Scottish Reformation Tours

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We provide holiday and educational tours of Scotland focusing
on Scottish Reformation and Covenanter History.

31/10/2026

On 31 October 1517, a German monk named Martin Luther issued his Ninety-Five Theses, challenging the Church’s teaching and practice concerning indulgences. That date is now remembered as Reformation Day—a reminder of events whose influence would reach far beyond Germany, including Scotland.

Luther’s initial challenge developed into a much wider call for reform.

As these teachings spread through Europe, they reached a young Scotsman whose life would become closely bound up with Scotland’s Reformation: Patrick Hamilton.

Born around 1504 into a family with royal connections, Hamilton travelled to Paris to study while still a teenager. During his education abroad, he encountered the religious debates sweeping across Europe. By 1524, he had joined the Faculty of Arts at St Andrews, where the ideas associated with Luther would soon bring him into conflict with the Church authorities.

For Hamilton, these questions became much more than an academic interest. He grew convinced that the gospel being proclaimed by the Reformers was rooted in Scripture. In 1527, facing suspicion over his beliefs, he left Scotland for Germany. His time there, including study at Marburg, strengthened the convictions he would carry home.

Hamilton expressed his understanding of the gospel in a short work later known in English as Patrick’s Places. He distinguished between the law, which exposes our sin, and the gospel, which directs us to Christ. Good works could never purchase salvation; they were the fruit of faith in the Saviour..

Returning home in 1527, Hamilton began sharing his beliefs. Scotland’s Reformation was still in its early stages, and openly proclaiming these teachings was dangerous. His preaching soon attracted the attention of Archbishop James Beaton, and Hamilton was brought to trial at St Andrews.

On 29 February 1528, he was condemned for heresy and burned outside St Salvator’s College. He was only about twenty-four years old. Remembered as the first martyr of the Scottish Reformation, Hamilton paid with his life for the gospel he had returned to preach.
His ex*****on did not bring the movement to an end. Instead, his death became one of the defining early events of Scotland’s Reformation. Others would continue to question the Church’s teaching, examine the Scriptures and proclaim salvation through Christ.

Scotland’s Reformation would eventually take a distinctly Reformed shape, particularly through the influence of John Knox and the Swiss Reformers. Yet its early story cannot be separated from Luther’s influence or from Hamilton’s willingness to bring those convictions home.

Discover how the Reformation helped shape Scotland on a Scottish Reformation Tour. Join us as we explore the places where these events unfolded and hear the stories of Patrick Hamilton and others who risked everything for their faith. We would love to welcome you and bring this remarkable history to life.

Scottish Reformation Tours.
Christ Centred, Christian Led, Custom Tours.
www.reformationtours.org

23/10/2026

Edinburgh gave us the full soaking treatment today, with lots of rain from storm Austen! ☔

We welcomed a lovely family from the Netherlands this morning, followed by a wonderful group of ladies from Georgia, USA, this afternoon. The rain certainly made its presence felt—but thankfully, our guests were made of sturdy stuff, as were our umbrellas thankfully!

The Covenanters weren’t easily put off by the weather, and neither were we. A little Edinburgh rain can’t dampen a great day exploring Scotland’s Reformation history. (Plus, we know lots of places to visit indoors too, so its not all rain, rain, rain!)

Come and discover it for yourself, whatever the forecast says.

Scottish Reformation Tours
Christ Centred, Christian Led, Custom Tours.
www.reformationtours.org

17/10/2026

We’re back in Edinburgh again today, exploring the stories and places that make Scotland’s Reformation history so unforgettable.

It’s been a wonderfully busy time at Scottish Reformation Tours, and we’ve had the privilege of meeting so many lovely people along the way. From couples and small groups to larger parties, every tour brings new conversations, shared discoveries and the chance to walk together in the footsteps of the Reformers and Covenanters.

Would you like to experience it for yourself? We offer everything from short walking tours to tailor-made journeys across Scotland.

Find out more at www.reformationtours.org

Scottish Reformation Tours
Christ Centred, Christian Led, Custom Tours.

28/09/2026

We were in Edinburgh on tour today and stopped at the grave of George Buchanan, who died here on this day in 1582. He spent his remarkable life teaching scholars, challenging corruption and impressing upon a young king a dangerous truth: wearing a crown did not place a man above the law.

Born near Killearn in 1506, Buchanan studied at St Andrews and Paris before becoming one of Europe’s most respected teachers and Latin scholars. He taught in France and Portugal, where his religious views brought him before the Portuguese Inquisition. During his confinement, he worked on his celebrated Latin paraphrases of the Psalms.

Returning to Scotland around the time of the Reformation, Buchanan joined the Protestant cause. He became Principal of St Leonard’s College in St Andrews, took part in the work of the Reformed Kirk and, in 1567, served as Moderator of the General Assembly, an unusual honour for a layman.

His contribution to the Scottish Reformation was chiefly intellectual and educational. He wanted Scotland’s universities to produce learned ministers, responsible magistrates and biblically informed citizens. He believed a lasting Reformation required more than changed laws and demolished altars: it also required educating the next generation.

Buchanan was appointed tutor to the young James VI. He hoped to shape him into a learned Protestant king who understood that royal authority was a sacred responsibility, not a licence to rule according to personal desire. But teacher and pupil would eventually disagree profoundly.

Buchanan did not deny that civil government was ordained by God. He opposed the claim that a king held absolute, hereditary authority directly from God, answered to God alone and stood beyond the judgement of his people.

In his great political work, De Jure Regni apud Scotos, The Law of Kingship among the Scots, Buchanan argued that political authority was entrusted to rulers through the community. Kings were appointed to uphold justice, protect the people and promote the common good.

Kings were made not for themselves but for the people

Kingship, then, was an office of service, not the personal possession of a royal family. A king remained bound by the law, his coronation promises and the purpose for which authority had been entrusted to him.

Buchanan argued that:

* The law was above the king.
* A king received authority for the good of the people.
* Royal power was limited by justice and the kingdom’s constitution.
* A lawful king governed according to law; a tyrant governed by his own will.
* A ruler who broke the conditions of his office could be called to account, resisted and, in extreme circumstances, removed.

The law, he wrote, was meant to restrain the king; without it, a king became a tyrant.

This was not a rejection of monarchy. Buchanan believed a lawful king could be a great blessing to a nation. He rejected absolute monarchy: the idea that the king’s will was itself the law and that subjects must obey even when he acted tyrannically.

James VI rejected his tutor’s teaching. As an adult, he argued that kings were appointed directly by God and could not be judged or resisted by their subjects. The conflict between Buchanan’s law-bound kingship and James’s divine-right monarchy would shape Scottish history for generations.

Buchanan’s influence on the Covenanters

Buchanan died fifty-six years before the National Covenant was signed, so he was not himself a Covenanter. Yet his writings helped later Presbyterians explain how a king could be resisted without rejecting civil government.

When Charles I tried to impose bishops, ceremonies and a new prayer book on Scotland, the Covenanters argued that the king had no unlimited authority over Christ’s Church. He remained subject to God’s law, Scotland’s laws, his coronation oath and the constitutional duties of his office.

In Lex, Rex—The Law and the Prince—published in 1644, Samuel Rutherford developed many of these principles. He drew on Buchanan’s understanding of a law-bound Scottish monarchy, grounding his argument more fully in Scripture, natural law and covenant theology.

Buchanan was not the sole source of Covenanter resistance thought. John Knox, Reformed covenant theology, Scotland’s constitutional traditions and the doctrine of Christ’s kingship were all essential. Nevertheless, Buchanan helped provide part of its political and constitutional foundation.

His enduring message was simple but powerful:

Kings are God’s servants, not God’s equals. Authority is given for the good of the people, and no crown can place a sinner above God’s law.

18/09/2026

What a wonderful week we have had on our Reformation and Covenanter Tour!

Together, we travelled across Scotland, from historic cities and ancient churches to ruined castles, lonely martyr graves and the magnificent scenery of the Highlands. At each location, we uncovered the remarkable stories of the Reformers and Covenanters—men and women whose courage, sacrifice and unwavering faith continue to challenge and inspire us today.

But these tours are about more than simply visiting historic places. They are about bringing Scotland’s Christian history to life, enjoying fellowship with like-minded people and creating memories that will last for many years.

We are grateful for another excellent group and for the friendships formed along the way. It was a privilege to share this special week with them.

Would you like to walk in the footsteps of Scotland’s Reformers and Covenanters?

Join us for a meaningful and unforgettable journey through some of the most beautiful and historically important places in Scotland.

Book early to secure your place on one of our forthcoming tours:

www.reformationtours.org

Scottish Reformation Tours
Christ Centred, Christian Led, Custom Tours.

12/09/2026

We’re already halfway through another week-long Open Tour, and what a memorable few days it has been!

From standing beside Samuel Rutherford’s grave in St Andrews to walking through Edinburgh’s historic Old Town and exploring the impressive Edinburgh Castle, we have visited many important sites connected with Scotland’s Reformation and Covenanter heritage.

It has also been a real pleasure to welcome a wonderful group of students from Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Together, we have been discovering the people, places and events that helped shape Scotland’s reformation history.

Tomorrow, we look forward to a welcome Sabbath rest before continuing our journey into some of Scotland’s more remote and beautiful countryside, where even more remarkable stories await us.

Would you like to walk in the footsteps of Scotland’s Reformers and Covenanters? Join us on one of our tours and experience this powerful history for yourself.

Scottish Reformation Tours
Christ Centred, Christian Led, Custom Tours.

www.reformationtours.org

05/09/2026

Another memorable day in beautiful Dumfries and Galloway—this time with a wonderful group from Glasgow Evangelical Church.

The group had a special interest in the story of the Two Margarets: Margaret Wilson and Margaret McLachlan, the Wigtown Martyrs who were tied to stakes on the Solway firth and drowned by the incoming tide for refusing to compromise their faith.

We stood at the site of their martyrdom, visited their graves in Wigtown, and reflected upon both their tragic deaths and their remarkable courage. Their story is deeply moving, yet their steadfast faith and faithfulness to Christ remain profoundly encouraging.

Throughout the day, we also explored several other important Covenanter sites, bringing more of Scotland’s rich Covenanter heritage to life.

Would your church or fellowship group like to experience a tour like this?

We would be delighted to create a meaningful and memorable tour tailored especially for your group. Get in touch to discover the options available.

Scottish Reformation Tours
Christ Centred, Christian Led, Custom Tours.

www.reformationtours.org

03/09/2026

Another enjoyable day in Edinburgh, guiding two Scottish gentlemen through the historic Old Town and sharing the remarkable story of Scotland’s Reformation and Covenanter heritage.

Edinburgh is much more than a beautiful historic city. Its streets are filled with places connected to some of the most important moments in Scotland’s Protestant history — stories of Reformation, revival, persecution, courage and faithfulness to Christ.

Many of these locations are easily missed unless you know where to look.

At Scottish Reformation Tours, we bring this history to life through private, Christ-centred tours tailored to groups of any size. Whether you are visiting from elsewhere in Scotland, the USA, Canada or further afield, we would be delighted to help you discover the people, places and events that shaped Scotland’s Reformed heritage.

If you are planning a visit to Scotland, why not make its Christian history part of your journey?

Get in touch to arrange your private tour.

Scottish Reformation Tours
Christ Centred, Christian Led, Custom Tours
www.reformationtours.org

25/08/2026

Today marks an important anniversary in the story of Scotland’s Reformation.

On 25 August 1618, the General Assembly gathered at Perth. What happened there would prove deeply controversial and would have far-reaching consequences for the Scottish Church for decades to come

It approved what became known as the Five Articles of Perth, strongly promoted by King James VI. They introduced practices which many Scottish Presbyterians believed were unscriptural and too closely associated with Roman Catholic and episcopal worship.
The five articles were:

Kneeling at the Lord’s Supper rather than sitting at the Communion table.

Private Communion for the sick.

Private Baptism where considered necessary, especially in cases of serious illness.

Confirmation by bishops.

The observance of religious holy days, including Christmas, Easter, Good Friday, Ascension Day and Pentecost.

Many ministers opposed these changes because they believed worship should be regulated by Scripture alone.

Kneeling at Communion was seen as resembling the Roman Mass. Private baptism raised concerns because the Reformed Church rejected the idea that baptism was necessary for salvation. Confirmation strengthened the authority of bishops, which Presbyterians believed had no biblical warrant. They also argued that the only recurring holy day commanded for the New Testament Church was the weekly Lord’s Day.

The Articles were approved by Parliament in 1621 and became law, but opposition remained strong. Ministers who refused to accept them could face punishment. David Dickson of Irvine, for example, was removed from his ministry for opposing them.

The controversy was about much more than ceremonies. It raised the important question of who had authority over the worship of the Church — Christ through His Word, or the King and bishops?

In 1638, the famous Glasgow General Assembly condemned the Five Articles and rejected the episcopal system which had helped impose them.

24/08/2026

The St Bartholomew’s Day Massacre — and its impact on Scotland

On the 24th August 1572, one of the darkest episodes of the Reformation era began in Paris.

What became known as the St Bartholomew’s Day Massacre saw thousands of French Protestants, known as Huguenots, murdered in Paris and across France. Among the first to die was the prominent Protestant leader Admiral Gaspard de Coligny, but the violence soon spread far beyond the capital.

The news of the massacre sent shockwaves throughout Protestant Europe — and Scotland was no exception.

By 1572 Scotland had officially embraced the Reformation, but the country still remained politically and religiously divided. Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned in England, while the young James VI reigned under Protestant regents. The slaughter of fellow Reformed Christians in France therefore caused both horror and alarm.

One of the strongest Scottish reactions came from John Knox.

Knox was now an old and increasingly frail man and would die only three months later. Yet when news of the massacre reached Edinburgh, his voice had lost none of its fire.

With the French ambassador reportedly present, Knox publicly denounced King Charles IX of France for his part in the bloodshed, describing him as a “cruel murderer and false traitor.”

Knox even demanded that his words be carried back to the French court.

The massacre also had political consequences in Scotland.

In October 1572, Scottish Protestants met in Edinburgh and discussed the possibility of forming a defensive alliance with England and other Reformed nations. The events in France had demonstrated just how vulnerable Protestant churches could be when powerful rulers turned against them.

There was also an important connection with Andrew Melville, who would become one of the leading figures of the Scottish Reformed Church after Knox.

Melville was living in Geneva at the time of the massacre. In the aftermath, the city became a refuge for French Protestants fleeing persecution.

He encountered many of these refugees personally and was deeply affected by what had happened.

Melville later wrote Latin poetry commemorating those who had been killed, referring to them as the “newest French martyrs.”

The massacre also damaged the cause of Mary Queen of Scots.

Mary herself had no involvement in the massacre, but her close connections with Catholic France were impossible for Scottish Protestants to ignore. She had once been Queen of France, Catherine de Medici had been her mother-in-law, and the powerful Guise family were her relatives.

For many Protestants, the events of August 1572 provided a terrifying example of what could happen if Catholic power was restored.

The St Bartholomew’s Day Massacre therefore became more than simply a French tragedy.

For Scottish Protestants it was a warning.

It reminded them that the Reformation could not be taken for granted and that the freedom to preach the Gospel and worship according to Scripture could very quickly be lost.

Address

48 North Bridge Street
Airdrie
ML66NEREFT

Telephone

+441236620107

Website

http://www.reformationtours.org/

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