DAY OF DEPARTURE - SUNDAY 07/17/2011
TRAVEL FROM USA TO THE UK
DAY 1 - MONDAY 07/18/2011
Our tour begins with our arrival in Scotland's regal capital city, Edinburgh. Passengers arriving into Edinburgh Airport (EDI) in the morning by 11:00 am, will be greeted by the tour hosts, and then we will board Whytes luxury motor coach to begin our tour to the intriguing Scottish Borderlands along the River Tweed to the majestic 12th century ruins of Melrose Abbey, founded by Scotland's King David I. We'll continue our journey along the River Tweed to Sir Walter Scott’s historic residence, Abbotsford House. Before checking into our first hotel, Hotel Novotel Edinburgh Centre, we'll enjoy a brief orientation tour throughout the “Athens of the North,” as evidenced by the many public of neo-Classic Greek architecture. (Those passengers arriving after 11:00 am and choosing to arrange alternate transportation, will proceed to the Hotel Novotel Edinburgh Centre where you will meet the tour hosts and fellow passengers just prior to the evening meal at the hotel.) After checking into our hotel, there will be a brief time to relax before our group meets tonight for a welcome dinner and orientation at the hotel. (Overnight in Edinburgh.)
DAY 2 - TUESDAY 07/19/2011
We start our first morning with a hearty Scottish breakfast, and then we'll journey up the volcanic Castle rock to the magnificent capital fortification, Edinburgh Castle . While there we will visit the nine hundred-year-old St. Margaret’s Chapel, inspect the giant cannon, Mons Meg, as well as admire the Crown Jewels of Scotland. In addition we will discover what role Edinburgh Castle played in the Scottish Wars of Independence. Afterward, we will continue our walking tour of the Royal Mile, with special attention and orientation to the Castle woolen weaving mill, as well as the shops featuring historic swords, antique books and vintage clothing along the way. We'll reach our mile's end destination of the Royal Mile in time for lunch before touring the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Queen's official residence in Scotland, as well as the ancestral seat of the Stuart dynasty, giving us insight into the family that ruled and influenced Scotland for centuries. For those still desiring a brisk hike, there will be a guided hike up to Arthur's Seat for a breathtaking panoramic view of Edinburgh, before returning to your favorite shops along the Royal Mile. For those preferring a leisurely stroll, this will be the perfect opportunity for shopping along the Royal Mile and Princes Street this afternoon. We will end our day with a relaxing dinner at the hotel . (Overnight in Edinburgh)
DAY 3 - WEDNESDAY 07/20/2011
After enjoying a full Scottish breakfast, throughout this day we will walk the steps of both the Reformers and Covenanters, visiting their landmarks of the faith including St. Giles Cathedral and Greyfriars Kirk and Churchyard. As our day progresses, we will visit the home of John Knox—the man who lit the fire of the Reformation in Scotland. It was his strength and courage in opposing a government that would not allow him to worship God according to his convictions which inspired generations of Christians from the Covenanters to the Puritans. Be sure to keep your eyes open for a restaurant you'll want to try for dinner out this evening. After dining at a restaurant of your choice, starting at 7:30 p.m. we'll meet at the entrance to the Castle Esplanade (at the top of the Royal Mile, next to the Tartan Weaving Mill) for a faith-based evening walking tour of Edinburgh. Through the dramatic portrayals of John Knox and the Celtic saint Cuthbert, the Celtic Tour will transform you back in time to the cause of the Scottish Reformers and Covenanters. Tour is free, although donations to Celtic Tour are welcome. Tour ends around 9:00 p.m. with a free cup of tea or coffee at Carrubbers Café before retiring for the night at our hotel. (Dinner out tonight - Overnight in Edinburgh)
DAY 4 - THURSDAY 07/21/2011
On this day of our journey we’ll enjoy an early morning breakfast before we board the motor coach for our early departure and full day of sightseeing! First, we will travel to the Bannockburn Heritage Centre and witness the battlefield where Robert the Bruce defeated William Wallace's foe and won the victory for Scottish Independence in 1314. Then we'll continue on to the walled city of Stirling with a tour through one of Scotland’s most impressive and commanding castles, Stirling Castle. From there we’ll enjoy a panoramic view of some of the most important battlefields of Scotland’s past including: Stirling Bridge, the site of William Wallace’s victory over King Edward I in 1297. We’ll also visit the National Wallace Monument, honoring William Wallace, the hero who inspired Robert the Bruce, and led the patriotic cause of Scotland’s freedom from foreign tyranny. Our day ends with dinner at our Hilton Hotel in Dundee. (Overnight in Dundee)
DAY 5 - FRIDAY 07/22/2011
After breakfast we will start our day traveling northeast, up the coast to the beautiful town of Arbroath, where we will stop and visit ArbroathAbbey to view the celebrated faith and freedom document, the Declaration of Arbroath. For our lunchtime in Arbroath, you may choose to sample their renowned Arbroath smokies by the dock or dine along the High Street. After lunch we move up the coast to yet another historic highlight, Dunnottar Castle, infamous for the lamentable imprisonment of over a hundred Covenanters in ‘Whig’s Vault’, as well as the siege by Cromwell. You will also hear of a more glorious chapter of Dunnottar’s history involving the incredible rescue of the Scottish Regalia—the Crowned Jewels. Our day ends at Royal Highland Hotel in Inverness for dinner. (Overnight in Inverness)
DAY 6 - SATURDAY 07/23/2011
After our stout-hearty Scottish breakfast, you'll want to catch the street parade of Scottish Pipe Bands summoning the commencement of our historic event for the day, and proceed on a short stroll to the traditional Inverness Highland Games. Highland Games nationwide celebrate Scottish Celtic culture and were once used by Gaelic warriors to test their physical prowess in much the same way as modern soldiers engage in physical training. The Pitlochry Highland Games was one of the first to be re-established after the Highland Clearances. Events featured at the Inverness Highland Games in recent years are remarkably similar to those featured one hundred years ago, with Highland dancing, tossing the caber, solo and bagpipe band competitions, foot races, field events, cycling, and good old fashioned tug o’ war, to name a few. For those who would like to visit the shops, the town of Inverness is just a short stroll from the games. After a full day of the finest and best display of Scottish Highland culture, we will return to our hotel for dinner. (Overnight in Inverness)
DAY 7 - SUNDAY 07/24/2011
This morning after breakfast we travel just a few miles outside of Inverness to visit the Culloden Visitor Centre as well as the battlefield of Culloden, where in 1746 Bonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobite cause met its tragic end. Afterwards we will travel south along the shores of Loch Ness, the home of the mysterious monster "Nessie." We will stop in the little town of Fort Augustus to visit the Clan Center and learn about the highland way of life. Afterward we will take a cruise on mysterious Loch Ness and view the picturesque ruins of Urquhart Castle which in medieval times was the key to this part of the highlands. Then we will continue along the “Road to the Isles” to Fort William, which is known for the UK's highest mountain peak, Ben Nevis, and the the longest sea loch in Scotland, Loch Linnhe. We'll arrive at our final destination, Oban—the capital western seaboard of Scotland—in time for a brief stroll down the High Street or for an optional brisk walk before meeting for dinner. Our day ends at the Oban Bay Hotel & Spa for dinner. (Overnight in Oban)
DAY 8 - MONDAY 07/25/2011
Today is dedicated to the wild beauty of the Highlands. Traveling down to Glencoe the first stop will be the Glencoe Visitors Centre commemorating the infamous massacre of the MacDonalds. Passengers will have a choice to either leisurely tour the visitors centre where you will learn the full story of how the MacDonalds were betrayed by their ‘guests’ the Campbells, or you can join Eric and the more adventurous Landmarks travelers for a rigorous hike through the glen to experience the rugged terrain of the 'Clan Donald'. We will all meet back at the end of the hikers’ trail to board the coach for our return journey to Oban. We will arrive by early afternoon so that there will be plenty of time for visiting the specialty shops or simply enjoying the beauty of this nearly perfect horseshoe bay with views of the islands. World War II historians may want to take a self-guided tour of the Oban War and Peace Museum. A ‘wee’ bit of something for everyone, before having a relaxing dinner at our hotel in Oban. (Overnight in Oban)
DAY 9 - TUESDAY 07/26/2011
Today we rise with the sun, and eat breakfast on our ferry ride to the Island of Mull. Upon arrival we will drive to Fionnphort for the short ferry crossing to visit to the fascinating Isle of Iona. This is the burial place of many Scottish kings and chiefs, including Macbeth. It is also here that in 563 A.D. St. Columba established one of the earliest Christian monasteries in the British Isles. We will have just enough time to visit the abbey and explore the religious settlement before returning to Mull for our return ferry ride to Oban. We return again to our hotel for dinner this evening at our hotel . (Overnight in Oban)
DAY 10 - WEDNESDAY 09/27/2011
After breakfast we'll depart Oban and head south, passing Loch Awe, Inveraray and over the Pass of Brander. We will stop at Inveraray Castle, the traditional seat of the Campbell’s and one of the most beautiful castles in Scotland. Then we move on through the rugged Trossachs on our way to Callandar, where we will see the "Gateway to the Highlands." Here we'll have time to shop to our heart's content for those beautiful Scottish woolens and last minute souvenir gifts. Then it is on to the Cairn Hotel in Bathgate for a festive farewell dinner with special guest, revered Scottish balladeer and brother in the Lord, Alastair McDonald. (Overnight in Bathgate)
DAY 11 - THURSDAY 07/28/2011
RETURN FLIGHT TO THE USA - This morning after an early morning Continental breakfast, we will be transferred to the Edinburgh Airport in time for our departing flights, returning home with our faith in Christ strengthened and our understanding of God's providence invigorated from our journey through living-history—His story.
