Fun Club Travel has recently returned from a twelve-day tour of Scotland and Northern Ireland. Led by Fun Club leader Joey Parrott, the group of twelve travelers from Dalton, Chatsworth, and Chattanooga flew into Edinburgh to begin their journey west across southern Scotland to the Inner Hebrides Islands, then south to Northern Ireland, and back east to Dublin in the Republic of Ireland.
During the first two days in Edinburgh, tour members visited the Royal Yacht Britannia, Edinburgh Castle that sits on an extinct volcano high above the city, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse that is Queen Elizabeth’s official residence in Scotland. Walking along the Royal Mile that traverses the oldest part of Edinburgh, the group toured a distillery, browsed the numerous shops, and sampled the Scottish foods.
Their journey through the Scottish countryside included a tour of Stirling Castle, home of the Stewart kings and queens; a drive through the Trossachs National Park; a cruise on Loch Lomond, the largest body of fresh water in Britain; and a demonstration of sheep-herding dogs performing their jobs.
A ferry ride across the Firth of Lorne to the Isle of Mull took the group to Duart Castle, a 13th century fortress of the Clan Maclean. Another ferry ride took them to the Isle of Iona where they toured the Iona Abbey and Nunnery, founded by St. Columba in 563. Scholars believe that the Book of Kells that the group saw at Trinity College in Dublin had its beginnings here at the Abbey.
After a ferry ride across the North Channel to Northern Ireland, the group toured Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland, where they saw the grim reminders of the past sectarian violence that has racked the city for centuries. Within this peaceful city today, they also saw the ship yard where the Titanic was built and heard the plans for the new exhibit that will mark its 100th anniversary.
A day trip along the Coastal Highway through the nine glens of Antrim took the group to the Giant’s Causeway where the group walked along the regularly shaped columns that are so closely packed together that they form stepping stones into the sea. Formed over 60 million years ago after a volcanic eruption, these mostly hexagonal columns reach as high as 36 feet.
In Londonderry (Derry), the group walked along the top of the city wall learning the history of the Ulster Scots, many of whom are the ancestors of the Scots Irish who have played such a large role in American history. The group also saw the fine artisans producing the fine Parian China at Belleek Pottery; journeyed to Malin Head, Ireland’s northernmost point; drove through Glenveagh National Park, 40,000 acres of woods, lakes, and mountains, and toured Glenveagh Castle with its lush gardens and thick trees sitting in stark contrast to the Park’s heather and grassy wilderness.
The group’s final stop was Dublin where they toured St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the Guinness Storehouse, and Trinity College.
Throughout the trip, the group sampled the traditional foods of the two countries. On their last night in Scotland, they were treated to Haggis, Neeps, and Tatties (minced organ meats boiled in the stomach of an animal; turnips, and potatoes) with a “wee dram.” A bagpiper led the chef into the dining room as he carried the haggis. The group sampled Guinness at the Guinness Brewery in Dublin.
Enjoying the tour of Scotland and Ireland were Joey Parrott, the leader, Sally Butler, Mary Ann Butler, James and Jane Adams, Randall and Linda Morrison, Robert and Dorothy Weathersby, Justin Bolinger, and Ronald and Ruth Henry.
For information on other trips planned by Fun Club Travel, contact Joey Parrott at (706) 226-1514. Currently, trips are planned for the Northern National Parks July 15-22 and Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji October 27-November 17.