Explore & Connect – Scotland & Ireland

Discover the beauty, history, and culture of Scotland and Ireland with fellow alumni, students and friends May 3-15, 2026. Led by Michael F. Fales ’75, director of service learning and campus ministries, this 12-day journey takes you from the Scottish Highlands to the rolling green landscapes of Ireland. Highlights include Edinburgh Castle, Loch Ness, the Cliffs of Moher, and the vibrant city of Dublin.

With comfortable accommodations, guided tours, and unique cultural experiences, this trip offers the perfect blend of exploration, learning, and fellowship with the Olivet community.

Itinerary

Sunday, May 3: Departure
Group departs US – flights arranged on own. Airfare not included

Monday, May 4: Edinburgh, Scotland

• Explore the Royal Mile with your guide
• Admission: Scottish Story telling Centre (John Knox House)
• The oldest, original medieval building srviving on the Royal Mile, dating to 1470 Admission: St Giles’ Cathedral
• Dinner at hotel or local restaurant walkable from hotel, 3 course meal incl. 1 glass of wine & water, coffee, tea
• Hotel: Ibis Edinburgh Centre South Bridge

Tuesday, May 5: Edinburgh, Scotland

• Breakfast included
• This morning we head to the Castle Admission: Edinburgh Castle
• Our next stop is to learn about Scottish Wiskey Admission: Scotch Whisky Experience
• Free time for lunch on own
• Admission: Holyroodhouse Palace with audio guide
• Visit the official Scotland residence of His Majesty, King Charles III
• The remainder afternoon is yours to explore the city of Edinburgh Dinner on own
• Hotel: Ibis Edinburgh Centre South Bridge

Wednesday, May 6: Aviemore, Scotland

• Breakfast included
• Admission Free (donations accepted): Stop in Dunning to visit St Serfs Church and the Dupplin Cross
• View the Latin inscription on the Dupplin Cross – it uniquely records the name of a Pictish king
• Admission: Dalwhinnie Distillery Tour (45 mins)
• Admission Free: Highland Folk Museum (an open air museum with thatched cottages give a flavor how how people lived from the 1700’s onwards)
• Take a walk in Aviemore and view the stone circle
• Dinner on own
  Hotel: MacDonald Highlands Hotel

Thursday, May 7: Aviemore, Scotland

• Breakfast included
• Today head into Speyside and visit Elgin Cathedral
• Admission: Elgin Cathedral
• Admission: Speyside Cooperage, standard tour, 45 mins
• Admission: Distillery Tour and tasting such as Cardhu (max 16 per tour)
• Dinner on own
• Hotel: MacDonald Highlands Hotel

Friday, May 8: Ohan, Scotland

• Breakfast included
• Departure to Loch Ness
• Loch Ness Cruise The Clansman and Urquhart Castle (1 hour cruise+ 1 hour at castle)
• Continue on to Oban with stops enroute such as Caledonian Canal and Fort William
• Dinner on own
• Hotel: Muthu Alexandra Hotel

Saturday, May 9: Oban, Scotland

• Breakfast included
• Ferry from Oban to Craignure, roundtrip (coach fee)
• Ferry from Oban to Craignure, round trip (passenger fare)
• Drive across Mull
• Ferry between Fionnphort on Isle of Mull and Iona – roundtrip (group travels on ferry as foot passengers as the bus is not allowed on Iona)
• Admission: Iona Abbey
• Return to Oban via coach and ferry
• Dinner at hotel restaurant, 3 course meal incl. 1 glass of wine & water, coffee, tea
• Hotel: Muthu Alexandra Hotel

Sunday, May 10: Dublin, Ireland

• Breakfast included
• Departure from Oban to Glasgow Airport
• Dinner at local restaurant, 3 course meal incl. 1 glass of wine & water, coffee, tea
• Hotel: Harcourt Hotel

Monday, May 11: Dublin, Ireland

• Breakfast included
• Admission free: St Audoen’s Church – Dublin’s oldest parish church, built in 1190
• Admission: Christ Church, founded in the 11th century by a Viking King
• Admission: Book of Kells Experience at Trinity College (books may not be on display as the library is undergoing renovations)
• Admission: Jameson Distillery
• Dinner on own
• Hotel: Harcourt Hotel

Tuesday, May 12: Limerick, Co. Limerick

• Breakfast included
• Admission: Bru na Boinne Visitor Centre, Chamber Access Tour (Newgrange) (very limited availability for groups)
• If Newgrange is unable to accommodate the group we can try for the Hill of Tara and make a stop at Monasterboice
• Admission: Clonmacnoise – see the magnificent 10th century Cross of the Scriptures, Ruins of early Christian graveslabs, round towers and Cathedral
• Dinner on own
• Hotel: Maldron Hotel Limerick

Wednesday, Killarney, Co. Kerry

• Breakfast included
• Admission: Cliffs of Moher Visitor Center
• Ferry transportation across the Shannon Estuary on the Wild Atlantic Way from Killimer to Tarbert (one way)
• Admission: Dingle Distillery (max may be 12 per tour)
• Dinner on own
• Hotel: Earls Court House

Thursday, May 14: Dublin, Ireland

• Breakfast included
• Admission: Rock of Cashel
• From the Rock of Cashel, it is a 10-15 min walk to Hore Abbey (free admission). Coach can’t access the Abbey so you would have to walk to and from the Rock
• Irish Night at Arlington or Belevedere Hotel, 3 course dinner includes tea/coffee (limited availability for groups)
• Hotel: Harcourt Hotel, Dublin

Friday, May 15: Departure to Dublin Airport

Learn More

Click here to listen to our recorded information session. Use passcode: 2fF&Rx=u

If Paying by Check

The University of Olivet
320 S Main St.
Attn Robin Hinman, Advancement, Dole Hall 145
Olivet, Michigan 49076

• Make check payable to: The University of Olivet
• Memo line: Scotland & Ireland Trip
• Payment may also be hand delivered

Tour Cost

• $4,529 per person based on double occupancy
• $5,893 person based on single occupancy
• Airfare NOT included.
• Includes hotel accommodations and breakfast

Deposit & Payment

1. $450 nonrefundable deposit due October 15, 2025
2. 1/2 of balance due December 1, 2025
3. Final payment due January 20, 2026.

Not Included

• Airfare
• Meals, unless listed in the itinerary
• Porterage of suitcases at hotels, airports, etc. unless listed in itinerary
• Tips for drivers, guides and other services
• Travel Protection