Taking My DNA on a Celtic FAM: Will Scotland Feel Like Home?

Tomorrow I’m boarding a plane to Scotland for a Brendan Vacations familiarization trip with Classic Travel Connection, one week of castles, kilts, whisky, and hotel inspections. It’s work (I promise!), but this particular FAM comes with a fun personal twist: Brendan has asked us to “Share Your Celtic Story”, and my DNA says I have one.

According to Ancestry, my heritage is a very Celtic forward mix: 20% Central Scotland & Northern Ireland, 21% Northern Wales & North West England, a touch of Munster, Ireland, plus strong roots in Southeastern England & Northwestern Europe and even a slice of Dutch and Swedish. So while I’m evaluating hotels and excursions for future clients, I’ll also be quietly wondering if the hills outside the coach window once belonged to my own Ulster Scots and borderland ancestors.

Brendan has built a “greatest hits” style itinerary for us that includes Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, Johnnie Walker whisky, Highland scenery, Skye, castles, and lochs, paired with a social guide encouraging us to tell the stories behind our photos. I plan to use that as an excuse to weave in my DNA map: posts from Edinburgh tagged with my Central Scotland percentage, a windswept Skye photo linked to my Welsh and north west English roots, and a few reflections on how these landscapes eventually funneled my people to the American South.

This is not just a fun side quest. It is research for future clients who look at their own DNA results and say, “I want to go there.” By walking this itinerary with my Celtic ancestry in mind, I’ll come home ready to design trips that blend classic sightseeing with meaningful heritage moments for anyone who wants to turn percentages on a screen into stories on the road.