Summer Centre Spotlight: Edinburgh

This week, we’re excited to introduce our new Summer Centre in Edinburgh! Nicknamed the ‘Athens of the North’, there is more to the Old Smokey than meets the eye. The Scottish capital is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, striking medieval architecture, and rugged landscape, but it has also earned a growing reputation as the ‘brainiest place in Britain’.

Edinburgh is an eclectic city: While the ashen hues of the Medieval Old Town add to its moody charm, Victoria Street’s curve of brightly painted storefronts, selling all kinds of curiosities, will make you feel like you’ve stumbled into Diagon Alley. Meanwhile, Edinburgh’s New Town was developed in the 19th century into a hub for cultural pursuits and elegant Georgian townhouses.

Students will stay in Scotland’s oldest boarding school, Loretto, where they’ll enjoy campus life on its 85 acres of leafy grounds and picturesque Victorian buildings. What better place to learn English than in Britain’s historic centre of learning?

The Athens of the North

There is a reason Edinburgh is the most visited city in the UK after London: the streets are steeped in history and culture and have given rise to many of the world’s most celebrated writers, philosophers, and scientists. Some famous figures include the 18th-century Enlightenment thinker, David Hume, and the author of Sherlock Holmes, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, whose titular character was inspired by Joseph Bell, a surgeon at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.

Unsurprisingly, the city was crowned the world’s first UNESCO City of Literature in 2004, owing to its many famous authors and literary landmarks. Quirky independent bookshops are scattered across the city, where students can pick up a copy of one of Edinburgh’s many famous works. In August, the streets fizz with energy as people from all over Europe gather for the iconic Edinburgh Fringe, the world’s largest performing arts festival!

First opened in 1827, Loretto School has many traditions of its own. Students congregate every week at the Loretto Chapel, a striking building half-covered in a mosaic of vivid stained-glass squares. Alongside Loretto’s historic grounds, the school has fostered a connection with its Scottish heritage. All the way back in the 15th century, golf, or ‘gowth’, was invented in Scotland, and Loretto continues this tradition in its dedicated Golf Academy.

Did You Know?

• Edinburgh is claimed to be one of the most haunted cities in Europe, thanks to its array of spooky myths and attractions.
• Scotland is known for having some of the friendliest people in the world - starting up a conversation with strangers is considered quite normal, so students will benefit from finding plenty of opportunities to practise their English!

Castles, Myth and Breathtaking Scenery

Edinburgh is brimming with stories. Just walking through the city and its surroundings is enough to conjure up a rich tapestry of myths and legends.

Looming over the city on a volcanic crag is Edinburgh Castle, one of the oldest fortified places in Europe. Although no exact dates have been pinned down, the castle has been around since ancient times, when Iron Age people constructed a hill fort on the rock. Since then, the castle has lived many lives - as a fortress, royal residence, military garrison, and prison.

Edinburgh is also known for its accessible hikes, an ideal pastime in Scotland’s crisp air. Many locals and tourists climb up to Arthur’s Seat, a former active volcano, for a panoramic view of the city and Edinburgh Castle. The name of the hill and its origins have been much debated: While some people believe that it was the site of the legendary Camelot, the setting for King Arthur and his Round Table of Knights, others claim it is simply a corruption of the Gaelic expression, Àrd-Na-Said. Whatever its roots, this iconic peak certainly evokes a legendary past.

Explore Beyond Edinburgh

Learning English is more than grammar and vocabulary drills. Our Summer Centres give students the opportunity to practice their English skills in real-life contexts with native speakers, all while making lifelong memories.

While students will get the chance to explore Edinburgh’s winding streets and stunning scenery, they’ll also get to travel beyond the capital. We offer excursions to Stirling Castle, where students can appreciate the beauty of the Scottish Highlands.

With our Platinum Package, students can really make the most of their stay, visiting the Camera Obscura World of Illusions, an interactive museum dating all the way back to 1827, and the Royal Yacht Britannia, the former Royal yacht of the British monarchy!

Are you interested in our new Edinburgh Summer Centre? Click here for more information.