May 2027
If you are intrigued by what you read about Mendelssohn’s Scottish journey and would like follow in his footsteps 198 years later, or if you love Mendelssohn’s music and particularly his Hebrides Overture or Scottish Symphony and want to learn more about what inspired him, or if you have a fascination with Scottish history including the life of Mary Queen of Scots in the 16th century or the Jacobite up-risings of the late 17th and early 18th centuries, or if you simply want to enjoy some of the UK’s most beautiful sights and scenery, then drop us a line to express interest in joining the “In the Footsteps of Mendelssohn” holiday in May 2027. The dates have yet to be confirmed but we will take a note of your interest and get back to you as soon as there is news on the dates.
About the Holiday
The "In the Footsteps of Mendelssohn" holiday will be led by Stephen Carpenter who has had a career in managing orchestras in Scotland and England since the 1980s. He has undertaken a close study of Mendelssohn, in particular the sketches and letters that throw such a vivid light on the composer's Scottish journey in 1829, and which form the inspiration for this holiday which will start in Edinburgh, and visit Abbotsford (the home of Sir Walter Scott), Melrose Abbey, Dunkeld, the Pass of Killiecrankie, Glencoe, Oban, the Islands of Mull, Staffa (and Fingal's Cave) and Iona, before ending in Glasgow. Along the way, there will be two concerts by Scotland's leading orchestras, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Royal Scottish National Orchestra. To express interest in joining the holidays, contact Stephen Carpenter.
A summary of the holiday is given below and further details can be found here.
In the Footsteps of Mendelssohn - holiday summary
May 2027
Sunday 9 – Edinburgh. Independent arrival and check-in at an Edinburgh Hotel from 3.00pm. Welcome dinner at the Hotel at 7.00pm
Monday 10 – Holyrood Palace, Mansfield Traquair, Edinburgh's Royal Botanic Gardens, and dinner under your own arrangements in Edinburgh
Tuesday 11 – Depart Edinburgh for a visit to Abbotsford (the home of Sir Walter Scott) and Melrose before travelling on to the Dunkeld House Hotel.
Wednesday 12 – The Falls of Braan at the Hermitage, Bruar Falls, Pass of Killiecrankie, the Queen's View and evening concert by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra at the Perth Concert Hall.
Thursday 13 – across the Highlands, past Loch Tay and Glencoe to Oban where we stay for 2 nights.
Friday 14 – day trip to the islands of Mull and Staffa (with its majectic Fingal's Cave) and Iona.
Saturday 15 – return from Oban via Loch Lomond to Glasgow where we will enjoy a concert by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra at Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall. The programme will culminuate in a performance of Mendelssohn's Symphony No 3 (Scottish)
Sunday 16 – independent departure home.