This time in London, we spent loads of time walking and just seeing where our feet would take us. At the last minute, we decided to visit Westminster Abbey in Westminster (fun to search for famous tombs and effigies), Saint Paul’s Cathedral on Ludgate Hill (what an absolutely stunning building!), and walked across the Millennium Bridge to Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre on the South Bank on Thursday. On Friday, we took on the Victoria and Albert Museum and Harrods before our show. We stayed at the Lost Property Saint Paul’s Curio by Hilton (on points!) and had a lovely time being within walking distance of so many things to do. We even walked to our show on Friday night. We were also able to meet up with Jason’s cousin on the DeBode side for dinner at The Ned one night before she moved back to the US. Lots of things checked off our list this time!

By Saturday morning, we were ready to get out of the city. It’s a good thing we had a 6 am train out of Euston Station to do just that – time to head to Scotland! On our way North, we had to take the Avanti West service up the west coast of England due to maintenance on the east coast lines. This meant the journey took 6.5 hours rather than our usual 4.5 hours, but it was a good opportunity to catch up on some sleep.

Once we reached Waverley Station in Edinburgh, we hit the ground running. We checked in at the Hilton Carlton (which is finishing up a stunning renovation) and met up with the rest of the group that was there that day. Once we had a plan, they headed off to a comedy whisky tasting and we headed off to find some local friends (it’s so cool to have ‘local’ friends around the world). We spent the evening with our friends and their kids at the Christmas Market – what a busy place! It reminded me of the Iowa State Fair with the mounds of people, rides, foods, and things for purchase. We had a great time checking out all the stalls and watching the kids do some of the rides. Afterwards, we headed to The Dome on George Street for drinks and a gander at the Christmas decorations – they were phenomenal. 

Later we found ourselves at the Inn on the Mile for dinner (always a top choice for us) and then we met up with the rest of our group at Whistle Binkies next door for live music and a pint. That was a great time! It’s always great to rub elbows with locals and learn about each other.

On Sunday we all did our own things all day. The Palace of Holyrood, shopping, ghost tours, etc. Jason scored TWO great coats while we were shopping – he’ll be very stylish this winter. I may have found one for myself as well. We all met up for dinner at Howies (always a favorite) and then went to the rooftop lounge at the W Hotel for drinks before bed. What a great view of the Christmas Market and all of Edinburgh!

Monday morning, we had a train to catch to Stirling, so we walked the group down to the train station with our luggage and headed there for one quick night. After checking into King Street Aparthotel (which was amazing), we had the BEST tour of a castle we’ve ever encountered. Our tour guide, Joanie, was phenomenal and knew darn near everything about Stirling Castle. It’s always such a bonus when someone can make some dry history exciting – that’s the entire reason I studied history in college, I had great teachers. We all agreed that, if only we’d had history teachers more like Joanie, we’d probably like history more now. After we poked our heads into all the grand spaces preserved and original, and inquired about the price to rent the great hall for a wedding (haha), we had a bit of a surprise on our way out of the castle. Cousin Ashley’s boyfriend got down on one knee in front of the castle, and she said yes! How absolutely magical! I guess there was a reason he was asking about the price to rent the great hall (starts at £10,000 by the way)!

After a very exciting lunch at No. 2 Baker Street, we split up for a bit before dinner. Some went for naps, but J & I went with the excited couple to Church of the Holy Rude only to find it closed for the season. Bummer. So instead, we wandered the surrounding graveyard and got some fun photos of it and the castle beyond. I love a good cemetery wander – I’m so weird. We decided to tour the Old Town Jail and learned quite a lot about the penal system in Scotland and its advances throughout the years. Let’s just say I wouldn’t have wanted to be in trouble before the prison reform came through!

A quick dram with most of the group at Nicky-Tams followed by dinner at Maharaja Indian Restaurant rounded out our evening – we were so tired. But the rest of the group went back to Nicky-Tams for the live folk music and had a great time. We crashed in our King Street Aparthotel (which was fantastic) to prepare for the next day. We were catching another train in the morning for Inverness.

If you’ve never taken the train through Scotland from Glasgow or Edinburgh to Inverness, I highly suggest you do. The views are stunning as you go through the Cairngorms National Park. So many snowcapped munros (mountains), streams, sheep, and quaint villages keep you staring out the window the entire time. I often find myself saying I’m just getting off at the next station and staying. Scotland is just so dreamy.

We arrived in Inverness early in the afternoon and got moved into our apartments at Mansley Highland Apartments – right on the River Ness. We had fantastic views of Inverness up and down the river. After we threw a few things into the washing machine quickly, we headed to a late lunch with the group at Johnny Foxes. We had just a couple of hours to spare before dinner, so we wandered through some shops, and I got lost in Leakey’s Bookshop for a few hours while Jason went to get some cough drops and ibuprofen. Uh oh.

Dinner was at Hou Hou Mei across the river and it was excellent, even if Jason didn’t touch his dinner [Jason says: not because it wasn’t good…keep reading for the details]. I knew then we were in trouble. As we were trying to leave, he started shaking uncontrollably with cold and I had to drag him back to the apartment and put him to bed [Jason says: except remember we stopped halfway AT THE RIVER to take a family picture. Never miss a good photo opp!], where he remained for the next 2 days. Usually when he’s sick, he can rally, but this knocked him out flat, as it did for me 3 weeks prior. Nasty thing. The group went in search of live music and found some fantastic musicians. I was glad they sent me some videos. How fun!

While Jason was catching some serious zzs on Wednesday, I went to catch a train to Huntly with the rest of the group for a daytrip. This was the day the entire trip was built for! Jason’s Huntley family (his mom’s family) hails from the area of Scotland in Aberdeenshire called Huntly. There is a very cute village also called Huntly where there is a castle ruin that is always great fun to visit.

Do we know if they have any connection to those who once resided in the castle? Mmmm…not 100% sure [Jason says: pfft, lies! It’s ours.]. Lots of people have spent more time researching the connection than I have (I have piles of Huntley research books from them), but we at least know they’re from the area and I know when they came to the United States, they were coopers (barrel makers) in Lyme, Connecticut. The Huntley last name most likely came from the area where they lived since it wasn’t common to have a last name in those times. I have more research to do. Surely all this DNA work can help me out in a big way one of these days.

We had lunch in Huntly at The Bank Cafe and it was great! There aren’t a ton of options in that small town, but that one is definitely at the top. After lunch, we walked to Huntly Castle for a self-guided tour and poked around the castle grounds for over an hour. Once we were thoroughly chilled, we headed back into the village to warm up with a pint at the Crown Bar. But first, I stopped at Orb’s Book Shop to find a book to help me with that further Huntley research –  The History of Strathbogie, The Story of the Lords of Strathbogie, Their Castle and the Town of Huntly Which Grew Up in its Shadow by Patrick W. Scott (who may be an ancestor of mine – wild!). I’ve been waiting to grab the new edition for 2 years. Nerd.

Six of us headed back to Inverness and the other two stayed behind to meet a cousin from Aberdeen for dinner. Jason was no better when I got back (worse, actually), so I headed to dinner with the group to River House Restaurant – the best food we had on the entire trip! It was a tiny restaurant, but they had the freshest seafood, the best staff, and we got a table right next to the kitchen so it was fun to watch them prepare everything…including the half pound of butter that went into each steak and shrimp dish! Wowsa.

The next morning we had to move to a hotel due to a scheduling snafoo. I packed everything up and hauled it and Jason a couple of blocks down the road to the River Ness Radisson Hotel. I tucked him in bed and set off to locate a cake for an engagement party and some buns to feed Jason with medication. Tour and wife duties.

Once I had those things found and dropped off back at the hotel I decided I was going on a long walk.  Everyone else was off on adventures to Ullapool and Culloden Battlefield and had a fabulous time. So jealous. So instead, I set off down the river towards the Ness Islands for a bit of nature in the city. It was very windy, but so nice to walk amongst the trees for awhile. I was back just in time for everyone else to start reappearing and get ready for dinner.

By now it was Thursday and Thanksgiving Day! We had Thanksgiving dinner in an old church called The Mustard Seed. It was such a fun building, complete with a wood burning fire, a vaulted ceiling-height bar and Christmas trees. Very festive. We surprised the newly engaged couple with a Victorian Sponge cake with a firecracker candle on top – so fun! I pulled the sick husband card after dinner and went to check on him while the rest of the group went looking for live music again for their last night in Inverness.

Friday morning we packed up and headed back to the train station for our journey back South to Edinburgh. Our trip back was a little more eventful than it otherwise would have been as we’d all coordinated before to bring Adidas track suits. Each couple chose a different color, and of course we were the only ones on the train in track suits [Jason says: they were all jealous!]. The ScotRail staff member found it as entertaining as we did, and seemed to make repeated stops to our car. Our photo opp at the station in Stirling brought equal confusion and laughter from the other travelers. We’ll call this a win, and one heck of a good fashion statement! We stayed at the Norton House Hotel & Spa just a few minutes from the airport. This gave everyone a chance to relax before their trips home or on to Ireland. I booked myself a massage and facial, which I never do on trips. It was nice to have a moment to try to clear my mind. Some others had massages, spent time in the pool, or went back into Edinburgh city center to find some more adventures.

We met in the hotel Brasserie for our final dinner (Jason included this time!), group photos, and lots of hugs and goodbyes. In the morning we parted ways for Glasgow, Dublin, and London. It turns out there is a whopper of a snowstorm blowing across the northern United States, so it could be a interested trip home for most of us. I’m just hoping we make it state-side. I can figure it out easier from there.

So here we are, on a train to back to London to catch our plane home tomorrow morning. The plan for tonight is to repack more intelligently so we can check a bag or two and hopefully call it an early night. Jason has been a trooper with moving around the past couple of days, but he still feels pretty poorly and has a wicked cough. I’m hoping that the snowstorm doesn’t hold us up too much and we can sleep in our bed Sunday night (spoiler: we didn’t make it until late Monday night).

There you have it, a wee glance inside what a group trip to Scotland with us looks like (ok, maybe a long one). We like to have a good mix of group activities we schedule to do together, and also leave you lots of time to explore on your own to make sure you see all the things you want to on your trip. I also hope many of the activities, hotels, and restaurants I mentioned could be options to add to your own trip – either with us or on your own.

We don’t currently have any further group trips scheduled for sign-up, but we are taking inquiries about private trips (gather your people), and I will be working on setting up preplanned itineraries this winter that you can book yourself. We want to help you find the courage and support to get out there!

The post The Huntleys Take on Scotland – A Look into a Group Trip 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.

Join The DeBode Way as we explore Edinburgh and Oban in Scotland by train.

We will personally meet you in Edinburgh for three days of exploring the city and the surrounding area. Then we will board the train as a group at Waverley Station and be whisked away into the Highlands! This scenic train journey will end in Oban on the west coast of Scotland. There you can indulge in the local whisky, the freshest seafood you’ve ever had, fairytale castles, the breathtaking landscape, and so much more! Once we’ve had our fill of Oban (which isn’t really a thing) we’ll hop back on the train for the journey back to Edinburgh. We’ll spend the remaining time catching our breath at a country estate in the Edinburgh area. On our final morning, we’ll board planes and trains for your journey home or to your next destination.

Included in your trip:

• Luxury Accommodations
• Three Indulgent Group Dinners
• All Breakfasts
• Small Group Tours in Each Location
• Private Transfers
• Train Tickets
• Extra Goodies from Us

We want to treat you like kings and queens while teaching you to travel sustainably. You will have access to Jason & Tasha at The DeBode Way to help answer any questions you may have.

We do not include airfare in your purchase so you can collect your points and miles! Please plan to meet us in the early morning of June 6th either at Waverley Station in Edinburgh or EDI Airport.

Following your purchase, you will receive an email from us with the trip itinerary and curated lists of additional tours, restaurants, and things to do that we recommend for your free time. Also included in that email will be a Disclaimer Form for you to sign and return to us so we can begin our journey together. You will be invited to download our trip app via a separate email as we get closer to our departure. You can use this app to keep track of every tiny detail of your trip in real-time. We’ll have one Zoom call before departure to answer last-minute questions and introduce everyone to each other.

We can’t wait to have you join us for this magical journey through Scotland!
See you soon!

The post A Small Group Summer of Luxury in Scotland – June 6-14, 2025 – CLOSED first appeared on The DeBode Way.

What We Don’t Do

It might seem a little weird to start with what we don’t do, but it’s a shorter and important conversation. The biggest thing we don’t do for our clients is book their airfare between the US and wherever we’re going. Why? Well, different people like traveling in different cabins (business v. economy, for example), from different kinds of airports (small v. large), and prefer to travel with different amounts of luggage (we strongly recommend a rolling carry-on and backpack, but you do you, friend – you have to carry it ). As you might guess, each of those influences the price of your flight and potentially your itinerary. But most of all is the points! We’re big advocates of playing the credit card points game, as we’ve explained before, and if we book your flight you don’t get the miles or points (we do).

Other than your flight, we also don’t include travel insurance (though we always recommend getting it, just for your peace of mind) or schedule your activities during your free time, which we explain a little later. We do cover some of your meals, but we also leave time to try places you want, which you cover on your own.

What We Do

Okay, with that out of the way, let’s talk about the broad structure of how we build our small group trips and why we’re different. First, doing things The DeBode Way means choosing your own adventure and charting your own path, though we understand not everyone is as comfortable jumping into the unknown as others, or at least not yet. At the same time, most people we know don’t want a fully-planned itinerary that doesn’t leave time to explore at your own pace or interest. We fit in between these two extremes, building an overall structure that takes care of the major things but leaves lots of unstructured free time to create the trip of your dreams. Interested? Excellent; let’s use our most recent trip as an example.

Scotland, October 2024!

Our most recent Scottish small group trip started in Edinburgh, traveled to Oban, and then back to the outskirts of Edinburgh. Let’s talk about each part of the trip to give you a better sense of what we do.

Edinburgh, Part 1

Most folks in our small group flew from the US into Edinburgh, though a few flew into London and took the train from King’s Cross Station up to Edinburgh. Why? Flights into London are often considerably less expensive than into Edinburgh, so you can save some cash if you fly into London and take an easy 4-hour train ride with stunning scenery up to Edinburgh (don’t worry; we’ll give recommendations for how to do this). Even with first-class train tickets, you can save a bundle. For the folks who flew into Edinburgh, Jason met them at the airport and arranged cabs directly to our hotel. For those who took the train in from London, Tasha met them at the train station and walked with them a couple of blocks to the hotel. We also took care of the hotel accommodations, finding a hotel with an excellent location in the middle of the Royal Mile. This hotel included breakfast each morning, meaning one less thing our group had to worry about.

During our three days in Edinburgh, we arranged for a small group dinner and had pre-booked a two-day Hop-On/Hop-Off bus pass that included entrance to Edinburgh Castle, the Palace at Holyrood House, and the Royal Yacht Britannica – all the major attractions along the Mile. This also provided a great way to get around the city. Everything else during our stay in Edinburgh was up to our travelers. Before we left, we shared a document with tons of suggestions for things to do in Edinburgh and day trips to nearby locations. Our clients could book whatever sparked their interest (and the interests were far and wide). Some were content wandering the picturesque cobblestone streets along the Mile looking for gifts, having a cup of tea (or a dram of whisky), or people-watching. Others had done some family genealogy research, rented a car, and visited the lands of their ancestors. One group booked a private driver and headed to St. Andrews for the day and stumbled upon the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at the Old Course – what luck! We opted to book a professional photographer and take the train to the stunning Scottish countryside for some photos. The options are endless and everyone got to do what they wanted!

Our group dinners were designed to introduce our group members to each other, as not everyone knew one another. These were casual meals where we got to know each other and shared our day’s adventures. These meals were often followed by a poke into a pub or fancy hotel bar on the way back to our hotel for a dram of choice – we had a good time!

Oban

After getting our fill of Edinburgh (kidding, that’s not a thing), we had arranged for train travel up to the Highlands and our next destination: Oban. No need for cabs this time, as our hotel in Oban (which we took care of) was across the street from the train station. Here, as in Edinburgh, our hotel included a fabulous breakfast and we also covered two group dinners, one that included an evening of learning traditional Scottish dance.

As we were now in the Highlands, there were new things to do and countless day trips to some of the most stunning scenery you’ve ever imagined. Here again, some couples were happy to stroll along the main street in this fishing village. Others rented cars to visit where their ancestors walked. Some even booked a sightseeing tour. We opted to rent a car and head to Ardanaiseig Hotel, one of our favorite places in the Highlands. There we had tea, caught up with some friends, and took a walk on one of the magical paths through the woods. We had given our small group a list of suggested things to do in Oban and the surrounding areas, but everyone booked what they wanted, went at their own pace, and had a fantastic time. We even had a group venture out to the islands – which we highly recommend!

Edinburgh, Part 2

As our time in the Highlands ended, we walked everyone back to the train station for the 4-hour train ride back to Edinburgh (which we’d arranged) and cabs to the oasis that was our hotel for the night (which we’d also arranged). In our free time before dinner at the hotel, some of the small group headed to the spa while others relaxed in their expansive, luxurious rooms until dinner. We took care of a three-course dinner at the hotel’s amazing restaurant for a final round of tales and goodbyes.

The next morning everyone parted ways, with some heading to the airport to go home and others heading to London via train to continue their adventures. In each case, we took care of the cabs to the airport or train station.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, this gives you a better idea of what we do. Ultimately, we want you to have the trip of your dreams. Could we build a more structured itinerary? Sure. But just because we think something is a must-see doesn’t mean you do. Certainly, we’re happy to give you recommendations for things we’ve done in the past, but our goal is to take care of the things you don’t want to or might not think about, freeing you up to focus on what matters the most: making memories.

After dinner on our last night in Edinburgh, most folks called it an early night, exhausted from seeing all the things over the prior eight days. For us, that’s a victory, and we think it was for them, too.

Curious to learn more? Interested in joining us on our next group trip? Stay tuned for more details. We have more trip options coming soon!

Happy travels, friends!

The post Exclusive Small Group Travel: The DeBode Way first appeared on The DeBode Way.

Join Jason & Tasha on a guided trip where we handle the majority of the nit-picky details. All you have to do is book your flight and any extra tours you wish to do.

We will pick you up from the airport and handle the rest of the travel logistics, hotels, train tickets, breakfasts, a few group dinners, and at least one group tour or event in each location. Plus, you get us every step of the way to help plan your free time in the itinerary (some full days!) and answer any questions, both before we go and while we’re there. It’s what we like to think of as a guided choose your own adventure trip! Grab your friends and let’s go!

On these guided trips, we will explore Edinburgh & Oban in Scotland and London in England. We’ll be traveling between cities by train, so there’s no need to fret about driving, unless you want to in your free time! Choose your own adventure, remember! We will be within walking distance of the train stations, so only pack what you can carry – we always recommend rolling carry-on size luggage and a backpack so it’s easy to carry, roll over cobblestones, and handle on trains.

In the spirit of a true choose your own adventure, we’re trying something different this time. Ready to join us for the whole adventure? Excellent, you can join us for the entire trip from Edinburgh to London. Have you been to London and aren’t quite ready to go back? No problem; join us in Scotland and head home when we head South. Scotland not your jam? Blasphemy! Still, we’re cool with it, and you can meet us in London for a few days. It’s totally up to you! Whatever you choose, you’ll still have us to help with everything.

To help make your trip exactly what you want, we include lots of free time. Not sure how to fill your free time when you get there? Don’t want to spend hours pouring over the internet looking for things to do? Never fear, that’s why we’re here! We’ve spent HOURS (years) compiling lists of our favorite tours, things to do, restaurants, and little hidden gems, tips, and tricks. You get access to them all when you pay for your trip itinerary.

After your purchase, you will get an email from us including a disclosure form to sign and return, your itinerary, our handy dandy lists, and an FAQ section – 2 documents total. Remember to book your flight as soon as possible and we’ll see you there!

The post The Adventure of Your Lifetime: Enchanting Scotland, Charming London, or Both! – CLOSED first appeared on The DeBode Way.

Grab your best waterproof walking shoes and/or boots and join Jason & Tasha with a small group of others as we explore the Edinburgh and Oban areas of Scotland in October! You’ll have the chance to see everything from the medieval architecture of Edinburgh, to the stunning highlands surrounding Oban, to Oban Bay and the Firth of Lorn off its west coast.

Three special group dinners are included in your cost. We’ll use them to get to know each other, learn about wine pairings, and dance the night away in Scottish Ceilidh (pronounced kay-leigh) style!

We’ll take care of private airport transfers, hotels, trains, two tours, eight breakfasts, and three dinners (drinks not included)*. The rest is up to you!

You’ll need to book yourself a plane ticket with plans to meet us at EDI airport the morning of October 1st. We’ll get you squared away from there so the adventure can begin! But first, strap on your walking shoes, let’s get breakfast.

Also included is a two day (48 hour) Hop-On, Hop-Off bus pass for exploring Edinburgh on your own to help you get your bearings. It includes entrance tickets to Edinburgh Castle, The Royal Yacht Britannia, and Holyrood Palace (Holyrood tour is only available the morning of Thursday, Oct. 3).

You are welcome to wander the streets of Edinburgh or book additional tours yourself to explore the surrounding area. Either way, there are endless options to keep you busy. We have a list of great choices to get you started.

This is a guided tour, but our goal is to teach you to travel comfortably on your own. Therefore, we want you to book your own excursions to make sure you see exactly what you want to while you’re in Scotland. But worry not – we’re here to help with suggestions and to point you in the right direction, so you don’t have to be entirely on your own if you don’t want to be.

Go on a hunt for Jamie Fraser and Outlander filming locations, take in local distilleries, travel to Stirling to visit its massive castle and National Wallace Monument, visit Linlithgow Palace: the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots, take a drive south to Rosslyn Chapel or Hadrian’s Wall, or venture north via train to St. Andrews: the birthplace of golf – the possibilities are endless!

If you wish to stay closer to Edinburgh, there are endless walks, shopping opportunities, museums, chances for a cup of tea, and local tours to keep you busy. Our favorite tours involve making your own chocolate and visiting the underworld of Edinburgh (yes, we have many recommendations).

After we’ve all had a hefty dose of Edinburgh, we’ll get on the train at Waverly Station (a 15 minute walk with your bags – pack light). A quick change of trains in Glasgow, and we’ll be headed into the highlands to Oban. Be sure to watch the stunning scenery outside your window!

In Oban we’ll take a group tour of Oban Distillery, one of the smallest and longest operating distilleries in Scotland. Even if whisky is not your thing, this is a very informative tour with all sorts of industry, historical importance, and local tidbits. Plus there’s a chance for a taste at the end if you wish!

We’ll spend three full days in Oban where you will again have time to wander via your choice of tours and activities. Oban was once a quaint little fishing village, but it is now renowned for its seafood and connection to the isles – be sure to try the amazing seafood at one of the plethora of restaurants available and hop on a ferry to one of the islands.

Rent a car or book a tour for a journey into Glencoe for its breathtaking views and history, skirt around Loch Awe via rental car to Inveraray Castle: the home of the current Duke and Duchess of Argyll (leader of the Campbell Clan), or hop on the CalMac ferry and journey across the water to the isles of Mull and Iona. You will get a hefty dose of Scotland’s wild beauty and outdoors while we base in Oban. We’re big fans of strapping on our hiking boots and seeing where the day takes us!

After our final group dinner, we will head back to Edinburgh the following morning via train for a final evening together. Here you will have a chance to relax, say your goodbyes, and pack your bags for the flight home. The next morning we’ll get you back to the airport as needed via private taxi for your flight home. Be sure to grab a bite to eat at the airport, it’s a long flight home!

We hope you’ll join us on this adventure! We’re so excited to share Scotland in October with you so you can see why we love it so much. See you soon!

*Your purchase also includes a digital download of the itinerary, tour options, and an FAQ section to set your mind at ease. You will receive two emails from us – a purchase confirmation and a second email with the group itinerary & tour/restaurant recommendations, a disclosure form, and links to Jotform with a photo disclosure and Zoom time sign-up. You must complete the PDF disclosure form and return it to us immediately so we can continue working together. Once all your forms are received, we will invite you to join our Facebook Group (Scotland – October 2024).

If you do not receive both emails within a few minutes, let us know. You will also be obligated to purchase your own travel insurance for any mishaps beyond anyone’s control along the way.

We have two payment plans available at purchase: Paypal Installments or Shop Pay. You must have or set up an account with either Paypal or Shop to make monthly or installment payments. You can also pay the amount in full with a credit card or PayPal.

The post Join us in Scotland in October 2024! – FULL first appeared on The DeBode Way.

I’m so happy to say that we’re nearly there. I wanted to launch signup in our Wednesday (monthly, for now) blog this week, but we’ve got a few kinks to work out yet, so instead, we’ll give you the run-down, the price, and a week to think about it before we launch the signup! Deal? Ok, good. Whew.

If you are one of the folks on our list for an early signup, you will hopefully have that opportunity over the weekend. We’ll reach out to you on Facebook Messenger once our end is solid. We’re so, so close.

Here it is. Drum roll, please!

Please join us on a trip to Scotland, October 1-9, 2024 for 3 days in Edinburgh, a stunning train journey through the Highlands to Oban on the west coast for a full 3 days, and back to Edinburgh to relax before your journey home (or wherever your little heart desires). That’s 6 days of touring, 2 days of train travel, and you will head home on the 9^th day.

We will provide:

• All lodging (4-star!) within 10-15 minutes walking distance of train stations
• Train tickets (from Edinburgh to Oban and back again)
• 3 Group dinners
• 8 Breakfasts at your leisure
• A list of suggested additional tours, activities, and restaurants you can book yourself
• Private Airport Transfers
• 2 Tours (one multi-day in Edinburgh and one in Oban)
• PLUS Jason & Tasha’s expertise and guidance – unlimited emails, Facebook or WhatsApp Messages; 2-3 group Zoom calls; guidance with transportation; and availability to answer questions/help as needed while we’re in Scotland. We want you to feel comfortable and have the best time!

You will need to:

• Book your own airfare to Edinburgh (meeting us on the morning of October 1^st , which means leaving the US on September 30^th for an overnight flight)
  • EDI is the airport code
• Book any additional tours or activities you wish to do during free days (there are 2-3 days in Edinburgh and 3 days in Oban) – we have suggestions
• Acquire your own travel insurance – we have suggestions
• Have a Valid Passport with at least 6 months before its expiry date
• Ensure you are able to carry your own luggage or make arrangements for assistance
  • We strongly suggest only bringing a carry-on-sized rolling bag and a backpack. These fit on trains the best, but they can accommodate a medium-sized checked bag. Any bag larger than a carry-on size will be out of your line of sight while you are on the train, most likely.

Alright, here’s the grand total!

Single Occupancy $4750 – Per Person

Double Occupancy $7250 – Per Couple or Travel Partners

If you have a Paypal account, you can sign up for PayPal Installments to break the price into monthly payments, or 4 installments. Otherwise, your purchase will be available with whatever credit card you decide to rack up points with through the Shopify checkout platform or regular PayPal.

Grab a travel buddy and double up for the best price! We worked really hard to ensure a comfortable trip with loads of flexibility. This means we are staying in conveniently located 4-star hotels with easy access to trains, buses, rental cars, ferries, and tours within walking distance. These hotels also have their own fabulous hot breakfasts included, plus restaurants and bars if you’re feeling less adventurous at the end of a long day. We’ve been there!

Our two included tours are designed to help familiarize you with the areas we will be staying in and to help you learn a little about local history and culture. You can spend as much or as little time with these as you like. The rest of the time will be spent seeing your version of Scotland. We’ll meet you for a nightcap each evening (if you’d like) to hear your tales!

We are beyond excited to share this trip to Scotland with you! We’re asked over and over why we keep going back to Scotland (and why we don’t just move there, haha). My friends, it just feels like coming home and we couldn’t love it more. Come with us and see for yourself!

Give it a think and we’ll be open for our pre-booking list this weekend (I hope) and everyone else next Wednesday, February 14^th (aww Valentine’s Day!). Spots are very limited! Don’t think too long!

Eep! I’m so excited!

The post Where Have We Been? Launching a Business and a Trip to Scotland! first appeared on The DeBode Way.

After breakfast the next morning, we were off again for one of the longer drives of the trip. We were on a mission from Skye to Speyside – a 3.5 hour drive according to Google Maps. But first, Doug and I took a wander down to the beach in front of the hotel. It was so peaceful and beautiful. Next time we need to spend more time here. It felt very rushed. More hiking, less driving.

They finally got us into the car, back over the bridge at Kyle of Lochalsh, and through the mountains to take a peep at Loch Ness. Nessy didn’t feel like making an appearance as we drove nearly the entire length of the loch to pass through Inverness. We stopped briefly for a break and coffee at Drumnadrochit before we got to Inverness. Then it was full speed ahead to make it to Huntly for our 1:30 PM tour of Huntly Castle – the supposed stomping grounds of the Huntley Clan of the Quad Cities, Illinois.

I’ve never been able to prove that Jason’s ancestors had anything to do with the castle in Huntly (by the same token, we also can’t prove they didn’t). I’ve been in contact with those much deeper in the research than I have been able to do and have mounds of books written by them, but they can’t prove anything either. The records that far back are too spotty. So…it’s a good story. I do however know that the first Huntleys in America were coopers (barrel makers) in Connecticut, so…it’s entirely possible they came from the Huntly region and maybe hauled some barrels into the castle. It is one of the heaviest whisky-producing regions in Scotland after all. (Jason says: that’s all fine and well, but our family name is still on a castle, so…) (Tasha says: only because it’s in the village of Huntly, which is probably the last name your family adopted when they came to America because they didn’t have one, so…)

After a good look around the castle and various Gordon Tartan (the ruling family of the Huntly area – Huntly Tartan) paraphernalia purchased in the gift shop, we headed for our next hotel – Dowans Hotel in Arberlour, Scotland. This turned out to be my favorite on the entire trip. The rooms AND bathrooms were huge, we had a gorgeous tub in a turret (a turret!), the bed was so comfy, the food was amazing, the owners and staff were so personable, and…it SNOWED! It was magic.

Oh gosh, I forgot the best part (for Jason, I was enjoying the snow). They had an ENTIRE room full of whisky. No joke; there were something like 400+ bottles in their collection. When I couldn’t find Jason, I knew he would be here, up on the ladder, admiring the selection, talking with the staff, and trying to pick something to try – an impossible feat. We had the best time. I need to figure out how to put this hotel back in a future itinerary.

Jason had to work that first evening, so I enjoyed the tub in the turret before we headed back down to the bar to wait for dinner. They had us order ahead and then brought us into the restaurant when our food was ready to come out. Nice. Like I said, dinner here was amazing. We all, except Jason, had a turkey dinner the first night. It was so good that Doug and Sandy had it the second night as well. After that long day of driving it was time to hit the sheets before our final day of sight-seeing.

After a huge breakfast, we wandered down the road to Speyside Cooperage to learn about making barrels. I thought this would be fun because it is a huge (HUGE) part of how whisky is created AND remember I said the Huntley ancestors were coopers? Just your friendly little tour guide connecting the dots. This turned out to be a really informative tour. Who’d have thought that making barrels was so interesting? Since the coopers are actively working, very hard, and are paid by the barrel, the visitors to the cooperage observe from a gallery above while your guide tells you what they are doing. I believe she said they have 21 coopers currently in their operation with a handful of apprentices in training and they were all hustling. They make very few new barrels and instead focus on refurbishing barrels for their next life. It was fascinating, super hard work.

Much to our surprise and delight, the tour ended with a tasting of the Cooperage’s whisky. No, they don’t distill their own whisky on top of cranking out barrels, but they purchase from one of the zillions of local distilleries and remove the label, so we don’t know what we had! Sneaky. They do this so as not to show any favoritism among their customers, and it changes all the time. The staff doesn’t even know which whisky they are servings so as not to have favorites.

After the cooperage, we decided to take a little trip to Elgin, about 20 minutes away, towards the north coast. The hotel owner told us the local cashmere maker – Johnston’s of Elgin – was having their annual tent sale. So we set out to find a deal on cashmere, and oh did we find it! I think we came home we 3 cardigans, 3 scarves, 2 pairs of gloves, and a sweater for a tiny fraction of their original price. What a great find! Somehow we managed to shove that all in our already full suitcases. I really need to pack less so we have room for such treasures! We got tea and cakes at the store’s café before we headed back to the hotel.

We took up residency for hours in the Still Room (the one full of whisky) at the hotel once we got back. Just chatting and tasting. I had a whisky – Glenfiddich‘s Orchard Experiment – it tasted like a green Jolly Rancher. The most bizarre thing! It was aged in a Somerset Pomona Spirit Cask, which is right up my alley. I love how distillers are experimenting with cask finishes these days! They’re coming up with some really unique things in Scotland.

We had dinner a little early that night as we had to pack up again. We decided to crack open the orange wine we got from the Wee Wine Shop in Oban, so we all shared that before turning in for the night. Have you ever had an orange wine? To clarify, we don’t mean wine made from oranges, it’s still grapes. It’s so unique. It tastes not quite red, and not quite white, but also not blush. Try it sometime and let me know what you think. Ours was from Georgia (the country).

Our last day was our longest driving day. On the map, it looked like it should take us about 3 hours to get to the Dalhamoy Country Club near Edinburgh Airport. It ended up taking us about 5.5 hours, but we did stop a couple of times. Once at a super sketchy truck stop that was like turning back the time to somewhere in my childhood – a smoke filled room that smelled like woodsmoke and bacon with cooks working a griddle behind the counter. Twice trying to get gas (petrol) when the first stop wouldn’t take a foreign credit card, or cash (bizarre). And finally at Scone Palace to visit the café and gift shop. Also, I like to visit the resident peacocks. We were stopped in traffic for almost an hour, so we missed the tour window, but were able to hunt down a wooly coo ornament and various other things. Also, more coffee.

Jason and Doug dropped Sandy and I off at the Dalmahoy to check in and pick a place for dinner while they returned the car to the airport – one less thing to worry about in the morning. We ended up having to wait for our rooms because they were running behind, but they took our bags and treated us to complimentary drinks while we waited. Not mad about that at all. We chose the Pentland restaurant for dinner. It was quite good, but it took forever to eat, it seemed because they were short-staffed. I think we were there for over 3 hours and I was majorly head-bobbing by the time the desserts came out. I passed on dessert and headed for the room. I needed sleep, but do you think I could sleep then? Not on that super-hard mattress! Brutal. We won’t be back to that one. The hospitality was top notch, but it was very tired and in need of renovation.

We caught our cab the next morning at 6 and headed for the airport. We were plenty early, so we got breakfast at Wetherspoon’s before going our separate ways and getting on the planes back home. We were flying home through Toronto (where you do US Customs – interesting) and Chicago. Thankfully we had long layovers because all our flights were delayed and we sat on the tarmac in Chicago for over 30 minutes before they let us off the plane. Jason was upgraded to 1^st class on our last flight into Springfield, but I had an entire row, all the way across the plane, to myself. So who really won that one? Our amazing neighbor picked us up and we collapsed in bed (after showers because airplanes are gross) for the best night of sleep in nearly two weeks after 22 hours of flights.

And the best part…no one got sick on this trip – I can say that now weeks later. Woohoo!!

So ends another whirlwind adventure through Scotland. Who is ready to go with us next time? We’re hoping to have itineraries available soon and group trips available possibly later next year!

You can read about our time in Edinburgh here, Oban here, and Skye here.

The post A Return to Scotland – Part 4, Speyside first appeared on The DeBode Way.

We cabbed back to the Edinburgh airport the next morning after grabbing coffee takeaway style. We had rented a car with Sixt (after our great experiences with them in France and Washington), but when we got there, the car they had planned to give us had tire damage from the last user, and they didn’t have any others. Luckily, all the car companies are right next to each other and the gal from Sixt had run around to the others to see if they had anything available. Had we rented in the city center, this wouldn’t have been an option, so we were very thankful we rented (hired) from the airport this time. She got us a less expensive rate, with a similar car, and had their full coverage included. Talk about service that goes above and beyond! Refunded from Sixt, we ended up with a Volvo XC-60 from EuropCar. It was a great car, AND about half the price. Score! After some serious Tetris to get all our bags in the back, we were off into the heart of Scotland on our Highland adventure!

First up, a stop only about 30 minutes down the road at Doune Castle (Monty Python’s French soldiers scene & Outlander’s Castle Leoch scenes). We got there just as it was opening for the day and it was a frosty, still morning. Everything was glittering from the frost that hadn’t finished melting yet – stunning. This is a quick tour, but I’m always impressed with the size of the rooms in this smaller castle. And the kitchen hearth – it’s enormous! I like to stand there and imagine how many things they could cook in it at once. Such a cool place. If you come, make sure to bring your phone and earbuds so you can listen to the likes of John Cleese or Sam Heughan narrating your tour. I found a book here (one of my two souvenirs) called “How to Read Castles” to go along with my “How to Read Cathedrals” book that I got in France this summer. Now if only I had a moment to delve into both.

Back on the road for a crispy white drive through the Trossachs National Park on our way to Oban to really kick off our Scottish adventure. We stopped about an hour and a half down the road at one of our friend’s hotels – Brander Lodge. It was just David and their daughter Seona there for the day cleaning rooms, so we popped by for some tea, a couple of drams of something they’d been saving for us, and a chat. Seona kept us very entertained with all sorts of stories, reenactments, and a vocabulary that no three-year-old I know has! She’s growing up so fast.

Back in the car again – only 30 minutes to go to get to Oban. Winter Festival in Oban had been going on for well over a week already by the time we arrived. It was wrapping up that weekend and our friend Christine was working a stall at one of the markets selling sweets. After much run-around trying to park the car, we surprised Christine and their daughter Eilidh at the market, Jason stocked up on Eilidh’s baked goodies, and we made plans to catch up with everyone for dinner the following night. It was time for us to check in to our hotel in Oban (The Perle Oban) and get settled so we could explore the shops.

The Perle Oban is a new hotel for us. We don’t typically stay IN Oban, but thought with the Winter Festival going on, it would be a fun time to do so to eliminate some driving. Plus, we’re always scouting new hotels for future trips. This one is a winner! Excellent tea, breakfast, snacks, and bar. Plus the beds were super comfortable and we had great views of the bay. The staff are top-notch as well; really good folks. My only complaint was the super tiny bathroom that you could barely turn around in. I kept banging my elbows on the walls. Ow.

Off to the shops! We were on a mission to find Sandy a warmer coat (Scotland was a bit chillier than we were expecting this time), a wool blanket for us (souvenir #2), and some fun odds and ends. We were patiently waiting for 7 PM when the Oban Pipe band was to lead a parade into the square with Santa and his real reindeer behind for the lighting of the Christmas lights. We watched from our hotel windows as it was quite chilly and didn’t want to be in the way of all the locals enjoying their Christmas tradition. It was great. Such a small-town feel, with excitement over the little things. I miss that from my childhood. Now I want to come back next year.

We had dinner just a few steps away from our hotel at The Waterfront Fish House Restaurant, one of Christine’s recommendations. It was phenomenal! To that point, it was the best meal we had on the trip (we had SO many good meals). Again, they did really well with our dietary needs and I was able to dive into a bowl of mussels, which is usually a challenge because of the creamy sauce they always seem to be swimming in. Delish! I think we all collapsed that night super tired and full.

We had a later start the following morning, but still early enough to catch breakfast before we wandered off again. More shops, tea, acquired orange wine from the Wee Wine Shop, and…the Haggis & Whisky Festival at the Oban Distillery! After watching the Oban High School pipe band (yes, a band of high schoolers playing the bag pipes) lead in the previous year’s winning haggis, we popped our heads in to taste this year’s contenders and sample the whisky. Our picks didn’t win (I swear there was one with sour kraut in it and I loved it! – way more Germany than Scotland), but it was fun to try all the different recipes. I also tried a new whisky that had been aged in a Rum cask – it had fire. Woosa.

We met David and Christine’s crew (they had acquired more children – haha) for an earlier dinner that night at Cuan Mor. Great food as always. I feel like we usually end up there on most of our trips to Oban. I think almost all of us had some form of a burger and chips (fries). Yum! Back to the hotel for us to pack up and try to get some sleep. We were really off into the highlands in the morning!

More of our adventure through Scotland next week!

You can read about our time in Edinburgh here.

The post A Return to Scotland – Part 2, Oban first appeared on The DeBode Way.

We found ourselves back in Scotland in November, arriving early Thanksgiving morning. Except this time, we were meeting Jason’s parents at the airport for a 10 day trip around the country much in the same fashion we did the very first time we explored it in 2017. There was one big difference this time: no one night stopovers – that’s crazy. Don’t do that.

We spent Thursday and Friday in Edinburgh exploring the Royal Mile. As always, that first day is brutal if you don’t sleep on the plane (we never do). So, I packed the itinerary full that day to keep us vertical and moving. First up, airport coffee while we waited for his parent’s plane to get in. Next, a cab into the city to drop our bags off at Fraser Suites and then, breakfast. We walked down the Mile to Loudon’s for breakfast. I figured this was a good bet since they usually have a little bit of everything… gluten-free, dairy-free, American breakfast, Scottish breakfast. Everyone was happy. The next time you’re in the area be sure to stop in, you won’t be disappointed.

After breakfast, we wandered to the bottom of the Mile for a tour of Holyrood Palace. They had just decorated the palace for Christmas, so it was a very festive affair. It was a windy, brisk day, so we were thankful for the indoor tour, but the quick walk through the garden was also beautiful in a bleak, colorless way (truly). Then time for more tea (I think this was my third) while we waited for our next tour at the Chocolatorium about halfway back up the hill.

The Chocolatorium tour was highly recommended to us by our students in May, so we thought we should check it out. We had a great, high-energy guide who taught us about chocolate making throughout the world, let us taste what seemed like an infinite amount of chocolate, and helped us create our own unique chocolate bars. I am happy to report that they can accommodate a dairy-free diet for all the tastings (aka dark chocolate). Unfortunately, while chocolate alone does not have gluten, they could not guarantee the processing plants did not have cross-contamination, so Sandy decided to sit the tastings out.

By the end of the chocolate tour, it was dark, at 4 PM (very short days in November). So, after depositing our cocoa winnings for the day back at the hotel after checking in, we headed out for an early dinner at Byron’s Proper Burgers – always a staple on our visits because they, too, accommodate a variety of diets. They also have a good craft brew menu with both beers and ciders, if you’re thirsty. Bellies full, we wandered back up the hill to our beds to call it an early night. I think we were all in bed by 8 PM, had our Sleepsana shots, and were out like lights to prepare for the next day (even if the beds here were really hard).

The next morning, we found a cute breakfast spot on the way to our Edinburgh Castle tour – Deacon’s Café. They, too, were able to accommodate all our allergies (see, it’s not that hard to eat in Scotland!) and we had a lovely fortifying breakfast. This was a good thing because as we walked up the hill to the castle, the wind blew harder and harder, and it got colder and colder! We spent most of the time dodging in and out of buildings and museums and missed a lot of the view from the castle. The wind was just plain icy on top of that ancient volcano! We did manage to catch the 1 PM gun on this trip. For as big as the gun is, and as loud as it is standing there, we’ve never heard it before on all our trips to the city (also, Jason didn’t hear it in the cafe that was about 20 yards away). Unfortunately, the Honors of Scotland were removed for refurbishment the week we were there, so we didn’t get to see them again.

There’s always much shopping to be done in Edinburgh. We do our best to find authentic shops and stay out of the plethora of shops toting cheap Scottish paraphernalia made elsewhere. This is also true of the nicer clothing, so if you’re looking for Harris Tweed or Scottish cashmere, make sure you’re buying the real thing. We rounded out this time in the city with shopping, wandering the city streets, and admiring the Christmas Market lights from afar. We didn’t venture down to the markets because of the brutal wind that day. That was a bit of a bummer. Instead, we found a great Mexican street food tapas place for dinner – yes, Mexican in Scotland. We were so curious, we had to try it – El Cartel. Phenomenal. We ordered a little bit of everything on the menu and ate more tacos than I ever have in my life. #wheninscotland…? We rolled ourselves out of the restaurant and back to the hotel to pack up and get some sleep. In the morning we were headed back to the airport to pick up our rental car and head out into the highlands – my favorite!

Next week!

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