Arcadia Scotland

Arcadia Scotland looks forward to welcoming our Summer students! We have designed a program of events that we hope will enhance your experience in Scotland. Below is a first glance of the excursions that will be taking place in Scotland throughout the summer.

Registration opens Thursday, May 12 at (EST) in your Arcadia Passport account.

(SUM16) Luss Highland Games & the Hill House

THEME: Active scotland, creating & imagining scotland

The Hill House, high on a hill in Helensburgh overlooking the River Clyde, will be our first stop on the excursion. The Hill House is universally regarded as Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s finest domestic creation with a visually arresting mix of Arts and Crafts, Art Nouveau, Scottish Baronial and Japonisme architecture and design. Mackintosh designed nearly everything inside the Hill House, along with his wife, Margaret Macdonald, who designed and made many of the textiles as well as a beautiful fireplace panel. Much of the house has been restored so it looks almost exactly as it did in 1904 when its first residents, Glasgow publisher Walter Blackie and his family, moved in.

In the afternoon the coach will drive to Luss, a village situated on the western shore of Loch Lomond, to watch the Luss Highland Games. The games began in 1967 to promote tourism by a group of local businessmen in the Balloch area. Today the games are known to be one of the top three Highland Games in all of Scotland and even includes over £15,000 in prize money. The traditional events include Running, Cycling, Wrestling, Tug o War, Tossing the Caber, Weight over the Bar, Throwing the Hammer, Ball and Weight and the Highland Dancing.

(SUM16) Ceilidh Dance

theme: Creating & Imagining Scotland

Ceilidh is the Gaelic word for a visit or gathering, a ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee) once involved a gathering of friends who sang, told stories, played music, recited poetry or debated the topics of the day, creating their own evening’s entertainment. A modern-day ceilidh usually involves Scottish country dancing to traditional Scottish folk music. The ceilidh will be taking place at Summerhall, the former Royal School of Veterinary Studies in Edinburgh and now a creative hub for the arts, with a band and a caller who will teach the dances.

(SUM16) The Golf Open Championship

theme: Active Scotland

The Open was founded by pioneering golfers who had one guiding principle - to crown the Champion Golfer of the Year. Since 1860, The Open has been played over some of the world’s most cherished links courses and has produced a remarkable legacy of great champions. It is the oldest and most international championship in professional golf and the Claret Jug - first presented in 1873 - is one of the most iconic trophies in all of sport.

From earlier greats such as Harry Vardon, Bobby Jones, Henry Cotton and Walter Hagen through modern legends such as Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, Gary Player and Seve Ballesteros to exceptional talents of today, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Rory McIlroy, the greatest players in the world have faced the unrelenting challenge of The Open for more than 150 years.

This year, the open will be taking place at Royal Troon, founded in 1878 and is renowned as one of the greatest links courses. This year hosts some fantastic players including; Rory McIlroy, Zach Johnston, Ben Curtis, Phil Mickelson and many more. We will be heading to Royal Troon on the very last day of the Open Championship, therefore witnessing the finale and hand over of the trophy.

(SUM16) Music by Mairi Campbell

theme: Creating & Imagining Scotland

Viola player and singer/songwriter, Mairi Campbell is an influential and pioneering figure in Scottish music. Her music has a rooted and powerful quality and her musical interests are wide ranging from playing Scottish dance music, to pushing the boundaries of the traditional music scene, and even singing the ‘Auld Lang Syne’ in the film Sex in the City.

(SUM16) Craigmillar Castle

theme: Origins

Craigmillar Castle is a 15^th Century medieval stronghold located on the edge of Edinburgh. Originally built around an L’plan tower, the castle expanded over the 16^th century to include private rooms and a great hall. The castle, gardens and pastureland was used as a home for over 250 years. It played an important part in the life of Mary Queen of Scots. It was here at Craigmillar Castle the plot to kill her husband, Lord Darnley, developed after she fled to the castle following Rizzio’s murder. In the beautiful grounds you will also find two historic Yew trees situated at the entrance that are believed to have been used to make bow and arrows. Spectacular views of East Lothian from the high ramparts of Edinburgh’s other castle.

Learn More About Co-Curricular Themes & Excursions in Scotland