Scotland at a Slower Pace: A Journey From Glasgow to Edinburgh

Carol – Class of 2011 | Fitchburg, WI

This tour exemplified how the Road Scholar guides are well-trained, flexible, organized and professional! Amidst the beauty of the Scottish Highlands, we spent two extra unexpected days in Oban due to Hurricane Amy. The guides, Caroline and David, seamlessly secured accommodations and changes in the itinerary. Although we were unable to experience several things listed on the original schedule, the guides found new adventures and activities. Caroline provided great leadership and David provided not only great leadership, but detailed and interesting historical perspectives. Road Scholar gave us an unexpected partial credit for our next adventure.

— Review left November 20, 2025

Carolyn – Class of 2025 | Overland Park, KS

I had never been on a guided tour like this before. But I definitely would recommend Road Scholar for a very organized and educational tour. It checked off a very important item on my bucket list to visit my ancestral home in Scotland.

— Review left October 25, 2025

Michael – Class of 2025 | Woodstock, MD

Our tour, Scotland at a Slower Pace, was great, even though it was affected by Hurricane Amy. Our group leader, Carolyn, and the tour instructor, David, were able to adjust the tour even though areas were without power and roads and trains were closed due to downed trees. The tour instructor provided a geographical, geological, and historical background of Scotland and the regions we visited. The tour visited many historical sites. David’s narration before and during the visit offered significant insight into the site and events. The tour director, Carolyn, organized the tour members and ensured that everyone felt they were a part of the team. Adequate time was provided for individual activities. I highly recommend the tour for visiting Scotland.

— Review left October 18, 2025

Marsha – Class of 2025 | Sarasota, FL

The outstanding Road Scholar Tour - Scotland at a Slower Pace - should be renamed - Scotland at Just the Right Pace! Fabulous tour director, program director, and coach driver. Wonderful first time Road Scholar experience - would highly recommend.

— Review left September 25, 2025

Noreen – Class of 2025 | Hendersonville, NC

I would highly recommend this outstanding experience! We had a fantastic tour director, lecturer and bus driver. Each amazing in their expertise. Our every need was met by the staff. Loved Scotland!

— Review left September 19, 2025

William – Class of 2024 | Saint Johns, FL

Outstanding trip through Scotland! Well organized with extremely well informed Guides and Support at all our stopping points!

— Review left September 16, 2025

Thomas – Class of 2025 | Webster, MA

My wife and I enjoyed our 'Scotland at a slower pace' journey. I was concerned about spending two weeks in Scotland, but Road Scholar provided sufficient activity each each day, while ensuring we learned something new about Scotland.

— Review left August 13, 2025

Deborah – Class of 2022 | Baltimore, MD

This was a lovely and enjoyable way to see this beautiful country and to experience the amazing and varied geography of Scotland! Our leader Chris and instructor Dorothy were fantastic, as was our bus driver Graeme! The pace allowed for additional independent exploration and/ or rest as needed. Highly recommended for those looking to experience the beauty and the friendliness of Scotland, and to learn about its rich history.

— Review left July 23, 2025

James – Class of 2014 | Boxford, MA

When we signed up, I did not fully appreciate we would be spending a significant portion of our time in the Highlands – what a treat! Fiona, our instructor the entire program, provided a comprehensive education in history, culture, geography, and landmark castles during our bus interludes and walking tours. Jan, as group leader, handled myriad logistics so skillfully we traveled comfortably and stress-free the entire time. And our driver, Sal, got us in and out of challenging little spaces as if our bus were an agile mini cooper. While dubbed “at a slower pace” we saw and did a lot on a pace that allowed us to absorb and reflect, as well as explore areas of our particular interest. The program is nicely book ended with Glasgow and Edinburgh. All the hotels are situated in town centers making independent exploration very easy. Biggest surprise: the hiking culture of Scotland – I enjoyed exploring myriad outfitting stores. Most significant memory: the Culloden battlefield and its sad and tragic legacy. Best experience: sharing these two weeks with 22 new RS friends.

— Review left June 28, 2025

William – Class of 2025 | Washington, DC

Our first Road Scholar experience was 2025's Scotland at a Slower Pace. It was EXCELLENT! The tour coordinator, guide and coachman were EXCELLENT. The food was EXCELLENT! The information imparted was EXCELLENT! Do you see a pattern here? This was a fantastic experience.

— Review left June 26, 2025

Gerri – Class of 2014 | Burnsville, MN

This trip offered a variety of places in Scotland-big cities, small cities, castles, historical sites and natural areas. Not to mention sheep dogs doing what they do SO well! The weather was perfect-enough rain and clouds to remind you you're in Scotland, but not too much to spoil the fun. The planned activities introduced us to the history of Scotland as well as Scotland today. Museums, forts, and castles gave us a view of the country. Free time was filled with interesting activities. Our guides Stuart and Alisdair were the absolute best! They were wonderful ambassadors of the country and will always be the face and voice of Scoutland for us!

— Review left October 25, 2024

Peter | Windham, ME

I loved the beauty of Scotland and the people of Scotland! I would recommend this fabulous trip for anyone that is considering it.

— Review left October 20, 2024

Roxane – Class of 2013 | Rio Rancho, NM

A magnificent experience. I am downloading books on Scottish history and Scottish music playlists so that I can keep the memory of the trip alive and well in Albuquerque.

— Review left October 15, 2024

Nancy – Class of 2010 | Green Valley, AZ

This program fulfilled my dream of visiting Scotland and I look forward to returning again. The beauty of the Highlands and the friendly people we met along the way will remain a treasured memory. Graham, our coach driver, Fiona, our Study Leader and Caroline, our Group Leader made this trip enjoyable from start to finish. The beauty of Scotland and this Road Scholar trip provided us with a wonderful experience!

— Review left October 10, 2024

Andrew – Class of 2019 | Ridgefield, WA

Caroline and Fiona were empathetic, patient, and competent. With them in charge, I had no worries. The slower pace of the trip enabled me to keep up and enjoy the trip, rather than trailing behind and pushing well beyond my comfort level. Bravo for slower paced trips for physically limited travelers! Initiate other such trips - there is a sizable market that is growing as Boomers reach their 70's.

— Review left October 8, 2024

Paulette – Class of 2013 | Windsor, CT

Absolutely enjoyable. Carolyn, Fiona & Graham made the trip a real treat. Having gone to Scotland often as a child all showed me a Scotland I have never seen. The surprise side trips, the change course trips made it all the more exciting. Thank all participants and leaders for making this trip so fun. FYI for future participants. Do not expect all accommodations to be to American standards. All part of the experience. Go with the flow.

— Review left October 6, 2024

Joan – Class of 2012 | Buffalo, MN

5 stars This was a very enjoyable trip with a small group that appreciated what we were seeing and learning together. It was my first time in Scotland, and I loved the variety of places and areas of the country that we visited. Our group leader (Caroline), guide (Fiona), and driver (Graham) truly worked as a team to provide us with a wonderful travel experience, and we were also lucky weather-wise. It was a great two weeks!

— Review left October 3, 2024

Brenda – Class of 2018 | Brunswick, ME

The slower pace of this trip allowed for a more leisurely morning routine and a chance to catch up with other participants. It was a great trip.

— Review left October 1, 2024

Maria | Ellicott City, MD

In supposedly slowing the pace, fewer activities were included in this two-week journey than on other comparable tours. Program materials stated we would be brought closer to attractions, not there would be fewer of them. The program’s emphasis on the region’s history resulted in inadequate coverage of Scottish culture. While a sheepdog herding demonstration was wonderful, as was the bagpiper who played for us at a hotel, other aspects of Scottish culture were ignored or given short shrift. You might do better with Road Scholar’s, “The Best of Scotland,” a trip which costs exactly the same but includes more destinations.

— Review left July 28, 2024

Reply from Road Scholar

Dear Maria, thank you for your feedback – we are always happy to learn more about the experience our participants have on our programs. This program is based on our Best of Scotland, #20881, itinerary but it is also governed by our standards for our “at a slower pace” programs. These standards stipulate that we build in more free afternoons for rest and leisure, more classroom-based lectures, and more time, where available, to visit select sites. Our “at a slower pace” programs promote a more relaxed pace and are developed for participants who are looking to exercise their mind more than their body. This learning adventure was developed for participants who are either unable to engage in a more vigorous pace or simply would prefer not do so. We encourage all prospective participants to closely review the “Itinerary & Map” tab of our online program brochures to get a detailed sense of how each day of their program is designed.

Sharon – Class of 2013 | Greenfield, MA

This was a wonderful tour! Good pace, gorgeous places to visit and see out the bus windows as we toured, history lessons, and many learning opportunities. We'd been to Edinburgh on our own; and had wanted to see the Highlands for many years. This trip was all we'd hoped for. Our leaders were conscientious, gracious and knowledgeable. And, let’s not forget the bus drivers, who managed to get a bus in and out of some amazing tiny places, and were delightful as well. We left thinking that we’d gotten a good taste of not only the local food, but the history, the local people, and Scotland’s place in the world. As our fifth Road Scholar trip, it was what we expected from them. My husband and I highly recommend this tour.

— Review left July 16, 2024

Dorn – Class of 2024 | Eugene, OR

I had a great time, I feel like I learned a lot and our leaders Carole and Dorothy were just a delight at every stage of the program. Our driver Graham was also a great guy and I quite enjoyed his jokes.

— Review left June 25, 2024

Thomas – Class of 2005 | Tallahassee, FL

A WONDERFUL TRIP WITH AN AMAZING ROAD SCHOLAR TEAM AND A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE THIS EXPERIENCE WITH OTHERS. TOM

— Review left June 1, 2024

Keith – Class of 2021 | La Conner, WA

When they say at a slower pace they mean it. If you are expecting more packed in, you may be disappointed. There will be plenty of pauses and free time.

— Review left May 30, 2024