Traveler Information
for England/Scotland

Our pilgrimages to Scotland and England offer meaningful opportunities to explore denominational histories and modern expressions of faith. Large cities such as London and Edinburgh were important to the Presbyterian, Anglican, and Methodist faiths, while smaller cities like Oxford, Canterbury, and Glasgow contributed in equally important ways to the formation and growth of these traditions. Beyond church history, the UK is home to numerous sacred places including The Holy Island of Lindisfarne, Iona, and Whithorn.

Weather

The weather in the UK is temperate. Winters are rarely cold enough for significant snow. Summer days are generally mild with cool nights, though recent heatwaves have made some days less comfortable. There is a chance of rain all year, with July and August being the driest months. We rarely amend our itineraries for rain unless there is a torrential downpour or lightning storm.

Currently in Edinburgh
43°
Cloudy

Packing

One pilgrimage practice is simplicity, so we recommend packing light. You should also be able to manage your own luggage between the airport, bus, and hotels. You can wear clothes multiple times, do a little laundry in the sink, or send a few items out for laundry through the hotel. We recommend packing clothing that can be layered for warm days and cool nights. Unless specifically mentioned, you won't need to dress up for dinners or other occasions. Some other things for your England or Scotland packing list include:

o Raincoat
o Waterproof shoes or boots
o Small umbrella
o Rain pants (optional)
o G-type power adapters
o Quick-drying washcloth (washcloths are often not provided at hotels)

Free Time

Our pilgrimages tend to be structured with few large blocks of free time for independent exploration. If your itinerary indicates a free morning or afternoon, you can expect to have at least 3-4 hours of time. We’ll do our best to clarify when that free time begins as the details of your itinerary become firm. You may wish to use this time to shop and explore independently or for some rest and reflection time. If you want to do even more, here are some links to sites that might require prebooking tickets:

England

Scotland

Money

Staying Connected

In the UK, credit cards are widely accepted, even for small purchases like a single pint at the pub, and tap-to-pay is very common. Check with your credit card provider about any international transaction fees, and let them know about your travel plans.

ATMs, called Cash Points, are available at the airport and are ubiquitous in most cities. Avoid processing transactions at ATMs or other checkouts in dollars as you may be charged high conversion fees. Always process transactions in the local currency. There is no ATM on Iona, so be sure to get cash before heading to the island.

The Pound Sterling is the currency England and Scotland. Technically, Pounds obtained in Scotland can be used in England, but some stores in England may not accept them.

In the UK, tipping is becoming more common but not at the rates most Americans expect. In a pub, leaving the coin change to the next Pound or Euro is common but not expected. A tip of 5-10% at a sit-down restaurant is generous but not expected. Only some restaurants will allow you to add a tip to a credit card payment.

Your pilgrimage includes all gratuities for guides, drivers, hotel staff, and meals taken together. Hotel gratuities are split among all staff, so if you want to tip a particular staff member, give them the tip directly. Housekeeping tips can be left in the room upon checkout.

Being disconnected from the constant onslaught of information and communication can be refreshing during a pilgrimage, so consider limiting your use of the internet during the day. You can expect wi-fi in all of your hotel accommodations but not usually on buses or coaches.

If you wish to have cellular or data connectivity during your pilgrimage, please contact your carrier to find out more about the cost of international roaming and the level of coverage you can expect. If your phone is unlocked you can also purchase a local SIM or eSIM for a less expensive option. Some SIM plans offer only data while others provide calling, too. SIMs purchased in the airport are generally over priced compared to visiting a neighborhood shop

All of our pilgrimages use WhatsApp to communicate with group members during your travels together. Be sure to download and install WhatsApp on your smartphone at least a week before departure so we can add you to the group for your pilgrimage.

WhatsApp is also a great way to stay connected with family and friends at home since it allows you to call and text over a wi-fi connection

Educational Resources

Travelers who do a little bit of preparation often have a richer experience on their pilgrimage. We send all our travelers a series of short articles about two months before your departure to help orient your journey in its historical and spiritual context. About a month in advance of the trip, we'll also send a print journal you can use during your pilgrimage. In addition to these resources, you might enjoy one or two selections from our extended reading list.