Arcadia Scotland

Scotland looks forward to welcoming you this coming semester! We’re very excited to announce the events that will be taking place this spring and we hope they’ll enhance your experience of Scotland while you’re in-country!

Registration opens Thursday, November 30 at Noon (EST) in your Arcadia Passport. Events are first come, first serve, so don't wait too long to register! And don't worry - if an excursion you wanted to sign up for is full, instructions for joining a waitlist will be provided. 

A DAY AT THE RACES

ACTIVE SCOTLAND

A trip out from Edinburgh to Musselburgh Racecourse to attend the Scottish Cheltenham Trials. This will be a chance to see premier racing from some of the country's top hurdlers, featuring the best British and Irish horses aiming for the Cheltenham Festival or the Grand National. As well as other races, the Edinburgh National, a new four mile hurdle race, will also be taking place. Horseracing has a long history in the UK, dating back centuries, and has strong ties to both the aristocracy and working classes.

BERLIN WEEKEND

REGIONAL

A long weekend in Die Hauptstadt! Fly with us to mainland Europe as we join students from Arcadia England and Arcadia Ireland to explore Germany’s capital city. We’ll learn about the city's development from the time of the Teutonic Knights through to its key role in the major events of the twentieth century, as capital of the Nazi Third Reich, as the divided city of the Cold War, and as the modern capital of a unified Germany in the new Europe - visiting the Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie and what remains of the Berlin Wall. We will also see the captivating Holocaust memorial and take the sobering journey out to the Sachsenhausen Concentration camp, where 30,000 prisoners perished. You will have the opportunity to experience Berlin’s renowned musical culture, visit ‘Museum Island’ and check out the city’s vibrant street art culture. Included in the cost of this trip are flights to Berlin and accommodation for three nights.

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 – VICTORIA WHITWORTH

BOOKCLUB

Every semester, the Edinburgh Center hosts an evening with a Scottish author. This semester, award-winning novelist Victoria Whitworth will join us to discuss her book, Swimming with Seals. While focusing on her experience swimming in the frigid waters between mainland Orkney and the island of Rousay, there are fascinating digressions on everything from the rich history of the Scottish islands to the echo-locating abilities of orcas, from the 13th century Orkneyinga Saga to the Old English poem The Wanderer, dating from the tenth century. You can find a review of the book on The Scotsman website. 

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, Alice Thompson and more.

HADRIAN's WALL & THE ROMANS DAY TRIP

ORIGINS, SCOTLANDS

A day trip down to cross the ‘official’ border between Scotland and England to see the remains of the world famous Hadrian’s Wall! We’ll explore the Roman auxiliary fort of Vindolanda (occupied from approximately 85 AD to 370 AD), visit the Roman Army Museum in Cumbria, and learn about the Roman’s experience and interaction with the many peoples of Britain 2,000 years ago, reaching as far north as Aberdeenshire. Joining us will be University of Glasgow military and conflict archaeologist, Dr. Jennifer Novotny.

SPRING CEILIDH DANCE

CREATING & IMAGINING

Ceilidh [kay-lee] is the Gaelic word for a visit or gathering and involves Scottish country dancing to traditional Scottish folk music. Ceilidhs have played a vital role in Scotland’s cultural and social life for many years. The ceilidh is a fun opportunity for all Arcadia students to come together to celebrate Scottish culture. Dinner will be provided and everyone will have the chance to learn the dances!

NO SUCH THING AS A FISH – 2018 TOUR

CREATING & IMAGINING SCOTLAND

Did you know there’s no such thing as a fish? That diamonds can be made from peanut butter? That Chewbacca’s voice was created by combining the sounds of a bear, a walrus, a lion and a badger? No Such Thing as a Fish is a weekly British podcast series produced and presented by the award-winning comedy writers and researchers behind the panel game show QI (‘Quite Interesting’). If you enjoy unusual and remarkable facts, come with us to attend a live podcast recording at the Queen’s Hall in Edinburgh… And in the meantime you can listen to previous episodes online here! 

Loch NESS & THE 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.

ISLE OF SKYE WEEKEND

DISCOVERY & INVENTION, ORIGINS, SCOTLANDS

Come with us over the sea to Skye! This 3-day weekend trip will feature an 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.

LONDON WEEKEND

CREATING & IMAGINING, DISCOVERY & INVENTION

Organised by Arcadia England, highlights on this weekend excursion will include a tour of central London, a theatre trip, a walking tour of the South Bank and street art around London, a visit to the Tower of London, afternoon tea, a traditional fish and chips supper and a curry in Brick Lane! There will also be free time to explore the city where you could visit Buckingham Palace, South Kensington for the Museums, St Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey Highgate Cemetery and so much more. Included in the cost of this trip is transportation down to London, travel around the city and accommodation for three nights.