SACRED SITES JOURNEYS June 18 - 26, 2011
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TOUR REGISTRATION CLOSED. IMPORTANT!We will not be offering another Sacred Sites Journey to Scotland until 2013.
Edinburgh: Edinburgh Castle, home
of the Crown Jewels and the Monarchs of Heritage village of Luss: on the banks of Loch Lomond, ** Meditations at the sacred sites & power spots to connect
with the sacred land
  The Great Father represented the male principle of creation. He was known as
the Horned God or The Lord, and was the Lord of the
winter, harvest, land of the dead, the sky, animals, mountains, lust, powers of
destruction, regeneration. The Great Mother or The Lady represented the female principle of creation. She was known as the Goddess of fertility, the Moon, summer, flowers, love, healing, the seas, water. In addition, there were other Gods and Goddesses in the Celtic Pantheon. Triduana was the Goddess of Edinburgh who plucked out her eyes to eradicate her own beauty rather than submit to the advances of Nechtan, King of the Picts. Caillech (pronounced COY-lck or CALL-y'ach) is the Great Goddess in her Destroyer aspect. She's also called the "Veiled One". Originally Scotland was called Caledonia, "the land given by Caillech". Another name for her is Scota, which is where the name Scotland comes from. In some areas she's known by her name of Carlin, the Goddess of Winter, the blue-faced hag and who was the spirit of the eve of Samhain (Halloween), the night the year turned to winter, and the ghosts of the dead roamed the world of the living. Caillech rules over disease, plague, cursing, wisdom, seasonal rites, weather magick.
Photo Credit: http://www.goddessmyths.com/ These and many other Gods and Goddesses are still recognized today in Scotland. During our spiritual pilgrimage you'll have opportunities to connect with their potent and palpable energies through meditations at the sacred sites and power spots.
TOUR PERSONNEL Featured Speaker & Spiritual Tour Guide: Mark Amaru Pinkham 
Author,
Visionary, Knight Templar Mark Amaru Pinkham is the Grand Prior of The International Order of Gnostic
Templars, a modern-day spiritual Knights Templar Order
dedicated to the revival of the Path of the Divine Feminine and Gnostic Wisdom descended from the early Order of Knights Templar
in
Mark is the author of five books
that cover the ancient mysteries of Scotland, as well as many other countries around the
world. His books include: The Return of the
Serpents of Wisdom, Guardians of the Holy Grail: The Knights Templar, John the Baptist and
the Water of Life, and World Gnosis: The Coming
Gnostic Civilization.
spiritual pilgrimage to explore and engage the powerful energies in Scotland. I'll be sharing pertinent and cutting-edge information about the sacred sites, the Holy Grail, the Knights Templar, the ancient Scottish mysteries and more on a daily basis, as well as facilitating group meditations at the sacred sites. After many years of travel, research and spiritual questing in beloved Scotland, I can assure you that you'll have a very positive life-altering experience that will be one of the highlights of your life!
Sacred Sites Journeys Internet Radio
Overnight Loch Lomond. Day 6. Thursday, June 23. Kilmartin Glen and Overnight Oban. Day 7. Friday, June 24. Full Day Visit to Island of
Iona. Day 1. Saturday, June 18. Arrive Edinburgh; Transfer to hotel;
Group Meeting; Welcome Dinner (D) 2) The Honors of Scotland: The Honors of Scotland, the nation’s crown jewels, the crown, scepter and sword of state are the oldest royal regalia in the United Kingdom
Another
sacred landmark in Edinburth is St. Giles Cathedral, the most romantic
church in Scotland, dating from the 12th century. Visit the Thistle Chapel, built in 1911
for Scotland's order of the chivalry, the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the
Thistle. Or how about some retail therapy along Princes Street or the Royal
Mile? If you have Scottish ancestry, perhaps you'd like to purchase a scarf of
your clan tartan. OR, if not, then go for it anyway! Anyone can wear the Stewart tartan! Day 3. Monday, June 20. Edinburgh: Rosslyn Chapel; Dunfermline:
Dunfermline Abbey & St. Margaret's Cave; To Loch Lomond (B/D) Various authors, including our Featured Speaker and Tour Host Mark Amaru Pinkham, Grand Prior of the International Order of Gnostic Templars, have claimed that Rosslyn is the resting place for various esoteric artifacts. In his fourth book, Guardians of the Holy Grail, Mark explores these theories in-depth. Perhaps the Chapel was not built as a place of worship, but as a sacred repository for secrets that were brought back from the Holy Land by Hugh de Payens, the first Grand Master of the Knights Templars? Are there Templar relics and documents that might be hidden in the crypt? Could it be the Holy Grail, the Head of John the Baptist, the marriage certificate of Jesus and Mary Magdalene, the Ark of the Covenant, the lost Scrolls of the Temple of Solomon, or even the real version of Scotland's own Stone of Destiny. The list goes on and on!During our guided tour of the chapel we'll see Rosslyn’s famous stone carvings. Some of them are the best examples of their kind in Europe. Many Templars and Freemasons believe that they were built into the Chapel as keys to the esoteric history of their organizations. Many of them depict symbols relating to Old Testament text and characters. Some carvings depict plants from the New World, such as corn and aloe vera. Since they were carved into the chapel walls a good 50 years before Columbus’ voyages to America, how did the builders know about them? Some researchers believe they are proof of Prince Henry Sinclair's voyage to America well before Columbus. After our guided tour, we'll explore these intriguing questions. Then take some time to sit quietly in the chapel and meditate on them. You might receive answers that will surprise you! Rosslyn Chapel - Interior
We will be able to descend the 87 gentle steps to the secret cave of St. Margaret. As the 11th Century Queen of Scotland she would follow what was then a wooded path to this special spot to pray in solitude for the safety of her husband King Malcolm Canmore. After her death she was made a Saint for all the wonderful charitable works she performed, and St. Margaret's day is still honored each year on November 16th. Many miracles were attributed to her even after her death. We depart to the Loch Lomond area, arriving at our hotel on the Loch late afternoon. Check in at hotel. Free time. Dinner with the group. Overnight Loch Lomond. Day 4. Tuesday, June 21. Summer Solstice! Lake of Menteith:
Inchmahome Priory; Heritage Village of Luss; Solstice Celebration (B/D)
Day 5. Wednesday, June 22. Glasgow Cathedral; Glasgow City
Chambers; Free Time (B)
Day 6. Thursday, June 23. Kilmartin Glen & Temple Wood Stone
Circle; to Oban (B/D) We
also explore Temple Wood, also known locally as Half Moon Wood, an ancient stone
circle in the Glen. The site was named in the 19th century, Lunch on your own with the group. Then we're on our way to Oban, known as the Gateway
to the Isles, and the capital of North Argyll. A busy ferry and railway terminal
and a popular tourist destination, it has a wide range of shops and supermarkets, banks
etc, many excellent restaurants, and more. It will be our home for two nights, our jumping
off point for our visit to the sacred Isle of Iona. Check in at our hotel. Group
dinner in the hotel.
The
present abbey dates from around 1200, though it has been rebuilt over the centuries and
completely restored in the 20th century. The oldest part is the restored St Oran's
Chapel, to the south of the abbey on the right, which is plain and unadorned save
for its splendid 11th-century Norman doorway. It is said that Columba was prevented from
completing the building of the original chapel until a living person had been buried in
the foundations. His friend Oran volunteered and was duly buried. Columba later asked for
the face to be uncovered so that he could bid a final farewell to his friend, but Oran was
found to be alive and claimed he had seen Heaven and Hell, describing them in such
blasphemous terms that Columba ordered he be covered up immediately! Just
outside the village, on the way to the abbey, are the ruins of the Augustinian
nunnery. Just to the north, housed in the parish church manse, built by Thomas
Telford, is the Iona Heritage Center, which features displays on the
island's social history. We
continue to Rob Roy's Grave and the Faery Glen. Rob Roy MacGregor
is known in Scotland as either a Hero or an Outlaw. He
was a soldier, businessman, cattle-rustler and outlaw. But above all he was a folk hero, a
latter day Scottish Robin Hood whose transformation into a larger-than-life figure began
with Daniel Defoe's fictionalised biography Highland Rogue, published while Rob
Roy was still alive, leading to the Royal Pardon in 1726 that allowed him to live out his
final years quietly, literally a legend in his own lifetime. His story has grown further
since his death. Sir Walter Scott wrote the novel Rob Roy about him in 1818, and
he was the subject of two Hollywood films in the 1900's. The Trossachs area where he lived
and his grave is located have become known as "Rob Roy Country". The main
Tourist Information Center in Callander is called the "Rob Roy and Trossachs Visitor
Centre". And in 2002 a new unofficial long distance footpath called the Rob Roy Way
was set up to link together many places that featured in his life. In the area near Rob Roy's grave is a wonder of nature,
a place where the veils between the worlds of humans and the sidhe are thin - the
Faerie Glen. Weather permitting, we'll take some time her to meditate and
connect with the haunting and sometimes playful energies of the Fae Folk! And look out for
orbs in your photos; they love to show themselves!
Photo Credit: Jennie Krasse, Sacred Sites Journeys
Staff Note:
This itinerary is subject to change due to conditions beyond our control. CELTIC BLESSING May the blessings of light be upon you, Light without and light within, And in all your comings and goings, May you ever have a kindly greeting From them you meet along the road.
Thank you, Andrea, for manifesting soul and spirit through the vehicle of this sacred journey to Scotland. - S. Volk, CA The visit to Rosslyn Chapel was more than awesome! Andrea took care of all the details in a professional and extremely capable manner, so that we could just enjoy and soak up the energies. - E. Matheson, RI Scotland is much more than "Bonnie"! It's heavenly....and then some! I experienced this everyday during my sacred journey with Andrea. The ancient connection with the land is so strong, that you only have to be on Her and breathe to feel the gentle yet powerful energies. And you'll be transported back in time to places that still exist. I've been to Scotland with Andrea twice, and plan to return. The combination of the two is a winner! - D. Balch, CA The tour to Scotland with Andrea is my all-time favorite trip. We are still talking about it! It could not possibly have been better. - L. Gufstafson, NY There were no problems on my trip to Scotland with Andrea. Everything went perfectly! Edinburgh and Rosslyn Chapel were excellent! - A. Leaf, AZ Our day spent on the Isle of Iona was enchanting! Everywhere I went I felt ancient presences. And received many messages about the things that had occurred there in the past. I could have spent a full week there I'm sure and then would still not wanted to leave. - C. Roberts, IA  TOUR INCLUSIONS Your Sacred Sites Journey to SCOTLAND Includes: - Accommodations in charming 3-star Scottish B and B's and hotels, including daily breakfast, taxes & service charges - 6 dinners - Motorcoach transportation - Sightseeing as per the itinerary, including entrance fees - Pre-paid gratuities for motorcoach driver, waiters at group meals, and other tour-related activities Special Added Features - Travel in a smaller group with other spirit-centered people - Fully escorted by author, visionary, Knight Templar and internationally-renowed spiritual teacher Mark Amaru Pinkham - Meditations at sacred sites facilitated by Mark Amaru Pinkham - Edinburgh: Visit to world-famous Rosslyn Chapel and Edinburgh Castle - Priory at Inchmahon at Lake of Menteith - Heritage village of Luss - Kilmartin Glen and Temple Wood Stone Circle - Full Day visit to the Isle of Iona - Callandar, Rob Roy's Grave & Faery Glen - Dunfermline Abbey and nearby St. Margaret's Cave - Welcome and Farewell Dinner NOT INCLUDED: - Roundtrip International Airfare to Edinburgh, Scotland - Meals not included, as indicated in the itinerary - Cost to obtain valid passport - Any items of a personal nature such as laundry, drinks, telephone calls and internet service. Any item that is not specifically detailed on the SSJ website or final trip itinerary
TOUR PRICING This Sacred Sites Journey is Land Only. You are responsible to arrange your roundtrip international air to Edinburgh.ARRIVAL: Please arrive at Edinburgh International Airport by Noon on Saturday, June 18. DEPARTURE: Sunday, June 26. Please book your international return flight from Edinburgh to depart at any time that is convenient for you. 
DISCOUNT!
Make ALL of your payments by check or money order and receive a 4% discount!
This discount is INCLUDED in the prices below listed for this payment option.
Per Person, double occupancy, LAND ONLY$2,595.00 for payments via check or money order OR $2,705.00 for payments via credit card Single Room Supplement: $450.00 for payments via check or money order OR $469.00 for payments via credit card NOTE: This is the additional amount you will pay if you choose to have your own private room throughout the tour. ROOMMATES: Would you like to meet and make a new friend on your journey? If you're not traveling on the journey with anyone you know, and would like for SSJ to try to match you up with a suitable roommate, we'll be happy to try to do so. Per our Terms and Conditions, we will hold the registration for the trip open until 30 days before the departure date (or later if possible) in order to try to match you with someone. If by that date we have not been able to do so, you will be responsible to pay for the single supplement. If you would like to be matched with a roommate, please register early. TOUR REGISTRATION CLOSED. IMPORTANT! We will not be offering another Sacred Sites Journey to Scotland until 2013.
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Cerridwen was known as the Moon and
Grain Goddess. She was believed to rule over death, fertility, regeneration, inspiration,
magick, astrology, herbs, science, poetry, spells, knowledge, wisdom, past lives,
divination. Her symbol was a white sow. In her magickal cauldron, she made a potion called
greal (from which the word Grail most likely came from). The potion was made from
six plants for inspiration and knowledge. 
3) The Stone
of Destiny: The is an important symbol of Scottish nationhood, and
still plays a central role in all British coronations. It was the coronation seat
of ancient Scottish kings. Thought by medieval scholars to have biblical origins,
some considered it to be the pillow on which Jacob dreamed of his ladder. Others
believed it had been taken out of Egypt by the daughter of a pharaoh. It has been used in
coronation ceremonies for many years, originally at Scone, near Perth. Lulach –
stepson of Macbeth – sat on it when he was proclaimed King of Scots in 1057. From
then until 1292, it was used at the inaugurations of all Scottish monarchs. 
After our full and enjoyable morning we
return to the hotel. You have the afternoon for lunch on your own, and free time
to rest or explore more of the capital city. Perhaps you'd like to visit the Palace
of Holyroodhouse, home for centuries to many of Scotland's ruling families, and
still a royal residence of the Queen; it's full of hundreds of years of Scottish history. Founded as a monastery in
1128, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, is situated at the end of the Royal Mile. The Palace is
closely associated with Scotland's turbulent past, including Mary, Queen of Scots, who
lived here between 1561 and 1567. Successive kings and queens have made the Palace of
Holyroodhouse the premier royal residence in Scotland. Today, the Palace is the setting
for State ceremonies and official entertaining. During The Queen's Holyrood week, usually
from the end of June to the beginning of July, Her Majesty carries out a wide range of
official engagements in Scotland. The Investiture held in the Great Gallery is for
Scottish residents whose achievements have been recognized in the twice-yearly Honors List
which appears at New Year and on The Queen's Official Birthday in June. Each year, The
Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh entertain around 8,000 guests from all walks of Scottish
life during a garden party in the palace grounds. 
Of the enigmas
hidden within the walls of Rosslyn Chapel, builders have recently discovered yet
another one that is creating quite a buzz. What is the meaning behind the strange
stone bee hives that were hidden in the Chapel's roof? With the public's
interest in Da Vinci Code style mysteries at an all time high, experts are pressured to
answer the questions surrounding what is fast becoming an ever deepening mystery. 
symbol of the Goddess, who was often depicted in the form of a bee!
Even though the tomb of Mary Magdalene is NOT at Rosslyn Chapel, it seems that this find
is a message that the Divine Feminine is still alive and well there!
We then continue to Luss for a special energetic experience. The quaint
little heritage village of Luss, often described as "the jewel in
the crown" of Scotland's first National Park is situated in one of Scotland's most-loved settings, at the foot of Glen Luss, where the River Luss runs into world-famous Loch Lomond.
The buildings
in this little hamlet have been preserved; structural changes to the outside are
prohibited. We're
here to see and
connect with the land which has been cared for and protected for over hundreds of years,
and to experience the enduring benefits of this sturdy Scottish stewardship. 
site since 510 CE,
the year of the founding by St. Kessog, with a Christian presence here continually for fifteen hundred years.
The present Luss Parish Church building was constructed in 1875 by Sir James Colquhoun of Luss in memory of his father, who was
drowned in the loch. It underwent a major restoration program in 2001, with major contributions from
Historic Scotland, the Heritage Lottery Fund, and other contributors. Inside the church
there are relics from the Colquhouns'
private chapel in Rossdhu. In the churchyard we find an old stone font and a hog-backed
stone sarcophagus. Is this the 10th century effigy of St Kessog? Meditate
there and see if you receive a message from him. Also buried in the graveyard are the Clan
chiefs of the MacFarlanes of Arrochar. There are 15 listed ancient monuments to explore in
this ancient graveyard. Here's an epitaph from one of the graves to ponder: 
banks of Loch Lomond is no longer
open to the public. Here, we have both a welcome and an invitation to explore. We cross
the bridge to the Pilgrimage Walk, which circumnavigates the meadow.
Alongside the walkway are poems and sculptures that have been left or commissioned by
people from all over the world who have labored on building the pathway. In
addition, there are smaller pathways branching off from the main path, some leading to the
loch-side, others along the river bank or meandering through the trees. Each of these
walks has a theme - love, loss, faith and challenge - which gives us an opportunity to
meditate and reflect on these qualities in our lives, and in a place that provides peace
and the quiet. Early in 2008 a Remembrance Garden was created as part of
the Glebe project. People can plant a tree as a way of remembering someone or something
which is special to them. As well they can have a small pottery plaque created on-site to
accompany the tree and mark the commemoration.
June 21, 2011 marks the longest
day of the year, with the sun being at its highest point, and has been celebrated
as Summer Solstice or Midsummer for many centuries. The ancient
Celtic ways were based on an honoring of the earth, sun, moon, and nature. Modern
day Wiccan practices are based on the same rituals and beliefs as the ancient Celtic
beliefs. This is one of the four most important celebrations that are marked each year,
and we will follow these traditions by holding a Solstice Celebration.
The rituals are simple and yet very powerful! Traditionally the Yule log that was used at
Winter Solstice is kept to be burnt on the Summer Solstice. This ritual is about
both fire and water, thus being able to observe it on the banks of Loch Lomond
will make this even more special! We will likely have some special guests from the local
area join us for this event. 
After
our usual full Scottish breakfast we 're off to Glasgow to enjoy some of
the sights, architecture, history and energy that this wonderful city has to offer.
Glasgow, formerly known as Cathures, has long been a powerful energetic centre,
and is now one of the most popular spots for tourists to visit in the UK, second only to
London. Glasgow means “Dear Green Place” and the energetic connection
back to the ancient Celtic days can still be felt strongly. A major center for
business, ship building, art and culture the beautiful architecture of the city makes it a
wonderful place to explore.....and of course, shopping on Buchannan Street lures people
from all over the world!
After lunch on your own with the group, we will experience the Glasgow City
Hall that holds Glasgow’s “statue of liberty” atop its roof. The entrance
hall of the Chambers displays a mosaic of the city’s coat of arms on the floor along
with the verse that goes with it....
when the local folks
planted many trees around the circles. There are actually two circles at the site. One
contains a ring of 13 standing stones, about 40 ft. in diameter, with a small stone-built
coffin-like box used to hold the bodies of the dead in the center, surrounded by a circle
of stones about 10 ft. in diameter. Research shows that the circle may have been
constructed around 3000 BCE, and to have had some orientation towards solar events such as
solstices and equinoxes. The northern circle is smaller and consists rounded river stones,
with a single stone in its center, and is believed to have been constructed to align with
the mid-day sun on the winter solstice. At both of these ancient sacred power spots we
take time to "tune in" through meditation and ask for any messages that the
stones and/or their ancient Celtic builders may have for us today. 
A small island, barely
three miles long and a little over a mile wide, Iona's place in religious history
was guaranteed when St Columba arrived with his 12 disciples and founded
a monastery there in 563 BCE. The Irish monk then set about converting
practically all of pagan Scotland and much of northern England. Iona went on to become the
most sacred religious site in Europe and has been a place of
pilgrimage for several centuries. Iona is known as the 'Cradle of Christianity in
Scotland', and was a center of the arts. The monks produced elaborate carvings,
manuscripts, ornate gravestones and Celtic crosses. Their greatest work was the beautiful Book
of Kells, which dates from 800 CE, and which is now on display in Dublin's
Trinity College. 
Surrounding the chapel is the Reilig
Odhrain, the sacred burial ground, which is said to contain the graves of 48
Scottish kings, including Macbeth's victim, Duncan, as well as four Irish and eight
Norwegian kings. The stones you see today are not the graves of kings but of various
important people from around the West Highlands and Islands. 
We check out of the hotel this morning
and board our motorcoach in route to Stirling Castle. During our drive we stop for some R
and R just outside of Callander, where you'll have the chance for some fun. You can meet Hamish
the Highland Cow (really a bull). Callander, known locally as
the gateway to Rob Roy country, is a beautiful little town, with some
interesting shops, and a wonderful park along the River Teith. It was a Victorian spa town which
became popular due to the proximity of The Trossach's and Sir Walter Scott's works
including Lady of the Lake. Time allowing, we'll take time for meditation at some quiet
spot along the river. 
Rob Roy, his wife Mary and two of their four sons are buried in a simple
grave in tranquil Balquhidder (pronounced Bal-wh-idder) churchyard. He died December 28,
1734 in Balquhidder Glen and was buried in Balquhidder churchyard. The original grave
markers of Rob Roy, his wife and two of his four sons has been embellished by a later rail
which carries a plaque incorrectly aging Rob Roy as 70 when he died (he was 63), and by a
gravestone erected in 1981 proclaiming "MacGregor Despite Them".