Tues., 01 September 2026
Tues., 01 September 2026
Depart USA
We depart St. Louis at 3:10pm on United 4500 to Chicago, arriving at 4:41pm. We depart Chicago at 6:40pm on United 118, arriving in Edinburgh at 8:25am.
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Wed., 02 September 2026
Wed., 02 September 2026
Arrive in Edinburgh, Glasgow
We arrive in Edinburgh at 8:25am and leave directly for Glasgow. We will begin by connecting with members of the Iona Community to learn about their mission and ministry. After lunch (included) we’ll visit Govan Church, home of the Govan Stones – carved stones, crosses, and sarcophagi dating to the Viking period in Scotland. We’ll check into our hotel in the mid afternoon, giving you some free time before our opening dinner (included). Overnight at Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow.
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Thur., 03 September 2026
Thur., 03 September 2026
Glasgow
We’ll get a slightly later start today, giving you a chance to rest after your travel and first day in Scotland. We’ll start in the mid morning with a walking tour around Glasgow, including St. Mungo’s (Glasgow Cathedral), George Square, and other sites of interest. After lunch (included), you’ll have the afternoon and evening free to explore Glasgow and enjoy dinner on your own. Overnight at Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow.
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Fri., 04 September 2026
Fri., 04 September 2026
Depart for Iona
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. We’ll depart Oban by ferry for the Isle of Mull, travel across Mull, 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). Overnight at St. Columba Hotel.
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Sat., 05 September 2026
Sat., 05 September 2026
Iona
We start our day with worship at the Iona Abbey. Following worship, we’ll enjoy a guided tour of the Abbey, Nunnery, and village. After lunch (included), 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. Dinner is included at St. Columba Hotel.
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Sun., 06 September 2026
Sun., 06 September 2026
Iona
Today, we’ll join the Iona Community for Sunday worship in the mid-morning. After some time for reflection as a group, you'll have lunch (on your own) and a free afternoon. Dinner (included) and overnight at St. Columba Hotel.
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Mon., 07 September 2026
Mon., 07 September 2026
Iona to Dundee
Today, we repeat our arrival travels in reverse, leaving Iona on a small ferry, traveling across the Isle of Mull, crossing from Craignure to Oban, and boarding our private coach for Dundee. We’ll stop along the way at Glencoe, site of the Massacre of Glencoe. Lunch at the Glencoe Cafe (on your own). We’ll arrive in Dundee in time for dinner (included) at the Apex City Quay Hotel and overnight accommodations.
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Tues., 08 September 2026
Tues., 08 September 2026
St. Andrews
Today we travel to St. Andrews, visiting the Holy Trinity Church, a congregation of the Church of Scotland. John Knox preached his first sermon from the Holy Trinity pulpit and returned later to condemn the Catholic Church. We’ll visit Kingsbarns Distillery for a tour, whisky tasting, and lunch, before returning to St. Andrews for a tour of the ruined Cathedral, once the headquarters of the Scottish Catholic Church before the reformation. After some free time in St. Andrews, we return to Dundee where you can enjoy dinner on your own. Overnight at Apex City Quay Hotel.
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Wed., 09 September 2026
Wed., 09 September 2026
Edinburgh
Today we depart early for Edinburgh. We’ll begin with a walking tour of the Royal Mile, including the exterior of the John Knox House, John Knox’s grave, and St. Giles Cathedral. After lunch (on your own) we’ll visit Edinburgh Castle. A portion of this visit is guided, but you will have time to explore the castle independently. Dinner is on your own. Overnight at Radisson Blu Hotel, Edinburgh City Centre.
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Thur., 10 September 2026
Thur., 10 September 2026
Edinburgh
Today, we’ll start with a visit to Greyfriars Church in the Grassmarket. Greyfriars is a congregation that continues to actively seek their call to serve their neighbors, most visibly through the Grassmarket Community Project. We’ll meet with a member of the clergy and a representative of the Grassmarket project, and enjoy lunch at the Grassmarket Cafe, one of the social enterprises founded by the church. After lunch (included), you have the balance of the afternoon to explore Edinburgh, before we re-gather for our closing worship and dinner (included). Overnight at Radisson Blu Hotel, Edinburgh City Centre.
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Fri., 11 September 2026
Fri., 11 September 2026
Return to US
We depart Edinburgh for Chicago at 11:30am on United 119, arriving at 2:05pm. We depart Chicago at 4:45pm on United 4518, arriving at 6:16pm.
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Tues., 01 September 2026

Depart USA

I believe our Camino pilgrimage was a resounding success for everyone who participated for a variety of individual reasons. We can celebrate for years to come knowing that we have an archive of personal reflection that were captured on our unique Pinnacle WhatsApp from our various Camino perspectives; It is terrific to have a colorful collection of pilgrimage photos available to enjoy in the future. We can praise God for the fine weather we experienced every day as well as for our overall good health and personal safety throughout the pilgrimage. It was nice to give thanks with a short prayer at the beginning of each day’s journey after breakfast; our morning gatherings also enabled us to be together for one of our many group photos. Our aches, pains, and blisters never got the best of us. Most of us were able to reconnect each evening for dinner with an assortment of typical Spanish foods; we bonded together well during dinner as a strong faith community to share highlights of the ups and downs of our day’s walking. I amglad we were diligent about having a blessing to conclude each dinner. It was fun to add stamps from vendors, hotels, restaurants, and shops to our Camino passports as we progressed each day. We proudly earned the ultimate stamp at the Cathedral in Santiago, and then we were awarded our personal certificate of completion for walking 146 Kilometers from Oia to Santiago. We had several frustrating times when it seemed that we were in the wrong place, heading in the wrong direction, or when there might have been some miscommunication. One such occasion was waiting outside the locked doors at the Anglican church in Santiago. After our usual persistence and patience, we were able to have a meaningful communion celebration of the Lord’s Supper that was a perfect ending for our time in Santiago. For a finale, I am glad that we were able to spend a short time visiting Fisterra and to see the marker designating the true end of the Camino. The stellar day at Fisterra enabled us to have breathtaking views over the Atlantic from the lighthouse that has been a beacon for so many pilgrims. I appreciated having our tour organizers, Progressive Pilgrimage, give each of us a card with a special word for reflection on each day of our journey. Mine was “SHARING” that I felt was most appropriate for myself, and I was glad to be able to find many opportuniSes to communicate my special word periodically on our pilgrimage.

By Charles K for Portuguese Camino Pilgrimage with Pinnacle Presbyterian Church on Jun 05, 2025

Thank you for the kind review, Charley! It was a pleasure to organize your pilgrimage, and I'm so glad the experience was meaningful for you. We look forward to traveling with you again in the fall! - Heather

By Progressive Pilgrimage on Jun 05, 2025

This trip was meaningful to me as a Christian, and I learned much along the way about the roots of my religion. It was a great group experience, and Eric was a wonderful leader and guide.

By Charlene B for Celtic Spirituality in Ireland with Sewickley Presbyterian Church on Oct 25, 2024

Trip was well organized. Logistics including quick access to hotel rooms upon arrival, great bus and driver, communications and local guides all excellent.

By Lisa T for The "Old Way" to Canterbury with Holy Trinity Episcopal on Dec 19, 2023

This trip appealed to me because it offered opportunity for walking and time to be in the landscape while a coach was available for those who did not care to do the walking. The guides were very knowledgeable and personable. We had good accommodations and excellent meals. Appreciated the care that Heather and Eric took in accommodating all of us.

By Patricia B for The "Old Way" to Canterbury with Holy Trinity Episcopal on Dec 19, 2023

What a great group and what better time than the beginning of Advent to explore pilgrimage. For me, this pilgrimage provided a quiet time to enter into the waiting for the Christ child to be born. The trip was well organized and I appreciated the spiritual dimension Heather and others provided.