2009 Tours

Semester in Scotland Tour - February 2009

This four day Tour for the students from the RP Church's Semester in Scotland programme (www.semesterinscotland.org) visited St. Andrews, Edinburgh, Wigtown, and various rural Covenanting sites. In the picture above some can be seen trekking across the field to where the martyr John Brown was shot.

Here is how one of the students described the week: "On Monday Andrew gave us a relatively quick view of the history of the Covenanters, covering all the major events that occurred and the important names that had a factor during those times. On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday we went to a large number of sites such as where important events like martyrdoms occurred, or where battles were fought, and memorials to people who lived during those times.  We went to a lot of different places including St. Andrews, Edinburgh, Bothwell, and Muirkirk.

It made me sad to think of all the people who were killed for their faith back in the 15-1600s.  All of those people killed because a few men decided that that they wanted to be head over the church and wouldn’t tolerate anyone who didn’t give them that.  The people who died were mostly simple men and women who loved God more than they feared men, and they paid for that with their lives.  Yet, it’s encouraging for me.  They were simple people who wanted God’s glory to be seen and that’s my desire, too.  I think that to be that dedicated to God is an amazing thing, and that’s what I wish to always pursue." - Jon Key

GO Team Tour - April 2009

This was a one day Tour for the young people from Northern Ireland that were over helping the Airdrie RP Church with literature distribution. We visited sites in southwest Scotland including Bothwell Bridge and Drumclog where the above photo was taken.

Here is how Alanna Carson describes the Tour: "On the Saturday afternoon we had a Covenanter tour led by Jimmy Fisher, a member of the congregation. This involved going to the battlesite Drumclog where we gathered round and sang the 23rd Psalm. It was inspiring to go to the see the place where the Covenanters had fought so many years ago."

Patterson Tour - May 2009

This small school group came on a five day Tour and visited Reformation and Covenanting sites in Glasgow, St. Andrews, Edinburgh, rural southwest Scotland, Wigtown, and Stirling.

Jim Patterson writes, "I would strongly encourage any Christian who wishes to properly understand the roots of their faith and the great sacrifices that were made by literally an entire nation to take this tour.  It will invigorate you to stand against the abuses of our day.  These men and women are a perfect model of living for Christ in a wicked time.

After having particpated in several reformation trips I can say without reservation that this  tour offered the best history of the reformation.  In this tour you will do more than visit ancient relics.  You will feel the reformation come alive, from the graves of martyrs to the open fields of the conventicles.  

You may be shocked to discover that these events are likely the most important historical events that ever took place for the advancement of the church since the days of the apostles. No church leader could understand the church of today without understanding the church during the reformation in Scotland. 

Every Christian college in America should encourage its students to take this tour.  Their students will return with a stronger faith and more zeal for God's Word than you could every imagine."

Geneva College Tour - May 2009

This large group from Geneva College travelled throughout Scotland visiting Loch Lomond, Mull and Iona, Fort William and the Highlands, St. Andrews, Stirling, and Edinburgh. Dr. Tom Copeland writes: One of the real highlights of the trip was our day at Iona.  For American Christians, it is astounding to think that Christianity has been preached in Scotland for 1,500 years.  Although the Gospel is not believed by many Scots today, "we have a good heritage!"

RP Mission Team Tour - June 2009

This was a two day Tour for the young people who had come to America on a Mission Team with the Airdrie RP Church. We visited St. Andrews, Edinburgh, and key Covenanter sites in southwest Scotland.

Airdrie RP Church Tour - August 2009

This one day Tour for those from the Airdrie Reformed Presbyterian Church visited Covenanting sites in Bothwell, Hamilton, Strathven, Drumclog, Glassford, and Muirkirk. It was a great day for everyone to learn more about our shared church history.

McKinley Tour - August 2009

This small family Tour visited sites in St. Andrews, Edinburgh, southwest Scotland, Stirling, Loch Lomond, Glen Coe, and Oban.

"I was looking for a tour that was not just the scenery  and  castles. I was interested in the history of Scotland and particularly the people and their transformation from the Catholic church to the protestant.   The tour you put together had a excellent format that was off the beaten path and very informative.  What I came home with was reminder that religious freedom was not free but cost many people their lives.  It was amazing how many people were willing to die for the  belief that they could be saved by faith in Jesus Christ alone and not by works. Keep up the good work. We highly recommend your tour to everyone we talk to." - Steve McKinley

Petrie Tour - September 2009

This was a half day Tour for two ministers from the Irish RP Church which visited key Covenanting sites in the southwest of Scotland.

"Thank you very much for the tour, it was excellent, very profound, and very powerful. It has struck us about what has happened in our history, and it has been helpful, but in a sense it has also been very powerful in our own minds that it's not sufficient just to look at these historical monuments, but that we have to serve Christ far better." -Derek Petrie

"A very special day that I will remember all the days of my life. The weather was very cold but my heart was warmed as Jimmy told us stories of men and women who gave their lives for the cause of Christ. We trust that it has been, and will inspire us, to be cross bearers as they were." -John Coates

Wheeler Tour - September 2009

This was a half day Tour of Edinburgh for a group of 34. We visited St. Giles Cathedral and Greyfriars kirkyard and museum.

Those on the Tour wrote: "We thank you for leading us to a deeper appreciation for the faithful witness and ultimate sacrifice paid by such a cloud of witnesses - the Reformers and Covenanters - our brothers and sisters in Christ of centuries past."

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.