Student Bloggers

We hope you are getting excited about your time in Scotland this Fall! 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. And remember to be responsive to your emails if you’ve signed up to an event, we sometimes need you to do some things in order to come to the event!     

BLACK HOLE SIGN THEATRE SHOW - OCTOBER 9TH

The National Health Service is one of the UK’s most beloved institutions. This play explores how this institution is under threat. This is an excellent, rare opportunity to see some Scottish produced theatre about an incredibly important socio-political issue affecting the country you are calling home for the next few months. Offering a unique insight into state-controlled healthcare and the web of relationships this fosters. 

“When a hole appears in the roof of a crumbling and understaffed A&E department, patients, porters and nurses do what they must to make it through the night. 

Written by practising NHS critical care nurse Uma Nada-Rajah and directed by Traverse Artistic Director Gareth Nicholls, Black Hole Sign takes a razor-sharp scalpel to the absurdities, tragedies and hilarity within one of our most beloved but besieged institutions.”

We’ll have a bite of dinner together before heading to the theater. 

Accessibility: Stairs to and from seats and in Traverse Theater, step-free access is possible but please get in touch in advance and we can liaise with the theater. 

Price: $20 Includes: Dinner and the admission into the theater.

FIRBUSH ADVENTURE WEEKEND -  OCTOBER 10TH - 12TH

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. This really is a weekend not to be missed!

Accessibility: This event includes a walk up a hill and water sports such as kayaking, students sleep in shared single-sex dorms. The Burns supper will be loud with a band and physical contact dancing (though dancing is always optional). 

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.

BORDERS DAY TRIP SATURDAY - OCTOBER 18TH

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.

Accessibility: Short periods of time on a coach, some walking. Scenes of death/skulls and faces depicted in Rosslyn chapel through medieval stone carvings. 

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

HIGHLANDS WEEKEND TRIP - OCTOBER 24TH-26TH

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 Augustus and viewpoint for the beautiful Glenfinnan viaduct rail bridge. A drive filled with dramatic scenery will round the day out as we head 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. 

On Sunday you will pay a visit to a waterfall that runs through a village, the Falls of Dochart. Then on to Blair Drummond Safari Park for lunch and a drive through the safari to see some of the non-native animals living in the Highlands, the park has everything from Highland ponies to lions and giraffes. Afterwards we will drive back down to Edinburgh.  

Details may change due to weather. 

Accessibility: There are long periods of time on a coach during this trip, students stay in shared, mixed gender hostel rooms but preferences such as single-sex, or a single room can sometimes be accommodated. There is a fair amount of walking to wear appropriate footwear. The weather in the Highlands is often cold and wet so bring appropriate layers as we are outside often. Glenfinnan Viaduct viewpoint is a steep hill but there is a flat walk if preferred.   

Price: $100 Includes: Round trip travel by coach from Edinburgh, 2 nights accommodation - Inverness Youth Hostel & Oban Youth Hostel, 2x breakfasts, 1x Lunch. Entrance to all attractions. 

REGIONAL WEEKEND: BELFAST AND BEYOND -  NOVEMBER 7TH - 9TH

This weekend gives you a chance to meet with Arcadia students from England and Ireland. We will travel to Belfast in Northern Ireland on Friday and take a tour of the city's rich history before having a group meal. Saturday we will explore the natural wonder that is the Giant’s Causeway before you have a free afternoon in Belfast. Sunday we will visit the Titanic experience, where the tragic tale started at a shipyard in Belfast where the ill-fated vessel was built. We’ll then get the ferry back to Scotland. 

Accessibility notes: There is a lot of walking during the trip and we will be getting to Ireland via a flight. The Titanic museum is fully wheelchair accessible with the exception of one historic boat. Giants causeway accessibility information can be found here Giant's Causeway - National Trust | AccessAble.

Price: $100 Includes: Two nights bed and breakfast stay in hotel, guided tour of Belfast, 1 group dinner, ticket to Giants Causeway and Titanic museum.

AUTHOR TALK AND RECEPTION - NOVEMBER 12TH

This is a talk not to be missed. There will be a reception with drinks and snacks after with a chance to speak to the authors.

Accessibility: Talk will be recorded, it will take place in the Arcadia Edinburgh Centre which is up four flights of stairs. 

 Price Includes: Free

FAREWELL CEILIDH - NOVEMBER 26TH 

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 buffet 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.

Accessibility: Ceilidhs are high energy dances with physical contact and loud music, ensure you wear proper footwear and stay hydrated. Dancing is always optional (but highly encouraged).

Price: $10 Includes: Buffet dinner and dance.