By Catherine McKinley
A recent article entitled “Family history is inspiring vacations in ‘roots travel’ trend” interestingly enough, lists SCOTLAND as its first example of a desired destination.It says that latest statistics indicate that at least 40 million travelers from across the globe visited recently to “lay claim to their Scottish ancestry.” According to experts who track travel patterns, “ancestry travel” is a trend that has grown in the past few years.
Kristin Petersen, a travel adviser with Travelmation, says her family took a roots travel trip to Scotland. She and her family are shown above.(Kristin Petersen, Travelmation )
Ms. Petersen said that she was inspired to take a roots trip herself to Scotland after doing extensive heritage research. “It is certainly something we will never forget, and we are so grateful it will now be passed down to the next generation through our children,” she said.
“Roots” sojouners, upon arrival in Scotland, are often first directed to the the Scottish Genealogical Society, 15 Victoria Terrace, Edinburgh. SCOT members who’ve not only been to Scotland, but to this building will likely attest to the fact that its library is a treasure trove of information. The Society’s Coat of Arms is pictured below with the motto “For Family and Nation.”
