• a family-friendly pilgrimage through the wilds of Scotland •
July 18-28, 2026
Join Tsh & Kyle Oxenreider (& their teens) on pilgrimage through the Scottish Highlands.
…You'll learn from locals, trod on old soil, and spend time together unpacking what you've learned.
The little, unassuming northern tip of the Isle of Britain is enveloped by a mysterious, otherworldly veil that leaves many of us intrigued, wanting to know more. What is it about Scotland that's so appealing? Is it its rugged landscapes, covered with a fog of clouds that could erupt in showers at any moment? Is it the unmistakable call of its bagpipes? The stony ruins left from its fierce history? The oft blood-spilled fight for its religious freedom? It's delightful people and their impeccable whiskey?
We say a resounding YES! to all of it — and more. All of our lives are a long pilgrimage to our true Home, so while we wait and make ourselves ready, we are also invited to embark on pilgrimages here on earth to let God speak to us in remarkable places.
A pilgrimage to Scotland is an invitation to do just that: to let Jesus meet you in a surprising way through its mystic islands, rocky landscapes, historic stories, and rugged way of life, reflecting over all this with like-minded pilgrims over sips of local whiskey. Thig còmhla rinn air turas!
“Of all the small nations of this earth, perhaps only the ancient Greeks surpass the Scots in their contribution to mankind.”
– Winston Churchill
A Tidbit of What You’ll Experience:
Stirling Castle & the history of independence led by William Wallace
A trek through the sublime Isle of Skye
A day at the famous Highland Games!
Loch Ness & the age-old falconry practice at Dunrobin Castle
The Iron Age and Celtic history along the famous Pictish Trail
Sheepdog herding at a real working farm
Walking the end of the Fife Pilgrim’s Way into the historic town of St. Andrews
Local Scottish whiskey tasting
Church history at the Rosslyn Chapel & Traquair House
Edinburgh Castle (and time to wander the storied city)
…and much, much more!
Who Are You?
You appreciate Kyle & Tsh’s laid-back adventure style of travel — yet whether you're a seasoned nomad or you've never left the country, you're also a little unsure what it might be like to travel with a group of strangers (it's understandable; they were honestly a little unsure what it'd be like to lead a group trip the first time, too!). But rest assured: there are no matching shirts here, and there's no one saying "We're walking, we're walking" through a crowd of tourists. When you travel with Kyle and Tsh, you're joining a like-minded group of pilgrims who value meaningful conversations in meaningful places, who want to savor the big and small pleasures of travel, who are willing to embrace the unexpected, yet who also relish the simple joy of a good conversation over a drink at the café.
You’re flexible and open to participating in a pilgrimage with all walks of life: families with children, young and older pilgrims, men and women, single and married, religious and not (be they Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, or wherever they are), seasoned travelers and first-time abroad newbies.
So long as you’re willing to learn about yourself, the world, and your place in it — you'll belong.
Pilgrims from our summer 2022 trip to Italy
Pilgrims from our summer 2023 trip to Ireland
Pilgrims from our summer 2024 trip to Greece & Turkey
Pilgrims from our summer 2025 trip along the Rhine River to the Netherlands, Germany, France, & Switzerland
“I discovered myself by traveling. Scotland taught me how to fight for humanity.”
– Fuad Alakbarov
Meet Your Guides
Kyle and Tsh Oxenreider are explorers down to their bones, and ever since they met on a dirt road in war-torn Kosovo 25-plus years ago, travel has been in their family's DNA. They've lived in Kosovo and Turkey and traveled to well over thirty countries, including having led six group pilgrimages. A decade ago they took their three kids on a round-the- globe journey, spending a school year learning from the greatest textbook there is: the world.
Kyle is a small business owner, and Tsh is a podcaster, teacher and author of six books (with more on the way!), including At Home in the World: Reflections on Belonging While Wandering the Globe. She is also the writer behind the popular newsletter The Commonplace and host of the podcast A Drink With a Friend, both of which explore all of ordinary life through a sacramental lens. Her favorite job title of all time though, of course, is mom.
Together, they're experienced travel guides, and both of them are Catholic converts after spending most of their lives as devoted evangelicals and then Anglicans. Their favorite style of travel? Laid-back adventure. When you travel with them, you'll try new things and ask new questions about the world and your place in it, but not at the cost of unwise risk. You'll learn from places and people, then spend time together unpacking what you've learned, usually over a local drink.
Fr. Gabe Bouck is a native of Memphis and a convert to Catholicism from his roots as a Southern Baptist. He’s a nerd with a tech and music background who loves Jesus and His Church, and he loves traveling and seeing the world through a Catholic lens. He also loves bourbon and singing karaoke.
He was the spiritual guide and priest for the Oxenreider's pilgrimage to Greece in 2024, and they're thrilled to have him join them again!
FAQs
What is the group size?
This group will be a maximum of 50 people.
When will group participants be revealed to each other?
You’ll officially meet each other either en route (if you choose group airfare) or at our welcome orientation and dinner the first day. You’ll connect via email with Kyle and Tsh a few weeks before departure.
Will children be on the trip? (Or can I bring mine?)
Possibly! This trip includes a lot of walking, so the minimum age is 8. If you join us, you are open to learning from fellow pilgrims of all ages, from young adventurers to senior travelers.
Is this trip only for Christians? Or even Catholic Christian-only?
Not at all. Tsh and Kyle are Catholic Christians, and as such, their worldviews are a natural outflow of their faith. Naturally, the conversations throughout the week follow suit.
But as a participant, you’re not asked about your beliefs beforehand, you don’t have to sign some sort of doctrinal statement, and they embrace the idea that God is walking with all of us on a unique journey. One of the features (not a bug!) of their pilgrimages is the eclectic spiritual background of the participants: Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, or what-have-you.
Will there be chats about the intersection of travel and faith? Yes, absolutely. Will we have (optional) Mass with a Catholic priest who’s joining us as a fellow pilgrim? Yes. Will you have a chance to ask questions about “weird Catholic stuff”? Also yes. But they trust that God knows where you’re at, and there’s no pressure to be anyone but you.
What should I pack?
Layers are key to helping you pack as light as you can. The Scottish Highlands are known for their cloudy, overcast weather (even in the summer), and temps will vary as we traverse through hills and valleys. Comfortable walking shoes are also a must—we’ll be trekking a lot! You may also want to toss into your bag something simple you enjoy wearing out for the evening. But on the whole, this trip is for ordinary pilgrims, and we highly recommend packing light.
What's the investment?
The investment for the trip is $4,995 for double occupancy, not including the flight. See the brochure for more details.
Why do the Oxenreiders partner with Select International?
Tsh has led trips on her own before, and they’re a lot of work to plan. As a full-time writer, teacher, and mother, planning a unique trip of this magnitude is often an additional full-time job! Select International has a longstanding track record of excellence in the travel industry (particularly with pilgrimages) and the people behind the scenes are fantastic. Plus, they’re able to make the trip more affordable than if Kyle & Tsh ran it on their own! They’ve loved working with them over the years for their pilgrimages to Italy, Ireland, Greece, and Rhine River, and are thrilled to work with them again.
More questions?
Ask Rebecca Stoker at rebecca@select-intl.com.
“Wherever I wander, wherever I rove; the hills of the highland forever I love.”
– Robert Burns
Interested?
Download the brochure for more info or head directly to the page to sign up:
“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”
– St. Augustine