Thanks to all our new followers who have discovered us via our Virtual Tours. Doing these tours helps us to keep spreading our love for Scotland and Outlander and we hope brings enjoyment to you, while we gradually return to “the new normal”. Please share the details in any groups you are part of and remember we are happy to put on extra private tours for any groups. We charge a small fee of £30 for this.
We have a new Virtual tour for you: Mary, Queen of Scots. Hear the story of her turbulent years in Scotland by visiting some of the key sites. Our first tour will be on Sat. 11th July. Booking now open
https://marysmeanders.rezdy.com/402466/virtual-mary-queen-of-scots-tour
Scotland is gradually beginning to re-open, very cautiously. From today we can travel more than 5 miles and of course, it is pouring rain. We give some further details on the current situation below.
We are starting to plan “actual “tours again and we are so looking forward to the prospects for 2021 and 2022. Thank you to all those who deferred from this year to 2021. Of course, this does mean that we already have a busy diary for the year, but we are aiming to add some extra tours, for new bookings. If you are thinking of coming either in 2021 or 2022, now is the time to start planning and let us know of tentative dates, so we can do our very best to fit everyone in.
Virtual Outlander Tours
We continue to deliver our LIVE tours on a regular basis. We have 2 tours on offer, The Classic and our follow up “Outlander and More” tour. Here are the links to book. The tours come live from Scotland so the booking time is Edinburgh. You will find a handy time zone comparison on the webpage or a conversion link on our facebook page. Hope to see you soon
Classic Tour
www.marysmeanders.co.uk/virtual-tour-and-experience/virtual-outlander-tour-of-scotland/
Outlander and more tour
www.marysmeanders.co.uk/virtual-tour-and-experience/live-virtual-outlander-tour-in-scotland
Also keep watching our Facebook page for the next tour in Spanish and French
We have had a few enquiries about running the tour for groups and teams for team-building. We are very happy to discuss this, with adaptations, if needed. We would apply a small charge for this service. Email emma@marysmeanders.co.uk to discuss.
Virtual Tour Download
If you can’t manage any of our Live tours we now have a recorded version of the tour you can download and watch immediately, and repeat as often as you like. You can purchase this here So, no need to wait. You can get your Outlander locations fix 24/7
Outlander Ceilidh with Gillebride The Bard.
We had another great evening of traditional entertainment last night. These ceilidhs have been great fun with music, stories, demos and virtual tours. If there is enough interest another may be organised soon. Join the Facebook page and register your interest here
If you would like to learn some gaelic songs-taught phonetically, so no experience needed, you can also join a Zoom Class with Gillebride on Sunday 12th July You can find out more from the organisation running it Anclas Camelon
Update on the situation in Scotland
We have now entered Phase 2 of the move out of lockdown and things are starting to open slowly- at a much more cautious pace than England, so please be sure to check Scottish sources for updates. As of today, we can travel more than 5 miles for leisure and a little more interaction between households is allowed. Shops have re-opened with Social distancing, but facemasks now must be worn in shops and on public transport.
The tourism industry is scheduled to re-open on the 15th July. This does not mean everything will be open then. Mainly Self catering cottages, B&B’s and some hotels. Pubs and restaurants are due to re-open then, but for some smaller ones it is just not viable until social distancing is removed. We are still awaiting announcements from the major Historic bodies on the re-opening of Visitor attractions. Glasgow City Council have just announced it will be later in August before they begin to re-open major attractions such as The Kelvingrove and Riverside Museums. Mary Kings Close in Edinburgh plan to re-open on the 17th July. So there is no common strategy. Best to check each location individually.
Air Travel: at the moment we have 14 days quarantine for anyone wanting to enter the UK. The UK Government has just announced a list of 50 countries for “air bridges” that will not have to quarantine on return. The Scottish Govt. are not currently endorsing this.
We will not consider restarting our Outlander tours until at least the bulk of locations are open again. For updates check The Scottish Government website.
www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19
Mary’s Meanders Measures for Re-opening
When we restart our tours we will be taking all necessary precautions with Social distancing, mask wearing and hand sanitising. We will closely adhere to Scottish Govt. advice and you will be advised of specific measures relating to your tour.
We are subscribed to The Visit Scotland Visitor Charter issued today
The guidance includes
- Not travelling if you have COVID-19 symptoms or have been told to self-isolate
- Observing physical distancing measures
- Regular use of hand sanitiser and regular handwashing
- Planning ahead and checking if businesses and attractions are open and welcoming visitors
- Being considerate of local communities and their precious resources
- Supporting the local tourism industry by eating local, seeing local and buying local
But the most important thing is that we want you to feel safe and secure when you join us and we will do everything to ensure that happens. We will not take risks and open prematurely and we hope you will be understanding of this approach.
Ancestry
We are normally out and about on our Ancestry tours right now but being stuck at home we have more time to devote to research. So, if you want some help tracing your ancestors, please do get in touch. We have a few Ancestry tours in planning just now. Also, now that we are allowed to go further afield we can get back out checking out graveyards and are happy to take photos for you – if the headstone exists (not always the case). It does take quite some time to plan an ancestry tour, so now is the time to be planning for next year, and beyond. Find out more about our Ancestry service www.marysmeanders.co.uk/scottish-ancestral-tour
What’s Next
We do intend to cautiously restart our tours on the 15th July, with a Walking Tour of Linlithgow. This will be limited to 6 people as we will have to practice social distancing and we do have narrow pavements to manoeuvre. More information to follow on our Social Media accounts and website
www.facebook.com/MarysMeanders
www.instagram.com/marysmeanders
twitter.com/MarysMeanders
| Thank you A big shout out to everyone who answered our request for support to share our stories and mention us in Social Media groups. Start looking out your photos as we will be looking for those very soon. Please continue to tag us @MarysMeanders #marysmeanders whenever you can. Thank you so much. Keep safe and well and we will see you soon. Emma & Anne PS Did you see that Sam and Graham are going LIVE this evening (6th July 9pm UK time) on Instagram! www.marysmeanders.co.uk https://www.paypal.me/marysmeanders www.facebook.com/MarysMeanders www.instagram.com/marysmeanders twitter.com/MarysMeanders |
Newsletter 22nd May 2020
