In the spirit of setting goals and intentions for 2025, I wanted to talk about something I never expected to share, but have been encouraged to bring up by multiple friends (thanks guys). Actually, after thinking about it a bit more, it’s kinda silly I haven’t talked about it, because it’s the whole reason The DeBode Way guided trips were created. Travel anxiety. Specifically, mine…and yours.

After years of research and various types of therapy, I have a fairly functional level of day-to-day anxiety. As long as I’m in a familiar environment and have a decent amount of control over and/or know how to deal with issues that arise, I can take on the world. Stepping outside those rules, things get tricky. I think most people suffer from some level of anxiety in their lives, but for some, like me, it’s a bit more extreme. Honestly, it’s why I quit an office job back in 2013 and have never returned. Since then, I’ve been working on myself and creating a litany of home businesses in the process. It’s a journey, friends. And then…there’s my travel anxiety.

So what is travel anxiety, specifically? The trouble with anxiety is that it looks different for each person. For example, you might experience it as a complete panic when you think of leaving the house. Someone else may have zero interest in exploring the world beyond what they know right now. Still others might be afraid of flying, driving a car, or navigating a train station or airport. It could manifest as two enormous checked bags for a weekend of casual travel because you never know or can’t imagine wearing something twice! You may be claustrophobic and not able to sit in a window seat on an airplane or be able to think about getting in a pressurized metal tube flying at hundreds of miles per hour high in the sky. Crowds are terrifying. What if you lose your ticket? Are you wearing the right clothes? What if your phone dies? Or perhaps a constant need to know EXACTLY where the nearest toilet is. Sound familiar? I feel ya.

To varying degrees, all of those examples of travel anxiety are things I deal with. But here’s the thing: those things that cause anxiety have also created something positive. I am an amazing map reader and memorizer of directions and landmarks because I can’t handle a GPS talking to me while I’m driving and trying to read road signs. I am the first to help a fellow passenger put a heavy bag in an overhead bin because you’ll always find me in the aisle seat. I am VERY aware of my surroundings in crowds and know where all the exits are (and bathrooms – haha). I’ve become an avid “reader” of audiobooks to keep my mind off flying, tight spaces, and not being allowed to leave your seat. And I have curated an AMAZING capsule travel wardrobe to help deal with overpacking. All that’s to say, we usually look at anxiety as a negative thing, and for sure it can cause challenges. But finding ways to help overcome those challenges is an important win.

So, what does any of this have to do with our guided trips? It means we’ve been there (literally!), we get it, and we’ve got you. Taking a trip with us helps put your mind at ease. You’re not paying a travel agent to only handle the arrangements, leaving you to muddle through them on your own in an unknown place. We are with you every step of the way – if you want. Or, if not, we give you the freedom to explore on your own. How much involvement you want from us is totally up to you! Either way, we’re with you if you change your mind.

In 2025 and beyond we’re taking a different approach to our trips. Instead of us picking dates, creating a trip, and relying on folks to sign up for it, we’re leaving the destination and timeline up to you. You can choose from a handful of destinations that we are intimately familiar with and a length of time that works for you, and we create a trip for you! This means you’ll get at least one of us (and sometimes both) guiding you along the way. Prices will vary depending on your destination, time of year, travel class, length of trip, etc, etc.

I’m excited (and super anxious, always). But! Let’s take 2025 by the horns and show it who is boss. Squash your travel anxiety (or…at least tell it to be quiet(er) for a while) and travel with someone who gets it. Over the next couple of months, I will be creating a calendar of our availability. Plus, we’re adding new destinations! Gasp! We still specialize in Scotland and the UK, but we’re adding Ireland, France, Spain, and yes, the United States. So gather your friends and family, coordinate your calendars, and get ready to create your out-of-office email automation. This year, we’re taking on the world.

See ya out there!

The post Dealing with Travel Anxiety, from a Lifetime Expert first appeared on The DeBode Way.

Panic

As I stepped backward into thin air, my only thought was “Scotlaaaaaand!” Sigh. As someone very independent and used to doing most things myself, suddenly needing disabled travel advice was a whole new ballgame.

Don’t Panic, Research

Today, I’m looking on the bright side: I now know how to get around the UK with a busted leg. Fortunately, a previous student trip left us with a severely sprained ankle in the group on day one, so we knew where many of the lifts are located in Edinburgh and Oban, how to avoid some of the stairs and cobbles, and where to get ice. Disabled travel is not for the faint of heart, but it can be done and is 100% worth the trouble.

Once the orthopedist told me I could fly (or rather didn’t say I couldn’t fly, a major sigh of relief), I immediately went into research mode to figure out how to get around. At home, I had painful crutches (they were too tall) and a knee scooter borrowed from a friend. Neither were great options for the cobbles and stairs I knew I would encounter, so I went hunting.

Equip Yourself

After an extensive search of medical supply stores in Springfield came up short in the disabled travel category (it’s like they want you to stay home or something), I headed to Amazon as time was running out. There I encountered the iWalk and a set of folding crutches made for travel – brilliant! I ordered both, but later decided the iWalk was probably not the safest option for all the cobbles of Edinburgh (it has since become my farm chores tool, along with a good walking stick – Jason calls me Gandolf). So the iWalk stayed home.

Initially, I planned only to take my crutches, but didn’t feel good about that choice given the potential for slick cobbles and sore armpits. Then I stumbled upon someone asking about a mobility scooter for disabled travelers in a Facebook Group for Scotland Travel. What!? Genius! A quick search gave me a list of power scooters for rent in Edinburgh – who knew? The company I went with delivered and picked up the scooter from the hotel. Such an amazing service! In the end, we brought my knee scooter too, knowing the power scooter would be quite large, and many places in Scotland are small and involve at least a step or two to enter buildings. Surely I could get around on a knee scooter much easier?

So there I was, armed with my folding crutches, knee scooter, and the promise of a power scooter meeting me in Edinburgh. I also tried to find a power scooter in Oban but had no luck. This solidified my decision to bring the knee scooter, and I’m SO glad I did. Off we went! You can’t keep this girl down!

Getting to Europe: Planes

I was immediately discouraged at the Springfield Airport. I hadn’t considered they would make me remove my boot to go through security – ouch. However, they were very kind and pulled me aside to sit down and go through a personal screening with a female agent. That took maybe 20 minutes and with our TSA Precheck, we didn’t have to remove anything from our bags. Jason gathered my bags (the first of many, many times) while I got my royal pat down and then we were off to wait on our (delayed) flight to Chicago.

I requested assistance getting on and off the plane through our airline’s app but never saw anyone to help. Since I had my scooter, I didn’t push the issue because it’s such a small airport. Instead, I assumed I could easily roll to the gate and down the ramp to the door, and then awkwardly crutch my way onto the plane while they stowed my scooter below. I just needed a little extra time to do it. In theory, this shouldn’t be a problem if they let us board first, and let us get settled.

They did let us board first, but we were quickly followed by everyone else, because of the flight delay and hurry to get going. Plus they made me leave my scooter at the top of the ramp, so I had to use my crutches down the incline. As I hadn’t practiced with the crutches yet, this was terrifying and less-than-graceful. To get to my seat, I tossed my crutches ahead of me and used the ramp rails and seat arms to swing across the bridge and down the narrow aisles. I collapsed into my seat while the flight attendant watched. Nice. I was unimpressed and immediately nervous about the rest of the trip.

No one met us in Chicago with the wheelchair either – what the heck? Luckily my scooter appeared outside the plane’s door, so I folded my crutches, hung them on the handlebars, and took off up the ramp…and across the entirety of O’Hare, all on my scooter. This was a long, painful journey, but we made it to our gate as our flight to London started boarding. It took a little convincing, but since it was a larger plane, the flight attendants let me keep my scooter so I could get to the bathroom on our 8-hour flight. They stored it in a closet near the galley for me, so I only had to push my call button or send Jason to grab it when I needed to get up.

In London, I was met by a buggy! So apparently my online assistance request did work, just not in the States for some reason. The porter loaded my crutches, bags, AND scooter and whisked me to Border Control; I handed over my passport and sailed right through. Meanwhile, Jason walked the entire length of Heathrow because he’d been sitting for 8 hours and wanted to walk (they offered him a ride too). Unfortunately, my chariot ride ended at baggage claim, so once reassembled, we continued to the train into London.

Getting Around Europe: Trains

I hadn’t thought much about getting on and off the trains. It turns out, I should have requested assistance for that as well – mind the gap and all! We got lucky with the Underground, as all the stations we used had a lift or a ramp down to the trains. From there it was easy to roll onto the train. Once we made it to King’s Cross and had to get on the overland train there was much tsk-tsking from the station staff as I tossed my scooter up the step into the train, grabbed the handrails, and hopped one-legged up to the train. Was it safe? No. Did they like it? Also no, as they take Health & Safety very seriously in the UK. But I made it, so bonus points, right?

When we arrived at York station, I tossed my scooter off the train and hopped back down the same way. More tsk-tsking (also, some gentle applause and “Well done, you!” from others waiting to board that train). Once at our hotel, which was mercifully across the street, I requested assistance for the rest of our journey on the LNER train app. It worked! They had the ramp ready for me the next day and even moved our reserved seats into the disabled area so I had a place to store my scooter and put my leg up. It was glorious – and easy. As we arrived at Waverley Station in Edinburgh, they put the ramp down and I rolled off the train – easy peasy.

We arrived in Edinburgh a day ahead of our group so we could make the last few arrangements. Even though it was nearby, because of all the roadwork and sidewalk closures, we took a taxi to our hotel. The man at the taxi stand was so delightful; having never seen a knee scooter (nor had much of the UK as it turned out), he asked all manner of questions.

Getting Around Europe: Automobiles?

Lo and behold! My power scooter awaited us at the hotel! Amazing! I could have had it delivered to the station, but you had to arrange a specific time, pay an extra fee, and you never know if the trains will be on time (they usually are). Instead, they delivered it to the hotel, which seemed a better option. We didn’t immediately take it out since we had errands to run in tiny shops.

The next day, I used the power scooter to fetch folks from the train station and take them to breakfast while Jason met folks at the airport. I also took it on several “walks” throughout our stay and anywhere I knew we would have the space to accommodate it. Overall, it was bulky and a bit of a burden, so I learned to use my knee scooter on the cobbles for most of our expeditions. The key is to lean back, not forward on the knee scooter, so you don’t fly over the handlebars. I’m still glad I had the power scooter for some of our longer outings and recommend our rental company (listed below).

While in Edinburgh, we ventured to the countryside one day for professional photos, where I quickly learned my scooter does not do rocks or grass. I had to use it like a walker to get down the path to our shooting location where I spent two hours teetering on one leg or crutches in the tall grass on the side of a mountain. It must have been a sight; we have some funny photos of me trying to get around. But! I did it and the rest of the pictures are fabulous. We’re thankful our photographer was such a good sport.

By the time we boarded the train for Oban, I was a pro. I didn’t bother booking assistance with ScotRail because I had figured out how to get on and off myself. Our hotel in Oban was again right across from the train station (whoever planned this was brilliant – pats on the back!), so we didn’t have far to go with our group and bags. By now Jason’s arms were threatening to come off from trying to manhandle our bags all over Scotland. I felt bad about it, so I booked him an appointment with my massage wizard back home. He had to wait a few more days, but she fixed him up nicely.

Jason had work to do while in Oban and our friends were out of town, so I spent time exploring on my own. I took my scooter down the walkway of the bay to take photos and enjoy the view. Then I went shopping for most of the day and visited with the locals. That was fun and they were very kind. Fortunately, many of the shops in Oban are at ground level or just one tiny step up, so I had no problem getting around on my own. I stumbled upon the Jetty Gallery, full of works by local artists, and found a gorgeous etching that I decided should come home with me. Thankfully, Jason agreed and we returned to get it about 5 minutes before they closed on our last day in Oban. Whew!

We also rented a car while in Oban. This allowed us to scout for upcoming trips and visit friends in the country. We originally planned to take the car to the Isle of Mull for some hiking, but because of my broken leg, we decided to hold off for now.

After Oban, we took the train back to Edinburgh and spent our final night at a countryside estate hotel (which was amazing!). The staff met me as I stepped out of the taxi, putting a ramp down to get inside the hotel. While they did have a lift, it didn’t access all the rooms, so I used my crutches quite a bit to get up and down stairs. Also, our hotel had a bathtub! It was glorious to sit on the side of the tub to shower with the handheld instead of standing precariously on one foot in the shower. Incidentally, showering was the biggest frustration the entire time in the UK: the bathrooms are SO small I could barely get in with my scooter or crutches, and there was always a step up into the shower. If I had known I would need an accessible bathroom when I was booking rooms, it would have been much easier, as they are available in some hotels.

More Trains

We decided to take the train back to London, thinking it would be easier than flying. Unfortunately, the train journey turned into quite the event, as there was a fire on the tracks just outside London, so they made us get off the train in York. Another couple from our group was on the train ahead of us and they were given the options to wait it out, walk back to York Station, or get an Uber to London. They chose the latter.

Since we were at York Station, we were given two route options: take the train to Sheffield or Manchester. We opted for Manchester hoping it would be less crowded. We had to wait for the second train, as the first was packed. Once in Manchester, we ran (scooted furiously!) to catch the next train to Euston Station in London. Naturally, this was all during rush hour on a Wednesday afternoon. Madness! Finally, we made it to London, though 7 hours later than planned, and after the show we planned to see at the Vaudeville Theatre. Feeling rather bummed, we headed for Euston Underground Station to call it a day and head for the airport hotel. Except, it turns out Euston has no lifts, so we had to take a taxi to our hotel instead – that was a frightening expense! In hindsight, we could have taken a taxi to Paddington Station and caught the train to the airport, but you live and learn and sometimes don’t make the best decisions when you’re tired. It almost makes one wonder if the flight would have been easier.

The Way Home

The flight out of London the next morning was as easy as the one to London. They let me keep my scooter in a closet onboard again. As soon as we landed in Houston I was immediately reminded that the US is not very kind to anyone with a mobility issue. There was no wheelchair, again, after I requested it and double-checked that I had, so I scooted across the airport to Customs and Border Control. After that, you have to go through security again. In London, security was much the same as it was in Springfield: they pulled me aside, removed my boot, I got a pat down, and they swabbed my scooter while asking me to tell my best version of how I broke my leg. Very easy and cordial. In Houston, they literally screamed at me when I asked where to go with my scooter because it obviously would set off a metal detector. I stood, stunned, at the side of the line waiting for some direction since Jason had already gone through and was frantically trying to repack our bags. About 10 minutes later someone pulled me aside, took my boot and scooter to be swabbed, and told me to walk through the metal detector. Excuse me? I have a broken leg, I will not be walking anywhere! So there I stood, on one leg, for at least another 10 minutes while they swabbed my scooter, eventually brought it back to me, and finally pulled me to the side for a pat down. I was flabbergasted, frustrated, and fighting tears; I’ve never been treated so poorly.

The flight from Houston to Springfield was just as stellar as the one leaving Springfield two weeks earlier. Sigh. We had to board our plane outside, so I had to leave my scooter behind, again, and crutch my way up the ramp and onto the tiny plane, tossing my crutches ahead of me as I swung down the aisle on the armrests. But, as a bonus, we saw the northern lights above Springfield as we landed that night. I was exhausted, happy to be home, and even happier to sleep in my bed. It was a wonderful trip and I learned so much, but holy moly was I tired from all that extra work!

Lessons Learned

Overall, the UK is relatively accommodating to folks with mobility issues. It may take a little planning on your end, but it’s entirely possible to navigate the disabled travel options and folks are super helpful. As a plus, we’re confident we can accommodate someone with mobility challenges on our trips! There’s nothing like a crash course or on-the-ground training to boost your confidence, right? Right. Sometimes it can be a hidden bonus to be an anxiety-ridden overthinker searching for all the available options on a tight deadline. Skills!

I hope my story gives you the confidence to travel even if you have trouble getting around. There are so many assistance options and SO much world to see! Obviously, do what your doctor says and always opt for travel insurance in case you have further issues while on your journey.

*fist bump* You’ve got this. See you out there!

Resources

• Scooter Rental in Edinburgh
• TFL Journey Planner for London Public Transit
• LNER Passenger Assist Request for the London North East Railway
• ScotRail Accessible Travel Request for the train in Scotland
• Euan’s Guide for excellent reviews on accessibility in venues across the UK
• List of public toilets in Edinburgh with accessibility toilets.

Notes

• Lifts (elevators). Many old buildings in the UK cannot be retrofitted with lifts. Be sure to research ahead of time so you know what is available and reach out to ask questions as needed. Sometimes stairs are the only option.
• Accessible Toilets. Places serving food must have accessible toilets or point you somewhere that does. If you don’t see them, ask. Public toilets can also be found in bus stations, train stations, shopping centers, and department stores. You can apply for and purchase a radar key for accessible toilets if you have mobility or bowel/bladder conditions.
• Email Hotels. Stay in contact with your hotel about any help you may need. Many have disabled rooms, access to lifts, and additional assistance if you need it. Private rentals and Air B&Bs do not have this requirement, so contact your host to ask questions before booking.

Helpful Travel Accessories

• Folding Crutches
• Crutch Pads
• iWalk
• Knee Scooter
• Sleeping Boot
• Water Resistant Walking Boot Covers
• Waterproof Shower Boot
• Reusable Waterproof Bags for Ice

The post Suddenly Figuring out Disabled Travel for Beginners first appeared on The DeBode Way.

I Spy with My Little Eye

Let’s use an example: I’m scrolling through Instagram one evening and come upon a photo of a cobbled street with particularly colorful buildings. At this point in my life, I know what it is, but for this example, let’s suppose I didn’t. If there is no information in the description about what this place is or where to find it, I take a screenshot and do a Google image search. Boom! It’s Victoria Street in Edinburgh. Perfect. The inspiration for my DIY trip is born!

So we know what it is, but where is Victoria Street in Edinburgh and what is there to do nearby? For us, I do a regular Google search for Victoria Street businesses. That should be an instant burst of ideas from restaurants to shops and other points of interest.

Once I’m armed with things to do on Victoria Street, I use a similar search to branch out from the area. Or, I head straight to Google Maps to see what it can tell me about the area. Sometimes I even end up back on Instagram and search Victoria Street to see what other Insta-worthy things pop up. People can be very creative on that app and I love it!

A Retreat from the Ordinary

How do we find all these nifty out-of-the-way hotels? Here’s my biggest secret: I don’t use a third-party hotel search engine to book. What!? Most travel bloggers will tell you to use something like booking-dot-com or hotels-dot-com to book your hotels, mostly because they get a kickback for their recommendation. After befriending so many hotel owners over the years, it’s hard for us to share this perspective. The fees the hotels have to pay to be on those sites is something like 20% of their booking. As a small business owner, I find this criminal.

To avoid this fee, many independent hotels will often tell you they will match any price you find on a search engine by booking directly with them. Even by lowering their price, they are keeping money in their pocket by avoiding the search engine fee. This benefits you even more in the end because the hotel will most likely include more personal services, like champagne on arrival, or include a meal in your reservation by booking directly. To me, this feels like a little pat on the back for booking your own DIY trip and making those important people connections.

I’ll often use Trip Advisor, Google Hotels, or even Instagram to get an idea of what is in the area. The first two have great panning map features on their websites that help you see an area in detail. Instagram often has off-the-wall suggestions that you won’t find in a search engine, but you’ll still need to plug them into a map to make sure they line up with your plan. However, I never book through those sites. Not only for the reasons I listed above but also because there is no guarantee with the hotel when you use a third-party booking system. If that third party doesn’t properly communicate with the hotel and they don’t have a reservation for you when you arrive and the hotel is full, there’s nothing they can do. If you book directly, you always have direct contact with the hotel for confirmation and updates before check-in. I like to drop the hotel a little email a week or two before our arrival to make sure everything is squared away. That little email often gets you recognition and a nice reception upon arrival.

Adventure Awaits

With tours and activities, I use a very similar approach to hotels and image searches. I’ve found some of the most unique tours on Instagram completely by accident. Actually, we’ve had tour operators contact us via Instagram when we’ve tagged ourselves in the area (yes this can seem a little sketchy, so do lots of review research before you agree to join them). Another great resource for unique tours is Viator, another third-party search engine you can book through. If I can find the tour on the operator’s website, I book directly through them, for the same reasons as booking hotels directly. Make those connections!

Google Maps is also a great place to look for tours and activities and read reviews. Sometimes the strangest little things will pop up and lead you directly to an operator’s website to book.

Planes, Trains & Automobiles

That I saved this to talk about last is a bit strange because this is always the FIRST thing I book when I’m planning a trip. If we need to fly, I start with plane tickets. If our dates are a bit flexible we can often save quite a bit of money by moving our dates around based on the lowest price of the tickets. I always use Google Flights to hunt down flights and then jump over to the airline to book directly when I find what I want. If we’re flying on points, I’ll often transfer credit card points to airline partners. This allows us to book directly with the airline instead of using the third-party portal through our credit card. We’ve booked through our credit card portal before, but I’ve heard too many horror stories about that going wrong to feel overly comfortable with it.

We LOVE to take the train! It removes so many logistical headaches from our trips like parking a car, parking fees, and transporting luggage. We often stay near the train stations so we can walk to/from our hotel and not worry about lining up more transportation. I’ve been using RailEurope lately to search for routes if I don’t know the name of the country’s rail lines. Once I learn what the rail lines are called and where the stations are located, I will typically book directly through the rail line. We have booked through RailEurope before when traveling on multiple rail lines for a single day trip and it was perfectly fine, but again, it’s a third party, so there’s no guarantee.

And cars. I always recommend booking cars out of the airport in the city you are visiting if possible. Airports are typically located outside of the cities, giving you more space to get used to the car and the road system before being thrown into heavy traffic. Car rental desks at airports also usually have longer open hours during the day. This often means catching a taxi or an Uber to get to the airport to pick up a car, but if that saves from driving an unfamiliar car, in an unfamiliar system, in the city center, it’s worth it. If you are comfortable driving in the city center wherever you are, look for car rental locations near the train station for less logistical nonsense. Google Maps is a good tool for finding the location of rental agencies. I’ve also used Kayak-dot-com to quickly compare prices and then head directly to a rental agency’s website to book. Also, if you frequently (or not) book cars, sign up for their rewards program. It’s free and it makes the rental process so much faster.

Those are the most important quick tips I can give you about planning and booking your own DIY trip. Remember to write out a rough itinerary and then create a logistical plan based on what you want to see/do and where you want to stay. It would be a major bummer to book a fabulous hotel in the mountains and then have no idea how to get there when you arrive! Think through your whole trip, create a spreadsheet if that’s your jam, and get to booking your DIY trip!

See you out there!

The post Our Quick Tips & Tricks to Booking Your DIY Trip first appeared on The DeBode Way.

FAQ 7: What do I need to pack for my trip?

This is hard to answer because it depends on when you’re going, where you’re going, what you plan to do, whether you’re packing in carry-ons or checked bags, and your personal preference. That said, we have a few rules we stick to when packing for Scotland. First, layers are your friend. Like I said above, it’s entirely possible for a brief rain shower while you’re out exploring. The same is true for temperatures: it can start off very chilly in the morning, warm up throughout the day, and then cool off again in the evenings. Because of this, it’s really helpful to have lighter-weight layers you can add/remove as you go about your day. It’s also very helpful if your outermost layer is waterproof.

Few pieces of clothing are as iconic as the thick, heavy, knit wool sweaters you see people wearing in the movies. It’s true that folks living in the UK really do wear those sweaters, too. We’ve brought a few back and absolutely love them. Do we take them back when we travel? Absolutely not. Why? Because they’re designed to hold in your body heat, and they’re very good at what they do. Unfortunately, if that’s all you’re wearing (with a t-shirt underneath), and the day starts to warm up, you’ll likely be sweating before long with no layers to remove. That can make things uncomfortable, and no one wants that. Also, one of those sweaters can easily take up half of your carry-on bag, which is a non-starter for us.

So, take thinner layers (big fans of Merino wool) and a windproof/waterproof jacket and shoes. We usually dress pretty casually during the day, but that’s because we’re usually out hiking or exploring. If we stayed in the city, we’d likely stick closer to something like smart casual, or thereabouts. For dinner, we pack something a little nicer: a dress and flats for Tasha, and chinos with a button-down shirt for Jason. Also keep in mind that because the climate is a bit cooler, unless you’re doing some really intense hiking, it’s likely that you won’t sweat much (again, everyone is different, but in general), so you can re-wear some of your clothes before needing to wash them. Except for your socks and underwear; those will always need to be washed before you wear them again. Otherwise…gross.

Since we are carry-on only packers most of the time, we like to try to pack for 4 days with plans to do laundry either at a facility or in our bathroom sink/tub whenever we’re in a location for a couple days so it has time to dry.

FAQ 8: What’s with all the castles?

Who doesn’t like a good castle? Jason raises his hand. Okay fine, yes there are lots of castles in Scotland and the UK. Some are ruins, some are in various stages of (dis)repair, and others are fully working homes (with huge maintenance bills) that allow visitors in for a fee. Some are large, some are small. Some are situated in easily defended positions, while others seem to be sitting in the middle of a field.

Why are there so many? In fairness, they’ve been building them for a long time. A really long time. By some accounts, they’ve been building stone castles in Scotland since the 11th century (wood before that), the majority of which were built for those who governed the lands. Not to be outdone, the nobles also built castles, though these were mostly referred to as tower houses rather than castles. Then, of course, came the palaces of the kings and queens of Scotland and the various nations that ruled it throughout the centuries. These are more pleasure homes for peace times than defensive structures, but very impressive as well. And of course, when a new ruler took the throne, why would they want to live in someone else’s house? Much better to build their own, and build it better/bigger. Obviously. And so, Scotland, and many other European countries are peppered with castles of all shapes, sizes, and ages.

FAQ 9: What’s the bathroom situation?

We’ll put this one to rest: yes, they have bathrooms in Scotland. However, you might get a funny look asking for the bathroom – they generally just call it what you’re after, the toilet.

Seriously though, most of the time we get this question in reference to being out and about, driving around, away from civilization. In the US, when you go on a road trip there is almost always a fast food restaurant, gas station, rest stop, or a combination of the three at the next exit. So, when nature calls, you’re rarely that far from the facilities. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case in Scotland. It’s totally common to drive for hours without seeing a single sign for a restroom. And, if you get daring and take the next exit despite there being no sign, it could be a while before you actually get to a town, and even then, there might not be a gas station with a toilet or public toilets and the pub might be closed until the next meal service.

This isn’t to suggest rest stops don’t exist in Scotland because they absolutely do. However, this is one of those situations where it’s better to take a look at your route in advance and know where you can stop. This also applies to gas stations (usually called petrol stations throughout the UK), which are nowhere near as omnipresent as they are in the US. There are also apps (Where is Public Toilet app) you can download that’ll help guide you in the right direction. Also, be advised that some public toilets aren’t free. Some require a coin to get in, while others will take a credit card, but only one that has the tap functionality. And you might want to keep a roll of TP or some tissues with you just in case – they aren’t usually overly stocked.

Basically, if you find one, take advantage! If not well…find a bush, dig a hole, and practice your best farmer’s squat…more on that here.

FAQ 10: How do you take all those great pictures? Is trespassing not a thing over there?

Yes, trespassing is absolutely a thing in Scotland. At the same time, they have what’s known as the Right to Roam as well. Let’s explain.

In 2003, Scotland passed the Land Reform Act. Section 1 of this Act says that people in Scotland have the right to be on land for recreational and educational purposes and to cross land for the same reasons. What that means is you’re literally able to roam through almost all of Scotland and it’s perfectly legal and normal.

Before we go any further, there are a few really important things to keep in mind about this. First, the Act doesn’t give everyone access to all lands. In general, if it’s private land and is close to a house, farm building, school, or something along these lines, it’s best to keep your distance. In other words, you can walk through a field, but not the yard right next to someone’s house (because…that would be weird). Second, the Act clarifies this is for the ‘responsible’ recreational use of the land. In other words, there might be sheep, cows, or other animals hanging around and it’s best to leave them alone (seriously, do you know how big a Highland Coo is?). Also, don’t leave your trash after you go. In general, a good rule to go by is ‘leave no trace’. In other words, after walking through someone’s land, they shouldn’t be able to tell you were there.

With that all said, yes, you can roam around as much as you like! When we’ve been wandering around fields, there are actually stone stairs built into the stone walls that separate one field from another. These steps are used by the folks out roaming around (and farmers moving between fields) and they help make it easier to gain access to different places. It also means you aren’t climbing on someone’s wall, and therefore helps keep things in good working order. There are also gates that help keep the animals in, but they give you access to different areas. You’re welcome to walk through them, just make sure you close the gate behind you. We’ve gotten some of our best pictures like this, but be advised: there are unlikely to be parking lots anywhere near these fields. Most often, we park a good bit away, and then start hiking in no particular direction.

FAQ 11: Tell me more about the food.

It’s amazing.

One thing we were unprepared for was that what we call fast food in the US isn’t super common in Scotland. To clarify, there are plenty of McDonald’s, Burger Kings, and Subways in the major cities, but as soon as you leave them, don’t expect to find fast food very often. And why would you even look for it? There are loads of places to eat that have fresh, hand-made food that was very likely prepared by someone’s grandmother earlier that day. Seriously, even when you go to a tourist attraction, the food at the cafe is often made from scratch, or at least it always is when we’re there. And yes, vegetables exist.

So, the food really is awesome, but just make sure you’re not expecting to find the US in every little town you visit.

FAQ 12: Is it whiskey? Whisky? Scotch? Bourbon? What’s the deal?

This is a very important cultural question, and it pays to not get it wrong as it’s kind of an insult. This is also best answered in its own post, which I’ll do later, but for now, here are the very high-level details.

Whiskey/Whisky is a more general term for a liquor made from a fermented grain mash. Very broadly speaking, there are different grains that can be used, and the spirit is typically aged in wooden casks for a certain period of time. As for the spelling, whiskey is most often used in Ireland and the US; whisky is the preferred spelling everywhere else.

Bourbon is a whiskey that, by law, must be distilled in the US, must use a grain mixture that is mostly corn, is aged in new charred oak barrels, and is bottled at 80 proof or higher. Common lore insists that bourbon must be distilled in Kentucky, but as far as we can tell, so long as it’s distilled in the US, it can legally be called bourbon.

Scotch is a whisky that, by law, must be distilled in Scotland, is at least 80 proof, includes only water, malted barley, and yeast, and is aged for a minimum of three years in oak barrels. A few things to clarify: Scotch can include other cereal grains but the malted barley still has to be there. The law only states that the spirit is aged in oak barrels, but unlike bourbon, they need not be new barrels. Interestingly, this has led to a secondary market for US bourbon barrels. After they are used in the US, they’re often shipped to Scotland, taken apart, adjusted, reformed, and charred for use in aging Scotch. Broadly, Scotch tends to come in two forms: single malt or blended. Single malt Scotch is from a single batch from a single distillery and must use only water, malted barley (no other grains can be added), and yeast. Blended Scotch, on the other hand, is, as the name suggests, a blend of different types of Scotch (i.e., malt and grain whisky); the spirits are blended to create a more consistent product.

These are painfully broad details because there are all kinds of nuances within each category. My two cents: I only drink Scotch and bourbon. I’ve tried Irish and Japanese whiskeys, and with all respect to the distilleries, they just aren’t my preference. Want something that’ll burn (in all the best ways) while you drink it? Go for bourbon. Want something smoother that’ll be pretty much the same anywhere and whenever you get it? Blended Scotch would be my recommendation. Want something a little more subtle, sometimes smokey, sometimes sweet, sometimes both? Something with more character, but one that might change from year to year? Single malt all the way. Want more specific recommendations? Great, let’s talk.

FAQ 13: How does it work with your drone?

Good question. Yes, we have a drone. Yes, we take it to Scotland every time we go. Yes, Jason is also licensed to fly it in the UK. This last part is really important.

In the US, if you want to fly your drone, you need to register it with the FAA. And so it is with every other country in the world. When we’re off to a new country, one of the first things Jason does is a little searching to see what, if any license he needs to fly the drone. Most often, it’s an operator license that’s very similar to the one he has here in the US. Read the book, take the online training, pass the quiz, pay the fee, and you’re good to go. Most countries require you to have your operator license number physically on the drone (we have a sticker with the info), and you have a physical copy of your license (we have them printed out and keep them in our drone case). Most countries are pretty similar with regard to the rules (e.g., don’t fly your drone in cities, near airports, over people, etc.), but there is some variability with regard to your flight ceiling (the highest you can take your drone) and a few other things.

Can you fly your drone without a license? Sure. Would we recommend it? No. If something goes wrong and you get to meet the local police, odds are they’ll confiscate your drone and make you pay a fee. Don’t risk it; getting the license really isn’t that big of a deal. Oh, and yes, you’ll need to do this for each country; sadly there’s no EU-wide license, at least not as of now.

The post Scotland FAQs: Secrets to Know Before You Go – Part 2 first appeared on The DeBode Way.

As we *finally* start getting ready for our next hop across the pond to our favorite place (we might be leaving in two days and haven’t started thinking about what to take yet), we’re reminded of the questions we’re frequently asked about Scotland. And so, to make things easy for all involved, we’ve made this Scotland FAQ page to keep the questions and answers all in one place. We’ll add to this as we get more questions and think of new/better answers.

FAQ 1: What’s the fascination with haggis? Also, what is it?

This is probably one of the more common questions we’ve had. First thing first: haggis is good stuff, so we’d definitely encourage you to try it. We need to clarify: *real* haggis is good. Yes, it’s possible to find canned haggis and, well, do us all a favor and leave it at the store. Truth be told, it’s not as bad as you might think, but it’s also nowhere near as good as the real stuff.

Okay, so what is it? Traditionally, haggis is made with sheep organs, seasonings, stock, and some kind of cereal grain, most often oatmeal. That’s all mixed together, packed into a sheep’s stomach, and then cooked. Still with me? Good. In the end, haggis tastes like sausage, only better. It’s really more of a mind game, but believe us it’s worth pushing past your notions about organ meat, as that’s not at all what it tastes like. Most often, you’ll find haggis as part of a Full Scottish breakfast, which is also amazing.

The neat thing about haggis is that there’s no single recipe for it. Instead, everywhere you go in Scotland has its own spin on the above main ingredients. That means it’ll taste a little different in each B&B and restaurant and in the different parts of Scotland where different spices, types of fat, cereal grains, and the like are easier to come by. Even if you only try it once, give it a go and see what you think. Our bet is it’ll be so much better than you’re expecting.

FAQ 2: Is it weird driving on the *wrong* side of the road?

We work hard to avoid calling it the *wrong* side of the car or road, both of which you’ll experience if you’re adventurous enough to rent a car (friendly reminder: they refer to this as ‘hiring’ a car, not renting one). Instead, just call it like it is: they drive on the right side of the car and the other side of the road. Nothing worse than going to a foreign country and telling them what they do is wrong. From their perspective, what we do is wrong.

All that being said, it does take a minute to get yourself reoriented to driving, so build that into your timetable. If you’re anything like me, when I’m driving I very heavily rely on the solid line on the left side of the road to keep my bearings; that’s hard to do when you’re driving on the opposite side of the car. Also keep in mind that most rental cars in Scotland are manuals, not automatics. And yes, that means you’ll be shifting with your left hand, not the right as you’d do in the US. For this reason (and others), we always specifically rent an automatic. Importantly, you’ll need to make sure you reserve your car in advance, as most of the lots don’t have many automatics sitting around.

As for driving, that comes a bit more naturally, at least to me. Mostly you’re just going with the flow of traffic, however odd it might seem at first. They’re also good about putting up signs (WRONG WAY!) to keep you heading in the right direction. And when in doubt, just look at the road: much of the time there are arrows and other directions written on the road you’re driving on. Writing upside-down? That probably means you’re going the wrong way.

FAQ 3: Trains? Really?

We’ll admit that trains in the US don’t have the best reputations, either for their safety or efficiency. Fortunately, that couldn’t be further from the truth in Scotland. Really, this is true of most of the countries we’ve been to in Europe and the UK, not just Scotland. Trains are safe and clean, convenient, and are usually pretty cost-effective. There’s also an increasing number of high-speed trains, meaning you can get to where you’re going even faster than before. Most of the time the trains have food cars where you can grab a snack or drink, and bathrooms spaced out between the different cars.

One thing we had some trouble with was understanding the different classes of tickets. Sometimes your ticket gets you access to a specific car, but you can pick whatever seat you want. Other times your ticket is for a specific seat in a specific car, and this isn’t always obvious. There are also different fare classes you can buy: the lower classes are pretty basic affairs, while the first- and second-class seats are generally more comfortable and have fewer people in each car. The prices are all over the place, but we’ve found they’re usually very reasonable. The schedules and stations aren’t always when or where you need them to be, and there are often several stations in a given city, so it pays to do a little homework to make sure you’re on the right route and going to the right station.

FAQ 4: What’s the food like over there?

One of the things we really like about Scotland, and again this is fair for most of Europe as well, is the food situation. Tasha has a few food sensitivities that make eating out a challenge when we’re in the US. However, many of the additives and preservatives used in US food are illegal in the UK and Europe, so not something we need to worry about, at least usually. As for the more common sensitivities (e.g., gluten, soy, dairy, etc.), they are all very clearly marked on every menu we’ve seen on our travels (bold words, symbols, etc.). It’s also very common for the host/hostess to ask about dietary restrictions when you make a reservation and/or when seating you for your meal. That information is passed onto your server who has a great working knowledge of the menu and can point you to/away from different options. It’s also not unheard of for the chef to customize a dish for your needs, we’ve found this is especially true at smaller pubs and in B&Bs.

Just to clarify: we’re not saying you don’t need to pay attention to your food allergies when traveling. That’s just silly. However, we’ve found it’s much easier to eat out in Europe than it is in the US. So, if that’s what’s been holding you back, fret not! You may actually be better off in the end!

FAQ 5: Okay, but doesn’t it always rain in Scotland?

True enough, Scotland isn’t exactly an arid climate. They do get their fair share of rain; some might even say more than their fair share. However, it doesn’t usually rain the *entire* time we’re there. Most often there is rain in the forecast almost every day, but that usually means it’ll rain for about 15-20 minutes at some point during the day, and that’ll be it. Sure, some days they get more rain and it’s a little dreary, but there are lots of days when it doesn’t rain at all.

If you’re in town and it starts raining, that’s a great excuse to stop into a pub for a cup of tea and a snack (we’re kidding, you never need an excuse for a cup of tea in the UK). If you’re out on a hike, that’s why we advocate for taking waterproof jackets and shoes. You just never know when you might find a wet spot or when the heavens may open up. And if it really does end up raining all day, there’s likely a roaring fireplace with comfy chairs and couches nearby. Oh and tea, there’s always tea.

FAQ 6: What’s the rule on tipping when eating out?

This is one of the ways Americans tend to distinguish themselves when visiting Europe. When we’re back home in the US, because your server often makes less than minimum wage, it’s common practice to tip somewhere around 20% of your bill. However, be advised that servers in Europe often make a living wage, and because of this, the tipping customs are a bit different.

Most often, we tip about 10%, but even that’s a bit much in some parts of Europe. When Jason goes to Spain, the norm is to leave a 1-2 Euro tip regardless of how large your bill is (there are probably exceptions for really, really fancy meals, but we don’t eat like that most of the time). Similarly, when we’re in the UK, tipping a few pounds for lunch is fairly standard, as is the 10% tip for dinner. Also, make sure you check your bill – they may have already included the tip.

The post Scotland FAQs: Secrets to Know Before You Go – Part 1 first appeared on The DeBode Way.