2020 EDINBURGH RESEARCH TOUR IS OPEN!

Edinburgh 2020 Tour is Ready to GO!

The tour is scheduled for May 17-23, 2020. Arrival will be on the Sunday with check out on the following Saturday. This allows five full days of dedicated genealogy research. It also allows people unrestricted time after the tour to travel to the area of Scotland where their ancestors lived and to conduct local research there if they wish.

Research includes:

• ScotlandsPeople/National Records of Scotland - 3 days
• National Library of Scotland - full day
• Scottish Genealogy Society - full day

As with all Genealogy Tours of Scotland, spaces will go on a first come, first served basis.

For more information or to register: https://www.genealogytoursofscotland.ca/edinburgh-2020.html

Just TWO Spaces Left for ORKNEY 2020

There are just two spaces left for the Orkney genealogy tour in May 2020. Dates are May 24-31. In addition to three full days of research, there will be the opportunity to tour the neolithic sites, the Italian Chapel and more. 

As with all Genealogy tours, these spaces will go on a first come, first served basis. This is a one time only tour and will not be repeated in future years. 

For more information: https://www.genealogytoursofscotland.ca/orkney-2020.html

Spaces Added to Glasgow Genealogy Tour 2019

Due to popularity, three spaces have been added to the Glasgow 2019 Tour. The dates are May 16-24th, 2019. I can tell you first hand, this provides incredible opportunities for people with ancestors in the Glasgow, Argyll and Lanarkshire areas. As with the last two Glasgow tours, these spaces will fill quickly so if you have an interest, you may want to register soon: https://www.genealogytoursofscotland.ca/glasgow-tour.html

Highland Research Tour 50% Booked!

Although still freshly "on the market" the Highlands Research Tour is already 50% filled. Spaces are being kept limited to enhance the research experience. 

If your ancestors were from the West Highlands of Scotland this research trip is the one for you. Research will take place in Inverness, Fort William and Armadale Castle in Skye. 

The tour ends with attendance at the annual conference for the Scottish Association of Family History Societies which will be held in Queensferry, Fife. 

Aside from research time, the Highland Research Tour will include attending the commemorative ceremonies at Culloden and a trip through the villages that were affected by the Highland Clearances. A visit to the Glenfinnan Monument and Loch Lomond will round out the tour.  

Like the Glasgow Research Tour, the Highland Research Tour will sell out very quickly. There are, currently 6 spaces left. 

Don't miss out! Register now: 
http://www.genealogytoursofscotland.ca/highland-research----history-tour.html

Stromness, Kirkwall and Standing Stones

On Wednesday evening, I caught the last ferry from Scrabster to Stromness. After a short 90 minute sail across the Pentland Firth, we docked and I made my way to the B&B.

The Old Man of Hoy sea stack

Stromness is at the 59th parallel, which at this time of year, provides 18 hours of daylight. After a very restful sleep, and an Orkney Continental breakfast of locally sourced meats, cheeses and fish, it was time to learn what I could about this island. 

My first stop was at the Standing Stones of Stenness. 

Then up the road less than a half mile to see the Ring of Brodgar

From Stenness, I continued on to Kirkwall to see the Weeping Window of Poppies, which has been set in place to commemorate the Battle of Jutland. 

In addition to the poppies, I toured the cathedral

From the Cathedral, I went to see the Earl's and Bishop's Palaces 

After touring the local museum, Tankerness House, I headed back to Stromness, stopping to see the Barnhouse Prehistoric Village, next to the Stenness Stones, on the way. 

I was fascinated with the documented history that was displayed through the wall plaques on the buildings in Stromness

My final stop was the Stromness museum. What a little treasure! The archival information is amazing. They have records for men who were recruited to work in the HBC's inland factory at York, lists of men who were pressed into service with the Navy, lists of ferries, dingys and lifeboats and their workers and fate, men who served and fell in service for both world wars, the records of the Stromness Hearse Company, donated private collections, Orkney Shipwrecks, Pentland Firth Crossings that ran into trouble. I can't begin to explain how much I love and value the local archives and archivists in Scotland. 

Scotland Here I Come

In 72 hours, I will be at the airport, waiting to get on board my flight to London (Gatwick). From Gatwick, I will fly up to Edinburgh, hire a car and be heading north. I have a week in Scotland before the group of participants arrives for our genealogy research time together in Edinburgh. 

In this first week, I will be driving up to Inverness, over to Dornoch and then north again to Scrabster where I will board a ferry for Orkney. I have three full days on the main island of Orkney, with plans to visit the poppy display at St Magnus, Stormness archives, Kirkwall archives, Skara Brae and a number of other historic sites. 

After my time in Orkney, I will be headed back to Edinburgh, hoping to take in the Scottish Crannog Centre along the way. 

Then it will be a day of catching up with Ian Walker of Borders Journeys - we have lots of exciting plans in the works, so stay tuned! After our day of planning, it will be time to meet the participants of the Spring 2016 tour and get ready for our 10 days together.

I will be blogging while I am in Scotland, so be sure to watch this space!

2017 Tour Dates Now Confirmed!

The Genealogy Research Tour in Edinburgh for 2017 will take place May 1 - 10, 2017.

The tour includes:

• pre-tour preparation webinars
• pre-tour preparation package
• assistance to plan a visit to your ancestral part of Scotland
• 9 nights accommodation
• 9 full breakfasts
• Overview of records in each facility
• 5 full days of research
• daily research fees
• daily transportation to research facilities
• time to travel to your ancestral home area
• additional day to research locally
• optional evening tours
• evening at the Taste of Scotland dinner and show

**airfare and transfer between hotel and airport are not included**

Tours sell out quickly, usually 10-12 months in advance. 

To reserve your spot on the tour:

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

Give the Gift of Heritage This Christmas

Give your Scottish genealogy researcher the ultimate gift - the gift of heritage. Register them for a Genealogy Research Trip to Scotland. These 10 day tours allow protected research time in Edinburgh, time to visit the area of Scotland where your ancestors lived, the chance to connect with your Scottish ancestors and the ultimate gift of understanding your own Scottish heritage. 

These tours sell out quickly. The May 2016 tour is SOLD OUT. There are only 5 spaces left on the Sept 2016 tour. The fees include hotel, breakfast, research fees, transportation to and from the research facilities and a ceilidh to celebrate your heritage. DON'T MISS OUT:
 http://www.genealogytoursofscotland.ca/

Heading to the Highlands - Games That Is

This weekend is the annual Highland Games and Scottish Festival in Kincardine Ontario. Kincardine has a rich Scottish heritage with many of the first settlers having emigrated from Scotland. Some with the Selkirk Settlers, who later migrated to Bruce County. Some with the Lewis Settlers, Scots emigrants from the Isle of Lewis, who migrated to Bruce County from the Eastern Townships of Quebec. The land along the shores of Huron county are rich and arable and the highland farmers adapted quickly to their new surrounds.

Every Saturday night, there is a Pipe Band Parade in Kincardine. So, if you are within driving distance, why not take a dander up and get your Scottish on. I will be offering a workshop tomorrow afternoon on Scottish Genealogy Research. And will be at a booth on Sunday. So, if you are at the Festival, make sure to come up and say "hello"

MAY 2014 TOUR BOOKING FAST

Following a couple of talks on Scottish Genealogy, spots on the May 2014 tour are booking up very quickly. In fact, only 5 spots remain. If you are interested in joining us for the trip to Edinburgh to research your Scottish Ancestors onsite, and have the opportunity to gain access to records not available online, visit the website.  

For more details or to book your place:

https://www.genealogytoursofscotland.ca/

Itinerary for May 2013 Tour Now Set

The Itinerary for the May 2013 trip is now set. Here is how we will be spending our time in Scotland:

 

Monday May 6^th  – this is a bank holiday. Banks and businesses will be closed. However, tourist attractions are open. The afternoon will be free to explore Edinburgh. The Greyfriars Kirkyard is a few short blocks from the hotel. Edinburgh Castle and the Grassmarket area are ¼ of a mile away (across the road and down some steps!).  

We will meet in the meeting room of the hotel in the evening for a talk on Scottish Genealogy.  

Tuesday May 7^th  – we will meet in the hotel lobby and will travel together to the ScotlandsPeople Centre. We will be part of a Family History Session in the morning and will have the remainder of the day to do some research.  

Wednesday May 8^th – we will once again meet in the hotel lobby and return to the ScotlandsPeople Centre for a full day of research.  

Thursday May 9^th – we will meet in the hotel lobby and will make our way over to the Scottish Genealogy Society for a Family History event and tour and then will be able to conduct research.  

Friday May 10^th – we will meet in the hotel lobby and make our way over to the National Library where we will join a Family History Information Session. We will then be on our own to conduct research at the NLS. Please have a look at the website ahead of time and know what it is you are going to be looking for so that we can make sure ahead of time that it will be available to you since many of the resources are held off-site.  

Saturday May 11^th – we will meet in the hotel library and will travel together to Galashiels for the SAFHS conference.

Sunday May 12^th – this is a free day to explore Edinburgh on your own or to take a day trip through any one of the many tour coach services available.  

Monday May 13^th – if you wish to visit the local family history society responsible for the area where your ancestors lived, this day will be left available to you to do so. Please let me know ahead of time so that arrangements can be made. If you do not wish to travel to the local FHS, you may have a free day to explore, travel, shop or return to any of the research centres on your own.   

Tuesday May 14^th - we will once again meet in the hotel lobby and return to the ScotlandsPeople Centre for a full day of research. You may choose to visit the National Archives today instead. This evening we will meet in the hotel lobby at 5:15 to travel together to Prestonfield Stables to attend the Taste of Scotland Show.

Wednesday May 15^th – today we pack up, check out of the hotel and return home with a case full of new details, certificates and wonderful memories.

Summer Sale Ends Soon

Last chance to save $260. Summer sale ends soon. Book now to save 10% on Scottish Genealogy Research Trip to Edinburgh. Gain access to records not available online. Book now at www.genealogytoursofscotland.ca

Read about the 2012 research trip on this blog under May posts.