There’s a close off the Royal Mile so narrow you’d pass it a hundred times without a glance. Sonny stops, turns and waits for us to notice it. Then he guides us in. Inside is an Edinburgh the guidebooks don’t keep. And the man holding the key knows these streets in a way no…
Tell people you’re taking your teenagers on a family trip abroad and watch their faces wince. The one that says good luck with that. We took ours, ages 13 and 16, to Central Scotland this past summer with UnTours, and I’m here to report back from the other side: it was one of the…
Inverness and nearby Ardersier are our UnTours hometowns in the Scottish Highlands, a welcoming home base for a truly incredible region of natural beauty. I had the pleasure of staying in Inverness a few years ago when we first set up the program. Home to some 47,000 people and known as the capital of the Highlands,…
Duncan MacKellar is our on-site host for the Scottish Highlands UnTour. Last year he shared some insights into the deep traditions of his region. To understand the traditions and culture of a nation, you have to look at the people who created those very same traditions. Scotland’s greatest export has been its people, some voluntarily…
Enter the haggis! This past weekend, Scots in the UK and abroad gathered for a fun annual celebration of their national bard, Robert Burns. It is an important tradition in Scotland. Burns lived from 1759 – 1796. He wrote poetry about rural life as he ran the family farm in western Scotland, and the writing…
So much to see and do in Europe already, but why not plan your trip around some of the season’s special events? Festivals and fairs are a window into a culture, a signifier of what is important to a community, and an excellent way to rub elbows with the locals. Here is your 2020 trip…
This time of year we celebrate the end of a fun and exciting season of UnTours. We also celebrate UnTourists who have shared their photos. In November, we put 12 of our favorite UnTours Photo Contest entries up for popular vote, and the people have spoken. The 2019 winner is: Karen Munoz! She traveled with…
Our UnTours Photo Contest was such a success last year, we have decided to keep it going. Please help us choose a winner for 2019! We’ve narrowed it down to the 12 finalists you see here. The winner will receive a free iPad. Take a look at the competition and vote for your favorite on…
Central Scotland is a favorite summer destination. Here is the review of a recent guest of ours, who joined friends on our Central Scotland UnTour; he lays out some of the places they were able to visit on their stay. All arrangements made beforehand were exactly as described and connections were on time. Val and…
Yes, they speak English in Scotland. But they have some colorful expressions you may not know! Here are some favorites provided by Val, our local staff person on the Central Scotland UnTour. There are some fun insults and drinking expressions in the mix. Clear yer throat and give ’em a wee try! Aye Right –…