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The historic Edinburgh Castle sits atop a large, rocky cliff under a blue sky in Scotland.
Scotland

The Best of Scotland

Program No. 20881RJ
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Program
At a Glance
Duration
15 days
Program Begins
Glasgow
Program Concludes
Edinburgh.
Group Type
Small Group
Meals
34 ( 13B, 10L, 11D )
Activity Level
From
6,899
South to the cultural riches of Edinburgh and Glasgow. West to the sacred and misty island of Iona in the Hebrides. Inland to the breathtaking highlands, where clans and kings fought to defend their hearths and heritage. Discover rugged landscapes, turbulent history, romance and legend on a remarkable, sweeping journey through Scotland. From peaks to glens we’ll go, with a wee dram to fortify us along the way.
Best of all, you'll...
  • Explore the beautiful islands of Mull, Skye and Iona.
  • Journey on one of the world's most scenic railways, the West Highland Line.
  • Experience iconic Edinburgh Castle, dominating the skyline of the Scottish capital city, on a fascinating field trip to the top of the volcanic Castle Rock.
See Related Programs
Small GroupMost Popular
All Experts
Please Note:
These experts may not be available for every date of the program
Kevin Heymann is retired from international work in Higher and Further Education. A member of a Mountain Rescue Team for 25 years, Kevin has been involved in many outdoor activities. Kevin takes an interest in ongoing historical research and environmental projects.
Christina Holttum is London born and bred and has spent most of her life living within its orbit. She is semiretired and has been with Road Scholar for over a decade, working mostly in Scotland and London. Prior to that, she would front telecom conferences all over the world. Christina is particularly interested in the American Civil War, and would go on a related RS program given the opportunity.
Margaret Hubbard has many years' experience guiding visitors around her native Scotland. She holds an M.A. in English and history, a diploma in secondary education, and a diploma in Family and Local History. Margaret qualified as a Blue Badge guide in 2006 and is now a trainer and principal assessor for the STGA course. She is also a World Federation National Trainer. Her knowledge is matched with an ability to weave the stories of Scotland with humor and local interest.
Paula Benassi is a recognized Blue Badge Guide of the Scottish Tourist Guides Association. In addition to having CPD Qualification, Paula is a polyglot and speaks English, French, and Italian. She is passionate about her country and enjoys traveling with guests all over Scotland. Guiding has dovetailed very well with her long experience in teaching and her love of geography, history, and spending time with visitors from different cultures.
Ann Carr, after careers first as an officer in the Royal Air Force then an air stewardess, joined a major UK tour operator in an operational role, handling incoming American groups and later a cruise line as head of enrichment. Experienced in all aspects of tour planning, she trained as a Blue Badge Tourist Guide and has over 30 years of practical experience as a guide and tour leader. She is a food and wine expert and has a passion for sports and theatre.
Jenny McBain is a proud member of the Scottish Tourist Guides Association and holder of the Green Badge qualification, gained through study at the University of the Highlands and Islands. Born in Ayrshire in the Scottish Lowlands, Jenny has lived in the Highlands for many years, working in radio and print journalism and covering a wide range of topics. Travel writing has given her the opportunity to explore distant locations. However, her favorite adventures have taken place at home in Scotland.
Morten Ronne, although born in Denmark, has lived more than 15 years in Scotland working almost exclusively as a tour guide/group leader showing people around all corners of the country. His background is as an interpreter/translator but for the past two decades has worked mostly in the travel industry in the UK, Spain, Portugal, and Latin America.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to two miles on uneven terrain.
Small Group (13 to 24)
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Suggested Books and Resources
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You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
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Call 800-454-5768
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Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

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Assurance Plan

Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.

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Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

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Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.

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