Scotland: In the Footsteps of the Picts1st Aug 2025
From:£770
Summary
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.
Regional Flights are available on this tour as an optional supplement - when you make your booking, please select the corresponding pick up point to your chosen airport as listed below:
Gatwick - Edinburgh
Stansted - Edinburgh
Luton - Edinburgh
Bristol - Edinburgh
Birmingham - Edinburgh
What to Expect
- Pictish jewellery and sculpture in the National Museum of Scotland
- Magnificent Pictish stones at Aberlemno
- Pictish stone carving demonstration
- Specially-arranged tour of East Lomond Hillfort
Departure Routes
| Location | Pickup Time | Dropoff Time |
|---|---|---|
| To be advised | 00:00 | 00:00 |
| Glasgow - Bus stop on North Hanover Street, opposite Queens Street Station | 10:00 | 18:45 |
| Edinburgh - Outside Reception of the Delta by Marriott Hotel, Glasgow Road | 11:15 | 17:30 |
** Please note that all timings are approximate and subject to change. Final timings and pick-up points will be confirmed with your joining instructions approximately 10 days prior to departure. **
Day by Day Itinerary
We depart from our pick-up points in 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 we enjoy a visit to their collection of the 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.
Meals includedDinner
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