FAQs

Q: "Lindsay you're so busy! We don't want to bother you with trip planning. What should we do?"

A: BOTHER ME. I love parties, travel, planning, planning travel and parties, and most of all, all of y'all. It is a delightful break from

my day when I get texts about this party. I love hearing about it, and am constantly shocked that any of you are willing to do this

with me! But! If you need help, I hope this website will help answer some questions, get people connected, and spark travel troubleshooting ideas. But always feel free to text me.

Q: "Most importantly, what do I wear?"

A: Aw, bestie, that's always my first question too! It will be December in the mountains, but their winters aren't quite as bad as Arkansas winters, and nowhere near as bad as Michigan winters. Pack based on your activities! Most of ours will be casual, lounging inside, being tourists, participating in highland games. Saturday night at the gala, you can wear whatever you like. I will be in a fancy dress, but you can wear a kilt or jeans or a tuxedo or that flapper dress you've had for years but haven't had occasion to wear!

Everyone and everything is welcome; I just want you all to feel happy and beautiful.

Q: "Are there any rules?"

A: Each castle will have its own rules for guests who are staying. Please refer to the castle page for details.

Beyond that, party rules are as follows:

The number one rule, unbreakable and unforgivable above all others, is to adamantly not know my age. Deny, lie, make one up for me and stick to it when people ask, or change it every time! Have fun with it! Be ridiculous! I certainly am!
As always, please do not post anything publicly until everything is final, because I am deeply superstitious and will hex anyone who jinxes this. You are however welcome to make vague and mysterious references.
Please be kind to one another. I have friends from a variety of backgrounds with a variety of beliefs and expect everyone to be respectful.
If you are a jerk, you will be asked to leave.

Q: "I seriously can't post about this on social media?"

A: That is correct! I expect this to be kept private until you actually get there, and then nothing would please me more than for all your social media to be positively flooded with posts, pictures, and hashtags of us and the party!

Q: "Ok we're coming! How do we get there? Where do we fly in?"

A: You have several airport choices based on whether you prioritize efficiency or budget, and how you plan to get around once you're in Scotland. If you're flying from the US, there will probably only be direct flights to London Heathrow (LHR), and these will likely be the cheapest. However that's on the other end of the country from the castle. It's a huge airport which has become more streamlined, but you'll also have to navigate London.

You can also fly into Manchester. It'll be a bit more expensive but is closer. It's also smaller and more manageable.

Glasgow and Edinburgh are also options, but will be more expensive and will use more connections. But once you're there, it's very easy to get to the castles.

Some people are also getting creative and flying into Dublin or Paris and then making their way over!

Q: "Now we're confused and overwhelmed! How do we navigate how to get to the castles??"

A: My favorite travel site is Rome 2 Rio! You literally just put in any two places and it will tell you all the options on how to get from one to the other, including walking, busses, planes, trains, and automobiles! It will give links to all the optional airlines or train companies and the related tickets. Wonderful.

Q: "How do we get around the country?"

A: That's entirely up to you, and will depend on your answers to the last questions! I always get a rental car because I don't do public transportation. If you can or prefer it, there's a great system of trains and busses all throughout the UK. You can find links by googling or using Rome 2 Rio.

Q: "Do you have any rental car companies you prefer? Is it scary driving over there?"

A: I typically use Expedia to price check rental car options, and then book the cheapest option from the company that has a rating I'm comfortable with! Be SURE to mark "automatic" if you need one, otherwise you WILL get a manual car.

I don't think it's scary to drive there! You're on the wrong side of the road, but you're also on the wrong side of the car, so the ratios stay the same. Everyone is much more cooperative and legal-minded than driving in the US. Everything is smaller and the signs are different, but I've had no issues as long as I was considerate and drove carefully.

Q: "What can we bring you or pay for?"

A: As far as gifts, it is more than enough that you are willing to take off work, travel to a foreign country, get a new passport, or whatever it was you had to do to come celebrate with me. I am so surprised and grateful that this could actually happen! If you HAVE to bring me something, please consider I will have to pack it back, and I love cards, tiny art from you or your kids or your pets, and tiny sentimental things. Maybe even a card with a picture from the party mailed to my Arkansas address afterward. :)

The castles and most of the meals and activities are free and included in your invitation! You will have to pay for travel expenses to get there and get around the country, as well as meals outside the castles. If you HAVE to contribute, feel free to text me and we can either argue about it or exchange Venmo.

Q: "Last question! I know it's your birthday, but it's also my birthday! What do I do?"

A: I don't know if I'll ever have this experience again, and I want to SHARE it with all of you in every single way we can find to celebrate. Let's make this about all of us, as much as we can! Celebrate your birthday! Celebrate your anniversary! Propose to me unexpectedly! Have a photoshoot!! You will absolutely not be stepping on my toes or harshing my mellow by making this about you as well. The more to celebrate, the more to celebrate!