Arcadia Scotland
Explore Scotland through the Spring 2023 Events!
Date
November 22, 2022We 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 December 8th noon (EST (USA)) 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.
author talk and Reception - 9th February - Evening
Location: Edinburgh Center at 6pm (Buccleuch Place) and Zoom
Anne Pettigrew, guest author and a former doctor (GP) in Greenock (near Glasgow) for 31 years has kindly agreed to give a talk to our students on her 2018 debut novel Not The Life Imagined.
“A darkly humorous, thought-provoking story of Scottish medical students in the sixties, a time of changing social and sexual mores. None of the teenagers starting at Glasgow University in 1967 live the life they imagine. Beth Slater is shocked at how few female medical students there are and that some people, such as Conor Towmey, think they shouldn’t be there at all. Devastated by a close friend’s suicide, Beth uncovers a revealing diary and vows to find the person responsible for her death. In time, indiscretions surface with dire consequences for some.”
This novel, while untangling an intriguing and terrible mystery, engages with some difficult topics from suicide and rape to the challenges of accessing healthcare and the deep misogyny of certain institutional policies and individuals. There are fairly explicit sexual scenes. There is also the use of language that some may find offensive. Our discussion at the author talk will include topics relating to health care and gender in Scotland including issues relating to rights and access to healthcare up to the present day where Scotland has just created the legal right to free period products.
(Please note that all profits from the purchase of this book goes to Plan UK, a global children’s charity that works with youth growing up in some of the world’s poorest communities, making sure they have access to the education, health care, clean water and future opportunities they need to thrive.)
Price includes: FREE
Peaky Blinders Dance/Theatre Event - 28th February - evening
A new dance theatre event at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre, delving into the story of Tommy Shelby and the Peaky Blinders, written by the creator of the global hit television series. Dazzling, athletic dance and stunning dramatization, with an iconic eclectic Peaky soundtrack, and a live on-stage band.
Tommy and the Peakys fought together at Flanders and the show opens in the trenches of World War 1. Bound by this experience, a really personal story unfolds as the Shelby family navigate the decisions that determine their fate and Tommy is intoxicated by the mysterious Grace.
Price includes: the cost of a ticket to the show & 1 course dinner.
TRY CURLING - 8th March - Afternoon
Not only is curling Scotland’s traditional winter sport, but it is also a very popular feature of the Winter Olympics & Paralympics. Did you know that two of Team GB’s 2022 Winter Olympic medalists are for Scotland, Edinburgh. This event will take place at Murrayfield Ice Rink in Edinburgh.
Prices include: Instructions for how to start curling, a 2 hour session on the rink & lunch.
firbush adventure weekend - 3rd to 5th 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 neighbouring 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 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).
Regional event to London - 10th to 12th March
Join in with an event in London with Arcadia students from Ireland and England. The weekend will start with a welcome meal and a 'Talk of the Town Event' - a Shakespeare workshop hosted by the London Center. The next day we will visit Hampton Court Palace and experience what life was like as Tudor under the reign of Henry VIII. On the final morning before heading back to Scotland we will visit a London attraction such as the London Eye.
Price includes: Travel to and from London departing from Edinburgh, accommodation, some meals and attractions.
essay writing skills- 16th march - afternoon
If you feel like you might be struggling with your assignments then this workshop is for you! Many exchange students struggle with adapting to a different education system, but don’t worry our Edinburgh Centre 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. For those students who can’t make this event the session will be recorded and posted on the Facebook page.
Price includes: FREE
highlands and Skye weekend- 31st March to 2nd April
Come with us over the sea to Skye! This 3-day weekend trip will feature an incredible drive up through the spectacular Trossachs National Park and desolate Rannoch Moor to enter the Scottish Highlands, visiting Glencoe, Fort William and Eilean Donan Castle. We will journey to the famous isle of Skye where you will see the dramatic scenery such as, Kilt Rock and the Mealt Falls, and weather permitting an option to see the unusual and unique rock features such as the Old Man of Storr or the Fairy Glen - a delightful miniature Highland landscape and legendary home of the 'wee people'. Continue to Duntulm sea viewpoint to see some of the most dramatic sea cliffs in Scotland. You will also explore the island's capital, Portree, famous for its colourful harbour in the evening on Saturday night. Weather permitting a walk into the fairy pools and a visit to Dunvegan Castle. Driving back we will visit Loch Ness at Fort Augustus and a working sheepdog farm stopping at the Victorian holiday town of Pitlochry.
Details may change due to weather.
Prices includes: Round trip travel by coach from Edinburgh, 2 nights hostel accommodation, 2x breakfasts, 2x dinner, 3x lunch, entry to attractions.
borders DAY TRIP- 15th 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. We will then move onto Innerleithen to visit Traquair House, Scotland’s oldest inhabited house. Traquair is still owned by the Stuart family, Scotland’s former ruling dynasty, and later leaders of the Jacobite Rebellions. Traquair is full of secrets including a chapel, a priest hole, a maze and even a brewery! 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.
Price includes: Round trip travel by coach from Edinburgh, Entry to Rosslyn Chapel, Traquair House, Lunch in Melrose, Abbotsford House.
exam & revision skills- 20th april - afternoon
With the exam period fast approaching it might be worth brushing up on your revision skills so you can increase your chances of success. The Edinburgh Centre will be running two exam skills sessions in April where you will learn how to prepare for your exams. Remember preparation saves perspiration! This session will include everything from advice on planning your revision to what to expect on the day of the exam. For those students who can’t make this event the session will be recorded and posted on the Facebook page.
Price includes: FREE.
farewell ceilidh- 4th May - Evening
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 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. Feel free to bring friends to the ceilidh! It will be held at The Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh.
Price includes: FREE