The Archaeology of Macbeth

Distinguishing fact from fiction in the ‘Scottish Play’

8 Days From $3,670pp Departing Sep ‘21, May & Jul ‘22 Activity Level

There are few plays as captivating as Macbeth, and none more closely associated with Scotland. This tour unravels the mystery of Macbeth and reveals the truth behind the words. We put the play in the context of its time, chronicle Scottish witchcraft and consider the country’s history from the Picts to Macbeth.

Tour Highlights

• Discover the history of Scottish royalty in palaces such as Glamis, Scone and Holyrood • Explore little-known sites in Scotland such as Birnie Kirk and Spynie Palace • Admire romantic ruins in Scotland, including St. Andrews Cathedral and

Dunkeld Cathedral

Elgin

Dunfermline

Edinburgh St Andrews

Day One | Edinburgh We meet in Edinburgh, Scotland’s majestic capital. The afternoon is spent exploring the National Museum of Scotland, where amongst myriad other treasures we view an important collection of Pictish stones, and we also take a tour of Edinburgh Castle, which towers over the city upon a rocky promontory. This much-besieged fortress was the birthplace of James I and is home to the famous Stone of Destiny, a relic of Scottish kingship from earliest times. Day Two | Edinburgh Today we will be considering the role of James I/VI in history, his obsession with witch-hunting and the turbulent reign of his mother, Mary Queen of Scots. We do this through an exploration of Scotland’s most famous thoroughfare, the ‘Royal Mile’, taking in St. Giles Cathedral (the high kirk of Edinburgh) and John Knox House, owned and inhabited by the Protestant reformer in the 16th century. We continue to the Palace of Holyrood House to visit the Royal Apartments where so many dramatic events in Mary’s life took place, including two of her weddings and the assassination of her private secretary David Rizzio. We end the day with free time, which will allow us to make our own explorations of this enthralling city. Day Three | Dunfermline - St. Andrews - Perth A short journey takes us to Dunfermline Abbey and Palace, founded by Malcolm’s heir, David I, and resting place for many medieval Scottish monarchs. We have lunch at Loch Leven, which offers views to St. Serf’s Island – a location that was made a monastic gift by Macbeth and his queen. The relationship between the monarchy and the church is considered in greater depth during a visit to the ruins of the 12th century St. Andrews Cathedral, formerly the seat of medieval Catholic power in Scotland, and the dramatically situated St. Andrews Castle. We move on to Perth later in the afternoon to begin the next stage of our adventure. Day Four | Perth We spend the morning at Scone Palace, a place drenched in the history and heritage of Scotland. This is the site of the ancient Pictish capital and was later the scene of the crowning of legendary king Robert the Bruce and of Macbeth, as well as the original home of the sacred Stone of Destiny, the key symbol of Scottish Kingship. In the afternoon we move to Dunkeld to explore the partially ruined Gothic Dunkeld Cathedral and to discover the history behind King Duncan and Malcolm. Our day ends back in Perth, where we visit the beautifully carved Pictish Symbol stones at the museum and take a walk through the city’s historic streets. Day Five | Perth - Elgin This morning we visit the Meigle Museum, a small but fascinating exhibition of 27 carved Pictish stones, stopping en route at the Hill of Dunsinane with its ancient hillfort. It is here that Macbeth is told: “Macbeth shall never vanquished be until / Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill / Shall come against him.” We next explore Glamis Castle, the setting for Macbeth and beloved home of the late Queen Mother, which has been described as the most beautiful castle in Scotland. We then proceed into the heart of Macbeth’s ancestral territory, where we see the Peel of Lumphanan, the site of a medieval timber castle, along with Macbeth’s Stone, marking the spot where Macbeth is reputed to have been beheaded. Mortlach Parish Church occupies a site of ancient and important religious significance in Macbeth’s day. We end the day in Elgin. Day Six | Elgin Today we take in areas that were at the heart of the life of Macbeth and his mysterious Queen, Gruoch. We visit the important Celtic Christian site of Birnie Kirk, the 12th century church that was the first cathedral of the Bishop of Moray, and Spynie Palace, the residence of the Bishops of Moray for 500 years. We also take in the impressive Pictish Sueno Symbol stone, which stands at 6.5m tall. We return to Elgin to visit the ancient Pictish Burghead Fort, an important base for Macbeth in battling Norse incursions, and the romantic ruins of Elgin Cathedral, so-called ‘lantern of the north’, before a visit to Elgin Museum, which showcases a timeline of the region from prehistory to the present day. Day Seven | Elgin The final full day of our tour is spent exploring the legacy of Shakespeare’s play, how the ‘myth of Macbeth’ has overtaken historic fact, and how that shapes Scotland today. We begin at Cawdor Castle – built some centuries after the death of Macbeth but forever associated with his status as ‘Thane of Cawdor’. We then go on to spend the afternoon at Groam House Museum, home to some excellent examples of Celtic and Pictish art. Within its renowned collections are Pictish carved stones, including the Rosemarkie stone. Day Eight | Elgin - Aberdeen - Edinburgh We begin our journey back to Edinburgh via the ‘granite city’ of Aberdeen, stopping for lunch en route.

Guided by Elizabeth Cory-Lopez

Having taught on the archaeology of Scotland, Elizabeth now has 20 years of experience as a professional guide.

Price includes

• Expert Guide Lecturer & Professional Tour Manager • Entries to all sites as per the itinerary • All taxes & gratuities Included travel

• All local transport Accommodation

• Accommodation at the Glasshouse Hotel Edinburgh, The

Royal George Hotel Perth & The Mansfield Hotel Elgin Culinary inclusions

• 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches & 7 dinners • Water with all meals, wine and tea or coffee with dinner

Dates & prices per person

Date Twin/Dbl Share SS 5th - 12th Sep ‘21 $3,670 $635 15th - 22nd May ‘22 $3,845 3rd - 10th Jul ’22 $4,025 $695 $835