Jul 19, 2027
We'll regather after lunch and walk to Edinburgh Castle for a brief tour. Our guide will orient us to the castle and provide commentary at a few locations, but is not allowed to provide detailed guiding inside the castle. After the orientation, you will have time to explore the castle on your own.
Free Time in Edinburgh
You have the rest of the day to explore Edinburgh before we gather for closing worship and our farewell dinner (included).
Closing Worship
We'll gather in a local congregation to have closing reflections and worship as a group.
Farewell Dinner (included)
DateMonday, Jul 19, 2027
Radisson Blu Edinburgh City Centre
Tuesday, July 20, 2027
Departure from Edinburgh
Flight
Pilgrims depart today from Edinburgh International Airport, arriving in Atlanta in the late afternoon. Flight details TBD.
Map
A. Govan Old Church (Govan Stones)
866 Govan Rd, Glasgow G51 3UU, United KingdomB. Glasgow Cathedral (St. Mungo's)
Castle St, Glasgow G4 0QZ, United KingdomC. Kilbowie Saint Andrews Church
2 Kilbowie Rd, Clydebank G81 1TH, United KingdomD. Oban Ferry Terminal
Railway Pier, Oban PA34 4DB, United KingdomE. Iona Abbey
Iona Abbey, Isle of Iona PA76 6SQ, United KingdomF. Glencoe Visitor Centre
Glencoe Visitor Centre, Ballachulish PH49 4HX, United KingdomG. Eilean Donan Castle
Dornie, Kyle of Lochalsh IV40 8DX, United KingdomH. Isle of Skye (Portree)
Portree, Isle of Skye IV51, United KingdomI. Fort William Railway Station (Jacobite Steam Train)
Station Square, Fort William PH33 6TQ, United KingdomJ. Mallaig Railway Station
Station Rd, Mallaig PH41 4PY, United KingdomK. Greyfriars Kirk
Greyfriars Place, Edinburgh EH1 2QQ, United KingdomL. St. Giles' Cathedral
High St, Edinburgh EH1 1RE, United KingdomM. Edinburgh Castle
Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NG, United KingdomPackages and Booking
What's Included
What's included
Roundtrip Airfare
from ATL
Accommodations
in three-star and four-star hotels
Ground Transportation
and ferries
Meals:
Breakfast daily, 3 lunches, 6 dinners
Entry fees and local guides
Gratuities
Ordained Spiritual Guide
Educational Resources
What's not included
Travel Insurance
Available to purchase during registration
Meals not listed
Alcoholic Beverages
or other specialty beverages
Pilgrimage Expectations
Physical Demands on Every Pilgrimage
You should be able to walk, with luggage, for up to half a mile on uneven surfaces, such as cobblestones.
On most days, you will be out of the hotel between 9am and 5pm, with breaks along the way and some free time to rest.
You should be able to walk 12,000 steps per day and stand while listening to our professional guides
You should be able to sleep in hotels located in city centers, which may have road noise. Air conditioning in Europe is less effective than in the US and may not cool your room as much as you're used to back home.
You should, after a brief orientation, be able to navigate towns and cities on your own.
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