Arcadia Scotland

We hope you are getting excited about your time in Scotland this summer! 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! 

Read on below for what we have in store. Event registration opens Wednesday, 8 May 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 if more space becomes available.

lauren maccoll- fiddle player- wednesday 26th june

CREATING & IMAGINING SCOTLAND

Join us to be entertained by Lauren MacColl, an award-winning fiddle player from Fortrose, Scotland. She has released two solo albums as well as a duet album with flute player Calum Stewart. Lauren is a member of the fiddle quartet RANT. Her performances are emotive, engaging and informed by an equal helping of tradition and technique.

This summer, have the chance to see a wonderful fiddle player attending the beautiful Queen's Hall, in Edinburgh. To hear some of her music Click here.

Price includes: ticket to the concert. [Eligible for Scottish History, Museum Studies, Glasgow & Aberdeen STEM, and STIR 1]

HIGHLANDS DAY TRIP- SATURDAY 29TH JUNE 

DISCOVERY & INVENTION, ORIGINS, SCOTLANDS

A day excursion to explore the beautiful and fascinating history of the Highlands. 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 through highland villages and highland cows (maybe) and highland landscapes for our lunch stop in Killin. After lunch, we will visit Pitlochry and visit Blair Athol Distillery for a wee dram on our way back to the central belt of Scotland.

Price includes: round trip travel by bus, admission to Doune Castle, lunch in Killin & ticket to Blair Athol Distillery. (Note: will require an earlier departure to allow for travel from cities outside Edinburgh).

[Eligible for Scottish History, Museum Studies, Glasgow & Aberdeen STEM, and STIR 1]

LUSS HIGHLAND GAMES- SATURDAY 6TH JULY

ORIGINS, ACTIVE SCOTLAND, SCOTLANDS

Scottish Highland Games, a boat trip & castle visit- sound like an ideal Saturday? Leaving Edinburgh Saturday morning to travel from the central belt of Scotland to Balloch, a village situated on the southern tip of Loch Lomond, to watch the Luss Highland Games. The first Luss Highland Gathering was held in 1875 and has been held annually since, except for a break during the two World Wars. The games began to promote tourism by a group of local businessmen in the Balloch area. Today the games are known to be one of the top three Highland Games in all of Scotland and even includes over £15,000 in prize money. The traditional events include Tug o' War, Tossing the Caber, Weight over the Bar, Throwing the Hammer and Highland Dancing. Following lunch in the town of Balloch, we will take a boat trip around Loch Lomond. Enjoy a scenic 30 minute cruise along the highland boundary fault line passing the middle islands of Loch Lomond, known as the jewels in her crown and visit the picturesque villages of Balmaha and Luss on the east and west side of Loch Lomond respectively. The largest expanse of fresh water in Great Britain Loch Lomond measures 23 miles long, 5 miles wide and is Scotland’s third deepest Loch at 636 feet deep. While admiring the beautiful scenery, keep an eye out for some of Scotland’s wildlife including fallow deer, red squirrels, buzzards, voles, and the endangered capercaillie. In the afternoon, we will be visiting Dumbarton Castle. The longest recorded history of any stronghold in Scotland. It overlooks the Scottish town of Dumbarton, and sits on a plug of volcanic basalt known as Dumbarton Rock which is 240 feet high.

Price includes: round trip travel by bus departing Edinburgh & Glasgow, entrance to Luss Highland Games, boat trip & admission to Dumbarton Castle. (Note: will require an earlier departure to allow for travel from cities outside Edinburgh). [Eligible for Scottish History, Museum Studies, Glasgow & Aberdeen STEM, and STIR 1]

SCOTCH HOP CEILIDH IN LINLITHGOW PALACE- WEDNESDAY 17TH JULY

CREATING & IMAGINING

Ceilidh is the Gaelic word for a visit or gathering, a ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee) once involved a gathering of friends who sang, told stories, played music, recited poetry or debated the topics of the day, creating their own evening’s entertainment. A modern-day ceilidh usually involves Scottish country dancing to traditional Scottish folk music. Experience the thrill of dancing in the open-air courtyard of Linlithgow Palace where Mary Queen of Scots was born! There will be a high quality live Scottish band with a wide range of Scottish dances, enjoyed by a wide range of ages, abilities and nationalities. Do not worry if you do not know the dances they have a caller who gives instruction, before and during each dance. The ceilidh usually ends around 10.00 p.m.

Price includes: entry to the ceilidh & transport from Edinburgh to Linlithgow and back. [Eligible for Museum Studies, Glasgow & Aberdeen STEM, SUISS 1& 3 and STIR 2]

NORTH BERWICK & BASS ROCK- SATURDAY 20TH JULY

DISCOVERY & INVENTION, ORIGINS, SCOTLANDS

This exciting day trip includes a trip to North Berwick, a seaside town and former Royal Burgh in East Lothian along with a boat trip around the Bass Rock. After leaving North Berwick Harbour, the high speed boat quickly takes you for water views of Craigleith Island. Make sure to keep your eyes peeled looking for Puffins, Guillemots, Razorbills Kittiwakes, Cormorants and Shags who all nest on the island. Seals are also frequently spotted sleeping on the rocks around Craigleith. The boat will get up to speeds of 25 knots to arrive at Bass Rock, be sure to hold onto any hats! The Bass Rock is the largest single rock Gannetry in the world, with approx 150,000 Gannets on the rock during the nesting season it is a very special sight. Sir David Attenborough has described it as "One of the wildlife wonders of the world". After leaving the Bass Rock, the boat heads over towards the shore so you can get a unique view of Tantallon Castle perched atop the huge sea cliffs.

Price includes: round trip travel by train to North Berwick from Edinburgh & ticket for the Safari rib. [Eligible for Museum Studies, Glasgow & Aberdeen STEM, SUISS 1 & 3 and STIR 2]

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