Christmas in Scotland

Many students choose Scotland as a destination to visit during their time in Cranfield. Its history, its legends, its landscapes, not its weather, but its people and its nature attract some of our student colleagues during the holidays. Over Christmas, many of us chose to visit Scotland, I personally knew I wanted to go to Scotland even before the beginning of the program. After some thinking and talking with individuals with similar experiences like mine in the lands of the Scots we decided to present a quick and brief review of our trips.

Where did you visit during the Christmas break?

I visited Glasgow and Edinburgh during the holidays.

Why did you go to Scotland?

I visited Scotland because I have always wanted to visit and of course I heard a lot of good things about Edinburgh, so I wanted to see for myself.

Is there anything you learnt?

I picked up a bit of the Scottish native language “Nollaig Chridheil” meaning Merry Christmas and I also discovered the history about the Edinburgh Castle.

What was your favourite place?

I think Edinburgh Castle was my favourite place to visit.

What is your best memory of this Christmas?

Watching the fireworks where there was also a street party at Princes Street, they shut down the entire road for this event, it was a beautiful sight.

What do you recommend visiting?

You must visit the Edinburgh castle – everyone should and definitely experience the view from Carlton Hill.

What is your favourite gastronomic moment of Scottish food?

It sounds crazy but I only ate my Nigerian Jollof rice.

Where did you visit during the Christmas break?

I visited Edinburgh and the Scottish Highlands.

Is there anything you learnt?

Driving on the mountain road. It was a really satisfying experience.

What was your favourite place?

Neist Point Lighthouse – the place I loved most. It has all the elements that moved me. The blue sea, the burning sunset, the lonely lighthouse. You need to walk for about 40 mins to get to the lighthouse, but the view is 1000% worth it! Do go there for a sunset. Really romantic.

What is your best memory of this Christmas?

The Christmas market in Edinburgh is good. And the experience on the Chair Swing Roundabout. Not scary at all.  A good chance to get close to the castle.

What do you recommend visiting?

Carlton Hill – Recommend going there when the sun goes down. You will enjoy the city view under the halo.

What is your favourite gastronomic moment of Scottish food?

A restaurant in Edinburgh old town was very interesting, the mashed potatoes were different for each dish.

Where did you visit during the Christmas break?

Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth, Dundee, Falkirk.

Why did you go to Scotland?

To discover another part of the UK and visit some of the many beautiful places in Scotland.

Is there anything you learnt?

The unicorn is the national animal of Scotland. It was adopted by King Robert in the late 1300s.

What was your favourite place?

Kinnoull Hill, which is the highest of the five hills in Perth and is a site of Special Scientific interest.

What is your best memory of this Christmas?  

Discovering some of the best places in Scotland alongside my travel buddy Jesus Lucero.

What do you recommend visiting?

Kinnoull Hill, Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh’s Christmas market, Camera Obscura and World of Illusions, The Riverside Museum of Transport and Travel, the Kelpies and the Helix.

What is your favourite gastronomic moment of Scottish food?

Haggis, which is the national dish of Scotland, is a type of pudding composed of the liver, heart, and lungs of a sheep, minced and mixed with beef or mutton suet and oatmeal and seasoned with onion, cayenne pepper and other spices.

Where did you visit during the Christmas break?

Edinburgh, Glasgow and the North.

Why did you go to Scotland?

To celebrate the holidays with friends and the Hogmanay festival.

Is there anything you learnt?

About Scottish culture and history of Glencoe, a beautiful national park.

What was your favourite place?

Necropolis in Glasgow.

What is your best memory of this Christmas?

Quality time with besties in one of the most beautiful cities in UK.

What do you recommend visiting?

Glencoe, Glen Etive and Glenfinnan.

Where did you go during the Christmas break?  Glasgow, Falkirk, Dundee, Perth and Edinburgh.

Why did you go to Scotland?

I felt really attracted to its history and its tradition that makes this place so interesting and authentic.

Is there anything you learnt?

Scotland has so much to discover and I am really looking forward to returning.

What was your favourite place?

Arthur’s Seat, a hill in Edinburgh, it takes around 50 minutes to walk up there, but the views are phenomenal and breathtaking.

What is your best memory of this Christmas?

I remember that on Christmas day Soufiane and I felt kind of trapped in the city of Perth as there were no buses or trains that day. We decided to go for a walk in a forest and it was a magical morning.

What do you recommend visiting?

Edinburgh, the walking tours there are so interesting and enjoyable, you discover a whole new dimension of the city.

What is your favourite gastronomic moment of Scottish food?

Iron Bru, it is interesting, you can also find it in England, but it is a very important soda in Scotland.

Well, that was everything, five people, from five different countries, from five different program who came together to present to the rest of Cranfield their experiences in Scotland and encourage them to go up North too.