Program 651: Inner Hebrides; Soul of the Family Tree; Ancient Ireland

Scottish tour guides share their best advice for a spirit-boosting trip to the enchanting isles of Scotland's Inner Hebrides. Then author Lori Erickson invites us to gain a deeper understanding of our own family histories as she describes what she discovered about her Norwegian ancestors — and the realization that her day-to-day life remains influenced by a certain Viking energy. And tour guides from Ireland let us in on their favorite places to connect with the culture of the ancient Celts.

• Elizabeth Lister, tour guide based in Fife, Scotland
• Colin Mairs, Scottish tour guide, based in Auckland, New Zealand
• Lori Erickson, author of "The Soul of the Family Tree" (Westminster John Knox Press)
• Joe Darcy, tour guide based in Dublin
• Stephen McPhilemy, tour guide based in Dingle, Ireland
• Ireland feature narrated by Sarah McCormic

• Liz Lister provides custom walking tours and transportation transfers in Edinburgh. Liz also co-hosts the Scottish Blethers podcast, with conversations about Scotland.
• Colin Mairs offers a seasonal ten-day whisky-themed tour of Scotland. He also guides tours in New Zealand and Australia.
• Lori Erickson writes about her travels to Norway to experience the world of her Viking ancestors, and what her genealogical research has taught her, in her latest book, "The Soul of the Family Tree." Lori also offers travel suggestions about travel to spiritually-important places around the world on her Spiritual Travels website. 
• Joe Darcy offers custom walking tours of Dublin.
• Stephen McPhilemy's tour guiding contact information is at Essential Ireland Tours.