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In episode 158 of the UK Travel Planning Podcast, Tracy chats with Rita Fox, who recently explored England and Scotland with her wife, Katie, on a deeply personal, genealogy-themed adventure. Rita shares how she researched their ancestry, built an itinerary around meaningful locations, and experienced the powerful emotions of walking in their ancestors’ footsteps.
If you’re dreaming of turning your family tree into a travel route, this episode is packed with inspiration, research tips, and practical advice to help you plan your own heritage journey.
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Episode 158 – What you’ll learn in this episode
- 🗺️ Genealogy can transform your UK trip! Rita and her wife Katie planned a 17-day adventure across England and Scotland, following in the footsteps of their ancestors and discovering their family histories along the way
- 💻 Learn how to start your own ancestry-based travel, with practical tips on researching family roots using online tools like Ancestry.com, FindAGrave, ScotlandsPeople, and the National Archives
- 📚 Discover the benefits of reaching out to local UK family history societies, archives, and even cemetery volunteer groups for on-the-ground expertise and unexpected connections
- 🧩 Get advice on shaping an itinerary around meaningful ancestral locations, while balancing must-see UK attractions, sightseeing, and downtime so your trip isn’t overwhelming
- 🚆 Hear how they made smart use of transport – BritRail passes, the Caledonian Sleeper overnight train, Discover Real London Black cab tour, and local car rentals – plus the importance of reserving seats and booking in advance for popular spots
- 🏰 Explore some of their trip highlights, including Evensong at Westminster Abbey, Balmoral Castle’s private tours, Stirling and Edinburgh Castles, the Royal Yacht Britannia, and spotting locals in kilts!
- 🤝 Be inspired by the emotional rewards of genealogy travel—from meeting distant cousins to standing in the very homes, churches, and workplaces of their ancestors
- 😅 Listen to candid stories about travel mishaps (like the top bunk on a sleeper train, missed reservations, and a dramatic Heathrow landing) and the lessons learned
- 🎟️ Find out which attractions must be booked ahead (Ceremony of the Keys, popular restaurants, an early entry castle tour with Walks), and which can be left flexible
- 📝 Get actionable recommendations for starting your own genealogy adventure, plus why personalising your trip—whether for ancestry, hobbies, or other passions—brings deeper connection and meaning to UK travel
- 🌍 Reflect on how travel reveals both the diversity and unexpected similarities between cultures, and why approaching your journey as a respectful, curious “ambassador” makes all the difference
UK places, foods and words/concepts mentioned
Places
- Inverness – Two-night stay, visited friend Betty, drove along Loch Ness, car rental base
- Edinburgh – Week-long base, stayed on Princes Street, visited Edinburgh Castle, Georgian House, Prestonfield House, Borough Market, accommodation booked in advance
- Linlithgow – Katie’s ancestors’ origin; visited headstones, historic High Street
- Paisley – Visited for family research, used Paisley History Centre, saw Weaver’s Cottage
- Balmoral Castle – Private Land Rover tour on the estate
- Stirling (Stirling Castle, Church of the Holy Rude) – Visited for family and history; attended church connected to an ancestor
- Loch Ness – Scenic drive with friend Betty
- Moray Firth – Crossed on a bridge during Inverness driving experience
- Wariston Cemetery (Edinburgh) – Volunteered with Friends of Wariston, visited ancestor graves
- Georgian House (Edinburgh) – Visited to visualise ancestors’ lives
- Holyrood (Edinburgh) – Mentioned as an area with family worship connections
- Whitburn – Hometown of an ancestor found in the Scottish War Memorial
- London Eye – Sightseeing, discussed symbolism in understanding London
- High Street (Linlithgow) – Scene of picturesque, historic-modern juxtaposition
- Ship’s Tavern (London) – Pub visited, saw television coverage of the Kansas City Royals
- Caledonian Sleeper – Overnight train between London and Scotland
- Borough Market (London) – Visited but found especially busy on bank holiday
Foods
- Venison burger – Eaten at Balmoral Castle café, from estate-hunted red stag
- Proper Sunday roast – Booked at Jamie Oliver’s Catherine Street restaurant in London
- Humble Crumble – Enjoyed at Borough Market
- Rhubarb restaurant – Prestonfield House in Edinburgh, a memorable dining experience
Words / Concepts
- Ceremony of the Keys – Evening ritual at the Tower of London, attended as a highlight
- Caledonian Sleeper – Overnight train service, “going to sleep in England, waking up in Scotland”
- BritRail Pass – Used for travelling by train throughout the UK
- Oyster card – Used for London public transport
- Discover Real London Black Cab Tours – Highly-recommended London sightseeing tour
- Walks – Guided early access tour of Edinburgh Castle
- Evensong – Attended at Westminster Abbey for a memorable musical service
- Family history centres/archives – Used throughout the trip for deeper research
- Friends of Wariston Cemetery – A volunteer group helping with the location of ancestor grave location
- Central Scotland Family History Society – Rita joined for research support
- Army records / Scottish War Memorial – Consulted for ancestor information
- Ancestry.com, Findagrave.com, ScotlandsPeople, National Archives – Cited genealogy websites
- Tripiamo – Online resource for confidence when driving in the UK
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