Arcadia Scotland

We hope you are getting excited about your time in Scotland this Spring! We have put together a range of events for you that will get you properly immersed into Scottish culture and maybe trying some new experiences! There is something for everyone and we encourage you to take full advantage of this opportunity. Below is a first look at what you've got in store!
Event registration opens SOON in your Arcadia Passport.
Don’t forget, if an event is full you can add yourself to the waitlist to be notified automatically if more space becomes available

Celtic Connections Concert Glasgow

Thursday February 2nd 
Celtic Connections is a festival in Glasgow celebrating the spread of Celtic music. Thousands of musicians will perform across the city during the eighteen day festival. We will be attending the Transatlantic Session. These sessions showcase artists celebrating the musical connections between Scotland, Ireland and the US. The concert will be a dynamic interweaving of musical influences and is always a cracking night. We will be having dinner in Glasgow and then heading over to the concert hall for a night of exceptional music.

Price: $20 Includes: Dinner and a ticket to the concert.

Liverpool Regional

Friday 23rd February  - Sunday 25th February
Our regional this year is to the city of Liverpool, home of the Beatles! During this trip you’ll have a chance to explore the city that has it all. It is second only to London for the amount of museums, art galleries, parks and listed buildings it has. During your stay you’ll take part in a treasure hunt walking tour to get to know the city. You’ll also get to visit the Beatles Story, a permanent museum telling all about the legends of the British music scene.

Price: $100 Includes: Travel, Accommodation, one group meal and a trip to the Beatles museum.

Firbush Adventure Weekend

Friday 1st March  - Sunday 3rd March 
Join us for one of our most popular events– the Loch Tay Outdoor Activity Weekend- Firbush. This is an activity-filled weekend set in the southern Highlands; staying in a log cabin, opening your curtains to the rolling mountains and still waters of Loch Tay you will embark on an amazing weekend of hill-walking, kayaking, canoeing and mountain biking. Come rain, snow or sun you will get to experience the best outdoor activities that the Highlands has to offer. The neighboring village of Killin offers quaint tea shops and pubs as well as the dramatic Falls of Dochart. If you are wanting a more leisurely exploration of the area, you are more than welcome to enjoy it in a less adrenaline-packed manner. On the Saturday evening, we will have a traditional Burns' Supper where you will get to try Haggis, Neeps and Tatties followed by a ceilidh and evening of music by a world-renowned local 'Piper. This really is a weekend not to be missed!

Price: $100 Includes: Round trip travel by coach from Edinburgh and pick up from Stirling, two nights’ accommodation, all meals (Breakfast, lunch & dinner) and all activities with equipment hire (if you have your own, I would use that).

Borders Day Trip

Saturday 9th March
For hundreds of years the Scottish Borders have marked the boundary between Scotland and England, and for this reason the region is rich with history, culture, and literature. From Walter Scott, to James Hogg, and John Buchan, the Borders has provided inspiration for great works of prose, poetry, and song. The day will begin with a visit to Rosslyn Chapel, a 15th century chapel featured in the 2006 film The Da Vinci Code. The Chapel is also associated with the Holy Grail and the Knights Templar. After this we will visit Melrose Abbey, a partially ruined monastery that is nearly 900 years old. Despite the best efforts of Henry VIII and Oliver Cromwell the abbey still stands to this day, and provides a valuable insight into Scotland’s past. After lunch in the town of Melrose, we will be visiting Abbotsford House, the stately home of Scotland’s greatest novelist Sir Walter Scott. The house itself is full of history, and also boasts fantastic grounds including a walled garden. We will then move to Scot’s viewpoint, overlooking the verdant valley of the River Tweed.

Price: $30 Includes: Round trip travel by coach from Edinburgh, Entry to Rosslyn Chapel, Abbotsford House, Lunch in Melrose.

Highlands Weekend

Friday 15th March  - Sunday 17th March 

Come away to the Highlands of Scotland! This 3-day weekend trip will feature a drive up to the historic town of Crieff where you will tour a distillery to sample some of the finest whiskies in the land. You’ll stop at the Victorian holiday town of Pitlochry and visit a working sheepdog farm. You’ll take in the dramatic views of Loch Morlich and stay the night in the capital of the Highlands, Inverness.

You will visit the historic Culloden Battlefield and the beautifully ruined Urquhart Castle which sits perched on the banks of Loch Ness. Then onto Fort William and the Glenfinnan viaduct, the ‘Harry Potter’ rail bridge. We'll then drive coastward to Oban, a beautiful village that clings to the edge of the waters of the Firth of Lorn. Some of the best seafood in Scotland comes from here.

You’ll continue on to the Gothic beauty of St Conan’s Kirk. Next, a visit to a waterfall that runs through a village, the Falls of Dochart. You’ll stop at Kilmahog to see that iconic Scottish animal, the Highland coo, if they’re not feeling too shy that is. Finally, we'll wrap up out trip seeing the gorgeous Stirling castle.

Details may change due to weather.

Price: $130 Includes: Round trip travel by coach from Edinburgh, 2 nights accommodation - Inverness Youth Hostel & Oban Youth Hostel, 2x breakfasts, 2x dinner, 3x lunch,

Author Talk

Monday 12th February 
Join Booker Prize nominated author Martin MacInnes as he talks us through his new book In Ascension. The book is a science-fiction deep dive into the Earth’s sea and outer space, following marine microbiologist Dr Leigh Hasenboch and their exploration of an impossible occurrence in the ocean. This will be a chance to listen to an exceptional Scottish author who will also be available to answer any questions you may have.
The talk will be followed by drinks and nibbles and a chance to chat to the author.

Price Includes: Free

Farewell Ceilidh

Wednesday 1st May 
Ceilidh [kay-lee] is the Gaelic word for 'gathering' and involves Scottish country dancing to traditional folk music. Strip the Willow? Orcadian Reel? Flying Scotsman? Soon you’ll know what all of these mean, and be pretty good at them too. At our Fall Ceilidh we’ll provide a formal meal, followed by an evening of dancing. Please join us for this amazing night with a live band and a caller to help you learn some moves. Feel free to bring friends to the ceilidh! It will be held at The Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh.

Price: $15 Includes: Formal dinner and a dance.