Trips around Scotland for English language students from Glasgow School of English
Scotland is a beautiful country with 7 vibrant and exciting cities to explore, as well as scenic countryside all around. Glasgow is not a huge city like London, so you can be out in the countryside within 20 minutes. Here are some of our suggestions for places you might like to visit when you come to study with us.
Edinburgh
Scotland's capital is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. It is dominated by the historic Edinburgh Castle which towers over Princes Street. There are also beautiful gardens which lie below it.
The road leading from the castle runs down to Holyrood Palace. This is where the Queen stays when she is in Edinburgh. This road is known as the Royal Mile in Edinburgh’s Old Town. The area to the north of the castle, known as the New Town, was developed in the mid-18th century and contains a great deal of attractive Georgian architecture. Both Old and New Towns received UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 1995.
There are numerous museums in the city, ranging from the large National Museum of Scotland to smaller ones such as the Museum of Edinburgh and the Museum of Childhood. There are many important art galleries, such as the Scottish National Gallery, the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, and the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art.
Calton Hill, which is east of Princes Street, is a popular walk. The Scott Monument provides an even closer view of the street and gardens. Edinburgh has its own extinct volcano, called Arthur's Seat, in Holyrood Park - an extensive area of wild land situated next to Holyrood Palace. There are excellent views from the top of Arthur’s Seat across the entire city.
Stirling
Stirling is an historic town which, like Edinburgh, is dominated by a large, ancient castle on a hill. Lonely Planet recently named it as one of top 40 experiences in Europe. There is a great deal to see, including the Great Hall, the Chapel Royal and the magnificent Unicorn tapestries.
This tall tower just outside Stirling commemorates one of Scotland's great heroes - William Wallace. It is built on a hill overlooking the site of the battle of Stirling Bridge, where Wallace defeated an English army.
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs
This national park is not far to the north of Glasgow and is one of Scotland's most scenic areas. It includes a number of beautiful lochs and mountains, making it a very popular tourist destination.
Loch Lomond itself is a large freshwater lake, dominated by Ben Lomond, a mountain of 974 metres in height.
To the east is the area known as the Trossachs, with the towns of Callander and Aberfoyle, as well as the beautiful Loch Katrine. Here you can take a boat trip on the steamship, Sir Walter Scott, www.lochlomond-trossachs.org
