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Free travel for you!
If you gather your own group together, we may be able to customize this tour for you according to your requirements - and you travel free!
Join Mara Freeman, renowned teacher of Celtic Spirituality and magical traditions, and author of "Kindling the Celtic Spirit,"on this exciting journey to Scotland's Islands and Highlands. From the majesty of mountain peaks to the gentle curves of island shores, we will follow the ancient tellers of Scotland's unfolding story, who have left their signatures on the land in the form of Neolithic stone circles and cairns, Celtic settlements, medieval abbeys, and splendid castles. As the landscape reveals the sacred ways in which our ancestors honored the many and varied faces of Spirit, our journey will truly be a pilgrimage of the soul.
Highlights include:
The holy isle of Iona; extraordinary temples of stone at Kilmartin Glen; the sacred groves of Glen Lyon; the faery glens of Skye; the ancient yew-tree of Fortingall; the renowned neolithic stones at Callanish on the isle of Lewis; the Faery Hill of Aberfoyle; the Templar Chapel of Rosslyn. Plus much, much more...
Your experience will be deepened through:
Bardic tales of Scotland's spiritual history and mythology: Old Gods and Goddesses, Wise Ones, Druids and Heroes; The lore of the sithean, or Faery race, who live within the hollow hills; Working with Earth Energies at sacred sites; Meditations, Rituals, and Attunements to awaken the soul & reconnect you with Spirit, plus plenty of time for peace and reflection as you wander on white sands and heather-clad hills, drink in the beauty of tranquil lochs, explore local craft studios, and listen to traditional music in a land that is sure to feel like your spiritual home.
PLUS Special Guest Presenter:
Scot an Sgeulaiche - Traditional Highland storyteller.
Day One Tuesday July 7th
Our journey begins in Edinburgh with a visit to the exquisite Rosslyn Chapel, whose enigmatic carvings, from the Green Man to the famous Apprentice Pillar, are steeped in stories of the Knights Templar and the Holy Grail. Then we take the road westwards through the wild glens of Loch Lomond, and stop for lunch at beautiful Loch Fyne, after which we'll enjoy a stroll through the historic harbour town of Inveraray. A scenic mountain drive then takes us to the hill of Dunadd, once the royal seat of the first Scots in the 5th century. Here we will hold our opening circle to make a ritual connection with the Spirit of Scotland's land. From here, it will be a short drive to our hotel on the west coast with its spectacular views of the sea loch.
Day Two Wednesday July 8th
We enter Kilmartin Valley, one of the richest archaeological landscapes in Scotland, home to an astonishing array of stone circles, cairns, henges, and forts over 5000 years old. Here we will meet with traditional Highland Bardic storyteller, Scot anSgeulaiche, a fascinating guide and keeper of the Old Ways, who will take us to Temple Woods, Auchnabreck, a hidden holy well and other little-known and very special sites of power. Then back to our peaceful hotel by the sea in the evening, and time to stroll by the sea or in the Arduaine Gardens, a haven of beauty on the shore.
Day Three Thursday July 9th
A short drive up the west coast takes us to the colourful Victorian harbour town of Oban, the “Gateway to the Isles” where you will have free time to stroll through the shops, walk up to McCaig’s Tower for spectacular views, and have lunch in one of the cafes. This afternoon, we cross by ferry, first to the wild and unspoilt mountainous island of Mull, and then over to the sacred Isle of Iona where we will be staying for four nights at the famous St. Columba Hotel.
Day Four Friday July 10th
After a talk by Mara on early Celtic spirituality, we will walk to the ruins of the nunnery and to the restored Iona Abbey, founded by St. Columba. We will attune to the spiritual powers of the island and pay our respects to the ancestors at the royal burial mound of Scotland's kings. A guided tour of the abbey will follow. This afternoon, you may wish to visit the craft studios and bookshops in the village. Mara will also lead a session of sacred chanting in the 6th century chapel of St. Oran.
Day Five Saturday July 11th
This morning you will learn the lore of the Celtic goddess Brighid, who later in Scotland became Saint Bride of the Isles. We will enter into her Mysteries through the ritual gathering of the rushes and making of Brighid's Crosses, her ancient sun-symbol of protection and blessing. This afternoon, we will process up the hill of Dun I to bless the crosses in the waters of her sacred spring on its spectacular cliff-top setting, and invoke her presence through story, prayer and song. There will be an opportunity to attend the service in the abbey tonight.
Day Six Friday July 12th
We start with a boat trip over to nearby Staffa Island, home to colonies of wild seabirds, including puffins. The extraordinary hexagonal rock formations and the cathedral-like Fingal's Cave have been known to open the higher spiritual centres within those open to its influences. After lunch, an optional ramble over the island will take us to pristine sandy beaches on which can be found the beautiful Iona greenstones.
Day Seven Saturday July 13th
Leaving Iona, we head northwards up the scenic west coast, passing through the deep glens and rugged coastline of the Western Highlands made famous in the films Rob Roy and Braveheart. We take the ‘Road to the Isles’ through the magnificent highlands, and make a stop at Eilean Donan, known as the most romantic castle in Scotland. Then it’s ‘over the sea to Skye’ for a relaxing evening at a comfortable, historic hotel in the picturesque harbor town of Portree.
Day Eight Sunday July 14th
This morning, Mara will talk and tell stories on the Scottish faery tradition, after which we visit Dunvegan Castle, home of the famous Fairy Flag of the MacLeod clan. Then we journey through an enchanted country of waterfalls, dazzling seascapes and fascinating rock formations, such as the Old Man of Storr. We will cross the haunted Fairy Bridge and wander through the Fairy Glen, a truly magical place filled with strange little knolls believed to be fairy dwellings.
Day Nine Monday July 15th
We set sail for the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, a remote and ancient island that is home to many world-famous archaeological sites, including Callanish, an extraordinary ceremonial complex that is older than Stonehenge. We meet with Margaret Curtis, archaeologist and expert on local folklore, who has made Callanish her life’s work. She will take us on an exciting journey of discovery through this magnificent Earth temple, both mythic and scientific.
Day Ten Tuesday July 16th
This morning we continue our exploration of this ancient Northern ritual landscape. We can walk from our hotel to Dun Carloway Broch, a round-sided stone tower over 2,000 years old. Then we will drive to other extraordinary sites in the area, such as the Triple Goddess stones and Garynahine stone circle, beautifully situated on a ridge overlooking Loch Roag, a Beltane site which just happens to be on the way to a spectacular beach, and other ancient gems of this island.
Day Eleven Wednesday July 17th
We sail back to the mainland, landing at the fishing village of Ullapool and make our way eastwards to the Clava Cairns, one of the best preserved Bronze Age sites in Scotland, and in a lovely woodland setting besides. Then we journey southwards through the Highlands, making a stop at the Pass of Killicrankie, renowned for its outstanding beauty and natural history, as well as being an important site of the Jacobite Rebellion. This evening we relax in a fine hotel at Pitlochry, a culturally rich town surrounded by glorious mountain scenery.
Day Twelve Thursday July 18th
We spend our last day in Pitlochry where there will be a free day of many options: Take a trip around one of its two distilleries, shop for last-minute gifts in the town, visit Blair Castle, ancient seat of the Dukes and Earls of Atholl, walk by the loch or to a waterfall in the woods where there are many beautiful spots perfect for quiet reflection and being at one with nature. Tonight, we celebrate our journey together with a farewell feast and closing circle.
Day Thirteen Friday July 19th
Our journey comes full circle when we arrive back at Edinburgh airport for fond farewells to friends old and new, and a lifetime of memories to cherish.
Please note: While we make every effort to keep to the above itinerary, it may be subject to change due to weather or other unforeseen conditions.
www.celticspiritjourneys.com Ó Mara Freeman, 2008. All Rights Reserved
Price:
Minimum Per Person Price: 3795 US Dollar (USD)
Maximum Per Person Price: 3795 US Dollar (USD)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
For customers in Europe and the U.K., the price is €2595 or £2095.
A deposit of $500 secures your place.
All major credit cards accepted. You can now also reserve a place online through our secure server or Paypal. Price includes:
- Accommodation that has been carefully selected for high standards of comfort, great food, and beautiful locations. You will be staying at 3-star country hotels and guesthouses. Fees are based on double occupancy, although there are some single rooms available on request for an extra fee;
- Hearty Scottish breakfast and one other meal (usually lavish three-course dinner) each day;
- All transportation in a comfortable, air-conditioned coach, including service from and to Edinburgh Airport, plus all ferries between islands;
- All presentations by Mara Freeman and guest speakers;
- All guide fees and entrance charges to sites and museums;
- All applicable taxes and cover charges.
Also see tour packages in:
Scotland
Pilgrimage/Spirituality
Cultural Journey
Europe
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