What to Expect

We fly out of Atlanta en route to Scotland on Saturday. We'll arrive at the Amsterdam airport and then take a shorter flight into Edinburgh International Airport. We will then make our way to the Edinburgh Central Hostel in Edinburgh's historic New Town. Each twin room has its own showers, sinks, and toilets. The hostel also has kitchen facilities, additional showers/toilets, wifi, public computers, coffee bar and restaurant. Once we settle in, students will have a brief on-site orientation and neighborhood tour, including historic Calton Hill. 

Over the next week, we will visit the sites of Edinburgh, which may include the National Library of Scotland, Edinburgh Castle, Mary King’s Close, Holyrood Palace, John Knox House, the University of Edinburgh, Surgeon’s Hall Museum, the Scottish Storytelling Center, the Walter Scott Memorial, and the National Scotland Museum.

 

During our second week, we will visit the sites of Glasgow and the surrounding area. In Glasgow, these will include the Glasgow Cathedral, the Necropolis, the Riverside Museum, the Kelvingrove Museum, the University of Glasgow, the Lighthouse, the Willow Tea Rooms,  the Glasgow Museum of Modern Art, the and the People's Palace.

We will intersperse those site visits with day trips in the surrounding area. First up will be St. Andrews and its historic Cathedral. That will be followed by trips to Linlithgow Palace, birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots and Stirling and its historic castle – a site made famous by William Wallace and Robert the Bruce in their struggles for Scottish independence against England. This struggle was made known to most Americans through the popular film, Braveheart. Finally students will have an opportunity to take a full-day tour through the Scottish Highlands. Sites may include Glencoe (site of an infamous 17^th Century massacre), Loch Lomond, Ben Nevis, and Oban.