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Iona Pilgrimage
Durham Convention

SCHEDULE FOR GLASGOW & IONA

FRIDAY 29^th June 2007

Arrive at accommodation and book in.

Register for the trip in whichever accommodation venue selected
Peter & Simon in attendance for registration from 1.00pm till 7.00pm

The rest of the day is free time in Glasgow

No evening meals arranged at either location on the Friday evening.

SATURDAY 30^th June 2007

Full breakfast arranged from 7.00am at either accommodation location

Load luggage from 8.15am at both accommodation locations.

Depart from Glasgow at approx 9.00am

Follow the main road over the Firth of Forth bridge before joining the A82 along the shore of Loch Lomond.  Follow the shoreline for some 17 miles to the small village of Tarbet. To arrive at approx 10.05am. Rest stop for photographs.
           
Depart at 10.35am turning onto the A83 as it winds its way up Glen Croe and Glen Kinglas. Loch Fyne in the distance, following the shoreline for approx 9 miles as it twists and turns round the Loch.
         
Arrive Inveraray at approx 11.20am. Located on the shores of Loch Fyne, time to stretch those legs            and have a cuppa

Ready to depart at 1.15pm, turning inland to follow the A 819 through

Glen Aray to Loch Awe, join the A85 as it navigates the end of the Loch before turning up the Pass of Brander as the road makes its way parallel with the river Awe. Onward with Loch Etive to the
right opening out to the sea and the Firth of Lorne. Arrive Oban at approx 2.30pm. Situated on the Firth and the main town in the area.  The ferries leave here connecting a number of islands to the mainland.

Unload luggage & book in

Rest of the afternoon free time in this lovely coastal town plenty to see.

Evening meal arranged at hotel at 7.00pm.

Still time after the meal to see the sun go down. Remember at this time of year and this far North, the sun sets even later in the summer.

SUNDAY    1^st July 2007

Full breakfast arranged from 7.00am.

Ready to leave the hotel at approx 8.55am.

Just a short journey of a couple of minutes to the ferry terminal but it is better for us all to arrive together on the coaches

Catch the first ferry from Oban at 9.50am to Isle of Mull

A nice crossing through the bay and over the Firth entering the Sound of Mull just before landing.

Arrive Craignure, Isle of Mull at approx 10.35am.

Unload, leave civilisation as we know it behind very quickly, as the coaches make there way across the island, no large towns here, in fact nothing, better check we have enough fuel, no gas stations either and definitely no pizza places or BIG Ms. 37 miles of tranquillity as the coach makes its way through Glen More then along the shores of Loch Scridain to arrive in the small hamlet of Fionnphort on the shores of the Sound of Iona at approx 12noon. Unload and park the coaches in the car park, walking down to the jetty ready to catch the walk on ferry over to the island of Iona.  Just a short passage crossing over the water to Iona.

Arrive on the Isle of Iona at approx 12.35pm.

Here at last, quite a pilgrimage, one can see why the monks came here, on a sunny day it is just magic, the colour of the sea, the white sand on the beaches the scenery, the wildlife and the water gently lapping on the shore. It is without doubt, a heaven on earth.

Simple Lunch arranged at the Martyr`s Bay restaurant at 12.45pm.

Before walking over the fields to the Abbey.

IONA ABBEY FROM 2.15pm – 3.15pm FOR A PRIVATE SERVICE.

On completion of the service a small amount of free time to wander

DO NOT WANDER TO FAR WE MUST BE BACK AT THE JETTY AT 4.10pm

Depart on the walk on ferry

Load coaches from 5.00pm in the coach park

Return journey across the island to the main ferry at Craignure to arrive by 6.35/40pm

Load on the 7.00pm ferry(4 COACHES ALREADY BOOKED ON)

Retrace your sea legs across the bay to arrive back in Oban harbour at approx 7.45pm

Short journey to the hotel

Evening meal arranged at 8.30pm
 

MONDAY 2^nd July 2007

Full breakfast arranged at 7.00am.                                    Bring Luggage down at from 6.45am

Ready to leave the hotel at approx 8.15am.

Journey to Edinburgh via Crieff.     Arrive at approx 10.15am

Drop off in the town for a cuppa own arrangements (probably the visitor centre)

Ready to leave at 11.00am

Continue onto Edinburgh to arrive at approx 12.15/30pm

First stop of the day at St Mary Episcopal Cathedral in Edinburgh

Depart at approx 1.30pm Continue into the city for a second drop off outside St Giles Cathedral on the Royal Mile at approx 1.45pm

Free time to visit the castle or St Giles Presbyterian Cathedral

Lunch and Evening meals own arrangements in the city

We must be ready to leave Edinburgh no later than 5.00pm  This will be a somewhat long journey with a late arrival in Durham. Could I suggest consider a large meal late afternoon to see one through the day

MEET AT THE ST GILES DROP OFF POINT AT 4.50pm

Journey down the North Sea coast to Durham to arrive at approx 8.30/9.00pm.

Unload and book in to accommodation.

Finish of Iona side trip. 

THE GATHERING, time to book in and register for the convention for those arriving off the Iona trip.