Sacred Scotland
September 1-11, 2023
Hosted by Hope Fitzgerald & Dr. Jan Seward
There are the raw places that beckon an unwinding, a stripping away, a journey to the core of oneself…Scotland’s islands are some of those places. For eons, the wind and sea have carved a landscape that invites the soul traveler to dive deep into the essence of themselves for the potential of renovation.
As one of the most untouched regions in the western world, Scotland has retained much of its mythical past. From Rosslyn Chapel to the magical island of Iona, it still feels “untouristed” and pure. On our 2023 journey to Sacred Scotland, you will be guided to this land’s most sacred ancient sites, as we follow in the footsteps of the Celtic initiates, those who entered the Fairy Realms, and many more legendary and historical figures.
The message from the Sidhe (fairy realm) is this:“We are the Shidhe…. We protect the lands that you are desiring to visit. We go by many names and we wish to communicate with you who are called to visit.
Those ancient rocks have seen many tides and have had many visitors, but few who wish to truly commune with them and receive their wisdom. We do not wish for you to get carried away in fantasy about this connection – it is very real and simple. There is knowledge buried everywhere, not just in those islands. But because of the remoteness of those lands, the knowledge there is somewhat more available. We will unlock the powerful places for you if you will make every attempt to enrich that land with your loving hearts.
We will engage with your group as soon as it is formed and you will be guided throughout the journey. There may be mystical events that occur, but that remains to be seen. It would be wise to prepare as if you were moving to an altar and stripping yourself clean of all debris so you may enter each site cleanly. Think of this as a great cleansing journey and opportunity for the mighty winds that blow from the sea to wipe the spirit free of all debris, down to the essence of each one…”
Please consider joining us, Hope and Jan, on this quest for pure gnosis, as we commune with the sweeping vistas and standing stones to receive their memories and wisdom. As oracles, we will offer transmissions and guidance as it arrives spontaneously, and we will encourage you to do the same!
Along the way we will have moments to reflect, relax and remember in some of the most iconic locations of the Scottish Isles and mainland.
Note: This special sacred journey is limited to 15 participants, so reservations will be accepted on a “first-come/first-served” basis.
Your Hosts on the journey are Hope Fitzgerald and Dr. Jan Seward
Hope Fitzgerald and Dr Jan Seward are back together to lead their 2nd sacred travel adventure! Their combined expertise and abilities will enhance this trip for each traveler. Jan is a seasoned Psychologist, a Sound, Color, and Energy Healer, an Astrologer, and an I Ching (Chinese Coin) Divination practitioner. She is also the Founder of the Way of the Oracle Academy™, an online learning institute for Oracles and Divination in all forms. She’s helped clients break through the obstacles that seem to be holding them back in life, encouraging them to achieve a more positive outlook, rewrite their stories, and live the most authentic, fulfilled life possible. Hope also has a range of esoteric skills: as an Intuitive Dowser, she helps people transform their lives with her practical spiritual coaching; as a channel, she accesses a wide variety of beings; and as a teacher and author, she has been spreading the message of the Infinity Wave, a 10th-dimensional energetic tool in the form of a watery figure “8” comprised of Love and Compassion sent to us by a benevolent Universe for the tumultuous times that are upon us now. She has guided groups to potent areas around the world, including Peru, Easter Island, South Africa, France, England, Wales, Ireland and various U.S. locations. During these shamanic adventures, she teaches ways to communicate with the landscapes, believing that when the powerhouse of the human heart interacts with a highly charged site, an alchemy occurs that is guaranteed to cause a shift in consciousness.
Your Tour Includes:
- 10 nights accommodations in 4-star and 5-star boutique hotels
- Hotel taxes and service charges
- Daily breakfasts
- 3 lunches
- 8 dinners
- Guided sightseeing including entrance fees
- Coach & ferry transportation throughout Scotland
- Flight from Glasgow to the Orkney Islands
- Fully escorted throughout
SCOTLAND TOUR ITINERARY
Day 1 – Friday, September 1: Arrival Edinburgh (D)
Arrival in Edinburgh and proceed on your own to our reserved hotel accommodations. After time to freshen up, we will take an optional stroll through downtown Edinburgh to stretch our legs before joining Hope and Jan for an early “Welcome to Scotland” dinner at our hotel.
Day 2 – Saturday, September 2: In Edinburgh (B)
After a hearty Scottish breakfast, we kick off our sacred journey with a ritual in magical Rosslyn Chapel, which has been featured in a number of books such as The Da Vinci Code. Held within is bountiful artwork, hundreds of magical carvings (especially of The Green Man), and much more that will initiate us into the true history and purpose of this sanctuary. Afterwards, we will visit Rosslyn Glen before returning to Edinburgh for lunch on our own. In the afternoon, we will explore Edinburgh, making our way up the Royal Mile to visit Edinburgh Castle, the great medieval fortress that dominates the city. 
Built upon a sacred rock in the shadow of Arthur’s Seat, the Castle also hosts the legendary Stone of Destiny, which Scotia, a daughter of Akhenaten and Nefertiti, brought from Egypt to Ireland and upon which Jacob had a vision of angels. Down the road is Holyrood Abbey, named after the “Holy Rood,” a piece of the True Cross that was held here for centuries. The evening will be TBA – possibly free to enjoy one of the many fine Edinburgh restaurants on your own
Day 3 – Saturday, September 3: To the Fortingall Yew, Mt Schiehallion, Croft Moraig & Pitlochry (B/L/D)
After breakfast, we board our coach to view the Fortingall Yew in the geographical heart of Scotland, standing within Fortingall churchyard. It is thought to be between 3,000 and 9,000 years old and has connections to early Christianity in Scotland. It is also believed to be one of the oldest living things in Europe. Then, on to Mt Schiehallion, translated as “fairy hill of the Caledonians.” Schiehallion, regarded as the “Matterhorn of Perthshire,” is high, has an almost perfect conical shape when viewed from the west and enjoys a splendid isolation from other peaks. We will have a light lunch 
after which we will head for the Croft Moraig Stone Circle (aka Croftmoraig), a small arrangement of standing stones set in a farm. This remarkable site shows several different styles of Neolithic construction in one place, including recumbent stones, a graded arrangement of stones around a circle, a bed of quartz pebbles, a possible astronomical alignment, and an outer earthwork ring supported by a stone bank. The only evidence of when the circles were built comes from shards of Neolithic pottery from the second phase of construction, which has been dated to around 3000 BC. We include in our day of touring a short stop at St. Mary’s Chapel. We dine and overnight at the Atholl Palace in Pitlochry.
Day 4 -Monday, September 4: To Iona (B/D)
We have a very early start as we travel to Oban and Mull to board our ferry to Iona, one of the most sacred and mystical locations in the world. We have a packed lunch before arrival and then will be completely absorbed by its magic. Before Christianity, it was the heart of the Druid religion; afterwards, it became an island of special significance for all Christians. In AD 563, Columba and his followers arrived here from Ireland to spread the gospel in Scotland and the north of England. The restored medieval abbey continues to hold daily services today in St Oran’s Chapel. Reilig Odhram is reputed to be the burial place of 48 kings of Scotland, including Macbeth. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.
Day 5 – Tuesday, September 5: In Iona (B/D)
Today we start our touring of Iona with a visit to its famous abbey, the holy mountain of the druids, its holy wells, the Druid’s Cell, St Columba’s Chapel and the 12th century nunnery, and possibly St Columba’s Bay, where there is a wonderful labyrinth. On the east side of the island is a place where there is a green stone quarry. Weather permitting, we will also take a boat trip to nearby Staffa, to see the magical Fingal’s Cave and around Iona for sunset followed by dinner at our hotel.
Day 6- Wednesday, September 6: To Glasgow (B/D)
This morning we transfer back to our ferry, to Oban and onto Glasgow with forays into the fairy realms at Doon Hill and Faerie Knowe. It is also the final resting place of a local minister, Robert Kirk, who lived in Aberfoyle in the 17th century. His sermons would both extol the virtues of God as well as describing the secret lives of the fairies at Doon Hill. Such was Kirk’s commitment and belief in the fairies, that he published a book called The Secret Commonwealth in which he describes Doon Hill as being the gateway to the land of the fairies. 
After a light lunch, we are off to possibly meet with a local dowser who’s an expert on the ancient Govan Stones, a remarkable collection of early medieval sculpture on display in the Govan Old Parish Church. We also visit the cathedral and metropolis before continuing to our accommodations just on the outskirts of Glasgow for our dinner and overnight. Duncryne on the south side of Loch Lomond. It’s a small hill, an easy 10-minute climb with stunning views of the Loch and a very energetic spot with a view of the island Inchcailloch, a sacred Goddess island as you can see from her shape. (Inch=island, Cailloch=caileach, the crone goddess) A local researcher here in Glasgow calls her the Lady of the Lake and claims that the loch is the Lake of the Arthur mythos (and that all the Arthur stories are based in this area). There was a group of nine priestesses based on the island. It is very magical, there is a node of two dragon lines there (the lines also run to Iona).
Day 7- Thursday, September 7: To Orkney (B/D)
After breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our flight to Kirkwall part of the Orkney Islands. In this timeless place, where the quality of the light and the air are so special, we feel on the edge of the world. The islands have been inhabited for at least 8,500 years, originally occupied by Mesolithic and Neolithic tribe and is home to some of the best-preserved ancient sites in Europe – stone circles, earth houses, round barrows and prehistoric villages that reveal to us a simple but noble way of life in ancient times. 
Depending on what time we arrive, we will have we step back in time over 5,000 years at what may be the earliest henge monument in the British Isles. The enormous Stones of Stenness are all that remains of a great stone circle on an ancient ceremonial site. Today they consist of four upright stones up to about 18 feet in height in a circle that originally held 12 stones. The focus of the interior was a large hearth. The stones were originally encircled by a large ditch and bank. After lunch, we continue our exploration with a walk among the enigmatic stones of one of the most spectacular prehistoric monuments in the British Isles. Late in the day we visit Maeshowe, a Neolithic chambered cairn and passage grave. It was probably built around 2800 BC, and is limited to Orkney. Overnight and dinner in Orkney.
Day 8- Friday, September 8: In Orkney (B/D)
This morning we visit the windswept prehistoric village of Skara Brae. The Neolithic settlement is one of the best-preserved groups of prehistoric houses in Western Europe. Uncovered by a storm in 1850, Skara Brae gives a remarkable picture of life 5,000 years ago, when it was inhabited before the Egyptian pyramids were built, and flourished for centuries before construction began at Stonehenge. We will explore this prehistoric village and see ancient homes fitted with stone beds, dressers and seats as we marvel at the exquisite stonework within the mound and view the runic art etched into the pillars of the chamber. But it is not its age alone that makes it so remarkable and so important; it is the degree to which it has been preserved. The structures of this semi-subterranean village survive in impressive condition. Nowhere else in northern Europe are we able to see such rich evidence of how our remote ancestors actually lived. After lunch, we will have some free time to explore the village and charming Kirkwall.
Day 9 – Saturday, September 9: To Fairy Glen of Rosemarkie and Inverness (B/L/D)
Depart hotel for the ferry pier and board our ferry from Orkney to Gills Bay where we meet our coach and continue south with a stop in Rosemarkie on the Black Isle, where we follow a stream through an enchanted wooded glen, with two beautiful waterfalls. The Fairy Glen was once the scene of a well-dressing ceremony, where the children of the village decorated a pool, next to a spring, with flowers. This was said to ensure that the fairies kept the water supply clean. The village is well-known for the Pictish stones that have been found there, both fragmentary and complete. These stones are housed in Groam House Museum, which we will visit. Rosemarkie was the local center of religion and pilgrims came from all over the country to visit its St. Boniface’s shrine. Continue to Inverness with a late afternoon arrival. Overnight and dinner at our hotel.
Day 10 – Sunday, September 10: To Clava Cairns, Dunfermline and Edinburgh (B/L/D)
We depart Inverness and head for Clava Cairns, the site of an exceptionally well-preserved group of prehistoric burial cairns that were built about 4,000 years ago. Here we discover one of Scotland’s most evocative prehistoric sites: the exceptional remains of an ancient cemetery, set on a terrace above the River Nairn. The cemetery remained a sacred place in the landscape for millennia, and provides many clues to the beliefs of Bronze Age society. We will enjoy a pub lunch before driving through some of the most spectacular scenery of the Scottish Highlands. Finally, we visit Dunfermline Abbey, the ancient capital of Scotland and the final resting place of 11 Scottish kings and queens, including Robert The Bruce. Although neighboring Dunfermline Palace has succumbed to the ravages of time, its ruins reveal just how imposing this royal residence must have been. Continue to Edinburgh and check into our hotel. Afterwards we say goodbye to Scotland at our farewell dinner and overnight at our hotel.
Day 11- Monday, September 11: Tour Ends (B)
After breakfast, you make your way independently to the Edinburgh airport for your flight home.
Atholl Palace Hotel
Hotels or similar
- Edinburgh: Hotel Intercontinental The George (2 nights)
- Pitlochry: Atholl Palace Hotel (1 night)
- Iona: St Columba Hotel (2 nights)
- Glasgow: Buchanan Arms Hotel (1 night)
- Orkney Islands: Kirkwall Hotel (2 nights)
- Inverness; Penta Hotel (1 night)
- Edinburgh: Kimpton Charlotte Square (1 night)
Please read the Terms and Conditions for this program.
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PRICING
Per Person Double Occupancy $5,499 by check, $5,779 by credit card
Per Person Single Occupancy $6,999 by check, $7,359 by credit card
PAYMENT SCHEDULE
FIRST NON-REFUNDABLE PAYMENT (Due as soon as possible in order to ensure a place on the tour)
Per Person: $750 by check or money order, $800 by credit card
FINAL PAYMENT
BALANCE for payments is due on or before July 1, 2023 as per your invoice
There are a limited number of rooms and configurations available. If you are willing to share a room, please let us know and we will do our best to match you up with a roommate with advanced introductions.
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Photo credits:
Ring of Brodgar: Gerd Eichmann, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Edinburgh Victorian Street: Daniel Kraft, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Rosslyn Chapel: אמפל, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Holyrood Abbey: User:Marco2000, Attribution, via Wikimedia Commons
Fortingall Yew: Paul Hermans, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Perth and Kinross Croft Moraig Stone Circle: PaulT (Gunther Tschuch), CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Govan Stones: Archaeology Scotland, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Govan Old Parish Church: Stephencdickson, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Maeshowe: Krage52, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Skara Brae: Webber, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Standing Stones of Stennes: Fantoman400 at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Rosemarkie Parish Church and Churchyard: Rosemarkie Parish Church and Churchyard by Walter Baxter, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
