Arcadia Scotland

We 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 have in store! 

Event registration opens Tuesday 3rd December at 12 noon(EST) 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.

SIX THE MUSICAL– WEDNESDAY 5TH FEBRUARY 2020   

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. 

Prices includeS: the cost of a ticket to the show.  

loch tay activity weekend- Friday 21st- Sunday 23rd February 2020 

ORIGINS & ACTIVE SCOTLAND

Join us for one of our most popular events– the Loch Tay Outdoor Activity Weekend. This is an activity-filled weekend set in the southern Highlands; staying in rooms of 3-4 in one large 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 on the Saturday and choices of kayaking, canoeing, wind surfing and mountain biking for the Sunday. 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! For more information.

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.

ESSAY WRITING SKILLS WORKSHOP: THURSDAY 27TH FEBRUARY & THURSDAY 12TH MARCH 2020

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 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. For those students who can’t make this event the session will be recorded and posted on the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/ArcadiaScotlandSpring2020/. 

Price includes: FREE

borders day trip – Saturday 7th march 2020

ORIGINS, DISCOVERY

The green valleys and quaint towns of the Borders are truly alive with history, song and legend. Some of Scotland’s greatest writers have roots in the region including Sir Walter Scott, James Hogg, and of course our very own Joan Haig & Cameron McKay! The trip will begin with a visit to Melrose’s 700 year old abbey, an amazingly well preserved example of Medieval architecture, and the burial site of the heart of Robert the Bruce. 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! The trip will end with a visit to Dawyck Botanic Gardens, where you will see plants from across Europe, China, Japan, Nepal and North America. Dawyck also has trees dating back to 1680, including Douglas firs, Silver firs and even Giant Sierra Redwoods. This is a great chance to see some of Scotland’s best kept secrets!

Prices includes: Round trip travel by coach from Edinburgh, entry to Melrose Abbey (remember your Historic Scotland card), Traquair House, and Dawyck Botanical Gardens. 

hiberniain vs st johnstone – SATURDAY 14th march 2020

CREATING & IMAGINING & ACTIVE SCOTLAND

As the Scottish Premiership draws to a close St. Johnstone visit Hibernian in Edinburgh. Only a few games are left until the league table splits, with the top half competing for European places while the bottom teams will be facing a relegation battle; so there’s plenty to play for the two clubs. Both teams have a long and proud footballing history dating back to the late 19th century. Hibernian were founded in 1875 by Irish immigrants living in Edinburgh, while St Johnstone have the unusual distinction of being founded by local cricket players looking for something to do in the off season. The game will be played at Hibernian’s 20,000 seater Easter Road stadium within easy access of the city centre. Don’t miss this chance to experience Scotland’s national game, and remember it’s FOOTBALL not SOCCER!

Prices includes: Match ticket (remember your student card) and your bus fare from Princes Street to Easter Road. 

CEILIDH– WEDNESDAY 25TH MARCH 2019

CREATING & IMAGINING & ACTIVE SCOTLAND

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 Spring Ceilidh we’ll provide a traditional buffet for a ceilidh, 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: FREE

REGIONAL: LONDON WEEKEND- FRIDAY 27TH- SUNDAY 29TH MARCH 2020

ACTIVE eNGLAND, LOCAL ENGLAND, IMAGINED ENGLAND, GLOBAL ENGLand

Join us for a trip south of the border to the UK’s capital city London! This trip will be with both our Ireland & England programs. The weekend will begin with travel via train to London from Edinburgh on Friday. The trip will include a visit to the London Eye, a 443 ft ferris wheel, that provides great views of the city. This will be followed by a cruise down the River Thames so you can see all the sights, including the Houses of Parliament and London Bridge. Next we will visit Warner Bros Studios for a behind the scenes look at the Harry Potter films. You’ll get to see the Great Hall, Dumbledore’s Office and Diagon Alley. Finally we will visit the National Gallery, which holds some of the world’s greatest artists of all time including Botticelli, Rembrandt, Van Gogh, and Monet.

Prices includes: Two night stay at St. Giles Hotel (Breakfast and wifi included), Return travel from Edinburgh via train, London Eye & River Cruise, 2x dinner meals, Warner Bros Studio Tour, Travel cards for 7 days. 

EXAM SKILLS- THURSDAY 2ND APRIL & THURSDAY 23RD APRIL 2020 

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 Center 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: FREE

SKYE & HIGHLANDS WEEKEND - FRIDAY 17TH -19TH APRIL 2020

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 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 accommodation in Portree Youth Hostel, 2x breakfasts, 1x dinner, 1x lunch, entry to Dunvegan Castle.

SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT VISIT & SUSTAINABILITY EVENT – TUESDAY 10TH MARCH 2020

British politics may seem complicated, but hopefully our trip to the Scottish Parliament might help explain things a little. The tour will start with a talk at the Edinburgh Center on environmental politics and sustainability by Hamish. Some snacks will be provided, then we will walk down to the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood. Upon arrival Alison Johnstone MSP for Lothian and Co-leader of the Scottish Green Party, will be giving a talk (if her agenda allows). on her party’s aims and policies, and can answer any questions you might have. After this the tour of the parliament will begin, where you can see the parliaments various buildings and rooms. You can also see where all the action happens in the Debating Chamber. Not interested in politics? The parliament building itself is a great example of post-modern architecture, having been designed by Enric Miralles and Benedetta Tagliabue. The parliament has won several architectural awards including the 2005 Stirling Prize, and is regarded as one of Scotland’s best modern buildings. This is a great opportunity to get an insight into the inner workings of the Scottish parliament, and into UK politics more broadly.

Price: FREE

SPEND A WEEKEND IN A BRITISH HOME WITH HOST UK

ORIGINS, DISCOVERY

One of the biggest challenges students often face while studying abroad is finding opportunities to meet the locals. That is why we have teamed up with HOST UK, who will provide you with the opportunity to experience British hospitality, at very little cost to you!

HOST UK is a charity organisation that provides international students with the opportunity to spend a weekend inside a British home. We always get great feedback from the students that take part, so much in fact, that Arcadia will pay the application fee and up to £20 towards your travel to the homestay.

If you would like to take part in HOST UK, email Cameron McKay. 

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