2009 • Scotland
April 29, 2009 to May 1, 2009
During a Bank Holiday weekend, after hearing one of my classmates describe their trip to Scotland, I decided to head north to Edinburgh to explore the land north of Hadrian’s Wall. After being in England for two months at this point, being in Scotland was both familiar and different at the same time. Scotland, while part of the United Kingdom with England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, is the only constituent country that joined the union willingly in 1707. As such, there is a fierce sense of independence “north of the border” and they have maintained a separate political, legal, and cultural traditions despite being united with England for over 300 years. Also, while Scots are most certainly British, whatever you do, don’t call them English…just don’t. While in Scotland I had the opportunity to explore the historic city of Edinburgh and even hike through Holyrood Park which is very close to the Scottish Parliament and the Queen’s official residence in Scotland at Holyrood House. I was also able to take a day trip up into the highlands of Scotland where Scottish culture becomes even more distinct and I even made it as far north as Loch Ness—home to the infamous Loch Ness Monster.
