Arcadia Scotland

Scotland looks forward to welcoming you this coming fall semester! 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 this fall.

Event registration opens Thursday, August 10 at Noon (ET). Events are first come, first served so don't wait too long to register! In the event that an excursion you wanted to sign up for is full, instructions for joining a waitlist will be provided.

ROSSLYN CHAPEL AND THE SCOTTISH BORDERS DAY TRIP

ORIGINS, SCOTLANDS

The Scottish Borders is full of beauty with sweeping valleys, forests, and heather-clad moorlands. This day excursion to the Scottish Borders will begin with a visit to Abbotsford House, the home of Sir Walter Scott, the 19th century novelist and poet and a trip to Scott's View to take in beautiful landscape of the Tweed Valley. There will be free time to explore Melrose village and the ruins of Melrose Abbey which was founded in 1136 for the Cistercian Order and largely destroyed by Richard II’s English army in 1385. Our last stop will be at Rosslyn Chapel which was founded in 1446 using ornate stonework and mysterious symbolism, with suspected ties to the Knights Templar and Freemasonry.

Golf at Musselburgh Links Old Course

ACTIVE SCOTLAND

A pleasant afternoon putting! The Musselburgh Links have been home to The Open six times and five local golfers have won the competition eleven times between them. Research has shown that golf was played on Musselburgh links as far back as 1672, although it is suggested that Mary Queen of Scots even played golf there in 1567. Both novices and experts are welcome on this event and club hire is included. 

Isle of Skye WEEKEND

DISCOVERY & INVENTION, ORIGINS, SCOTLANDS

Come with us over the seas to Skye! This 3-day weekend trip will feature a incredible drive up through the Highlands to the famous isle where we'll see the dramatic Trotternish Ridge, Lealt Waterfall, Kilt Rock, and the unusual and unique rock features of the Quiraing and the Old Man of Storr. We'll also explore the Fairy Glen - a delightful miniature Highland landscape and legendary home of the 'wee people' - and visit Neist Point lighthouse to see some of the most dramatic sea cliffs in Scotland, sea birds and maybe even marine wildlife. There will also be a chance to explore the island's capital, Portree, famous for its colourful harbour. 

BELFAST & the ANTRIM COASt

Regional

A jam-packed 4-day trip to the Emerald Isle! Departing Thursday afternoon, we will fly out to Dublin and spend the night in The Fair City before joining students from Arcadia Ireland and Arcadia England on Friday morning to drive north. Nestled on the coast below Cave Hill and the Black Mountain, Belfast is a dynamic city where the hospitality is legendary and the warmth of the people is genuine. We will visit the Titanic Quarter, where the tragically-fated streamliner was built and have time to explore the Queens University neighborhood. The spectacular landscape of Ireland's North Coast, highlighted by a visit to the Giant's Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, will show you first-hand the culturally rich heritage and beautiful landscape of Northern Ireland. You will be introduced to the political and social history of Belfast city through a fascinating talk on the internationally-renowned murals of Belfast as well as an exciting tour of the city led by local academics. 

Scottish HIGHLANDS WEEKEND

DISCOVERY & INVENTION, ORIGINS, SCOTLANDS

A weekend excursion to explore the beautiful and fascinating history of the Highlands with one night in Inverness. We will travel through the incredible Trossachs National Park, stopping at medieval stronghold Doune Castle, recently made famous by Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Game of Thrones and Outlander. From there, we will drive over Rannoch Moor and through the Glencoe Valley and then continue up to Loch Ness where where we will visit Urquhart Castle. Everyone will have a free evening in Inverness before we set off on Sunday morning to visit the Battlefield of Culloden, meet the working sheepdogs of Leault Farm and stop in for a wee dram at the Blair Athol Distillery on our way back to the central belt of Scotland. 

Highlands ACTIVITY WEEKEND

ACTIVE SCOTLAND, Scotlands

One of our most popular events, Firbush Outdoor Centre hosts an activity-filled weekend run by the University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Sport and Exercise staff. Firbush is based in a spectacular location in the southern Highlands on the shores of Loch Tay. Many activities are on offer dependent on weather conditions including: hill-walking, mountain biking, road biking, kayaking, canoeing, orienteering and a historical tour of the area. The neighbouring village of Killin offers quaint tea shops and pubs as well as the dramatic Falls of Dochart. There will also be a traditional ceilidh dance and Burns supper on one of the evenings.

An evening with a Scottish Author - Alice Thompson

BOOKCLUB

Every semester, the Edinburgh Center hosts an evening with a Scottish author. This semester, award-winning novelist Alice Thompson will join us to discuss her book, Pharos, an early nineteenth-century gothic horror set on a remote Scottish island. This is a fantastic opportunity to meet and learn from a published author and will be of great interest to those studying creative writing and literature. Previous authors have included Alan Bissett, Kirsty Gunn, Kevin MacNeil, Bella Bathurst, Ken MacLeod and more.

Thanksgiving CEILIDH DANCE

CREATING & IMAGINING

Ceilidh [kay-lee] is the Gaelic word for 'gathering' and involves Scottish country dancing to traditional folk music. Ceilidhs have played a vital role in Scotland’s cultural and social life for many years and this is fun opportunity for all Arcadia students to come together to celebrate Scottish culture. The Scottish dance will take place in Stirling, a beautiful historic city in the heart of Scotland’s central belt the day before Thanksgiving. Dinner will be provided and everyone will have the chance to learn the dances! 

Cinderella - a Christmas Pantomime

CREATING & IMAGINING SCOTLAND

Possibly one of the most unique Christmas traditions in Britain is the pantomime! Pantos are family-friendly stage productions featuring songs, gags, double-entendres, slapstick comedy, dancing, gender-crossing actors, and combine topical humour with a story loosely based on a well-known fairy tale, fable or folk tale. With its origins in 1500s Italian travelling theatre troupes and Shakespearean productions, audience participation is readily encouraged with actors frequently breaking the fourth wall. Potentially the largest bout of culture shock you'll receive while you're here - not to be missed!