Rick Steves tour (or other company) for 87 year old mother to see Scotland

You might look at Road Scholar, they actually have a Scotland tour designated "slower pace"! And because their tours are rated based on activity level and cater to older travelers it could be a good fit.
Wow- safe travels to you!

Take a look at Odysseys Unlimited Scotland Tour

Small groups on a full size coach, nicer hotels than on RS, bellman service so no lugging your bags through the streets, and more included for the price.

The price you see on their website includes airfare but you can call them to get the land only price. If you have them arrange your air, it includes transportation from the airport to the hotel. (I always arranged my own air.)

I've travelled with both companies and I prefer OU.

Thanks, Frank and Bon Voyage. The OU tour looks very promising. I think we’d want to get there a few days earlier to acclimate.

I think we’d want to get there a few days earlier to acclimate.

Always a smart idea. You'll find plenty to do. In fact, you might look into taking a Rabbies one day tour going someplace your big tour doesn't.

I have not gone on a Tauck Tour but I understand they handle luggage and are higher end. They have a Scotland tour. Maybe it will work for you and your mom. https://www.tauck.com/tours/scotland-escorted-tour?tcd=sd2024

We've took the 13 day RS Scotland tour. Even though it is listed as "moderate", one still has to handle the luggage. And there is a lot of walking. A lot! Unless she is in much better shape than most folks her age, some of the suggestions listed above would probably be a better fit. And definitely go over at least a day or two early.

Smithsonian Journeys also provides very reputable tours with a high level of service. They have two Scotland programs that I think would be of interest: Scotland's Treasures and Heart of Scotland.

I'll vote with Bon Voyage! for Road Scholar. I've done 13 tours with them although I have not done Scotland. The slower paced one would probably be perfect for an 87 year old person but check the website to see if the activity level seems like it would match her abilities. I find their ratings to be pretty on target. I didn't look to see if there are any vacancies but if the dates you are interested in are full I encourage you to call the office (expect a wait) and get on a wait list.

Consider Senior Discovery Tours. They are Canadian and flights are based on travelling from Toronto, but you should be able to drop the flight part if you talk to them. The big thing is the tours are designed for seniors so are lower activities.

They have a 16 day tour to Scotland in August that goes from Edinburgh to the Orkney Islands. https://seniordiscoverytours.ca/en/destination/bonnie_scotland_-_featuring_islands_highlands_and_the_edinburgh_military_tattoo

There is also a Scotland and Ireland combined tour. https://seniordiscoverytours.ca/en/destination/the_celtic_connection_-_scotland_and_ireland

There’s a couple of tour companies that are worth checking out for this, that I know offer great experiences and customer service:

• Rabbies is the most well-known of course, with many different lengths of tours to choose from, and lots of different themes.. like certain regions, or even an Outlander tour!: https://www.rabbies.com/en

• Timberbush is another great company that has a nice reputation who focus on history and culture, but usually have shorter tours: https://www.timberbush-tours.co.uk/

-Scotland Folk Tours is relatively new, but they feature lots of local musicians and folk music on their tours, plus accommodation is included: https://scotlandfolktours.com/

Lastly, might be worth looking at Discover Scotland Tours for more ideas: (https://www.discoverscotlandtours.com/)

I hope that helps and the two of you have a great time! 😊

Wow, I'm impressed with your mom. My mom is 83, very healthy and fit, but has zero desire to go anywhere outside of her neighborhood. I've told her I'll take her anywhere in the world, and she's not interested. If your mom wants to go, take her for sure, before it's too late. I don't know if I'd take her on a RS tour, though. We've gone on five, and there's a lot of walking, many times there is no option to not do it. You stay busy, and I read some reviews of the Scotland trip where someone was unhappy because there was far more walking than expected. Every tour I've been on with RS, we seem to average 15-16K steps a day (though sometimes that's because we do extra).

Some of those other tours people recommend sound really interesting, though, and maybe more appropriate for someone older? It sounds like your mother's brain is completely intact. You are lucky!

I think everyone is correct, a RS tour would be too much for her, and probably, also, too much for me to be carrying her bag as well as mine. I will look through the suggestions for other tours and welcome any additional information.

In the little bit of time I had, I looked to see if we can fly direct to Edinburgh. It appears not. Would it be a lot to land at Heathrow, spend the night and take a train to Edinburgh? I would only do it if it would be a pleasant train ride and otherwise made sense. Another option, would be to spend time somewhere in Scotland that we won't see much of during the tour. It probably makes a lot of sense to go to the city where the tour starts and spend a couple days there.

Yes, for her age, she does quite well. She does have her medical issues and there is some mild cognitive decline. My dad was ill for quite a long time before his passing so she has some "pent up" travel desire. All in all she does ok. I think the biggest issue is going to be the long flight. I typically fly economy. We may need to spring for comfort +. At least Scotland is closer than other places in Europe.

Jules, since you might be flying out of MSP if Mom lives near you, you could consider flying thru Amsterdam to Edinburgh. I went thru Amsterdam to Aberdeen last August and it was literally the easiest International airport transfer I’ve ever done. You stay in the secure International section since you are not entering the Schengen Zone so no Immigration. I found a bathroom, got something to eat and was not hurried at all.

If you are flying into Heathrow, why would you want to take public transit to Kings Cross Station and then the train to Edinburgh when you could just fly from Heathrow to Edinburgh. The flight time is officially 1:25.

By train, the trip, starting at Heathrow, would take around six hours--but someone will be along soon to tell you why I am wrong and it can be done in 5:30.

Frank, because it might be fun. But, it surely doesn't sound like fun, and you've talked me out of it. My Google maps search indicated about four hours, but it was just a quick glance. Like I said, I have never been to the UK, and it wasn't even nearing the top of my wish list, yet.

Pam, that sounds like a great plan, and I have plenty of experience with Schipol. Yes, we will fly out of MSP, almost surely Delta.

I get so annoyed with OPs that don't do the basic research. Yet, here I am. . .

I wouldn’t recommend the train from London, so much extra work for zero reward. It would cost precious time and most likely frustration in the process.

Flight would be best, but you could look into flying into Glasgow instead? There are lots of international flights there, you might be able to get a direct one, and it’s just a 1 hour train (less than actually) between there and Edinburgh. Plus if you wanted to stay there a day or two, it’s actually a larger city than Edinburgh with a completely different feel and history than the capital. Fun fact, at one point during the industrial age 25% of the world’s ships were built in Glasgow!

"Pam, that sounds like a great plan, and I have plenty of experience with Schipol. Yes, we will fly out of MSP, almost surely Delta.

I get so annoyed with OPs that don't do the basic research. Yet, here I am". . .

I thought I remembered you were a Delta flyer and probably knew Schiphol. I still can't get over how easy this was going and coming. Coming back home my CityHopper flight from Aberdeen landed at a tarmac stand and we were bused to the terminal where I was literally just a few gates away from my Seattle-bound flight. I had to walk further to go get some lunch than from my arrival point to my departure gate.

I'll add that depending on Mom's financial situation, I'd consider going for Delta One. I can't believe how much more comfortable it is and how much more rest I get. Easier to get up to the bathroom as well. This is not a time to scrimp. If she has some cognitive decline it might be her only trip and you want to make it a blast for her!

Don't worry about basic research...we all want Mom to have a good trip and to make it as easy on you as possible. You give plenty of help to others so now it is time to reap what you've sown.

When we went to Scotland in September 2023, we stayed in Edinburgh, and took 3 different Rabbie's tours to see what we wanted to see, with a couple of days for exploring Edinburgh. The Rabbie's tours that we took gave you a lot of choice on how much walking you felt like doing.

Thanks, Pam, you are kind. I may have this Scotland trip close to planned as I sit waiting for my plane to take off to New Zealand!

My brother suggested we do a trial trip to see how it goes. Mom and I could go to Seattle for a few days and she can visit her newest great grandson.

American girl, thanks! Great ideas. And Prophet, that sounds like a plan!

Jules, how wonderful that your 87 year-old mom still has the desire to travel and children who are willing and able to help her achieve her goal. Like Pam suggested, I think the Road Scholar's Scotland at a slower pace would suit your mom very well. I read the itinerary, and each day would require walking no more than a mile.
Road Scholar will also book your flight for you. If you arrive the day the tour starts, they will pick you up at the airport. If you want to add days before and/or after the tour, they will book your flight for you, but not provide pick/up service. Generally speaking, I think Road Scholar's participants are older than Rick Steves' members, and Road Scholar will handle your luggage for you also.
Good luck!

Thank you everyone for your kind comments and great suggestions. For my schedule and in terms of Scotland's climate, etc., I feel like the best time of year to visit is May. I did some checking for tours for this year without much success. Mom wasn't keen on going this May, which I thought would be great since she currently is fairly healthy. Last year, she would not have been. In any case, should she return to the idea of wanting to see Scotland, I feel like I have a head start on planning. Thank you everyone.

I’m glad you found everyone’s comments helpful, even if it seems this year isn’t going to happen.

I did come across another company recently that my friend was raving about. I thought I’d throw them out there too, just in case it was more your proverbial scene:

• https://www.heartlandtravel.co.uk/

I hope you’re able to make it out this or next year, it sounds like that would be so special for her. 1000 BCE is an impressive span!

😊