Scotland, England, & Wales LDS Church History Tour

Sampling of Amazing Historic Sites Visited:

Edinburgh

Capital of Scotland and one of the most beautiful cities in the world.  Enjoy Edinburgh Castle the birthplace of King James I of England (he was also King James VI of Scotland) who authorized what is now known as the King James Version of the Bible.  St. Margaret’s Chapel survived every military demolition and after 900 years it is still in use.  Walk the “Royal Mile” with stops at The Lady Stair Close, Gladstone’s Land, St. Giles, Parliament Square, 17th-century Tron Kirk, & House of John Knox.

Stirling 

The Key to the Scottish Kingdom.  Stirling Castle dating from the end of the Middle Ages, towers above some of the most important battlefields in Scotland’s history during the Scottish struggle against domination by the English.  Mary Queen of Scots spent her childhood here and her coronation was held at this castle.   

Glasgow, Alloway, Ayrshire

Enjoy a delightful, locally guided tour of Glasgow then on to beautiful Alloway, Ayrshire the birthplace of famous Scottish Poet, Robert Burns.  Visit Burns cottage and the informative visitor’s center as well as the famous church in Burns’ epic poem Tam O’Shanter–truly an adventure!  Learn all about the “Brigadoon!” 

Preston and Preston Temple

Travel south from Scotland to Preston to hear amazing, early LDS history in Preston and where the first baptisms were performed in the peaceful River Ribble despite Satan’s attempt to prevent them.  See where Orson Hyde, Heber C. Kimball, and Willard Richards battled with the hosts of Satan.  See the flat where, many years later, young Elder Gordon B. Hinckley was overwhelmed on his mission.  Lovely visit to the beautifully-manicured Preston Temple grounds adjacent to the MTC-Missionary Training Center.

Liverpool

Location of the headquarters for the Church for 59 years including all Church printing, home of the docks where the Apostles arrived in England, and from where most of the early convert Saints sailed for Zion.  If your ancestors emigrated from Europe and/or served a mission in the greater region, they were definitely in Liverpool!  Visit Merseyside Maritime Museum at famous Albert Dock & the site of George’s Dock on the huge River Mersey where the collections reflect the international importance of Liverpool as a gateway to the world including its role in the transatlantic slave trade, & emigration to the west.

Llandudno

Beautiful seaside town that many tour members say is a favorite!  You will enjoy wandering the town & seashore, take a hike or tram to the top of the Great Orme for a panoramic view of the Irish Sea on one side and the estuary to the River Conwy on the other, fun shopping, and evening Welsh musical performances (small admission, on own).

Conwy

Enjoy a stunning eagle-eye-view walk along the tops of the walls of medieval fortress Conwy Castle overlooking the town and harbor with Wales’ majestic Snowdonia mountain looming, nearby.  The castle is built atop a natural rock formation giving the perfect height for the castle’s dominance with its 12 circular towers.  Stroll through the delightful town, watch sailboats, or tour the castle.  

Isle of Anglesey  

Cross the Menai Strait to explore this beautiful island.  Visit Bryn Celli Ddu, a mysterious, ancient burial structure rich in neolithic history.  This impressive prehistoric chambered tomb, with partially a restored entrance passage and mound, is on the site of a former henge monument.
Stop by Llanfairpwllgwyngllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch—the town with the longest name in Wales.  Translated it means “The Church of St. Mary in the hollow of white hazel near the rapid whirlpool by the Church of St. Tysilio by the red cave”–you can’t miss it!  (AKA:  LlanfairPG–for short!)

Blaenau Ffestiniog & Porthmadog

Travel to the former slate capital of the world.  A fascinating trip down into Llechwedd Slate Caverns will provide you with a clearer idea as to what many of our ancestors went through to earn their small pittance, each week–it’s an eye-opener!  Take an exciting narrow-gauge steam railroad journey through incredibly beautiful countryside–not accessible by car or coach–from Blaenau Ffestiniog to the picturesque town of Porthmadog.

Aberystwyth

University Town & amazing visit to National Library of Wales with exhibits & displays of Welsh heritage.  Those with specific need can spend hours at the library researching precious Welsh ancestral records only available here!  Or, enjoy an afternoon walking among beautiful local shops and the magnificent beach.  Walk the seaside “Prom” and follow local custom by kicking the iron bar at the end of the Promenade.  This town is another favorite–located on the seashore, our hotel looks out over the beautiful waves and beach… truly an aaahhhhh day….

Cenarth Falls, Laughrne, Carmarthen, & Swansea

Learn about coracles, fascinating ancient fishing boats (small, one-man portable vessels), from a delightful local expert at Cenarth Falls.  Stop by a delightful wool museum to see the process collecting, carding, spinning, and weaving this precious commodity.  Visit Carmarthen, the oldest town in Wales (and legend has it that Merlin the wizard was born here!).  Enjoy an overnight in Swansea (“Copperopolis”) the principal copper smelting center for the world in the 19th Century and a center of the LDS Church missionary efforts in the 1840s and 50s.  

Llanybydder

Visit the still standing Glantren Fawr Farm in Llanybydder, a site of great significance in Welsh Mormon Church.  Home to Thomas and Sarah Evans Jeremy, the first to be converted in the village by missionary Dan Jones!  Thomas became one of Dan Jones’s most dear friends.  Thomas later returned to Wales on two occasions to do missionary work.

Llanelli & Cardiff

You’ll love visiting Llanelli where many converted to Mormonism in the mid-19th century.  Travel on to Cardiff to St Fagan’s Folk Museum, an open-air village chronicling the historical lifestyle, culture, and architecture of the Welsh people–see how your ancestors lived thru the ages.  Venture on to Cardiff docks, Wales’ southern port.  At its peak of the coal industry, these docks were one of the largest in the world transporting goods & coal to the world. 

Merthyr Tydfil

Enjoy Merthyr Tydfil (named after a Welsh Christian princess) the birthplace of David O. McKay’s mother and a successful area for missionary Captain Dan Jones as well as many other missionaries.  Enjoy a walking tour of old downtown Merthyr.  Drive by Cyfarthfa Castle built by William Crawshav, the “Iron Lord.”  Visit the beautiful cemetery on a lush, rolling hillside. 

Blaenavon

Travel underground in a pit cage deep into the Big Pit Coal Mining Museum for an eye-opening tour led by ex-miners.  Walk the underground roadways, stables, and engine house built by generations of mine workers.  Gain a deep appreciation for the arduous labor most Welsh ancestors endured and it will become very clear why our ancestors chose to leave the lush-green Cambrian countryside.  We will then make our way across the vast Severn River to the London Heathrow Airport area for overnight before our return trip home on a new, non-stop flight to SLC.  Rejoice as you ponder all that you have come to experience and appreciate of your ancestors, where they lived and toiled, where they were converted to the gospel, and where they departed from as they answered the call to gather to Zion!

DO YOU HAVE WELSH ANCESTRY?  Dr. Ron Dennis, the ultimate LDS Welsh Historian and initial creator of these tours, has compiled LDS Welsh research at http://welshmormon.byu.edu/Default.aspx – look to see if your ancestors are listed!

WAIT LIST/CUSTOM TOURS

If none of the above dates are suitable for your large group, please call us at 801-272-5601 to discuss the possibility of adding a tour to accommodate your schedule. IF YOUR PREFERRED TOUR IS FULL, CALL FOR OPTIONS (wait list, alternate tours).  

PASSPORT

Passport required (valid at least 6 months beyond return date).  Application process can take extra time, generally 3 months–apply right away!  Notify Mormon Heritage Association upon signup if you are NOT a US Citizen (for government visa regulations).

GUIDES

Host names are those currently scheduled and most likely to serve.  We reserve the right to make changes in tour hosts or adjustments to the tour schedule–which we will do only if absolutely necessary. Tour hosts and tour planners are diligent researchers/students of the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and are prepared to present the tours in a respectful and agreeable manner conducive to The Church of Jesus Christ’s teachings, attitudes, and direction.

PAYMENT POLICY

Your reservation is secured with a $200 deposit per seat on a first-come, first-served basis.  The balance is due 100 days prior to departure.  Mail checks to Mormon Heritage Association, 2367 W Goldenpointe Way, West Jordan, UT 84088.  Be sure to indicate the tour ID number or departure date and for whom you are paying.  Credit cards by phone +5% fee (card fee waived on initial deposit), 801-272-5601 or toll-free 866-335-5601.  Full terms and conditions contained in individual confirmation letters or available pre-deposit, if requested.

CANCELLATION POLICY

If you have to cancel, there is a $50/person cancellation/administrative fee, at minimum.  If someone takes your place, payments are refunded less any costs we incur to procure your replacement and $50 cancel/admin fee.  If nobody takes your place, you would lose $50 cancel/admin fee and any non-refundable costs at the time of your cancellation.

WHAT'S INCLUDED/NOT INCLUDED

Advertised prices include:  all breakfasts & dinners, very nice lodging, group admissions, charter bus, and expert MHA guide services, group entrance fees, deluxe charter bus, personal headsets while touring, and expert MHA & local guide services.  SLC GROUP AIRFARE included IF noted until all our air seats are claimed or airline requires purchase, whichever comes first.  No surprise add-ons.

NOT included:  any airport meals, free-time activities, lunches, transportation to family ancestral sites not reachable by bus (taxi expense is worth it once you’ve gone all that way, why not go all the way!?), some meal tips, any airline baggage or upgrade fees, optional trip insurance, personal expenses (souvenirs, photos, Wi-Fi, beverages, etc)..  $4/day per person gratuity for the bus driver collected on tour. 

Prices contingent upon international exchange rate stability; though not expected, possible price adjustments to be made as necessary in the event of major exchange rate fluctuation.  Posted prices are “cash/check” prices; credit/debit cards incur 5% non-refundable fee (card fee waived on initial deposit).

AIR TRAVEL

If not flying with the SLC group (such as using award miles or coming from another city), it is your responsibility to notify MHA upon signup and coordinate your schedule with the group schedule.  Air from other cities also available, by request.  Individuals may provide own air to/from the tour (must coordinate with group flight schedule to avoid missing any sites and additional personal expense such as a taxi). Please call for details.  801-272-5601, 866-335-5601. 

MAXIMUM ROOM OCCUPANCY

Maximum 2 persons per room.

FIT TO TRAVEL

Registrants accept the responsibility for being in good health and able to walk distances, climb stairs, and be able to independently travel well from early morning into the evening. Sites may not always be accessible to the physically challenged–those needing ambulatory assistance will find the tour extremely limiting to their experiences.

SOLO TRAVELERS

Traveling alone?  Would you like help finding a roommate to decrease your tour price?  Let us know when you REGISTER and we’ll do what we can to connect you with a compatible roommate.  You might just make a new, long-lasting friendship!

TOUR SCHEDULE CHANGES

We reserve the right to make changes/adjustments to the tour schedule–which we will do only if absolutely necessary.

Call 801-272-5601 or REGISTER ONLINE now for THE VERY BEST CHURCH HISTORY TOURS!