From March 16th to March 20th, we had the amazing opportunity to visit Edinburgh as part of our language trip. The Scottish capital impressed us with its unique atmosphere, stunning architecture, and friendly people.

After arriving in Edinburgh, we checked into our rooms before setting off in small groups to explore the city for the first time. Of course, we couldn’t miss the chance to try fish and chips, a British classic. Later in the evening, we all met to walk up Calton Hill, where we enjoyed a breathtaking view over the city. Afterwards, we had more time to explore on our own and tried some traditional Scottish sweets, which, to our surprise, were quite similar to German ones.

The next morning, we met at 10 a.m., which gave us enough time to enjoy a relaxed breakfast in a cozy café—something we ended up doing quite a lot during our trip! Then, we went on a guided city tour, where we were divided into two groups. Our guide taught us a lot about both the Old Town and the New Town, showing us many places that inspired J.K. Rowling when she was writing Harry Potter. The tour ended at Victoria Street, one of the most picturesque streets in Edinburgh, said to be the inspiration for Diagon Alley. Since it was St. Patrick’s Day, we also got a small glimpse into some of the cultural celebrations, even though it is originally an Irish holiday.

Our group continued exploring different parts of the city, went shopping, or visited cafés. We also stopped by the impressive St Giles’ Cathedral, a historic landmark with beautiful stained-glass windows and fascinating architecture. Later that evening, we went on a Ghost Tour, where our guide told us eerie legends about the city’s dark past. One of the most interesting stories was about the MacKenzie Poltergeist, said to haunt Greyfriars Kirkyard, and the legend of the Anatomist’s brothers, who were known for their sinister involvement in Edinburgh’s medical history. The tour was both exciting and a little spooky, making it one of the most memorable experiences of the trip.

On Thursday, we walked to Dean Village, a charming and quiet area by the Water of Leith, which felt like a completely different world compared to the busy city center. From there, we had more time to explore Edinburgh in small groups. My group decided to visit the Royal Botanic Garden, which was a peaceful and beautiful place, filled with exotic plants and colorful flowers. Of course we went on a short coffee break. Afterwards, we walked all the way to the coast to enjoy the fresh sea air one last time. By the end of the day, we realized just how much we had walked—it had definitely been a long but rewarding adventure!

On Wednesday morning, we once again started our day with breakfast in a lovely café—by now, we had discovered that Edinburgh’s cafés are an absolute must! Afterwards, we visited the National Museum of Scotland, which had exhibitions ranging from animals and history to cars and motorcycles. There was something for everyone! Later, we had the chance to choose a museum to visit in smaller groups. As I am very interested in art, my group decided to go to the Scottish National Gallery. I was particularly fascinated by the landscape paintings of Alexander Nasmyth (1758–1840), which beautifully captured Edinburgh’s scenery in the 19th century. Another highlight was the famous portrait “Lady Agnew of Lochnaw” by John Singer Sargent (1856 -1925), an American artist known for his elegant and detailed portraits. This painting, with its soft color tones and graceful expression, truly stood out to me. Afterwards, we did some last-minute shopping and enjoyed a final meal in the city.

On our last morning, we had to get up early, grabbed a quick breakfast (once again in a small, charming café), and headed to the airport. Looking back, what I will remember most about this trip is the incredible hospitality of the Scottish people. We never met an unfriendly person—everyone welcomed us with kindness and warmth. Edinburgh is a city full of history, charm, and surprises around every corner. This language trip was an unforgettable experience, not only because of what we saw but also because of how it brought us closer together as a group. We all grew during this journey—both as individuals and as a class.

by Ophelia Gerhardt