A Pilgrimage to Northern Britain

This itinerary was designed to link visits to the two early Christian sites of Iona and Lindisfarne (Holy Island) and we have included a whole day free on Iona to enjoy the serenity of this remarkable island. Other highlights for Christians and historians alike are the unusually well preserved ruins of the Cistercian monastery of Fountains Abbey and the Cathedrals of York and Durham.

The sightseeing in Scotland can be amended to suit the wishes of the individual group. For instance, you could have a day trip to St.Andrews, the "spiritual home" of golf.

Time for reflection on Iona

 Day 1 DEPARTURE

Fly to Manchester in the north of England

Day 2 MANCHESTER – YORK (2 nights)

Fountains Abbey (World Heritage site of a ruined Cistercian Abbey in an idyllic setting)

Day 3 YORK

York Minster, Walking Tour of York’s Medieval Walls, Either free time in York, a visit to the Jorvik Centre(Viking museum)or possibly a half-day trip to Castle Howard (stately home where Brideshead Revisited was filmed)..

Day 4 YORK – HOLY ISLAND (LINDISFARNE) (1 night)

Whitby Abbey (Synod of Whitby 664AD, ruined cliff-top abbey), Durham Cathedral, Jarrow (Bede) or Hadrian's Wall

Day 5 HOLY ISLAND – EDINBURGH – (2 nights)

Lindisfarne Priory

Day 6 EDINBURGH

Edinburgh sightseeing tour including Edinburgh Castle

Day 7 EDINBURGH – IONA (2 nights)

Stirling Castle or Bannockburn Battlefield, Scenic Drive to Oban for crossing to Mull then on to Iona.

Day 8 CONTEMPLATIVE DAY ON IONA

Tour of Iona Abbey, rest of the day free in this cradle of Celtic Christianity.

Day 9 IONA – GLASGOW (1 night)

Detour via Glencoe for the scenery (also site of the notorious massacre of the MacDonalds by the Campbells)

Day 10 DEPARTURE

Transfer to airport for flight back to the USA or continue on your own.

This is a suggested itinerary to provoke discussion. Please ask us to make any amendments that you wish so that we may offer you a tour to fit your group’s needs exactly.