We’re headed back to Scotland! We will be going on a tour of Scotland from March 5 through the 13 and want you to join us. We have a great itinerary coming together that will include stops in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling, Inverness, Isle of Skye and much more in between. See historical places such as Bannockburn, Culloden and the Royal Mile along with castles and lochs that are a part of this wonderful landscape. We will be creating some special once-in-a-lifetime experiences in a magical place, meeting great people and enjoying some fantastic music. Space is limited.
We are offering special discounts through the end of August, so sign up now and bring a friend. Registration forms can be downloaded from our web site at http://thecelticforce.com/trips/march-2012-scotland-tour
Here’s a teaser for our March 2011 Ireland Tour. Exploring the links between our own Appalachian culture and Ireland roots, we’ll be visiting the Ulster American Folk Park.
An oft-overlooked fact… over 2 million emigrated to America from Ulster prior to 1900. Collectively, those people had a profound impact on American history and culture. Several American Presidents, most notably Andrew Jackson, U.S. Grant, and Teddy Roosevelt had Ulster roots. The Ulster American Folk Park explores the various reasons for the waves of migration reaching back to the early 1700s. People of all stations of life crossed the Atlantic… destined to become “Americans.”
The Park is a fascinating, open-air, sprawling museum including 30 buildings, some of which are recreations, some being lovingly restored originals. Staffed with interpreters and “people of history,” from them one gains a sense of place and time. Particularly of rural life in the 1700s and 1800s. Visitors are first guided through parts of an Irish village of smallholdings, cottages, churches, weavers shop, and a blacksmith’s shop. You’ll see and hear people go about their daily business as in earlier times.
“Ireland” then “ends” in a city street, complete with well-stocked shops, leading down to a quay. Here a sailing ship awaits…you board … for transport to “America.” Debarking, it’s through the immigration shed into a virtual street from 19th Century Boston. Then journey on until you are in the open countryside. Here, several farmsteads are recreated with a loving eye for detail, complete with crops and livestock. There’s even a log house directly from Greene County, PA.
All in all, the Ulster American Folk Park is an amazing experience. Especially for those of us from American frontier roots. Common traditions continue on both sides of The Atlantic. Of those, music is ever-present. In celebration, the Ulster American Folk Park’s annual Bluegrass Festival has been a calendar highlight for more than sixteen years. Who knows what musical moments we might share there!
To explore more, here’s the website: http://www.nmni.com/uafp
Have you always wanted to go to Scotland or Ireland but just haven’t been able to? Well now is your chance!
For just $10 you and a family member or friend can enjoy one of five tour packages to Scotland or Ireland – winners choice. The Williamsburg Scottish Festival, in partnership with Guardian Travel Chesapeake and Celtic Force Enterprise, will be raffling a tour for two on Saturday October 2 at the Main Parade Field closing ceremony.
You do not need to be present to win. Only 3,900 tickets will be sold. All proceeds of this raffle will be used to pay for Festival Competition cost and scholarships of winners. Here are the tour raffle options. You do not need to make a choice until the day you win.
For more information, visit the raffle site: http://www.wsfonline.org/tour-raffle.org
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celtic festivals, Celtic Music, celtic tours, celtic trips, ireland, The Celtic Force, tour scotland | 
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Based on the success of the recent Scotland Homecoming Tour, Celtic Force will be doing it again next year.
Yes, and more than once!
Feedback from our first trip was excellent. We’ve been told we’ve hit the ideal formula for distinctive
tours… mixing history & people, faces & places, music & merriment, food & fun, all combined to deliver smiles and lifetime memories. On a scale kept both personal and intimate.
Now under consideration are 3 tours in Scotland and 1 for St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland.
We start next January in Glasgow with the Celtic Connections, the world class music festival. We will enjoy the music in the city over two weekends and see Scotland during the week. This trip will certainly appeal to the Celtic music lover!
In July we’re suggesting “On the Trail of David R Ross” using David’s book “Desire Lines” to guide our course, visiting those places David felt were unique and special. Experience the reenactment of the battle of Killiecrankie, which marked the beginning of the “Jacobiterisings” in the late 1600’s.
Later in 2011 we will partner with one of the musical groups we work with from the US to take their fans to Scotland on a special adventure.
Finally, going to Ireland during the St. Patrick’s Day holiday really needs little hype, it will be a great trip featuring some wonderful landscapes and fantastic music. See Ireland first hand during one of its most glorious times of the year.
Keep checking back for details and start telling your friends and saving your pennies.
For more information:
Celtic Force Enterprises Inc.
Contact: Donovan Murray or Eric Johnson
Phone: 336.499.9733/ 401.226.6366
info@thecelticforce.com
The Celtic Force – Visit our website: www.thecelticforce.com
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Scotland's Blair Castle
The Homecoming tour to Scotland has been a rousing success.
The weather, we are told, has been the best they have had in a several months.
The scenery is fantastic, the people are wonderful and the experience will last a life time. We have felt the presence of our dear friend, David R Ross, all along the way.
The country is even more magical than he had described.
Celtic Force has decided to continue to offer these types of tours in the future with plans for some very special packages.
We will also be working with those in Scotland to be able to come to America and tour our country.
The bond that has formed between our tour group and this ancient land & its people is beyond words.
Start saving your pennies, we’ll be coming back very soon.
Slainte from Scotland,
Donovan
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Posted in Scotland, Tours, Trips | blair castle, celtic tours, celtic trips, Scotland, tours of scotland | 2 Comments
Celtic Force Enterprises Inc. is pleased to announce agreement with Luath Press Ltd. for distribution of books by the late Scottish historian and author David R. Ross.
“We are pleased to share in efforts to continue the work of our friend, David Ross. While we still miss him and mourn his loss, David continues to inspire us,” said Donovan Murray, President of Celtic Force. “David’s legacy is, in part, the body of his previously-published works, including his “On the Trail” series and his latest book “The Black Douglas. We’ll also be very proud to represent David upon release of his new book on Scottish Women. That’s expected in just a few months.”
Inventory of Ross’ books from Luath Press will be in The States shortly. Included shall be Ross’ very popular “Desire Lines” history/travelogue as well as “On the Trail of William Wallace.” Watch for more details through the Celtic Force website: http://www.thecelticforce.com/
Luath Press, on The Royal Mile, Edinburgh, is committed to publishing “well written books worth reading.” Luath specialises in Scotland and Scottish authors, publishing 30-40 books a year. Online, Luath Press can be found here: http://www.luath.co.uk/ 
David Robertson Ross is, and was, a patriotic Scot who loved his country and its people. He was passionate about the rich tapestry of Scottish history. David specialised in the great Scottish hero Sir William Wallace. He loved Scotland’s past AND present. David believed his writing gave him the opportunity to promote Scotland in a positive light. For David, it was always important to show Scotland as ready to take its equal place in the world of the future.
David Ross websites:
http://www.thesocietyofwilliamwallace.com
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An evening at the Three Sisters Pub to remember David R Ross
When we heard of the news of the loss of David we were as stunned as anyone about his sudden passing. We also had to decide how that loss would impact our plans to continue with the tour to Scotland next month. Something inside told us that if we didn’t go through with it David would come back with his 5-foot claymore and rip us a new one! He would not want his absence to deter anyone from experiencing his homeland first hand.
We would like to make an open invitation to anyone that wishes to join us in raising a toast to David on his home soil on Sunday night March 14th. Our tour group will gather in Edinburgh with friends of David’s from such organizations as Society of William Wallace, Tartan Army and others to share stories, meet new friends, listen to some music and have a few drinks. This will take place at the Three Sisters Pub on Cowgate Street in Edinburgh from 7:30 pm till midnight. It will be a party as big as the Big Man himself and all who wish to join in are welcome. This pub is a fitting location due to the fact that this is where the St Andrews celebration was held this past November with David providing the words and Ted Christopher and Albannach providing the music. Ted and Albannach will join us during our evening as well.
There is a cover charge of 10 Pounds to help offset expenses of the evening and a cash bar will be provided. We plan to have some food, raffles, music, laughs and a memorable time as we toast our friend and the inspiration for this tour. Join us if you can.
To see pictures and learn more about Three Sisters Pub, visit: http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/edinburgh/pubguide/threesisters.html
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Posted in Scotland, Tours, Trips | celtic trips, david r. ross, edinburgh, Scotland, three sisters pub, tours of scotland | Leave a commentFollow Us
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