Arcadia Scotland

We are so excited to welcome you to Scotland this Spring semester! We have been hard at work planning some of the best events and experiences that we think will be a great introduction to your new home in the Scotland!

Read on below for what we have in store. Event registration opens December 7th in your in your Arcadia Passport. And, don’t forget, if an event is full you can add yourself to the waitlist to be notified automatically if more space becomes available.

Please note that you will need to declare a negative test to be allowed to go on our events (details to be sent prior to the event).

author talk and recepton with james robertson –

Wednesday 2nd febuary

We are absolutely delighted to invite James Robertson back to the Arcadia Edinburgh Center to give a talk and participate afterwards in a reception with drinks and nibbles (6-8pm).  James will be discussing his new critically acclaimed novel - The News of the Dead. His latest book explores the people of a fictional glen in the highlands of Scotland. You will have the opportunity to purchase a discounted copy of his latest novel on the night or have your own copy signed by James.

“Deep in the mountains of north-east Scotland lies Glen Conach, a place of secrets and memories, fable and history. In particular, it holds the stories of three different eras, separated by centuries yet linked by location, by an ancient manuscript and by echoes that travel across time.”

Scotsman review of The News of the Dead here.

James Robertson is an award winning and incredibly important Scottish writer whose writing from poetry to novels explore many different aspects of Scottish history, culture and identity. He is the author of several short story and poetry collections, and has published six novels: The Fanatic, Joseph Knight, The Testament of Gideon Mack, And the Land Lay Still, The Professor of Truth, and To Be Continued…. The Testament of Gideon Mack was long-listed for the 2006 Man Booker Prize.

Price Includes: FREE

Essay writing skills workshop –

wednesday 16th february 

If you feel like you might need a bit of extra help when it comes to writing essays then this workshop is for you! Many exchange students struggle with adapting to a different education system, but don’t worry our Edinburgh Center has you covered! In this session you will learn crucial essay writing skills from a university tutor, such as how to reference, avoiding plagiarism, using evidence and structuring an argument. If you have any questions about essay writing please come along, we’re happy to help. Don’t worry if you can’t make it as there will be a Zoom recording as well. 

Price includes: FREE

HIBERNIAN FC VS ROSS COUNTY FOOTBALL MATCH –

SATURDAY 19TH FEBRUARY

As you may have already discovered, football (never soccer!) is quite a big deal in Scotland. Hibernian (or Hibs as the team is nicknamed) will be welcoming Highland side Ross County to Edinburgh. Hibs will see this game as an opportunity to secure a Europa League place for next season, while newly promoted Ross County will be fighting to secure their future in Scotland’s top division. Despite Ross County being the underdogs, the Highlanders famously caused an upset in 2016 when they beat Hibs in the final of the League Cup. With everything to play for, this game should provide an exciting afternoon of football. This is a great opportunity to watch a professional sporting event while also learning about the culture and people of Scotland. 

Prices include: Match ticket (remember your student card) and your bus fare from Princes Street to Easter Road & a light snack. 

firbush outdoor acitivity weekend –

friday 4th to sunday 6th march 

Firbush is one of the most popular events we run for our students, but recently, due to Covid restrictions, we have only been able to visit the centre for the day.   We are very happy to announce that this Spring will see the return of overnight weekend visits! Firbush is situated on scenic Loch Tay in Perthshire just inside the Scottish Highlands. For over fifty years Fibush has been providing students with outdoor activities including canoeing, hillwalking, kayaking, mountain biking, and windsurfing. After a full day of activities, there will be a Burns Supper followed by a traditional Scottish ceilidh. Don't miss this chance to experience Scotland’s great outdoors first hand! 

Prices include: Accommodation, all meals (2x breakfast, 2x lunches & 2x dinners, and activities at Firbush & transport to and from Edinburgh to the Firbush centre.

six the musical at kings theatre –

friday 18th march 

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned! In this retelling of history, the six wives of Henry VIII are reimagined as a 21st century girl band. Featuring Aragon, Boleyn, Seymour, Cleves, Howard and Parr, hear their side of the story through the medium of music and dance. The six wives are in competition over who had the worst marriage, so expect plenty of humour as well as touching moments too. The show includes songs such as "Don't Lose Ur Head" (Anne Boleyn), "Get Down" (Anna of Cleves), "I Don't Need Your Love" (Catherine Parr), and many more! It isn’t all fun though, the musical contains a powerful message about female empowerment. Winner of Whatsonstage award for best Off-West End Production and Olivier Award nominees in five categories, this show is a great chance to experience something a bit different while still being entertained! A sneak peak into the theatre production. 

Price includes: the cost of a ticket to the show. 

highlands & skye weekend –

friday 1st to 3rd april 

If you’re anything like our previous students, part of the reason you came to Scotland was to visit the fabled Highlands. The weekend will begin with a visit to Inverness, with stops at a Whiskey distillery, as well as a trip to see real working sheep dogs. After that we will be proceeding to Inverness, but not before stopping at the site of the Battle of Culloden, the last battle fought on British soil in 1745, and also featured in the TV show Outlander.

After a night in Inverness, on Saturday we will be travelling to the Isle of Skye, with stops at the castles of Urquhart and Eilean Donan. Once we reach Skye we will be visiting the many of the island's beauty stops including the Old Man of Storr, the Lealt Falls, and Kilt Rock. This will be followed by an overnight stay in Portree where you will have some free time to explore the town. As if this wasn’t enough, on the journey home we will be visiting the Dun Beag Broch, a type of Iron Age stone tower found only in Scotland. Before we leave Skye we will be visiting Sligachan Bridge, where as legend has it, if you wash your face in the water you can achieve eternal beauty. As we head back to Edinburgh we will be travelling through the dramatic scenery of Glencoe, as well as a quick visit to Fort Augustus.

This is a fantastic opportunity to visit some of the most beautiful landscapes in Scotland, if not the world, all over a single weekend!

 Prices include: Accommodation, all meals (2x breakfast, 2x lunches & 2x dinners), entry to attractions & transport from Edinburgh to Inverness and Skye.

exam and revision skills workshop –

wednesday 27th april

With the exam period fast approaching it might be worth brushing up on your revision skills. The Edinburgh Center will be running an exam and revision skills workshop this April. Like essays, exams in the UK are slightly different to those in the US. This workshop will provide advice on how to revise, plan your studying, and other tips on passing exams. Remember preparation saves perspiration! Don’t worry if you can’t make it as there will be a Zoom recording as well. 

Price: FREE

the scottish borders day trip –

saturday 30th april

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. The best thing about this trip, however, is that your guides are genuine Scottish Borderers in the form of Arcadia’s very own Joan and Cameron!

Prices include: Entry to all of the sites and transportation & money contribution for lunch.

a scottish evening –

friday 6th 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 Ceilidh we’ll provide a traditional buffet, followed by an evening of dancing. Please join us for this amazing night with a live band and dancers to help you learn some moves.

Price includes: FREE