Educational Travel
Join us on a Pilgrimage to Scotland!
“Presbyterian Heritage and Celtic Spirituality” Pilgrimage
Unity Presbyterian Church, Denver, NC
September 24-October 3, 2026
This ten-day pilgrimage provides an exploration of the history of the Presbyterian Church in Scotland and an
introduction to Celtic Spirituality. Pilgrims will connect with the contemporary Iona community in Glasgow and on
Iona. Highlights include Edinburgh and Glasgow, the Isle of Iona with its evocative abbey, and key sites related to
the life and ministry of John Knox in St. Andrews and Edinburgh. Schedule may be adjusted for efficiency and
guide availability.
Thursday, September 24, 2026 | Depart US
We depart Charlotte in the late afternoon for Edinburgh. Exact flights and times TBD.
Friday, September 25, 2026 | Arrive in Edinburgh, to Glasgow
We arrive in Edinburgh this morning 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 we’ll visit Govan Church, home of the
Govan Stones – carved stones, crosses, and sarcophagi dating to the Viking period in Scotland. We’ll then visit
St. Mungo’s Cathedral before checking into our hotel in the mid afternoon, giving you some free time before our
opening dinner (included). Overnight in Glasgow.
Saturday, September 26, 2026 | Glasgow to 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 at any of the cafes or
restaurants in town. In one or two groups, we’ll visit the Oban Distillery, before departing Oban by ferry. We arrive
on 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 settle in before our dinner (included). Overnight at Argyll Hotel, Iona
Sunday, September 27, 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 Argyll
Hotel, Iona.
Monday, September 28, 2026 | Iona
On our final day on Iona, we’ll join the Iona community for worship, followed immediately by a mini-retreat at the
Iona Parish Church. We’ll conclude just before lunch. Lunch is on your own and the afternoon is free so you can
explore the island, play a round of golf, or fill your time as you desire. Dinner (included) and overnight at Argyll
Hotel, Iona
Tuesday, September 29, 2026 | Iona to Dundee, via Glencoe
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 St. Andrews, our home for the next two
nights. We’ll stop along the way at Glencoe, site of the Massacre of Glencoe. We arrive in Dundee in time to relax
before dinner (included). Overnight Dundee
Wednesday, September 30, 2026 | St. Andrews
From the hotel, we’ll walk over to St. Andrews Cathedral, headquarters of the Scottish Catholic Church before the
Reformation. The cathedral fell into disuse after the Reformers banned the Catholic Mass. From the cathedral,
we’ll visit 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. After our visit, you will have the
balance of the day to explore St. Andrews. Lunch and dinner (on your own) and overnight Dundee
Thursday, October 1, 2026 | Perth and Stirling
We depart Dundee this morning for Perth, visiting St. John’s Kirk, where John Knox preached his famous sermon
on Idolatry. After St. John’s, we’ll visit the Giraffe Cafe, a social enterprise providing training and work experience
to people facing barriers to employment. After lunch, we depart to Stirling Castle, the former residence of Stewart
kings and queens and the Church of the Holy Rude – “rude” means “cross” in Scottish – with its important role in
the history of Scottish rule. We arrive in Edinburgh in the late afternoon or early evening. Dinner is on your own.
Overnight, Royal Mile, Edinburgh.
Friday, October 2, 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, we’ll walk from the
Grassmarket to Edinburgh Castle, exploring John Knox’s impact on the country and city and visiting St. Giles
Cathedral. Our touring will conclude just inside Edinburgh Castle, where after a brief introduction by our guide,
you’ll have the balance of the afternoon to explore the castle or other sites in Edinburgh. We re-gather in the
evening for our closing dinner (included). Overnight, Royal Mile, Edinburgh.
Saturday, October 3, 2026 | Departure
We depart Edinburgh in the morning, arriving in Charlotte in the late afternoon. Exact flights and times TBD.
Pricing:
$5999 per person, double occupancy ($5895 early registration by December 1, 2025)
Single supplement of $950
Terms:
Minimum group size of 16 travelers
Registration deadline: July 1, 2026
$500 per person is due at the time of registration.
$1000 is due by March 31, 2026
Balance is due by July 1, 2026
Included in the cost:
*International airfare: This proposal includes estimated airfare based on historical trends. Actual airfare will
be available in middle November 2025. If the actual airfare is more than the estimate, we will allow any
participants to withdraw with no penalties until December 1, 2025. After that date, our normal terms and
conditions apply.
*Overnight accommodations in better three-star or four-star hotels
*Ground transportation in a private deluxe motorcoach
*Entry fees and licensed guides for all sites listed on the itinerary
*Accompaniment by 1 guide from Progressive Pilgrimage for logistical and spiritual support
*Meals: Breakfast daily, 4 lunches, and 5 dinners
*Gratuities, taxes, and fees
*Pre-trip educational resources
Not included:
*Meals not specified
*Alcoholic beverages except where specified
*Travel insurance
*Anything else not explicitly covered above
Travel curated through www.progressivepilgrimage.com
