2008 Tours

Boriack Tour - August 2008

Denise and Brooke Boriack at Cambuskenneth Abby in Stirling, where William Wallace's Uncle Argyll was an Augustinian monk. 

"Little Bear" Wheeler Tour - September 2008

Dick speaking to the "Little Bear" Wheeler Tour at St. Giles in Edinburgh.  There were 47 people involved in this tour! 

Grimbleby Tour - September 2008

Robbie, Bonita, Ian and Jessica Grimbleby are in front of the "Maiden," the Scottish guillotine which killed many Covenanter martyrs which is now at the National Museum of Scotland.

One Day Tour of Edinburgh - 26th July 2008

"If I don't see another site, or go to another city - with this stop my life has been made fuller and richer.  I'm totally overwhelmed."  Dr. Gregory Faulkner

Dr. Gregory Faulkner had heard about us at the last minute prior to departure from America.  Most of his trip was focused on Northern Ireland.  But he wanted to get over to Scotland for a few days.  He contacted us, and we agreed to show him the sites in Edinburgh and St. Andrews - in one day.  But he was so touched by what he saw in Edinburgh that he begged us to forget about travelling to St. Andrews, and just spend our time in Edinburgh.  Gladly we accommodated this desire, and we had a grand time seeing such sites as the Magdalene Chapel, St. Giles, the John Knox House, the National Museum of Scotland (Reformation section), Greyfriars Kirkyard, and the Grassmarket Martyrdom sites. 

Powell Tour - 19th-30th June 2008

"When asked how our trip to Scotland was - Well how do you tell anyone that has never been there what it is like and expect them to envision the beauty and mystery.  Or the feeling when you stand where others have given their life for our Lord.  The pictures helped the most to tell the story.  Thank you all for the trip of a lifetime.  God put us together, I know."  - Diana and Ronnie Powell

The Powell Tour was a full thirteen-day tour.  On one memorable day, we returned from the far South of Scotland, and a visit to the Covenanting graves of the "Two Margarets," to search out Loudon Castle, in Ayrshire.  The Powells especially loved this site. John Knox had preached there, under the watchful eye of the Earl of Loudon.  Many Scottish Lairds risked much to promote Luther's doctrine in the 16th Century, and the aforementioned Earl was one of them.  Occasions like this took place in 1559, as revival swept over Scotland's population belt between Glasgow and Edinburgh and South.  Knox received invitations to preach (and promises of protection - on account of the arrest warrant that hung over his head) throughout Scotland during that famous Summer.

The Powells specially remarked on how much they enjoyed worshipping with the Airdrie congregation.  The RP Church in Airdrie traces its history all the way back through the Covenanting times, to the original 16th Century Reformation.

Hensley Tour - 2nd-5th June 2008

"We loved our tour: It brought Scotland alive to us.  Helped us reaffirm and better understand our Reformed roots.  (You created a) nice balance between encouraging, yet sobering spiritual information, and cultural experience.  Thanks so much!"  Kathy & Steve Hensley

The Hensley Tour was a four-day tour, in which we travelled to St. Andrews and Edinburgh, and then up to the Island of Skye so they could get a full taste of the Scottish Highlands.  On the way back from Skye we visited Stirling - with its castle - to show them the many Reformational and Covenanter sites there. 

Steve and Kathy Hensley used Reformation Tours for the Scottish segment of their larger trip to the UK.  They didn't have all that much time for Scotland, and knew that the efficiency of this time would be quadrupled by bringing Reformation Tours into the equation.  When you tour with Reformation Tours, you have guides, who not only know their local information - but also the important historical contexts - which make this tour most relevant for the modern day! 

Geneva College Tour - 24th-27th May 2008

"I enjoyed my time seeing the country and worshipping with all of you very much!" - David Dinsmere

Geneva College asked us to help them with a special tour involving both Engineering and Humanities Students.  The 17 member group travelled to England first, but spent a few days in Scotland with Reformation Tours. 

Among the different destinations from the norm, we visited the Falkirk Wheel (for the engineering students) and some wonderful remains of a frontier Roman Fort in North Central Scotland.  The Romans never could conquer the Picts, but they got as far north as this fort near Crieff.  Then they began their retreat, back to Hadrian's wall, in England.  This tour was great fun for everyone, in which we all learned from one another.

One-Day Tour of Edinburgh & St. Andrews - 28th March 2008

We had a great One Day Tour with a lovely couple from Maine.  With an interest in Reformation history, Scott and Ruth also run a B&B – and were using their holiday in Great Britain to compare and contrast their Inn back home with their Scottish counterparts! 

While we usually take one day for each of these intensive sites, Scott and Ruth thought they were up to the challenge of doing both in one day.  So we started out 7:30 a.m. to meet them and tour Edinburgh, and returned at about 10:00 p.m. after touring St. Andrews. 

We looked at the life of John Knox and the Scottish Reformation of 1559-1560.  We visited St. Giles, viewed the Knox house, studied the symbolism of both Knox’ unmarked grave in space 23 of the parking lot, and the “Caesar statue” of King Charles II – outside St. Giles. 

We then went to the National Museum of Scotland to see 1st and 2nd Reformation artifacts.  Greyfriars Kirkyard was next, with its many famous monuments and sites.  Forty-five minutes in Magdalen Chapel with Sinclair Horne of the Scottish Reformation Society (site of Scotland’s 1st General Assembly!) was followed by a trip to the Grassmarket, and the Covenanter’s Monument there. 

Then we left for St. Andrews.  On the way, we stopped off in Leuchars to see Alexander Henderson’s first church, and hear the story of his life. 

Then into St. Andrews, where we covered the martyr sites of Patrick Hamilton and George Wishart, and the Castle (where Knox was captured and enslaved), the Cathedral and Trinity Parish Church where Knox first preached. 

At Reformation Tours, we aim to please!  Try us – You’ll See!

Youth Tour of Edinburgh - 22nd March 2008

Saturday, 22 March, Reformation Tours took a combined group of young people from Reformed Presbyterian Churches in Ireland and Scotland on a tour of Edinburgh.  We covered the special roles of John Knox and Alexander Henderson in Edinburgh’s reformation story at St. Giles, and then saw artifacts at the National Museum of Scotland – like Jenny Geddes’ stool and “Sandy” Peden’s preaching mask.  At Greyfriars we spoke of the significance of the National Covenant, not only for 1638, but also for the next century.  We then finished, appropriately, in the Grassmarket, meditating on the Covenanter’s courage – which so often led to their martyrdom for Christ’s Kingdom.

If you’d like any information about taking or organising a tour please email us at RefTours@aol.com

"I am so glad that I came on the Tour. It was refreshing in a very holistic way: physically because of the change of pace, beautiful scenery, fresh air, and walking; intellectually because of all that I learned about history and geography; spiritually because of entering into the lives and events that involved treasuring and defending the wonderful truths of the Gospel and sovereign rule of the Lord Jesus over His Church; and emotionally because of all the good conversation, laughter, new friends, and fellowship."

Jan B.

"A wonderful experience; a must for all believers. It increased my knowledge, challenged my faith, and I met so many new brothers and sisters in Christ."

Mark C.

"The week was full of Christian fellowship while being taught about the history of the Reformation as we visited the beautiful sights in Scotland. Dick's thoughtful and well-planned tours combined with Susan's attention to all our needs made this trip one I would encourage anyone to take who would like to learn how to better love and serve Christ through the examples of the Scottish martyrs."

Larry and Kathy G.

"Thank you for showing us so many ways that God has worked and is working in Scotland - it reminded us that He works here - and will work in our Church here, as well."

Jean and Rick N.