Join Mara Freeman, renowned teacher of Celtic Spirituality and magical traditions plus 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 'Valley of the Kings', Extraordinary temples of stone
at Kilmartin Glen; the western isles of Iona, Mull and Staffa;
the sacred groves of Glen Lyon; the ancient yew-tree of Fortingall;
the Faery Hill of Aberfoyle; and private and exclusive time in
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 Presenters:
Peter Vallance - Storyteller and Director of The Findhorn Foundation's Centre for the Arts;
Jackie Queally - Authority on Scottish Earth Mysteries;
Scot an Sgeulaiche - Traditional Highland storyteller.
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.
Your Itinerary:
Day 1, Wednesday, June 11th: After meeting at Edinburgh airport, we travel 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 harbour town of Inveraray with its historic castle. A scenic mountain drive then takes us to the hill of Dunadd, a sacred mount that was 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 the Scotland's land. A short drive to our hotel on the west coast, and time to relax and unwind by the sea or in the Arduaine Gardens, a haven of beauty on the shore.
Day 2, Thursday, June 12th: We enter Kilmartin Valley, one of the richest archaeological landscapes in Scotland, home to a spectacular array of stone circles, cairns, henges, and forts over 5000 yrs 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.
Day 3, Friday, June 13th: Up the west coast to the colorful seaside town of Oban, where we'll take the ferry to the Holy Isle of Iona. Here we are staying at the famous Argyll Hotel for the first of four nights retreat on this magical island, whose Gaelic name - Innis nan Druidhneach - translates as 'Island of the Druids.' This afternoon we explore Iona Abbey, the focal point of the isle, with its fine carved Celtic crosses, 6th century chapel of St. Oran and royal burial mound of Scotland's kings. this evening, you will learn all about the sacred history of Iona and take part in a meditation that will take you back to Iona's past.
Day 4, Saturday, June 14th: This morning you will learn the fascinating 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.
Day 5, Sunday, June 15th: This morning we focus on the ancient and often hidden teachings of the Scottish faery race, or "People of Peace" as they were sometimes called, with particular reference to the work of Scottish mystic and faery seer, Fiona McLeod, who spent a great deal of time on Iona. We will walk to the Faery Hill for a ritual attunement with the "People of the Mound," followed by an optional ramble over the island to the beautiful Back of the Bay via heather-strewn moors and beautiful sandy beaches.
Day 6, Monday, June 16th: We start with a free morning to experience the unspoilt and elemental beauty of Iona. You may wish to explore the island (which is only 3 miles long by 1 ½ miles wide) on foot or by bicycle, or visit the craft studios and bookshops in the village. After lunch, we take a short boat trip over to nearby Staffa Island, where, at this time of year, you are likely to see 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.
Day 7, Tuesday, June 17th: We leave Iona by ferry, stopping on the Isle of Mull for a visit to Duart Castle, home of the Clan MacLean, in its unique and spectacular setting on a cliff overlooking the Sound of Mull. Back in mainland Scotland, we journey through highland scenery to Glen Lyon, a remarkable area home to many sacred sites, both prehistoric and early Christian. Our home for the next three nights is Killin, one of the most picturesque villages in Scotland, surrounded by mountains, rivers, and lochs. Here we settle into our comfortable hotel on the banks of the River Lochay.
Day 8, Wednesday, June 18th: Today we enter into Glen Lyon, perhaps Scotland's most beautiful glen. Here little has changed since the time of the Druids who venerated the Mother Goddess known as the Cailleach here. Feminine energies abound in the Glen, which is also home to the standing stones of Croft Moraig (Mary's Field) and the stones known as the "Praying Hands of Mary." Our guide will be Jackie Queally, who will share with us her knowledge of the Earth Energies at this, the spiritual heart of Old Caledonia, at some very special sacred sites.
Day 9, Thursday, June 19th: Today we explore the Fortingall area, one of the densest archaeological sites in Britain. We visit the ancient yew, at 5000 years old believed to be the oldest tree in Europe. Our journey will also lead us to unique early Celtic Christian settlements at Dull and Weem, associated with St Adomnan of Iona and St Cuthbert of Lindisfarne respectively. We will see decorated crosses, early fonts, old hermitage sites and even older worship stones. High spiritual frequencies can be sensed in this sacred landscape which is overlooked by the mountain of quartz crystal known as Schiehallion, which translates as 'the faery mountain of the Caledonians.’
Day 10, Friday, June 20th: We travel south to Aberfoyle to visit Doon Hill and the Old Kirk, the centre of the extraordinary history of Robert Kirk, the 17th century Scottish minister who was also a faery seer. We will walk up the hill, also known as the Faery Knowe, to the sacred pine tree which, even today, is festooned with votive ribbons carrying messages for the faeries. This afternoon, we drive on to Roslin, near Edinburgh, where our pilgrimage culminates in a private and exclusive visit to Rosslyn Chapel, steeped in stories of the Knights Templar and the Holy Grail. Here you will have plenty of time for individual attunement in the Chapel. Afterwards, we celebrate with a farewell dinner at the Roslin Glen Hotel.
Day 11, Saturday, June 21st: Our journey ends with the return to Edinburgh Airport, and we can also facilitate the transport and accommodation needs of anyone who would like to spend the weekend in Edinburgh, Scotland's capital city, just twenty minutes away from Roslin. Jackie Queally, who knows Edinburgh's sacred sites intimately, will be available as your guide.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
$200 0FF THE FULL PRICE IF YOU BOOK YOUR PLACE WITH A $500 DEPOSIT BEFORE FEBRUARY 29!
For customers in Europe and the U.K., the price is €2375 or £1660.
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 and 4 star country guesthouses and hotels
- Fees are based on double occupancy, with a few single supplements available on request for an extra fee.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Scotland
Pilgrimage/Spirituality
Cultural Journey
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