1) Why is this tour offered only in March and November when the weather is bad?
First off, the weather can be quite wonderful in Scotland in both March and November – sunny days, clear skies, and mild temperatures. Second, good weather in Scotland can never be guaranteed, no matter what time of year you visit. We offer this tour in March and November for a number of reasons, but most significantly because these months are outside of the high tourist season when the distilleries are inundated with visitors. In order for us to get behind-the-scenes access, warehouse tastings, and special programming, we must visit at times when the distilleries are not so busy entertaining throngs of tourists. In addition, we strongly believe that Scotch Whisky is best enjoyed in the crisp weather that March and November tend to provide.
2) Can I arrive before or remain after the sojourn?
Yes! If you would like to arrive at the start location in advance or remain at the end location after the sojourn has concluded, Scholarly Sojourns can help you arrange your hotel accommodation and is often able to secure attractive rates. Please indicate these preferences to us after you have registered for a particular sojourn.
3) How much walking will be required on this sojourn?
All participants should be comfortable walking up to a mile at a time and capable of climbing up to three flights of stairs at a time.
4) I am a single traveler. Can you help me find a roommate?
Scholarly Sojourns will do all we can to match single travelers with a suitable roommate if they desire. But we cannot guarantee that roommates will be available. Therefore all single travelers should register as such and be prepared to pay the single traveler rate should a roommate not be identified.
5) Is this sojourn appropriate for children?
This sojourn is not appropriate for children or anyone under the age of eighteen.
The following books provide excellent background for this sojourn:
Scotch Whisky. Smith, Gavin D. Sutton Publishing, Ltd., UK. 2000.
Scotch Whisky: A Liquid History. Maclean, Charles. Cassell, UK. 2006
The meeting point for this sojourn is The Principal Hotel in Edinburgh. Participants making their own travel arrangements should plan to arrive between 10:00 and 14:00 on the first day of the Sojourn. The first official activity begins at 16:00 that day.
Optional air package from/to New York: $1,049/person
The air package includes round-trip, trans-Atlantic flight, airport transfers in the destination, and 100% travel assurance. This travel package can be booked once you have registered for this sojourn and paid the deposit of $500 per traveler. Scholarly Sojourns can also help arrange your travel from any US gateway.
