I am absolutely thrilled to say that, barring any crazy events, I will be partaking in my very first RS trip, very first time crossing an ocean, and very first big trip "on my own" with the RS Best of Scotland trip (and an extension with a Rabbie's tour to Skye) in June 2026! I'll be flying in and out of Glasgow, and the cheapest flight with the fewest layovers has me arriving and leaving with a couple of extra days on both ends of my trip. Please give me some recommendations for some day trips (via train) or other potential stops on those extra days. Thank you all so much! It is all very surreal and exciting!
Posted by
West Coast
365 posts
How exciting, Amy! I have recently returned from Scotland (not via RS) and after looking at his itinerary can make a couple suggestions I hope will be helpful:
First- be sure to bring a waterproof/wind protective jacket, with a good hood. Even on a sunny day (this was September, for me) weather will all change so quickly! And feel colder, too. I wore my jacket every day, usually all day- you can always tie it around your waist or stuff it in your day bag. (On my tour I made the rookie error of leaving it on the bus on a beautiful sunny day for a castle visit 🙄!)
In Inverness with your free time be sure to visit The Prickly Thistle on Rebel Row, down a side street in the shopping area. You can arrange a ticketed (10 GBP) presentation online. Phenomenal! It provided not only context for the story of tartan but gave me a deeper appreciation for the battles, landscapes, castles, etc.
Their pieces are gorgeous (very expensive!) but I bought their fundraising tote bag. The owner is doing really important work in The Highlands.
In Glasgow, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum had a fantastic exhibit exploring Scotland's complicity with the slave and opium trades, also context for the opulant architecture.
I read Clear by Carys Davis before going on the trip. I never knew about the enclosures and had better perspective for Culloden and beyond.
I loved Scotland! Have a wonderful trip!
Edited to add: it's wise to arrive at least the day before the tour and more if you can. That allows time for delays getting to Scotland and to readjust to the time change.
Posted by
West Virginia
199 posts
I'm signed up for the Scotland tour as well (June 14-26, 2026). Let me know if you're on the same tour.
Happy Travels!