It was the most amazing trip I have ever taken.  I will have to say that I am a bit overweight and was not in the best shape.  I did take a pair of hiking poles and that really made all of the difference for me.  I did have a bit of hip pain, I do not ordinarily have hip pain but I am also used to walking over the very flat terrain of Florida.  I sometimes forget that the rest of the world is not flat.

For me this was the trip of a lifetime. Since I was working on improving my fitness by hiking and then being rewarded by music in the evening it seemed like a good choice.  It was more than I could have ever imagined.  The Scottish countryside was so extraordinarily beautiful it is was just amazing.  I enjoyed the fact that we were outside among the lovely hills, flowers, waterfalls, etc.  By hiking we had the time to get up close and personal with this amazing land.

Of course, the music was outstanding and we met some famous established performers and some young up and coming ones.  Of course, having Ed play the Niel Gow fiddle at Blair Castle was a real highlight.

The whole experience was just wonderful.  The tour was very well organized.  All of the arrangements for lodging, food, hiking, transportation, and  entertainment were handled by our local Scottish guide, Dorothy and Ed. This made for a very relaxing and trouble free trip.  My only regret is I packed too much luggage and would have been better off with less to carry.  I thought it was going to be much colder than it was.  Also in retrospect it might have been nice to have a few extra days before or after the trip in Glasgow.  Finally, the tour is personalized to just the people in your group.  If you are a bit tired one morning and not quite up to hiking you can ride in the van and relax in a tea shop in the village or practice your music, and catch up with the hikers later.

All in all I just can't say enough good things about this trip, for me it has been the best trip of my life so far.

Andrea M., Jacksonville FL

The event was more than we had expected and the facilities, transportation, delicious Scottish food and warm friendliness of the Scottish folk who attended to our needs, all made our trip exceedingly joyful.

Our daily walks were casual and well-arranged for all of us, regardless of age or "mountain" experience. Each day consisted of motor travel from our hotel or inn to a scenic walking area where the views of the highlands and also the perfect Scottish summer weather met our every wish.

The everyday planning was such that in just a few days we were able to come to a conclusion that Scotland would be as warm and friendly a place to spend some time as we might find even in our home areas.

For those who might have had experience with Scottish fiddling, dancing, and games, the planned evening programs happily brought a serene but joyful end to our already nearly fulfilled days.

Our Scottish guides also  provided us with lots of historical background each day as we explored the shores and even the waters of such beautiful lakes such as Loch Lomond and Loch Ness.

In every aspect of our trip we felt that we were always relaxed, not physically over-worked or hurried, and every need was very well provided for.

Paul and Linda M., Hope ME

I think the Scotland trip was inspirational.  I loved it.  It brought me back 50+ years to when I was in the mountains of Vermont as a teenager in music camp. The surrounding hills and valleys always inspires my musical journey.

Dorothy is a wonderful and very knowledgeable guide who was attentive to the individual needs and interests of each of us. The incredibly talented  Scottish musicians you arranged for us to hear and your encouragement to participate in the musical evenings continues to give me a glow. I love the Scottish music!

It was a very special experience.

–Syd A., Brunswick ME

Visiting Scotland with you and a group of people who love Scotland and its music was pure joy.  We were privileged to hear wonderful Scottish musicians in small intimate rooms. Dorothy and Frank of C-N-Do were organized and thoughtful.  Dorothy's knowledge of the country allowed her to adjust the trip as went to our specific interests.  Walking in the highlands with new friends and then musical entertainment in the evening. Who could ask for more.

–Gail & Frank S., Durham NH

Testimonials – comments about the Scotland tours

Our trip to Scotland led by Ed Pearlman and Dorothy Breckenridge was a wonderful combination of walking and music with of group of congenial, like-minded people. The guest musicians were excellent; the house concerts for our small group special, and the jam sessions an added bonus.

Dorothy’s knowledge and organizational skills were exceptional. Everything from our point of view ran smoothly and all details were attended to. We learned a lot of Scottish history, some geography, and encountered many beautiful green vistas.

I would recommend this trip to anyone with an interest in the music and history of Scotland.

Nancy U., Los Alamos, NM