Spring 2016 Genealogy Research Tour to Scotland ITINERARY NOW CONFIRMED

Monday May 30: This is a day of arrival. Today is a bank holiday in Scotland. While all of the banks and government buildings will be closed, the heritage sites, museums and tourist attractions will be open as are most of the stores.

We will meet in the restaurant area of the hotel at 6:30 pm for a meet and greet and to talk about the week ahead. There will be an opportunity to sign up for optional walking tours of Edinburgh during the week. Each tour is £8 and the fees will be payable upon sign up. Non-researchers are also welcome to join us for the meet and greet and to attend the walking tours with us.

I will also have information of things to do during the weekend if you are planning to travel to the area where your ancestors lived before or after the genealogy tour.

Tuesday May 31: Following breakfast, we will meet in the hotel lobby as a large group for 8:45. From here we will taxi to ScotlandsPeople Centre where we will enjoy a Family History session followed by research time. Laptops and tablets can be taken into the research room. WiFi is not available.

You will need money to put on an account to pay for your downloads or print outs. Downloads are 30p Prints are 50p. Any money not spent will be returned to you at the end of the day.

Please have a username ready so that the staff can set up your account. You can give this to me at the meet and greet on Monday evening. If you are going to download, please make sure you have a USB drive with you (they are available in the shop if you forget). Pencils only, please, no pens. There are lockers available for your coats, bags etc. These require a one pound coin (£1) which will be returned to you when you open the locker back up.

There is a cafe onsite and there is a terrific little pub next door for lunch.

Wednesday June 1: Following breakfast- we will meet in the hotel lobby as a large group at 9:45. We will taxi to the maps building of the National Library of Scotland.  Here we will get an introduction and will be able to then explore the maps that are available. Additional staff will be available for assistance. You may wish to bring your laptop or tablet as the number of computer stations is limited. Wifi is available.

Those who are signed up for the tour of Greyfriars Kirkyard will meet in the hotel lobby at 6:45. From here we will walk over to the Kirk yard gates to meet with the tour organizers. This tour is approximately 90 minutes. It is NOT a ghost tour, it is an educational/historic tour. It will be outdoors, so dress appropriately. There is some walking but it is not on difficult terrain.  

Thursday June 2: Following breakfast- we will meet in the hotel lobby as a large group at 9:00. From here we will walk over to the National Library of Scotland.

In order to access the records, you will require a library card. Please register online before the trip so that this will be a more seamless process. You can register here: http://www.nls.uk/

Getting the cards will take time to process for the group. Please have a piece of photo id ready to show the registrar as well as a piece of id (mail, drivers licence) that has your address on it. At 10:00, we will enjoy a talk on the resources available at the library.

The rest of the day will be available for research. The NLS is three blocks from the hotel, however, if you require a taxi to get there, one will be ordered for you. 

Those who are signed up for the historic walking tour will meet in the hotel lobby Details regarding the time to meet will be available at the meet and greet on Monday evening.

This tour lasts 2 hours. It is outside so please dress appropriately. There is quite a bit of walking involved. There are some hills and cobbled streets. It is also an historic/educational tour about some of the old closes, buildings and famous inhabitants of Edinburgh.

Friday June 3: Following breakfast, we will meet in the hotel lobby as a large group for 8:45. From here we will taxi to ScotlandsPeople Centre where we will enjoy a full day of research. 

June 4 & 5 : The weekend is set aside for you to travel to the area of Scotland where your ancestors were from to gain a better sense of their lives and struggles. For those doing the travel before or after the tour, you may wish to spend the time exploring the rich history that Edinburgh has to offer.

Monday June 6: This day is set aside for you to research in the local archives or Family History Society in the region where your ancestors lived. You may also choose to sightsee, shop or take a day trip instead.

Tuesday June 7: Following breakfast, we will meet in the hotel lobby as a large group for 8:45. From here we will taxi to ScotlandsPeople Centre where we will enjoy our final day of research. 

At 6:20 pm, we will meet in the hotel lobby as a large group. From here we will taxi to Prestonfield where we will enjoy the Taste of Scotland Dinner and Show.

Wednesday June 8: today is check-out day. I wish you safe travels as you return home with your newly found documents, memories and deeper sense of your own Scottish heritage.