The Canadian Vanderplaat family made a memorable journey of discovery to Scotland to learn of their Scottish heritage with the help of a specialist tour operator.
The Vanderplaats are a Canadian family of four living in the Toronto area. Peter Vanderplaat was born in Holland and his wife Jane (nee MacNaughton) is from Canadian/Scottish roots. They had explored their Dutch heritage but only started to get serious about a search for Jane’s MacNaughton roots after her father John died in 2006.
Alastair Cunningham from Scottish Clans & Castles explains: “While planning a trip to Scotland, the family came across our website and blog which featured an article on the MacNaughtons. After an exchange of emails, they asked us for a proposal, expressing a desire to ‘trade up from Gouda to haggis and from Heineken to whisky’. We suggested an itinerary for their ten day tour of Scotland and contacted key people with connections to Jane’s ancestors.”
The Vanderplaat family enjoyed a private tour of the estate where Jane’s great-great grandfather was born and found a stone cottage where the family had lived and worked. Later, they visited the graveyard where many of the family were laid to rest.
Alastair Cunningham continues, “Whenever possible, Scottish Clans & Castles tries to arrange visits to relevant privately owned castles or estates for our clients, providing a unique opportunity for those involved. The Vanderplaats described their experiences as ‘completely unexpected and another incredible highlight of our wonderful trip’.
Ancestral Tourism takes people on a truly personal journey, which is memorable, emotional and creates lasting, bonding relationships for tips and advice on how to make the most of this year round commercial opportunity visit the Tourism Intelligence Scotland Ancestral Tourism Guide.