More About Glasgow 2023 Tour

The Glasgow 2023 tour is happening in April and is only 7 months away. Research spaces are limited to 10 so that we can safely be accommodated in the Family History Centres. Once the 10 spaces are filled, no more will be added. I am not planning a fall tour for 2023 and there will be no Edinburgh tours for the foreseeable future.  

While in Glasgow, we will be visiting the Mitchell Library, the Glasgow & West of Scotland FHS and the Lanarkshire FHS. The visits to the FHS are exclusive use with volunteers available to assist you. 

Non-researching companions are more than welcome, and the additional fee for the hotel should be covered in the estimated tour fees. Companions can accompany us in the evenings for meals and a guided walking tour. 

If you have ancestors from Lanarkshire, Renfrew, Glasgow, or the west of Scotland, this will be the only tour on offer. Those with ancestors outwith Glasgow can spend additional time at the Family History Centres and less at the Mitchell, although the Mitchell also has access to the ScotlandsPeople Database, which covers the whole of Scotland and offers access to documents to recent to be available publicly. 

For more details or to register: https://www.genealogytoursofscotland.ca/glasgow-research-tour-april-2023.html

Kilted Ancestors Supports Year of Stories #YS2022

 

#Year of Stories kicks off tomorrow, January 2 at 9 am eastern. Join us in the Kilted AncestorsFacebook group where we will in the new year with an overview of some of the drop in sessions we have on tap throughout the year to get you fired up and ready to share the stories of your Scottish ancestors. 

Each month throughout the year will have a dedicated theme and each week, Clare and I will give you a prompt to help you along in getting your stories written down. And in addition, we will have a guest (or two) dropping by to help you even further. These drop in sessions will happen monthly. Lots to learn, so plan to join us. 

These events are 100% FREE. Just come along and join the Facebook group and you will get access to everything on offer. 

To give you an idea of what we will be sharing, here are the monthly topics: 

Jan – Folklore

Feb – They moved to Scotland

March – They Left Scotland

April – Crime Stories

 May – Police Stories

June – Skeletons & Scandals

July – Weaving & Textiles

Aug – Mining

Sept- Steel Works & Ships

Oct – Retail & Shopping

Nov – Food & Recipes

Dec – Scottish Drinks

You can interpret these any way you wish to fit the story of your ancestors. Join us for ideas, prompts and to hear from others in the group as well. 

 

Just a Week to Go!

The Scottish ViC is just one week away! A full day of presentations for people researching their own Scottish ancestry or who are conducting research for clients with Scottish ancestry. 

The day starts at 8:30 with a presentation on Scotland, and in particular, Glasgow's involvement in the Caribbean Slave Trade. This presentation is given by Dr Stephen Mullen of the University of Glasgow who has conducted research in this area. 

Next up is Dr Irene O'Brien, Sr archivist at Glasgow City Archives who will show us the various records available for researching your ancestor's death. Dr O'Brien's presentations are always chock full of detailed information to show you just how much information you can glean from the records available in local archives. 

Irene is followed by Aoife O'Connor. Aoife works with Findmypast and is their expert on the British Newspaper Archives. Aoife will show us how to get the most out of Scottish newspapers for learning more about the rich details of our ancestor's lives. 

The morning closes off with genealogist Emma Maxwell. Emma and her husband run Scottishindexes. Emma will walk us through using Asylum records to learn about some of the sadder stories of our ancestor's lives. 

We then take a break to have lunch, do some research and recharge before starting the afternoon off with archivist Margaret Fox. Margaret is retired but formerly worked at the National Records of Scotland. Margaret will be giving an in-depth presentation on using Scottish Wills and Testaments and how you can get rich details on your ancestor's life by using these documents. 

ScotlandsPeople have generously provided 26 free credits to all registrants. This will allow registrants to download 2 wills and one other record. 

Following Margaret is a return by genealogist Emma Maxwell who, in this presentation, will show us the deep detailed information that can be gleaned from Prison records. 

Wrapping up the day is genealogy educator Christine Woodcock who will look at the reasons that led to Scots leaving Scotland and settling in Canada and the records that they generated as a result of their emigration. 

The recordings of all presentations are available until February 25th, 2020. 

"Door" prizes: 

1 year subscription to MyHeritage
1 year subscription to Findmypast
1 month subscription to Findmypast 
1 year subscription to Legacy Family Tree Webinars
1 Legacy Family Tree Software

All for just $99cad (~75usd)

To register: https://www.genealogyvic.com/

Scottish Genealogy Research January 25, 2020

Scotland is where my story begins

Scotland is the home of my ancestors. I have a deep and abiding connection to them. There is a never-ending yearning to learn more of their story so that I can better understand my own.

To learn more about your Scottish ancestors, join us on Saturday, January 25th, 2020 for a day of virtual learning. Learn about record sets that contain information about the lives of your ancestors:

Death and burial, Wills and Testaments, Prison, Asylum, Emigration, Newspapers. For more details: https://www.genealogyvic.com/PRESENTERS

One low fee, seven presentations by six presenters. Access until February 25th to allow for time zone challenges. All from the comfort of home. No travel expense. No time away from family, friends, work or home. No accommodation expense. No meal expenses. Stay warm, stay in your jammies. Engage with others and learn from the best.

To register: https://www.genealogyvic.com/

SINGLE SPACE OPENS FOR EDINBURGH RESEARCH TOUR SEPT 2020

SEPT 13 - 19, 2020

The tour is scheduled for Sept 13 - 19th, 2020. Arrival will be on the Sunday and check out on the following Saturday.  This allows five full days of dedicated genealogy research.

The tour fees are $2545 canadian. This includes: 

• Pre-tour preparation and support
• Hotel and breakfast
• Three days at the ScotlandsPeople Centre/National Records of Scotland
• One full day at the National Library of Scotland
• One full day of research at the Scottish Genealogy Society. 

*each person is responsible for getting to and from Edinburgh on their own. Airfare and transport between the airport and hotel are not included.

​​***Non researching companions/spouses/family members sharing a room are welcome to join us for $500 Canadian. This includes their extra fee to the hotel. Non researchers do not count for available spaces so a single space DOES allow you to bring a companion. It is the research spaces that are limited.  
 

Walk where your ancetors walked. Worship where your ancestors worshipped. Visit your ancestors at their gravesides.

Find your Scottish ancestors waiting for you on the shelves of the archives, libraries and family history societies in Edinburgh

Gain a deeper sense of your story, your history and your place within the wider Scottish Diaspora. 

As with all spaces, this availability will go on a first come first served basis.  

https://www.genealogytoursofscotland.ca/edinburgh-sept-2020.html

Join Us for the Scottish ViC

Scottish ViC 2020

Saturday January 25, 2020

The Scottish ViC is in its third year. The ViC is a virtual conference.  It is the ONLY virtual conference dedicated to assisting people researching Scottish ancestors. The ViC is enjoyed from the comfort of your own home. No travel necessary. We bring the learning to YOU.

There are a series of presentations throughout the day, on a timed basis, just like an in-person conference. The presentations are pre-recorded and cover topics not normally presented outwith Scotland. The presenters are all intimately familiar with the records they are discussing and understand the value of these records to the family historians.

Following the presentation, the presenter will be available answer your questions.

Your registration allows you to have access to the presentations for a full week so that you can go back and re-visit the topics that are of the most interest to you as a genealogy researcher.

7 Presentations:

Death & Cemetery Records

Prison Records

Asylum Records

Wills & Testaments

Newspapers

Glasgow’s Role in the Slave Trade

Canada: Land & Opportunity

Scots Emigration to Canada

Click to register: https://www.genealogyvic.com/

Online learning is not the next best thing. It is the NOW best thing.

Just TWO Spaces Remain for Edinburgh Research Tour Sept 2020

There are just two spaces left for the Edinburgh research tour in Sept 2020. The dates are Sept 13-19, 2020 with research opportunities at:

ScotlandsPeople Centre/National Records of Scotland (3 full days)
National Library of Scotland
Scottish Genealogy Society

This is a fantastic opportunity to find your Scottish ancestors on the shelves of the Scottish libraries and archives. Edinburgh records cover the whole of Scotland.

As with all of the research tours, spaces will go on a first come first served basis. This will be the LAST Edinburgh tour for the forseeable future. Edinburgh will NOT be offered in 2021.

For more details about the tour or to book: 
https://www.genealogytoursofscotland.ca/edinburgh-sept-2020.html

Another Day on Tiree

Today was my second full day on Tiree. Although I visited most of the island yesterday, I decided to revisit some of the places I passed yesterday. Sunday drives take on a whole new meaning on Tiree.

First up was the Old Mill in Cornaig. The mill was commissioned in 1771 by the 5th Duke of Argyll. The mill replaced hand mills. The mill was in operation until 1945. 

Then it was on to Kirkapol to see the ruins of the ancient chapels. There are two chapels in very close proximity, both dedicated to St Columba. The smaller of the two, Kirkapol Chapel dates from the 13th century. The larger of the two chapels, Kirkapol Parish Church, dates from the 14th century and sits within an ancient cemetery. 

From Kirkapol, I drove to the pier and watched the ferry come in. The ferry terminal is a very busy place for about two hours a day. 

Then I drove back to Hynish to see the Treshnish Isles exhibit. It was a very clear day today and I was able to see the Skerryvore Lighthouse, 10.5 nautical miles south west of Tiree. On the horizon, I could also see the outlines of the Treshnish Islands. These islands are uninhabited. There are seven islands in the archipelago and most are now bird sanctuaries.

I had a lovely meal at the Cobbled Cow Cafe at the Airport, and took in low tide at Balevullin once again. The seaweed litters the beach at low tide. Farming this brown seaweed (Kelp) was a major way of life for many residents of the Scottish islands and coastal towns. The kelp was burned and the ashes used for potash in the making of soap and glass. The potash was also used in linen bleaching. 

Kelp farming was not an easy way of  life, with the women having to rise in the dark to catch low tide when the kelp was accessible. The cold waters would run over their feet while they worked to collect the slippery brown plants, removing them from their long, woody stems. The long strands of seaweed were carried over their backs and laid on the rocks to dry. In the summer months, the kelp was burned in low pits on the sand, and the ash cakes then gathered for sale. In 1862, Edward Curtis-Stanford discovered a method for extracting iodine from the kelp. This was done in a factory. The factory remained open until 1901.

Why Is the Fee So High?

The Scottish ViC is the only virtual conference dedicated to Scottish genealogy. It can be attended from anywhere in the world. Access to the presentations remains open for 5 days to allow for time zone challenges so that people can watch during normal waking  hours. 

I started the ViC after attending several talks and conferences with my tour groups in Scotland. What I learned most from these presentations was that the information shared by the speakers was far different than the information shared, perhaps by those very same presenters, when they are in North America. Clearly the needs of the researchers are different. Thus the focus is different. 

However, most of the people who have been on a tour with me, especially those who have been repeat participants, need a different focus in their learning as well. And they are not alone. Loads of people researching their Scottish ancestors can benefit from the different focus. The most practical way to make that happen was to bring the presentations to them. Thus the birth of the ViC. 

I value my relationships with my colleagues in Scotland. Many have become friends. I am grateful that they are willing to help me to help others learn about researching their Scottish ancestors. I know what goes into a presentation. Hours of work. Writing, creating a powerpoint, finding just the right graphic, knowing how much information each slide should warrant, editing, practicing and promoting. It was a no-brainer for me that I would pay my colleagues for their willingness to share their knowledge, for their time and for their talents. 

We have become so used to everything being free in the genealogy world that we forget the work involved behind the scenes.  So many want to advance their research and their learning without having to pay for doing so. It's the only profession and one of the few hobbies where free is the expected norm. 

I am not a millionaire. And so, to be able to provide a high quality program, to recoup some of the payments made (for the presentations, for the handouts and for taking the time to be available for a live Q&A) and for a fraction of the cost of the webinar platform, I need to charge a fee. I see no shame in that. None. 

What I do find puzzling is why some people find it offensive to be asked to pay for a conference. They wouldn't balk for an in-person conference, so why do they balk at paying for a virtual conference? The presenters still have to work to put the presentations together. The benefit is that virtual conferences are an absolute bargain for anyone attending. No travel, no accommodation, no meals, no time away from family, work, or other obligations. Even on the day. If you need to leave for a couple of hours, you can pick the presentations up again when you get back. It's a win-win. I'd love to have you join us at the Scottish ViC!

Still a Few Cabins Left for Celtic Genealogy Cruise May 2019

There are still a few cabins left for the Celtic Genealogy Cruise May 4-16 2019. There are research opportunities in Dublin, Glasgow, Inverness and Edinburgh. There will be opportunities to consult with genealogists in Dublin (from the Irish Family History Centre) Belfast (from the Ulster Historical Society) and on board for those with Scottish ancestors. 
Historic excursions will be available for those who don't have ancestors from a given port or for those who are accompanying researchers. These include: The EPIC Emigration Museum, The Titanic Centre, Loch Lomond, Culloden Moor, Clava Cairns and Fort George. 
In Edinburgh there is the chance to take an Outlander tour of the filming locations. 

Until September 5th, Princess Cruise Lines is offering a FREE drinks package for anyone who books a balcony cabin or a mini suite. This is worth $144 per day or $1725 for the entire cruise - so well worth the upgrade. 

To book YOUR cabin:

https://www.oconnelltravel.com/rw/cruise/38998

Happy Canada Day/4th of July!

Just in time for both Canada Day and the 4th of July, Discounted Deposits are back. This allows you to book your cabin for just $100 usd. Treat yourself to a trip of a lifetime. Visit your ancestral homeland by sea, just like your ancestors did. Immerse yourself in Celtic Culture. And revel in the deep and rich history of your Scottish and/or Irish heritage.

The discounted deposit runs from July 1-7 and can be used in conjunction with the FREE drinks package if you book a balcony or higher level cabin. BOOK YOUR CABIN HERE

FREE DRINKS PACKAGE FOR CELTIC CRUISE

Princess Cruise Lines has announced their Sip and Sail program, which goes through Sep 5th, for all those who have booked a balcony cabin or above. This program gives cruisers booked in balcony categories or above a free beverage package. The beverage package includes juices, soda, milk shakes, specialty coffees and liquor (up to $12 per drink and up to 12 drinks per day) for free (including the taxes). Basically, any drink they would have charged you for onboard.

If you have any friends interested in joining you on this cruise, this is a great time to book a balcony level or above cabin. There is a cost savings of $68.99 per person / per day for this drink package. That adds up to $828 for the 12 days of the cruise. 

DISCOUNTED DEPOSIT IS BACK

Just in time for both Canada Day and the 4th of July, Discounted Deposits are back. This allows you to book your cabin for just $100 usd. Treat yourself to a trip of a lifetime. Visit your ancestral homeland by sea, just like your ancestors did. Immerse yourself in Celtic Culture. And revel in the deep and rich history of your Scottish and/or Irish heritage.

The discounted deposit runs from July 1-7 and can be used in conjunction with the FREE drinks package if you book a balcony or higher level cabin. 

LAST CHANCE TO SAVE

The Discounted Deposit Sale ends May 31. For just $100 usd you can reserve your cabin on the Celtic Genealogy Cruise. 

Come join us. Enjoy the rugged beauty of your ancestral homeland. Immerse yourself in the culture and rich history of Ireland and Scotland. Indulge your Inner Celt. Come visit your ancestral homeland by sea, much the way your ancestors did. Visit the ports they emigrated from. Deepen your sense of who you are as their descendant. 

To reserve your cabin: http://www.oconnelltravel.com/rw/cruise/38998

Discounted Deposit for Celtic Genealogy Cruise!

Just in time for Summer!

Just in time for the May Two-Four weekend, or the Memorial Day weekend, Cruise Planners is offering a discounted deposit. For only $100 (usd), you can book your cabin for the Celtic Genealogy Cruise.

Visit your ancestral homeland much the way your ancestors did, by sea!

Ports of Call: 

Dublin

The cruise begins and ends in Dublin. Arrive a day early and join us for a night of dinner, storytelling and folklore at Dublin's Oldest Pub. While in Dublin, there will be the opportunity to research at the Irish Family History Centre, to consult with experts from the Centre and to have a private tour of the Emigration Museum. Those who choose to research will get a goodie bag that includes free access to Findmypast. 

Belfast

Because we arrive in Belfast on a Bank Holiday, we won't have an opportunity to research at the Ulster Historical Society but we will have the chance for consultations by the experts from the UHF. There will also be the opportunity to tour the Titanic Museum. 

Glasgow

We will dock in Greenock, the port many Scottish ancestors departed their homeland from. While in port, there will be the chance to research at the Mitchell Library, home of the Glasgow City Archives. Other research opportunities can also be arranged. For those not researching, Glasgow is an amazingly historic city. There are guided walking tours, including a guided tour of the Glasgow Necropolis, free social history museums like the People's Palace, the Police Museum or the Hunterian Museum 

Inverness

Indulge in the rugged beauty of the Scottish highlands. Research opportunities will be available at the Highland Archives. History is in abundance at the Culloden Battlefield, the Clava Cairns or any number of castles. Enjoy a cruise on Loch Ness. or simply wander along the River Ness and enjoy the beauty of the heart of the highlands. 

Arguably the best city on the planet, Edinburgh is full of history, full of culture, and a great place to spend a day. Research opportunities will be at the ScotlandsPeople Centre, the National Library of Scotland or the Scottish Genealogy Society. History abounds all along the Royal Mile all the way from the Castle at the top of the hill to Holyrood Palace at the foot of the hill. Wander along historic Princes Street where there is shopping, beautiful gardens and all sorts of street entertainment. 

Guernsey

We leave Edinburgh and enjoy a day at sea before arriving in the channel islands of Guernsey. Visit the home of Victor Hugo (it was here that he wrote Les Miserable), or the underground German war tunnel. This little island has lots of history to enjoy. 

Southampton

From Guernsey, we head to Southampton, another port where ancestors departed their homeland for shores unknown, full of the promise of new opportunities. The genealogy part of the cruise ends in Edinburgh but the history and beauty continues. 

Le Havre

From England, we venture across the Channel to Le Havre, France. This UNESCO heritage site was completely rebuilt after being bombed to bits in WWII. The apartment museum explains the impact on the city and the new build. Half an hour down the coast is Etreat where the natural arch bridge provides spectacular scenery. 

Cobh

Our final port is Cobh Ireland. This of course, is most famous for being the place from where the ill fated Titanic launched. There will be a chance to tour the Titanic Experience in the former White Star Lines Ticket Office or learn more about the ship at the Cobh Heritage Centre. The Centre also explores Cobh's history as a major port where people sailed from during periods of mass emigration. 

Ready to immerse yourself in the history of your emigrant ancestors? Interested in having the chance to consult with genealogists while in port, or even having a chance to research in local records? Why not take advantage of the discounted deposit sale, happening between May 24 and May 31. Just $100 usd holds your cabin. 

Here's the link to register: http://www.oconnelltravel.com/rw/cruise/38998

Limited Cabin Space for International Travelers

We have had a great deal of interest in the Celtic Genealogy Cruise and already have some bookings. We are delighted with the interest, but wanted to share some limitations to help you as you ponder and plan for the cruise.

We have secured a block of cabins and the cruise line has given us a group discount. As stated previously, once those cabins sell out, any additional cabins will be at the current market rate at the time we ask for the additional rooms. We are not there yet, so no need to panic.

However, we have a small number of cabins specifically for Canadian travelers that are offered in Canadian dollars. Once those are gone, they are gone.

We also were able to secure 5 cabins for international travelers - those from outside of North America. Once those go we can not get any more this year and international travelers will need to wait until 2020 to join the cruise. We have taken a booking for one of the international cabins and have one person who is considering booking an international cabin. At this moment, we have 4 cabins left for anyone from Australia, New Zealand, Europe or other countries who wish to join the 2019 Celtic Genealogy Cruise. If you are from one of those countries, you may wish to kick your planning up a notch so as not to miss out.

For more information: http://www.oconnelltravel.com/rw/cruise/38998

Join Us on a Celtic Genealogy Cruise

Our cabins on Crown Princess are reserved for the Celtic Genealogy Cruise and ready to be booked!

The cabins will be booked by genealogist and travel agent, Terri O'Connell (some of you may know Terri from the Unlock The Past Cruises or from Gena & Jean's Cruises).

The conference for learning ahead of the cruise and the shore excursions, including research trips will be booked through me.

Ports of Call:

• Dublin
• Belfast
• Greenock (Glasgow)
• Inverness
• South Queensferry (Edinburgh) 
• Le Havre France
• Southampton
• Guernsey
• Cobh 

Terri is ready for your info. Just head to the website and click on the button that says "More Cruise Details" which is on the How it Works Page.

We anticipate filling up quickly once the cruise opens up to my general mailing list and once the blog post goes out. Once the spots are gone, any additional cabins will be subject to availability and at current market prices, not at our group booking rate.

All Good Things Must Come to an End

As with everything else, even the best of trips must end. The past 9 days have been an absolute whirlwind when we look back on it, but the moments and the memories will last forever.

Ed & Lynne enjoyed their first trip to Scotland, Lynne's ancestral homeland. Lynne's paternal grandfather was from Stromness in Orkney. This was our first point of focus and one we were sad to see ending. While in Orkney, Lynne was able to connect with three cousins from her grandfather's line. This allowed Lynne to get additional family photos, have people in a current photo identified and to have the amazing opportunity to go and see where her paternal great granny had lived and worked and where many of Lynne's ancestors are buried. Moments like this can't fully be understood. They provide a sense of awe, a deep connection to the country, the land, the people, the history. And they provide a sense of completeness that is defies description.

Being in Orkney gave Lynne a personal understanding of her ancestor's relationship with the sea - the tides, the riches it provides in terms of food and work, how quickly a storm can blow in and how rough the passage can be. 

From Orkney, we headed back down to Edinburgh. Lynne's maternal grandparents were from Buckhaven in Fife. We toddled of to Fife for a look at where her granny had once lived, where her grandfather had attended school and to see where her ancestors are likely to be buried. We traveled to the Fisheries Museum in Anstruther to gain a better concept of what the life of a fisherman and his family was like. 

Ed and Lynne are already making plans to return and to stay longer. That, to me, is always the mark of a successful ancestral trip. 

Thank you, Lynne, for allowing me to share in your genealogy journey with you. And for allowing me to introduce you to your ancestral homeland. 

SPACE AVAILABLE MAY 2018

Are you ready to find your Scottish ancestors on the shelves of the archives in Scotland? Walk where your ancestors walked, Visit their villages, worship in their churches, pay homage at their grave sides.

There are two spaces available in the  Edinburgh research tour and there is one space available in the Glasgow research tour.

Edinburgh Tour

In addition to dedicated research time, there will be time to explore Edinburgh - a city rich in history. The hotel is centrally located, making it easy to walk to Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile and the Grassmarket.

Days of research will take place at Scotland'sPeople Centre (you can also book time in the Historical Search Room) and the National Library. Time at the NLS Maps Building is also available.  Daily fees for these research days are included in the tour fees. However, copies and printouts are not included.

The hotel rooms have a dedicated work space where you can set up your research station. Breakfast is available every morning, and the rooms are equipped with a kitchenette. There is a Starbucks and a Sainsburys grocery store on the same complex as the hotel. There are a number of eateries within a short walk from the hotel.

TO BOOK YOUR SPACE IN EDINBURGH:

TWO SPACES OPEN FOR MAY 2018 EDINBURGH RESEARCH TOUR

Thanks to some shuffling with the addition of the Glasgow 2018 tour, two spaces have opened up for the Edinburgh Research Tour. Tour dates are May 7-16, 2018. Fees are $3,595, with a deposit of $595 due now and the balance due December 1. If you are interested in learning more visit the website: 

https://www.genealogytoursofscotland.ca/edinburgh-tour.html

To make your deposit and secure your spot:

After the Tour - How Am I Changed?

It is nigh on impossible to complete a Genealogy Tour to Scotland and not be changed. The changes are sometimes subtle and take time for you to understand. Others are more immediate.

One of the subtle changes is that you become aware that you are part of a larger picture, a larger family, a larger diaspora. This gives you a better sense of yourself as the descendant of a Scot as well as a better understanding of your own "Scottishness". This may incorporate a better understanding personality traits like being quick-witted or being quick to anger.

More immediately, however, you become aware of where you belong. Almost every tour participant over the past six years has stated that as soon as they set foot on Scottish soil, they had a sense that they had "come home." A more profound feeling is that of belonging.

Any genealogy research allows a person to feel more complete, more whole. However, researching your ancestors in their home country - walking the same streets, visiting their homes, churches, graves deepens your sense of belonging and sense of connection in a way few can put into words. The experience is not unlike an adopted person who finally gets the opportunity to meet their biological family. The sense of belonging can be quite profound as it provides you with an understanding of where you belong and who you belong to. Knowing "these are my people" provides a definite change in mindset for tour participants. And this, ultimately causes a pull to return again to their homeland.

Plans to return tend to germinate during a tour. Fairly early on. Participants know they need to return. Planning later takes into account what the return will look like. Will it include family members and incorporate further distances over a longer time? Will it once again be a genealogy research tour? If so, will time be added so that more of the homeland can be explored? 

About 40% of tour participants return to Scotland within a year of taking a Genealogy Tour to Scotland. 75% return within 2-4 years. Some return on future tours and plan to have family join later or to travel afterward. Some return to connect with family they learn of while on a tour. And yet others return just to explore the country. The villages, the regions, the cities. 

Whatever it is that takes you back, knowing that this is where you belong and the strong pull to return is just one of the many ways that you will be changed after a Genealogy Tour to Scotland.