Scotland offers a unique combination of outdoor fun, including great fishing and hiking, and some of the very best in medieval castles. Imagine spending a night in one or learning the history of one of its old churches. Push aside the history, though, and look at a modern country with much to offer the student. You’ll find plenty of bars, clubs, dance facilities, and some pretty great shopping in the urban areas.
Planning Your Trip
Getting into and out of Scotland is easy to do. To keep costs down, consider using a student tour company. This will ensure safe passage as well as the opportunity to see the best that the region has to offer.
Student Performance Venues in Scotland
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
Students traveling for music purposes will find plenty of options for music venues. Local schools and communities offer the best assortment of small venues. However, there are also some major concert halls and performance theaters worth exploring, but advance notice is critical, though, since these venues in the large cities fill quickly.
The best concert halls in the country include the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and Perth Concert Hall. Other options in Glasgow include the Clyde Auditorium, Hampden Park, Green’s Playhouse and Queen Margaret Union. In Edinburgh, the Murrayfield Stadium and Queen’s Hall are two of the largest venues available for musical performances.
Visiting Glasgow
Glasgow is one of the best destinations for the American student traveler. Youth from Scotland also like visiting the city, providing an ideal mixing point for locals and travelers. It is the largest city in the country with more than 600,000 people, or 2 million if you include the surrounding urban area. This is still a working city, with a large industrial component. Yet, there are plenty of reasons to visit Glasgow especially if a London-type of experience is desired. You will find a wide variety of pubs, bars and clubs.
Sights in Glasgow
Glasgow Cathedral
Main attractions include destinations such as the Glasgow Cathedral, City Chambers, St Enoch Subway Station and the Willow Tea Rooms, plus world-class museums like the Glasgow Science Centre and the Burrell Collection. For fun, many clubs are located in the heart of the city. Glasgow has become known for venues focused on music. Comedy halls, cinemas and football venues are also prominent here.
Visiting Edinburgh
Comparatively, Edinburgh is much smaller but still offers plenty of reasons to visit. The castles here are one of the biggest treasures. Edinburgh also has Gothic churches, museums and galleries, festivals, and great restaurants and clubs. A visit to Old and New Towns of Edinburgh allows the history lover to embrace these World Heritage Sites.
Sights in Edinburgh
Scottish Parliament
There are many landmarks throughout Edinburgh worth exploring. The Edinburgh Castle is one of the best options. You’ll also want to look at the historic areas including the Grassmarket area, Scottish Parliament, Abbey and Palace of Holyroodhouse, and the Royal Yacht Britannia. Visitors can shop while walking along the Water of Leith, a river in the heart of the city. There are several theaters offering a range of musical performances throughout the year. And, for shops and restaurants, a visit to Victoria Street is worthwhile.
