Scotland: In the Footsteps of the Picts 531
Scotland: In the Footsteps of the Picts 531
Scotland: In the Footsteps of the Picts 531
4 Days Starting in Edinburgh, UK and ending in Various pick-up points available - please contact us for details
Visiting: National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh, Aberlemno, Saint Vigeans, Perth Art Gallery, The McManus: Dundee's Art Gallery & Museum, East Lomond, St Andrews
Tour operator:
Tour code:
BPIC
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
6 - 25
Age range:
1-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Vegans, Meat, Please contact Brightwater with any specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Tour Overview
Living beyond the northern frontier of the Roman Empire, the people of northern Scotland in the Dark Ages were known as the Picts – a name given by the Romans meaning the ‘painted - tattooed ones'. They were renowned as one of the most warlike of the Celtic barbarian tribes of Europe, successfully attacking the Roman army, and yet few of their homes or forts have ever been found. They did however leave behind some of the finest carved stones and jewellery from anywhere in early medieval Europe, before their culture disappeared around 900AD.
During this tour we will travel through the heartland of the southern Picts in Perthshire and Angus, tracking down these elusive people and coming face-to-face with them through the clues of their everyday life as seen in the incredible artistry of their monumental stone sculpture. We’ll explore a newly excavated fortress of the Pictish kings, and view their exquisite jewellery and symbols of power in important museum collections in Edinburgh and Perth – with unique access to new discoveries.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1
Location: National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Links Hotel, Montrose
Meals Included: Dinner
We depart by coach from our pick-up points Glasgow and Edinburgh and transfer to our first visit, the National Museum of Scotland in Chambers Street, Edinburgh (where you may also join the tour). Here we will be joined by one of the curators for a specially-arranged guided tour of the collection Pictish jewellery and sculpture held here, which includes the St Ninian’s Isle Treasure, which was discovered in Shetland in 1958 and is the only Scottish hoard of fine metalwork of this date to survive in its entirety.
We then continue to our hotel where dinner will be served in the evening.
Day 2
Location: Aberlemno, Saint Vigeans
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Links Hotel, Montrose
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast we begin with a visit to the symbol-inscribed cross-slab depicting angels and a striding cloaked figure at Eassie.
We then travel through beautiful Strathmore to Brechin, with its intact early medieval round-tower (one of only two in Scotland) with Romanesque carvings. In the adjacent cathedral are the remains of an inscribed cross-slab depicting the Virgin and Child; a unique recumbent slab of 10th/11th century date, and an upright cross-slab from nearby Aldbar depicting the biblical King David.
We then have another sculptural high-point with a visit to nearby Aberlemno, with its four magnificent Pictish stones. Arranged along the roadside are two pre-Christian pillar stones inscribed with mysterious Pictish symbols, along with a magnificent cross-slab carved with a hunting scene and book-wielding angels. In the churchyard is one of the finest of all Pictish cross-slabs with its famous depiction of a battle, thought by some to depict the Pictish defeat of the mighty Anglo-Saxon army at Nechtanesmere in 685 AD.
From here we travel the short distance to St Vigeans Museum of Pictish Sculpture, which houses one of the most important collections of early medieval sculpture in Western Europe, comprising 26 stone sculptures of the 8th-10th centuries, including cross slabs, recumbent gravestones, a ‘hogback’ stone and rare architectural fragments. We then go next door to visit the old parish church, on the site of a royal Pictish monastery – a close examination of the church walls will reward us with the discovery of fragments of other stones still held fast within the medieval mortar.
Dinner is served in the evening back at our hotel.
Day 3
Location: Perth Art Gallery, The McManus: Dundee's Art Gallery & Museum
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Links Hotel, Montrose
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast we head west into the edge of the Highlands to Dunkeld ('The Fort of the Caledonians') on the River Tay where we will visit a Pictish hillfort.
We then head a few miles south to the attractive village of Dunning, Perthshire, a focus of the cult of St Serf. We will visit the site of the Pictish monastery, now occupied by St Serf’s church, with its early 12th-century tower and rare Romanesque doorway. Our focus, however, is the magnificent 9th-century Dupplin Cross with its inscription to King Constantine (died 820).
We then travel the short distance to Forteviot, the royal centre of the Pictish kings, where king Cináed mac Alpín died in palacio in 858, having created the first unified Scottish kingdom of the Picts and Gaels. Part of this may be reflected in the unique Forteviot arch, now in the National Museum in Edinburgh. The fragmentary remains of four major monuments from Forteviot have recently been redisplayed in the church, together with the hand-bell of an early saint.
From here we continue to Perth Museum with its fine display of Pictish sculpture, notably the St Madoe’s cross slab.
Dinner is served in the evening.
Day 4
Location: East Lomond, St Andrews
Meals Included: Breakfast
Following breakfast we check out of the hotel and drive to St Andrews, where we see the decorated stone sarcophagus of a great Pictish king, featuring biblical royal imagery along with artistic influences showing their European connections.
Then we’ll take a boat (weather permitting) to visit the monastery on the Isle of May at the mouth of the Firth of Forth, a national nature reserve with many thousands of breeding seabirds. Excavations here have revealed an early Christian site with 1000 years of sanctity, which was a place of healing and healthcare, attracting generations of pilgrims, some of whom died and were buried here. Examination of their skeletons have given unique insights into illness and care in the Pictish period.
Sailing back to the mainland the Isle of May, our last connection with the Picts, will slowly disappear from view, just as they themselves vanished into the mists of time over a thousand years ago.
Following this we return to our original departure points, with arrival due in the early evening.
What's Included
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Accommodation
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Services of a professional tour manager
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Comfortable coach travel throughout
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Meals - as per the itinerary
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All visits as outlined in the itinerary
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
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International Travel
Check out our Q&As
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Yes
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Are flights included in this tour?
No
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Yes
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
Yes
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Will I receive more details of the holiday before I travel?
You will receive detailed joining instructions around 10 days prior to you departure, but you are of course welcome to contact us at any time should you have any queries.
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What facilities do your coaches have?
Generally, our coaches have reclining seats, air-conditioning and toilets, however this cannot always be guaranteed as sometimes we have to use smaller vehicles. Toilets are recommended for emergency use only and regular comfort stops will be made throughout your holiday while travelling around.
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Do I have to go on the included excursions?
Absolutely not. You are more than welcome to spend the day at your hotel or exploring independently should you wish. All we ask is that you inform your Tour Manager, so they are not left waiting for you to join the group.
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Is there time to relax?
Although our itineraries may seem jam-packed, boasting access to some of the most exclusive sites across the UK and beyond, a Brightwater Holiday is just that: a holiday. Each trip will counter in more than enough free-time for you to explore places at your own leisure. And with most nights and the majority of meals being included in our tour prices, you can relax in hand-picked accommodation.
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Do I need to be an expert?
Absolutely not! Although some of our tours are specifically focused on one thing, all you need to enjoy a Brightwater holiday is interest and bags of enthusiasm! Even on our most specialist tours, we take travellers from all skill levels, from experts to beginners.
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How fit or active do I need to be for one of your holidays?
You need to be able to get on and off the coach unassisted, and most – but not all – coaches have a kneel facility that lowers the front step for ease of boarding
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Do you have self-drive holidays?
Yes, we do – tailored to your exact requirements!
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What’s the luggage allowance on your coaches?
There’s no fixed limit, but we generally say one large suitcase to go in the luggage compartment and a smaller bag that you can take onto the coach with you. For flight-inclusive holidays, we include a luggage allowance of at least 20kg.
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Where are your departure points?
UK garden holidays generally depart from London, with additional pick-ups depending on the route of the coach, while holidays to Scotland depart from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Perth, with Dundee, Inverness and Aberdeen sometimes included. All Eurostar holidays depart from London St. Pancras and flight-inclusive holidays depart from one or more of the main London airports, with regional flights .
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What about the company that will be kept?
For single travellers, those with a companion or even those travelling in a larger group, you'll find that the signature of any Brightwater Holiday is the company. You won't ever be travelling with a group of strangers, instead, you'll find yourself surrounded by like-minded people with a strong shared interest who will soon become your firm friends.
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What is a Brightwater Holiday?
Bursting with enthralling, educational and enlightening itineraries, a Brightwater Holiday, by its very nature, is packed with bucket-list-worthy destinations, behind the scenes passes and expert-led experiences. From creating bespoke quality garden and special interest tours for groups and individuals alike, we have made it our business to make our guests' travel dreams come true.
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Why is there a single supplement?
Unfortunately, single room supplements are charges that are often imposed on us as a company when we book rooms for group holidays. However, most hotels do charge less for single occupancy, and we always pass this saving on to our solo travellers in the form of a modest single supplement.
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How much are your optional excursions?
Prices start from as little as £20, but please contact our friendly team for questions about specific itineraries or excursions.
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Can I pre-book my coach seats?
Yes, you can. In the case of front seats, guests with limited mobility are given priority. Please get in touch with our friendly team to discuss any requirements you may have.
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How to get there? Easy!
With a Brightwater Holiday, the journey is just as important as the destination and we make getting you to your tour start point easy. From organising group flights and individual travel plans, to offering accessible local departure and pick-up points, we go out of our way to ensure that your journey is as convenient and hassle-free as it can be.
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Do I need to have travel insurance?
Travel insurance is required for all overseas holidays and is also strongly recommended for UK holidays – primarily to protect yourself against cancellation charges should you be unable to travel.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Brightwater Holidays allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform brightwater holidays, 25 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Brightwater Holidays requires a minimum deposit of 15% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of brightwater holidays charges.
At 40 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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