Scotland spiritual tour

Explore the Myth & Mystery of Ancient & Sacred Scotland

September 12th – 25th, 2024: SOLD OUT

September 24th – October 7th, 2024: SOLD OUT

This Scotland spiritual tour uniquely blends exploration of Scottish sacred sites and highland landscapes with meditation, qigong, and heart-opening conversations about self-acceptance, compassion, and joy.

We’ll slow down our busy minds, open our hearts, and embrace joy and peace.

We’ll explore and practice tools to take home and use long after the retreat is over.

On This Sacred Site and Personal Growth Adventure in Spiritual Scotland, You Will:

• Explore cultural aspects of the Scottish Highlands, while visiting neolithic stone circles, ancient passage tombs, immersing yourself in Celtic mythology and the embrace of Mother Earth.
• Begin most days with meditation.
• Practice qigong daily, deepening your awareness of your internal energy and how it harmonizes and flows with the energy of your surroundings.
• Soak in Scottish mythology and legends, recognizing that through time and geography all humans experience common joys and sorrows.

• Steep yourself in heart-opening conversations on how to incorporate self-acceptance and compassion into your life.
• Recognize how ancient stories of personal power resonate with your internal wisdom.
• Meet new like-minded people who may become life-long friends after sharing this awe-filled experience.
• Immerse yourself in the inspiring landscapes and ancient culture of Scotland creating memories you can visualize long after you’ve departed for home.

Your Heart-Opening Scotland Spiritual Tour Itinerary:

Day 1-2: Leave the US on the 12th, and take an overnight flight to Edinburgh, and spend the night of the 13th at a hotel in Edinburgh, included in your tour. Transportation to the hotel is on your own; taxis, public transport, and Ubers are available. Dinner is on your own.

Day 3 (B/D): After breakfast, we meet our driver/guide and head north for a day filled with beautiful landscapes and ancient sites. We’ll stop at the STANDING STONES at Lundin Links. Next, we descend a rock-hewn staircase to visit a holy well at DENINO DEN. After emerging from the ancient, we’ll explore more recent history at the 300-year-old BIRNAM OAK, sometimes known as Macbeth’s oak. We’ll stop for the night in Nairn at The Invernairne or similar.

Day 4 (B/D): Rise early for meditation, followed by breakfast. Our first stop is the WHALIGOE STEPS, which descend to a remarkable harbor surrounded on three sides by steep cliffs. The descent of 365 steps is beautiful as we pass cliffs lush with wildflowers and watch flocks of sea birds. In the afternoon, we’ll board a FERRY to ORKNEY ISLAND. Upon arrival, we’ll have time to explore the town of Kirkwall, including the 12th Century St. Magnus Cathedral and the Orkney Museum. Then we’ll drive to our accommodation for the next three nights, the Standing Stones Hotel or similar. We’ll finish our day with a meal at the hotel.

Day 5 (B/D): Rise early for meditation, followed by breakfast. Today is a day of exploration of beautiful landscapes and Neolithic sites. The order of things is tide-dependent. At low tide, we’ll hike out to the lighthouse on BROUGH HEAD passing Pictish, Norse, and medieval remains. We’ll also explore part of the World Heritage Site HEART of NEOLITHIC ORKNEY. Today our visit includes THE STONES of STENNESS, THE RING of BROADGAR, and MAESHOWE or UNSTAN CAIRN. After a full day, we’ll return to the Standing Stones Hotel or similar and enjoy dinner onsite.

Day 6 (B/D): Rise early for meditation, followed by breakfast. Today we’ll continue our visit to the World Heritage Site HEART of NEOLITHIC ORKNEY, which includes SKARA BRAE and the BROCH of GURNESS. Each of the four Heart of Neolithic Orkney sites is a masterpiece of Neolithic design and construction in itself. But together, they represent one of the best-preserved surviving Neolithic landscapes in Western Europe. We’ll also hike the beautiful cliff tops at YESNABY CLIFFS and perhaps even spot puffins. After a full day, we’ll return to the Standing Stones Hotel or similar and enjoy another dinner on site.

Day 7 (B): Rise early for meditation, followed by breakfast. Today is a travel day, punctuated by scenic stops and a lovely walk or two. We’ll have some time in the morning to explore the town of Stromnes. Then we say goodbye to Orkney, take the FERRY to the MAINLAND, and make our way to Ullapool. Once on the mainland, we’ll stop for a walk to visit SMOO CAVE, a dramatic sea cave set into a limestone cliff. We’ll arrive in Ullapool in the late afternoon, settle into our hotel, Harbour House B&B or similar, then go out for a bite to eat on your own.

Day 8 (B/D): Rise early for meditation, followed by breakfast. Then we’ll head to the dock and board a FERRY to the ISLE of LEWIS. Our first stop will be a brief visit to LEWS CASTLE. We’ll then head to GEARANIN to explore the “blackhouse village,” which consists of nine restored traditional thatched cottages initially constructed in the 1800s. From the village, we’ll explore the rugged coastline on an afternoon walk, visiting Dalmore & Dalbeg beaches. Our final stop for the day will be at Loch Roag Guest House or similar, our home for two nights. Upon arrival, we’ll settle in and have dinner on-site.

Day 9 (B/D): Today is a day for quiet exploration. No ferries. No mini-coach. We’ll start the day with meditation and qigong. Then, you may choose from optional excursions, including a half-day coastal hike, relaxing at the lodge with a journal or book, grabbing a bus or Uber to explore other areas of Lewis, or walking to local stone circles. We’ll have dinner again at Loch Roag Guest House or similar.

Day 10 (B/D): Rise early for meditation, followed by breakfast. Today, we leave the Isle of Lewis, stopping first at the CALANAIS STANDING STONES. Then, we’ll explore the Isle of Harris, including a visit to LUSKENTYRE BEACH, boasting clear water, white sands, and lovely views. This will be a wonderful place to practice qigong. We may also have time for a further walk on Harris before we catch a FERRY to the ISLE of SKYE. After our 90-minute ferry crossing, we’ll drive through spectacular landscapes to our home for the next three nights in the town of Portree at the Viewfield House. or similar. We’ll enjoy dinner at our accommodations.

Day 11 (B): Rise early for meditation, followed by breakfast. Today, we explore the Isle of Skye. This active hike-filled day includes exploration of the OLD MAN OF STORR, a large pinnacle of rock that stands high and is visible for miles around. Then we continue to THE QUIRAING, as it passes through some of the most spectacular landscapes in Scotland. We’ll finish our exploration with a visit to the FAIRY GLEN, another otherworldly landscape. After our full day, we return to Viewfield House or similar. Dinner is on your own this evening; you may choose to have a light supper again at our inn or walk into town to dine at a local pub.

Day 12 (B/D): Rise early for meditation, followed by breakfast. Today, we explore a different region of the Isle of Skye. This active hike-filled day includes the exploration of the NEIST POINT, which offers stunning cliff scenery and a lighthouse. Then we continue our journey and visit the FAIRY POOLS, a beautiful crystal clear stream with many beautiful pools and waterfalls. After our full day, we return to Viewfield House or similar and have dinner in town together.

Day 13 (B/D): Rise early for meditation, followed by breakfast. Today is a travel day and our last day of exploration on the Scotland spiritual tour. First thing in the morning, we’ll stop at EILEAN DONAN CASTLE for a brief visit. Then, our drive takes us through the beautiful U-shaped GLENCOE VALLEY. The most scenic section is ten miles long, less than half a mile wide, with walls that rise sharply to 3,000 feet. We’ll have time to stop at scenic vistas. Our drive also takes us through spectacular LOCH LOMOND & THE TROSSACHS NATIONAL PARK. At the end of the day, we’ll arrive at our hotel in Edinburgh, where we’ll have a farewell dinner.

Day 14 (B): Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, then make your way on your own via taxi, public transport, or Uber to the Edinburgh airport to catch your homeward flight.

Included in Your Scotland Spiritual Tour:

• Daily instruction and facilitation of meditation, qigong, and conversations about self-acceptance, compassion, and joy. Engaging with this content is an integral part of this spiritual tour. If you are not interested in meditation, heart-opening conversation, and qigong, different tours are available to you via other companies.
• All ground and water transportation for the duration of the retreat
• Lodging for 12 nights in locations hand selected for their beautiful natural settings; please note rooms may be smaller than what you’re accustomed to in the United States
• 21 meals (twelve breakfasts and nine dinners)
• A Scottish driver/guide, passionate about the highlands, sacred history, and lore
• All entrance fees for ancient sites and activities, including the Standing Stones at Lundin Links, Dunino Den, Birnam Wood, Whaligoe Steps, St. Magnus Cathedral, Orkney Museum, Brough Head, Stones of Stenness, Ring of Broadgar, Maeshowe Cairn, Unstan Carin, Broch of Gurness, Skara Brae, and Skail House
• Four unique ferry routes
• Spectacular coastal and highland hikes, including Whaligoe Steps, Brough of Birsay, Yesnaby Cliffs, Smoo Caves near Durness, Dalmore Beach, Dalbeg Beach, Luskentyre Beach, The Quirang, Old Man of Storr, Fairy Pools, Fairy Glenn, Neist Point, and the Glencoe Valley
• A guaranteed small group, with 12 guests maximum, which means a more personalized and intimate retreat experience
• The itinerary is subject to modification based on the weather and the needs of the group

The Little Bits Not Included:

• International airfare to Edinburgh
• Transportation to and from the airport to the first and last night’s hotels
• Daily lunch, two dinners
• Beverages with meals and/or alcohol
• Driver-guide gratuity

Tour Facilitator Amy Pattee Colvin:

In the fall of 2015, I attended a meditation retreat to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, led by my long-time meditation teachers. A local shaman joined us one of our days in Machu Picchu. During the blessing ceremony, he handed me a seed to plant after the ceremony finished. He said to look for the plant when I brought my own group on a retreat to Peru.

For many months that seed of an idea quietly germinated and eventually sprouted into the development of meditation and qigong retreats worldwide.

Traveling with me, you’ll practice meditation and qigong daily, steep yourself in beautiful landscapes, step out of your daily routine, and immerse yourself in positive ways of thinking and living. I’m excited to share these concepts with you while we actively explore stunning landscapes and cultures.

These retreats create an opportunity for you to deeply focus on inner work, connecting to the divine within and harmonizing with the energy of the natural world.

I’ll share with you all I’ve learned in nearly 30 years of Taoist meditation, as well as the wisdom garnered from becoming a certified facilitator of Stanford University’s Compassion Cultivation Training.

Local Guide Murray:

Revealing stories of Scotland with humor and passion is Murray’s specialty. He has an exhaustive knowledge of Scotland’s history, legend, and geography, so each day, he finds something special to share with us.

Some days he’ll share ancient myths as if he’d lived with the fairies themselves; other days, he’ll tell you the name of every mountain and loch we pass. Every day he’ll keep you entertained on the journey with music and stories and help you learn to love Scotland as he does.

From the moment you meet Murray, you’ll feel like you’ve found that long-lost Scottish friend you never knew you had.

I look forward to spending time with you! If you have any questions, please email me at amy@amypatteecolvin.com.

Investment & Registration:

Investment: USD $4,495 per person based on double occupancy.

• Space is limited to 12 guests. Ensure your spot by placing your deposit now.
• A deposit of $2,200 is required to reserve your space, with the balance due by June 1, 2024. Payment plans are available. Please contact me for more information.
• You are welcome to register as an individual, and I will match you with a person of the same gender to share a room.
• Single rooms are available with a supplement of $1,300.

Cancellation Policy:

• Your deposit is fully refundable until March 15th, 2024. After that date, if you choose to cancel, your deposit is transferable to a future trip.
• I highly recommend that you purchase travel insurance, which covers emergency medical treatment, evacuation, and trip cancellation.

Register and place your deposit below, or email me at amy@amypatteecolvin.com if you’d prefer to pay with a check or Venmo.

Food budget is roughly $550 per person