Templar Scotland Trail - Please note this tour is offered to private parties only, ranging from 1 upwards.
An enlightening tour of Templar mystical sites from Scotland with knowledgeable author-guide Jackie Queally. Following major ley lines known to the Knights Templar, this tour is more than a jaunt through beautiful Scotland! You can connect to the magic of the land, its fascinating history and still tangible energies.
This tour is borne of Jackie's knowledge and interest in history and the energetic qualities to many of the Templar sites in Scotland. Since the Knights Templar often built on earlier sacred sites, the tour looks at various bodies of knowledge through the ages and also how the land itself is vibrant in attracting various groups to settle on it over time. The early knights worked closely with those who were well versed in the art of navigation, and many of their sites in Ireland and Scotland were coastal.
This follows an earlier theme in Celtic days when the early saints had to rely on navigating the seas between the two countries of Scotland and Ireland. Scotland more than Ireland has a rich heritage of Templar sites, including marvellous burial stones. The knights seemed to possess a good understanding of sacred geometry and ley lines in the land, and settled accordingly. Jackie has written two major books on this subject and is also able to dowse the patterns on the land. Dowsing at the sites is encouraged but not necessary. Rods are provided free, while pendulums locally produced are for sale at a reasonable rate. A wide range of people may enjoy the tour. Individuals may book this tour as well as groups.
Full itinerary is available only upon request. Sites visited depend on duration of tour - they include Argyll, Midlothian (where Rosslyn Chapel and other monuments are situated), and parts of the Highlands where their influence remained for a long time.
Since the main bulk of the Templars in France departed from La Rochelle to sail to the Isle of May, trips to this island in the Firth of Forth can be included in summer.
Sites visited depend on nature of group on tour - they can include Argyll and the west coast, Midlothian (where Rosslyn and other major Templar settlements were situated), and parts of the Highlands where their influence remained for a long time.
Example Itinerary
Day 1: Travel to Loch Tay Valley via Culross and Stirling to view Templar stones and wells and battle memorial sites Stay in Fortingall Hotel for 2 nights
Day 2: Travel to sites close to Loch Tay near Aberfeldy Visit early painted masonic ceilings in highland chapel, old memorial stones with interesting heraldry in disused chapel, old monastic sites that Templars re-used etc
Day 3: Drive over Perthshire Highlands via Killin to Oban area. Visit many fascinating sites in Glen Lyon with ample complimentary notes. Visit old Templar sites in Kilmartin and Loch Awe area, travelling along single track roads in scenic Argyllshire. Stay at Loch Melfort Hotel for 2 nights with its charming subtropical gardens on shore of loch.
Day 4: Continue exploration of area by venturing into Knapdale and Mull of Kintrye to view significant abbeys and churches with Templar burial marker stones on coast.
Day 5: drive back to Edinburgh via Kilwinning Abbey (location of Lodge 0 in Masonic tradition)
Day 6 Rosslyn in afternoon with private talk in evening
Day 7 Midlothian and East Lothian - Winton House in Pencaitland for lunch (minimum number required for this). Winton was a Seton stronghold- the Setons were close companions to the Sinclairs of Rosslyn during the Crusades. Also Borthwick and Crichton Collegiate Churches, Newbattle (Cistercian Abbey site) and of course Temple, old headquarters of the Knights Templar
All sites will be revealed to groups or individuals who book. There are also burial grounds in the Edinburgh area that remain undisclosed due to respect for the sites, as there is a need for tighter security these days due to the presence of "Grail-diggers"!