• Rick with sheepdogs, Scotland

October Tour News

Hi From Rick: A Scottish Highland Yhoop!

Our Rick Steves tour bus pulled up a long, rutted driveway to a remote farm, and a dozen eager border collies scampered up to greet us. Then came the shepherd, whom the dogs followed like a messiah. He sat us down in a natural amphitheater of turf for a little intro chat…then the dogs got to work: With shouts and whistles, each followed individual commands and showed an impressive mastery over the sheep. The demonstration made two things very clear: Sheepdogs are smart — and sheep are idiots. Afterwards, our group got to cuddle several tiny puppies, only a few days old and just starting to open their eyes. The shepherd said it's good for baby sheepdogs to have contact with humans like our group right from the start. I seriously considered a "puppy-napping."

This was just one of several magic moments I enjoyed when I took our Scotland tour a few years back. Another came in the village of Kenmore… Read more

In This Issue


Highlands Highlights in the Heart of Scotland

North of the pastoral Lowlands and the urban bustle of Edinburgh and Glasgow, the Scottish Highlands feature a wild, severely undulating terrain that's punctuated by lochs… Read more


Overview of Edinburgh, Scotland

Slideshow: Best of Scotland, Day by Day

On our Best of Scotland tour, along mossy mountains, windswept isles, mysterious lochs, and heathered glens, you'll discover a land and culture that are strongly persistent… Read more


guide-james-macletchie

Meet Scotland Guide James Macletchie

Having lived most of his life on Scotland's remote Outer Hebrides islands, James loves sharing the rugged beauty of his homeland with others. As a guide for Rick Steves' Europe, James leads our Scotland… Read more


Raves About Our Scotland Tours

Bonnie wee Scotland packs a big punch, whether you're taking in its stirring scenery, proud history, or strong whisky inside a friendly pub. Take it from our tour members… Read more


Speyside: The Heart of Scotland’s Whisky Country

Of the hundred or so whisky distilleries in Scotland, about half lie near the valley of the River Spey — making the area a pilgrimage site for Scotch whisky aficionados. Join Rick on a video tour of a whisky distillery… Watch the video


Tours 101

Is a Rick Steves Tour Right for You?

Ask your questions, get answers from our tour experts, and find out if a Rick Steves' Europe tour is right for you at our upcoming Tours 101 sessions on Nov. 10… Register


monday night travel logo on background with flying bats

Coming Soon to Monday Night Travel

Join us for Travel Horror Stories with the MNT team Oct. 26, then catch Rick and Bishop Shelley Bryan Wee as they consider a European take on the state of American democracy Oct. 27… Register