Reformation Tour of Scotland

Price Per person double occupancy

Date	Price	Single Supplement
June 2-10, 2026	Approximate cost of $5,479*	$1,610
*25-passenger minimum required, airline fees subject to change Reservation Due: February 12, 2026 Final Payment Due: March 24, 2026

Included

Roundtrip airfare from Atlanta including taxes and fees (air taxes and fuel surcharges are subject to change), 7 nights lodging at hotels listed on page 3 – or similar, Breakfast daily at hotels, dinners all days except Day 5, Full-time English-speaking tour escort, local guides as necessary, All transportation and entrances as per itinerary, Services of long-distance deluxe motor coach as appearing on itinerary, Porterage at hotels where available (1 piece), 1 group arrival transfer & 1 group departure transfer, Whisky distillery tour on Day 7, Loch Lomond Cruise on Day 8, Pilgrim Payment Processing for check, Visa, MasterCard or Discover

Not Included

All lunches, drinks with meals, Optional Travel Insurance – 7.95% or 10.85% of tour cost (rates current as of quote date)

Day 1 – Tuesday, June 2: Departure

We board our overnight flight to Edinburgh. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the in-flight entertainment.

Day 2 – Wednesday, June 3: Arrive Edinburgh

We arrive in the Edinburgh Airport, collect our luggage, and meet our escort and driver. The rest of the day is free to explore and relax. For those that wish to do so, we will take a hike up to King Arthur’s Seat for a great view of the city. It is a short hike, though it has a steep final climb to the top. This evening we will enjoy dinner together at our hotel as a group. We will lodge in Edinburgh for seven evenings.

Day 3 – Thursday, June 4: Edinburgh Reformation History, Edinburgh Castle, Scottish Dinner & Show

This morning Dr. Ward will be leading us on a walking tour of some of the city’s key Reformation sites, beginning with a visit to St. Giles Cathedral to which Knox was appointed minister of the church. We visit the 15th century house where John Knox leader of the Scottish Reformation and founder of the Presbyterian Church lived for a short time before he died. Today it is a museum that holds an exhibition about his life. From here we continue down the Royal Mile to Covenant Close as we learn of the birth of the National Covenant movement in Scotland as many of the religious leaders, known as Covenanters, sought to break away from the rule of the monarchy, establishing instead the authority of the church leaders. Here on the Royal Mile, John Knox confronted Mary, Queen of Scots, who lived in Holyrood Palace at the time. After lunch on our own, we will take a guided tour of Edinburgh Castle. Any remaining time this afternoon is free to spend at or leisure. Some may like to use this time to visit Holyrood Palace under their own arrangements. This evening, we will enjoy a special dinner together as a group complete with traditional Scottish dance and musical numbers.

Day 4 – Friday, June 5: St. Andrew’s, Early Martyrs

Today we journey to St. Andrews, the spiritual capital of Scotland and the place where Scotland’s Reformation began. Dr. Ward will guide us along the various sites of interest as we view them from outside and learn of their history. St. Andrews Cathedral dates back to 1160 and now comprises the ruins of Scotland’s largest cathedrals; here we will visit the grave of Samuel Rutherford, a staunch supporter of the Covenant movement who also may be familiar to many as the writer of the old hymn, “The Sands of Time are Sinking.” St. Salvator’s Chapel, located within the University of St. Andrew’s, the country’s oldest university, was witness to the death of Patrick Hamilton, the first martyr of the Scottish Reformation. St. Andrews Castle, once the premier residence of bishops and archbishops, is the site of battles and peace treaties as well as the famous Bottle Dungeon. It is also the site of the death of George Wishart, a leader of the early Scottish Reformation who was burned at the stake in 1545. Finally, we pay a visit to the Martyr’s Monument, memorializing Patrick Hamilton, George Wishart and two others – Walter Milne and Henry Forrest. From here, we can also see the world-renowned Old Course (golf course), giving us a chance to see the next-door West Sands Beach where the famous opening scene of “Chariots of Fire” was filmed. We return to our Edinburgh hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 5 – Saturday, June 6: Greyfriars Kirk

Today our touring takes us to Greyfriar’s Kirk where the famous Greyfriar’s Bobby is buried. Dr. Ward will again share with us the significance of this place as the first post-Reformation church to be built in Scotland in 1620, beginning in the kirkyard before entering the kirk itself. In the museum, an original copy of the 1638 National Covenant is on display; it was presented and signed before the pulpit here in this church. We will take time to see some monuments of importance before heading to Grassmarket. Today in Grassmarket, we will find an abundance of shopping opportunities as well as some great places for food and drink. But from 1660 to 1784, this was used as an execution site. It is estimated that in the earlier part of this time, over 100 Covenanters were martyred here; a memorial stone marks the site of execution. This afternoon is spent visiting with local Scottish pastors who will share their knowledge of local church history with us. This evening we enjoy the opportunity to get dinner on our own at a local restaurant.

Day 6 – Sunday, June 7: Attend Church, Leisure Time

This morning we attend services together at St. Columba’s Free Church of Scotland. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Take this opportunity to do some shopping, explore further on your own, or catch up on rest. If looking for suggestions of how to fill this time, some may enjoy taking a tour of the Royal Yacht Britannia. Others may like to have a lovely high tea experience at a local tea shop. (If possible to arrange beforehand, Pilgrim Tours will work with our supplier to put high tea bookings in place for those that wish to sign up for this ahead of time.) Dinner this evening will be at our hotel.

Day 7 – Monday, June 8: Stirling Castle, Perth, Whisky Distillery

This morning we enjoy a tour of Stirling Castle. Stirling is one of the largest and most important castles, both historically and architecturally, in Scotland. It is surrounded on three sides by steep cliffs, giving it a strong defensive position. Its strategic location, guarding what was, until the 1890s, the farthest downstream crossing of the River Forth, has made it an important fortification from the earliest times. Several Scottish Kings and Queens have been crowned at Stirling, including Mary, Queen of Scots, in 1542. There have been at least eight sieges of Stirling Castle, including several during the Wars of Scottish Independence, with the last being in 1746, when Bonnie Prince Charlie unsuccessfully tried to take the castle. Next we transfer to Perth to see St John's where Knox preached and unleashed the storm of the Reformation. This afternoon enjoy a guided visit to a whisky distillery, where we learn about the ancient art of converting barley, water and yeast into a heart-warming liquor. We return to Edinburgh for dinner and overnight.

Day 8 – Tuesday, June 9: Glencoe, Loch Lomond Cruise

We get an early start today for a journey northwest across Scotland to Glencoe, a site of magnificent, rugged Highland beauty. But sadly, it is also the site of a horrible massacre that occurred on February 13, 1692. We will view the video presentation at the visitors’ center explaining the complex details that led to the death of 38 members of the MacDonald Clan for allegedly failing to pledge their allegiance to William and Mary. Continuing over the Pass of Brander through Inveraray, follow the road known as "Rest and be thankful" to the "Bonnie Banks" of Loch Lomond, the most famous loch of all. After enjoying a cruise on the lake to take in the lovely scenery , we complete our drive back to Edinburgh (or Glasgow depending on flights) for a farewell dinner and overnight.

Day 9 – Wednesday, June 10: Return Home

We transfer to the airport today for our return flight home.

Itinerary subject to change while touring for the best interest of the group.