A whistle-stop tour of Edinburgh

One of our schools has recently returned from Edinburgh, which has prompted me to write a bit about one of my favourite school trip destinations!

With its unique landscape, historical wealth and constant festivals, Edinburgh has something to please everyone. In just a few days your school can enjoy some incredible sights and learn a lot about the people and history of Scotland.  It's an incredible destination for Enrichment trips and is particularly popular with primary schools.

There is so much to see and do here... One of my personal favourites is The Real Mary King’s Close: this attraction gives you the unique opportunity to step back in time to the Edinburgh of the 17th century. Deep beneath Edinburgh's Royal Mile, these streets were used as foundations to support a new government building, and have remained untouched since they were buried deep underground. Guides in period costumes walk you through the houses, and provide incredible details about their former inhabitants - a fascinating experience for students.

After the underground streets, we recommend some wide-open spaces!  Few things are better than going on a hike up Holyrood Park: a mere ten minutes from the hustle and bustle of the Royal Mile lies this large stretch of bare wilderness. A succession of hills and rugged cliffs, this Park is the explanation to Edinburgh’s amazing skyline. The highest hill is Arthur’s Seat, at the top of which you will be rewarded with an unparalleled view of the city.

Edinburgh is also a fantastic destination to gain insight into the Royal lifestyle.  Back to civilisation and the stunning Holyrood Palace, where the Queen stays every year during Holyrood Week. And just a 15-minute bus ride from the city centre, the Royal Yacht Britannia, now docked in Leith Port, hosted the Royal Family for over 40 years. An informative audio tour takes you through five decks, and at the end you can relax and enjoy a cup of tea with a delicious home-made scone in the Royal Deck Tea Room. A real treat!

Of course, when I'm in Edinburgh, I can never avoid walking along Princes Street. It is a fun experience for schools, and you’ll be able to see the clear separation between the New town and the Old town. Walking along you can drift through the modern shops all the while enjoying a clear view of the stunning Edinburgh Castle, perched on its volcanic rock.

I'd really encourage you to consider a trip to Edinburgh, where your students are guaranteed an unforgettable few days.  When you are leaving I'm sure you’ll already be thinking of coming back for another taste of this magnificent city!

St Michael's school came back recently from an Edinburgh weekend trip organised by Diverse School Travel.  Here's what they had to say:

"I have all positive feedback, hotel was superb and in a perfect location...and the students enjoyed all the attractions... It was faultless. A well organised, stress free, enjoyable trip."

To visit Edinburgh, get in touch with us and we would be more than happy to create a perfect itinerary for you. 

www.diverseschooltravel.co.uk

by Jennifer Leonard

School trips that are not to be sneezed at: discover the History of Medicine in London.

Science Museum's History of Medicine

The Schools History Project (SHP) was set up in 1972 as a radical renovation of the place and purpose of history in schools. The Project was based on the notion that students should be taught history as a way of making sense of past human experience, in order  to understand better the present-day world. The “study in development” was a core aspect of this philosophy. Studying a single aspect of history across many eras allows students to understand the connection between past and present, and the changes and continuities across time. 

Nowadays, over 40 years on, the SHP remains highly popular among GCSE History teachers and students. The “study in development” remains essential to the SHP curriculum, and more and more schools are choosing to teach the “Medicine Through Time” course. This fascinating course explores the chronological development of the theory and practice of medicine, across a diverse range of eras and cultures. Topics range from prehistoric and classical era medicine, to health and sickness in the Middle Ages, to the rapid development of medicine in the 19th and 20th centuries...

Due to the popularity of the Medicine Through Time course, Diverse School Travel has developed a "Medicine Through Time" London school tour itinerary specifically tailored to the SHP syllabus. Our tours trace the development of the practice of medicine across time and across cultures: local museums such as The Old Operating Museum and Herb Garrett provide historical snapshots of 19th and 20th century healthcare in London itself, while the various permanent exhibitions at the London Science Museum explore the medical practices of cultures across the world.

Florence Nightingale Museum

Depending on your location, we offer a number of one-day Medicine Through Time itineraries, but why not stay in London for two days and enjoy the wealth of history just waiting to be discovered? Your students are sure to love our outstanding “Jack the Ripper” night-time walking tour; or for the more faint-hearted, we could organise a theatre trip as an alternative evening activity.

Tours start from £90 for two days.  Get in touch on 0121 271 0121 and we will be happy to suggest itineraries for your next school tour. 

By Laura Whitaker

www.diverseschooltravel.co.uk