A Pilgrimage to Scotland, Iona and Lindisfarne

Led by

The Rev. Sue Duffield

St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church Whiterocks, Utah

Roundtrip air from Boston, MA on Aer Lingus

May 23 – June 1, 2015

DAY 1: Saturday, May 23, 2015 - Depart from Boston, MA at 6:00 pm to Dublin, Ireland where we connect to our flight to Edinburgh, Scotland arriving at 7:55 am on May 24, 2015. M

DAY 2: Sun. - Upon arrival, we will be met by our driver and guide. We will enjoy the sites of the beautiful city as we take a panoramic tour of the city on the way to our hotel. The remainder of the day is free until we join together for a “welcome to Scotland” dinner this evening. Overnight Edinburgh. D

DAY 3: Mon. - We will tour Edinburgh and visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse, standing at the end of Edinburgh's Royal Mile and against the spectacular backdrop of Arthur's Seat. It is the official residence in Scotland of Her Majesty, The Queen. This fine baroque palace is associated with Scotland's rich royal history. We will visit Edinburgh Castle, this instantly recognizable fortress is a powerful national symbol and part of the Old and New towns of the Edinburgh World Heritage site. There will be some free time this afternoon to pursue visits to other sites on your own. Dinner and overnight Edinburgh. BD

DAY 4: Tues. - We drive directly to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne. The causeway of the island floods during high tide so we must time our visit accordingly. The island has been inhabited since the Iron Age and Christianity was brought to the island by St. Aidan when he established a monastery here in 635 AD. St. Aidan came from Iona where he was a monk in the monastery founded there by St. Columba. St. Aidan was not the first person on Lindisfarne but his is the first known name mentioned in relation to the island. Under its greatest Abbot, Cuthbert, Lindisfarne became one of the greatest centers of learning in Christendom. We will visit Lindisfarne Priory, see Lindisfarne Castle and have time for reflection and prayer in this quiet, holy place. Subject to confirmation from the community, we will meet with a representative of the Community of Aidan and Hilda before returning to the mainland. We will have dinner and overnight at Berwick- upon-Tweed. BD

DAY 5: Wed. - We depart for our trip across Scotland and stop at Loch Ness, home of Nessie, the famous Loch Ness Monster. We take a boat tour on Loch Ness and perhaps you will have a glimpse of this elusive creature. We continue our crossing and arrive at Oban, the quaint little harbor town where we will have dinner and overnight. Overnight Oban. BD

DAY 6: Thurs. - We board the early morning ferry from Oban to Craignure where we board our second ferry to the Isle of Iona which has been called the “entry way of Christianity into Scotland”. St. Columba landed here from Ireland in 563 AD and founded the monastery that was to become the most important in Europe. We check into our charming hotel on the Island and have some time to enjoy the view before dinner. After dinner, those who wish will visit Iona Abbey for the nightly 9 pm service. Overnight Argyll Hotel Iona. BD

DAY 7: Fri. - After breakfast, we will visit Iona Abbey for morning services and then begin a full day of exploration of the enchanting Island of Iona. Iona is the preeminent historical site for Celtic Christianity. A monastery was established by St. Columba in the 6th century and St. Columba died here in 597. The island is a true “thin space” where pilgrims have sensed the nearness of the Holy throughout the ages. We will see St. Oran’s Chapel, built in the 11th century. Surrounding the chapel is the Reilig Odhrain, the sacred burial ground which is said to contain the graves of 48 Scottish kings, including that of Macbeth’s victim, Duncan. We will visit Iona Abbey and the Iona Community and see some of the Celtic crosses, including St. Martin’s Cross dating to the 8th century. St. Martin’s Cross is the finest of Iona’s Celtic crosses and is decorated on one side with the serpent-and-boss and on the other with Holy figures. There will be some time to wander, shop in the many quaint shops on the island or spend some time in quiet prayer and reflection. We will have dinner and then, those who wish, will return to Iona Abbey for the 9 pm service. Overnight Argyll Hotel Iona. BD

DAY 8: Sat. - After breakfast, we will return to Iona Abbey for morning services. Afterwards, the Rev. Sue Dufield will lead us in a Celtic Retreat where we will discuss the history and beauty of the Island of Iona and its influence on Celtic Christianity. Dinner and overnight Argyll Hotel on Iona. BD

DAY 9: Sun. - We will join in Sunday morning services at Iona Abbey and then depart via ferry to return to the Scottish mainland. We will drive to Stirling where we will visit Stirling Castle, one of the largest and most important castles in Scotland. Its strategic location has made it an important fortification from the earliest times. Mary, Queen of Scots, as well as other royals were crowned here and it has been sieged on at least eight occasions, the last being during the War for Scottish Independence in 1746. We will have a “farewell to Scotland” dinner and overnight in Stirling. BD

DAY 10: Monday, June 1, 2015 - We will have an early morning wakeup call, board our coach and drive to the Edinburgh Airport where we bid our driver and guide goodbye and depart for the USA. We will connect in Dublin, Ireland for our final flight arriving in Boston at 1:45 pm this afternoon. BM

(Please note airline flight times are subject to airline schedule changes.)

B – Breakfast L – Lunch D – Dinner M – Meals on aircraft

PRICING BASED ON MINIMUM OF 15 PILGRIMS: Pricing based on double occupancy excludes airline taxes and fuel surcharges which are currently $470.53 and may change. These will be added to your final invoice. Pricing based on exchange rate of 1 GBP = 1.57 US dollars. If rate changes, price may change.

$2,999.00 per person double occupancy $499.00 per person single supplement

DUE DATES: January 1, 2015 - $400.00 per person deposit due with application and copy of passport February 10, 2015 – Final payment due

CANCELLATIONS PENALTIES: Until February 9, 2015 – $300 per person February 10, 2015 or later – No refund