What to Expect

We fly out of Atlanta en route to Scotland on 16 May 2015. We'll arrive at the Frankfurt Airport in Germany, and then take a shorter flight into Edinburgh International Airport. We will then make our way to the  Smart City Hostel in Edinburgh's Old Town area. 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 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. The next trip will be to Rosslyn Chapel, just south of Edinburgh. Finally students will have an opportunity (for an extra fee) to take a full-day tour through the Scottish Highlands. Sites will include Glencoe (site of an infamous 17^th Century massacre), Loch Lomond, Ben Nevis, and Oban.

On 29 May, we will travel to Edinburgh International Airport . One the return flight, we will spend one night in Frankfurt, Germany, where student will have the opportunity to spend the evening. The following day, we will return to Atlanta.